Document ID: SEC-2018-1580-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Notice
Title: Self-Regulatory Organizations; Proposed Rule Changes: Investors Exchange LLC
Posted Date: 2018-10-11T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 197 (Thursday, October 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51515-51518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22043]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-84360; File No. SR-IEX-2018-20]

Self-Regulatory Organizations: Investors Exchange LLC; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Modify 
Its Fee Schedule To Specify the Circumstances Under Which the Exchange 
Will Aggregate the Activity of Affiliated Members for Purposes of 
Applying the Provisions of Rule 11.170(a) Related to the IEMM Program

October 4, 2018.
    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 September 26, 2018, the Investors Exchange LLC (``IEX'' 
or the ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I 
and II 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.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    Pursuant to the provisions of Section 19(b)(1) under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act''),\4\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\5\ IEX is 
filing with the Commission a proposed rule change to modify its Fee 
Schedule, pursuant to IEX Rule 15.110(a) and (c), to specify the 
circumstances under which the Exchange will aggregate the activity of 
affiliated Members for purposes of applying the provisions of Rule 
11.170(a) (IEX Enhanced Market Maker (``IEMM'')) Program. The Exchange 
has designated this rule change as ``non-controversial'' under Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \6\ and provided the Commission with the notice 
required by Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\7\
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    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \5\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \7\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
website at www.iextrading.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 the 
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 these statement may be examined at 
the places specified in Item IV below. The self-regulatory organization 
has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the 
most significant aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
Background
    The Exchange proposes to modify its Fee Schedule, pursuant to IEX 
Rule 15.110(a) and (c), to specify the circumstances under which the 
Exchange will aggregate the activity of affiliated Members for purposes 
of applying the provisions of the IEMM Program. The Exchange also 
proposes a minor change to correct an errant cross reference in the Fee 
Schedule.
    The IEMM program is a Market Quality Incentive Program that offers 
certain fee-based incentives for Members that provide meaningful and 
consistent support to market quality and price discovery by extensive 
quoting at and/or near the NBBO in IEX-listed securities for a 
significant portion of the day.\8\ Specifically, a Member that 
satisfies the quoting criteria for one or more of the following tiers 
in each security listed on IEX over the course of the month that the 
security is listed on IEX may be designated as an IEMM:
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    \8\ See Rule 11.170(a). See also Securities Exchange Act Release 
No. 82636 (February 6, 2018), 83 FR 6059 (February 12, 2018) (SR-
IEX-2018-02).
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     Inside Tier IEMM: One or more of its MPIDs has a displayed 
order entered in a principal capacity of at least one round lot resting 
on the Exchange at the NBB and/or the NBO for an average of at least 
20% of Regular Market Hours (the ``NBBO Quoting Percentage''); and/or
     Depth Tier IEMM: One or more of its MPIDs has a displayed 
order entered in a principal capacity of at least one round lot resting 
on the Exchange at the greater of 1 minimum price variation (``MPV'') 
or 0.03% (i.e., 3 basis points) away from the NBBO (or more aggressive) 
for an average of at least

[[Page 51516]]

75% of Regular Market Hours (the ``Depth Quoting Percentage'').
    Members that are designated as an IEMM qualify for the Standard 
Match Fee Discount, Reduced Match Fee Discount, and the Spread-Crossing 
Eligible Remove Fee Discount. Specifically, for Inside Tier IEMMs, the 
Standard Match Fee Discount, Reduced Match Fee Discount, and the 
Spread-Crossing Eligible Remove Fee Discount results in a $0.0001 
discount for each execution subject to the Standard Match Fee Discount, 
Reduced Match Fee Discount, or the Spread-Crossing Eligible Remove Fee 
Discount, respectively, with no cap on aggregate monthly savings. 
Furthermore, Depth Tier IEMMs will receive a $0.0001 discount for each 
execution subject to the Standard Match Fee Discount, the Reduced Match 
Fee Discount, and the Spread-Crossing Eligible Remove Fee Discount, up 
to $20,000.00 in aggregate savings per month. If a Member qualifies 
under both the Inside Tier and the Depth Tier, any earned Standard 
Match Fee Discount, Reduced Match Fee Discount, and Spread-Crossing 
Eligible Remove Fee Discount will be aggregated and applied to such 
Member's executions subject to the Standard Match Fee, Reduced Match 
Fee, or Spread-Crossing Eligible Remove Fee in securities priced at or 
above $1.00, subject to the applicable Depth Tier aggregate monthly 
savings cap of $20,000.00.
Proposed Changes
    The Exchange proposes to amend its Fee Schedule to provide for 
aggregation of affiliated Members' activity for purposes of applying 
the provisions of the IEMM Program. The proposal is substantially based 
on Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (``Nasdaq'') Rule 7027, and the New York 
Stock Exchange, Inc.'s (``NYSE'') Price List.\9\
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    \9\ See Nasdaq Rule 7027; see also NYSE's Price List, available 
at: https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/nyse/NYSE_Price_List.pdf.
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    Specifically, the Exchange proposes to add footnote 2 to the 
Exchange's Fee Schedule, entitled ``Aggregation of activity of 
affiliated Members'' to specify that for purposes of applying the 
provisions of Rule 11.170(a), a Member may request that the Exchange 
aggregate its activity with activity of such Member's affiliated 
Members. A Member requesting aggregation of affiliate activity is 
required to certify to the Exchange the affiliate status of Members 
whose activity it seeks to aggregate prior to receiving approval for 
aggregation, and inform the Exchange immediately of any event that 
causes an entity to cease being an affiliate. The Exchange shall review 
available information regarding the entities and reserves the right to 
request additional information to verify the affiliate status of an 
entity.\10\ The Exchange shall approve a request unless it determines 
that the certification is not accurate.
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    \10\ For example, the Exchange would review a Member's Form BD 
in FINRA's Central Registration Depository (``CRD'') to verify that 
the Member(s) for which it seeks aggregation pursuant to the 
proposed rule is under 75% common ownership or control of the 
requesting Member.
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    If two or more Members become affiliated on or prior to the 
sixteenth day of a month and submit the required request for 
aggregation on or prior to the twenty-second day of the month, an 
approval of the request by the Exchange shall be deemed to be effective 
as of the first day of that month. If two or more Members become 
affiliated after the sixteenth day of a month or submit a request for 
aggregation after the twenty-second day of the month, an approval of 
the request by the Exchange shall be deemed to be effective as of the 
first day of the next calendar month. For purposes of applying the 
provisions of Rule 11.170(a), references to an IEMM shall include the 
Member and any of its affiliates that have been approved for 
aggregation. The term ``affiