Document headings vary by document type but may contain
                    the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document
the number of the CFR title and the number of each part
                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly
                      related to
the agency docket number / agency internal file number
the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in
                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory
                      Actions See the
                    Document Drafting Handbook
                    for more details.
 Securities and Exchange Commission [Release No. 34-84925; File No. SR-NYSEAMER-2018-55]
 Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) [1]
                    
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) [2]
                    
                     and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,[3]
                    
                     notice is hereby given that, on December 20, 2018, NYSE American LLC (the “Exchange” or “NYSE American”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend its Options Fee Schedule (the “Options Fee Schedule”) and Equities Price List (the “Equities Fee Schedule”, together with the Options Fee Schedule, the “Fee Schedules”) to extend for one year a fee discount for the Partial Cabinet Solution bundles offered in connection with the Exchange's co-location services. The proposed change is available on the Exchange's website at 
                    *www.nyse.com,*
                     at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to amend the Exchange's Fee Schedules to extend a fee discount for the Partial Cabinet Solution bundles offered in connection with the Exchange's co-location services.[4]
                    
                     The Exchange offers the four Partial Cabinet Solution bundles to attract smaller Users, such as those with minimal power or cabinet space demands, or those for which the attendant costs of having a dedicated cabinet and related connectivity are too burdensome.[5] The Exchange offers Users [6]
                    
                     that purchase a Partial Cabinet Solution bundle on or before December 31, 2018 a 50% reduction in the monthly recurring charges (“MRC”) for the first 24 months.[7]
                    
                     The Exchange proposes to extend the 50% fee reduction to those Users that purchase a Partial Cabinet Solution bundle on or before December 31, 2019.[8]
                    
                     The Exchange does not propose to amend the length of the discount period. The amended portions of the Fee Schedules would read as follows:
                    ( print page 67755) Type of service
Description
Amount of chargePartial Cabinet Solution bundles. 
                            *Note:*
                             A User and its Affiliates are limited to one Partial Cabinet Solution bundle at a time. A User and its Affiliates must have an Aggregate Cabinet Footprint of 2 kW or less to qualify for a Partial Cabinet Solution bundle. See Note 2 under “General Notes.”
Option A: 1 kW partial cabinet, 1 LCN connection (1 Gb), 1 IP network connection (1 Gb), 2 fiber cross connections and either the Network Time Protocol Feed or Precision Timing Protocol
$7,500 initial charge per bundle plus monthly charge per bundle as follows:
                             • For Users that order on or before December 31, 2019: $3,000 monthly for first 24 months of service, and $6,000 monthly thereafter. 
                             • For Users that order after December 31, 2019: $6,000 monthly.Option B: 2 kW partial cabinet, 1 LCN connection (1 Gb), 1 IP network connection (1 Gb), 2 fiber cross connections and either the Network Time Protocol Feed or Precision Timing Protocol
$7,500 initial charge per bundle plus monthly charge per bundle as follows:
                             • For Users that order on or before December 31, 2019: $3,500 monthly for first 24 months of service, and $7,000 monthly thereafter. 
                             • For Users that order after December 31, 2019: $7,000 monthly.Option C: 1 kW partial cabinet, 1 LCN connection (10 Gb), 1 IP network connection (10 Gb), 2 fiber cross connections and either the Network Time Protocol Feed or Precision Timing Protocol
$10,000 initial charge per bundle plus monthly charge per bundle as follows:
                             • For Users that order on or before December 31, 2019: $7,000 monthly for first 24 months of service, and $14,000 monthly thereafter. 
                             • For Users that order after December 31, 2019: $14,000 monthly.Option D: 2 kW partial cabinet, 1 LCN connection (10 Gb), 1 IP network connection (10 Gb), 2 fiber cross connections and either the Network Time Protocol Feed or Precision Timing Protocol
$10,000 initial charge per bundle plus monthly charge per bundle as follows:
                             • For Users that order on or before December 31, 2019: $7,500 monthly for first 24 months of service, and $15,000 monthly thereafter. 
                             • For Users that order after December 31, 2019: $15,000 monthly.
 As is the case with all Exchange co-location arrangements, (i) neither a User nor any of the User's customers would be permitted to submit orders directly to the Exchange unless such User or customer is a member organization, a Sponsored Participant or an agent thereof (
                    *e.g.,*
                     a service bureau providing order entry services); (ii) use of the co-location services proposed herein would be completely voluntary and available to all Users on a non-discriminatory basis; [9]
                    
                     and (iii) a User would only incur one charge for the particular co-location service described herein, regardless of whether the User connects only to the Exchange or to the Exchange and one or both of its affiliates.[10] 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,[11]
                    
                     in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) [12]
                    
                     and 6(b)(5) [13]
                    
                     of the Act, in particular. The proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act because it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members, issuers and other persons using its facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between customers, issuers, brokers or dealers. The Proposal is also consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act because it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanisms of, a free and open market and a national market system and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. The Exchange believes that the proposal provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges because it would extend the existing eligibility for a 50% MRC reduction for another year, providing smaller Users with minimal power or cabinet space demands with additional time to purchase a Partial Cabinet Solution at a discounted rate. The Exchange believes that it is reasonable to continue to offer the fee reduction as an incentive to Users to utilize the service, including both new and past Users. As is currently the case, the purchase of any colocation service (including Partial Cabinet Solution bundles) is completely voluntary. All Users that order a bundle on or before December 31, 2019 would have their MRC reduced by 50% for the first 24 months. The proposal would remove impediments to, and perfects the mechanisms of, a free and open market and a national market system because extending the 50% MRC reduction would continue to make it more cost effective for Users to utilize co-location by offering a cost effective, convenient way to create a colocation environment, through the choice of four Partial Cabinet Solution bundles with different cabinet footprints and network connections options. As mentioned 
                    ( print page 67756)
                    above, the Exchange expects that such Users would include those with minimal power or cabinet space demands and Users for which the costs attendant with having a dedicated cabinet or greater network connection bandwidth are too burdensome. The proposal would not unfairly discriminate between customers, issuers, brokers or dealers because it would apply to all Users equally. The Exchange would continue to offer the same four different Partial Cabinet Solution bundles with different cabinet footprints and network connections options. Users that require other sizes or combinations of cabinets, network connections and cross connects could still request them. For the reasons above, the proposed changes do not unfairly discriminate between or among market participants that are otherwise capable of satisfying any applicable co-location fees, requirements, terms and conditions established from time to time by the Exchange. Finally, the Exchange believes that it is subject to significant competitive forces, as described below in the Exchange's statement regarding the burden on competition. For these reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the Act. B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition The proposed rule changes will not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of Section 6(b)(8) of the Act.[14]
                    
                     The proposal changes will enhance competition by continuing to offer cost effective options for Users to create a colocation environment through four Partial Cabinet Solution bundles. Partial Cabinet Solution bundles allow Users to select their desired cabinet footprint and network connections at a reduced MRC for the first 24 months. Such Users may choose, in turn, to pass on such cost savings to their customers. In addition to the proposed services being completely voluntary, they are available to all Users on an equal basis (
                    *i.e.,*
                     the same products and services are available to all Users, and the extension of the 50% reduction for the MRC for the Partial Cabinet Solution bundles, would apply to all Users). The Exchange operates in a highly competitive market in which exchanges offer co-location services as a means to facilitate the trading and other market activities of those market participants who believe that co-location enhances the efficiency of their operations. Accordingly, fees charged for co-location services are constrained by the active competition for the order flow of, and other business from, such market participants. If a particular exchange charges excessive fees for co-location services, affected market participants will opt to terminate their co-location arrangements with that exchange, and adopt a possible range of alternative strategies, including placing their servers in a physically proximate location outside the exchange's data center (which could be a competing exchange), or pursuing strategies less dependent upon the lower exchange-to-participant latency associated with co-location. Accordingly, the exchange charging excessive fees would stand to lose not only co-location revenues but also the liquidity of the formerly co-located trading firms, which could have additional follow-on effects on the market share and revenue of the affected exchange. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually review, and consider adjusting, its services and related fees and credits to remain competitive with other exchanges. For the reasons described above, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes reflect this competitive environment. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) [15]
                    
                     of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 [16]
                    
                     thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) [17]
                    
                     of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments Use the Commission's internet comment form (*http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml*); or
Send an email to*rule-comments@sec.gov.*
                     Please include File Number SR-NYSEAMER-2018-55 on the subject line. Paper Comments Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAMER-2018-55. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's internet website (
                    *http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml*). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAMER-2018-55 and 
                    ( print page 67757)
                    should be submitted on or before January 22, 2019. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[18] Brent J. Fields, Secretary.


# Footnotes

1.
    
                         15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). Back to Citation
 2.
    
                         15 U.S.C. 78a. Back to Citation
 3.
    
                         17 CFR 240.19b-4. Back to Citation
 4.
    
                         The Exchange initially filed rule changes relating to its co-location services with the Commission in 2010. 
                        *See*
                         Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62961 (September 21, 2010), 75 FR 59299 (September 27, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-80) (the “Original Co-location Filing”). The Exchange operates a data center in Mahwah, New Jersey (the “data center”) from which it provides co-location services to Users. Back to Citation
 5.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77071 (February 5, 2016), 81 FR 7382 (February 11, 2016) (SR-NYSEMKT-2015-89). Back to Citation
 6.
    
                         For purposes of the Exchange's co-location services, a “User” means any market participant that requests to receive co-location services directly from the Exchange. 
                        *See*
                         Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76009 (September 29, 2015), 80 FR 60213 (October 5, 2015) (SR-NYSEMKT-2015-67). As specified in the Price List and Fee Schedule, a User that incurs co-location fees for a particular co-location service pursuant thereto would not be subject to co-location fees for the same co-location service charged by the Exchange's affiliates New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE”), NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”) and NYSE National, Inc. (“NYSE National” and, together, the “Affiliate SROs”). 
                        *See*
                         Securities Exchange Act Release No. 70176 (August 13, 2013), 78 FR 50471 (August 19, 2013) (SR-NYSEMKT-2013-67). Back to Citation
 7.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79717 (December 30, 2016), 82 FR 1767 (January. 6, 2017) (SR-NYSEMKT-2016-123). Back to Citation
 8.
    
                         The Exchange previously extended the MRC reduction for one year. 
                        *See*
                         Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82224 (December 6, 2017), 82 FR 58465 (December 12, 2017) (SR-NYSEAmer-2017-35). 
                        *See also*
                         Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 82223 (December 6, 2017) 82 FR 58459 (December 12, 2017) (SR-NYSE-2017-62), 
                        *and*
                         82226 (December 6, 2017), 82 FR 58462 (December 12, 2017) (SR-NYSEArca-2017-134). Back to Citation
 9.
    
                         As is currently the case, Users that receive co-location services from the Exchange will not receive any means of access to the Exchange's trading and execution systems that is separate from, or superior to, that of other Users. In this regard, all orders sent to the Exchange enter the Exchange's trading and execution systems through the same order gateway, regardless of whether the sender is co-located in the data center or not. In addition, co-located Users do not receive any market data or data service product that is not available to all Users, although Users that receive co-location services normally would expect reduced latencies in sending orders to, and receiving market data from, the Exchange. Back to Citation
 10.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         SR-NYSEMKT-2013-67, 
                        *supra*
                         note 6 at 50471. The Exchange's affiliates have also submitted substantially the same proposed rule change to propose the changes described herein. 
                        *See*
                         SR-NYSE-2018-63 and SR-NYSEArca-2018-93, and SR-NYSENAT-2018-26. Back to Citation
 11.
    
                         15 U.S.C. 78f(b). Back to Citation
 12.
    
                         15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). Back to Citation
 13.
    
                         15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). Back to Citation
 14.
    
                         15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8). Back to Citation
 15.
    
                         15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). Back to Citation
 16.
    
                         17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2). Back to Citation
 17.
    
                         15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). Back to Citation
 18.
    
                             17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Back to Citation


[FR Doc. 2018-28399 Filed 12-28-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011-01-P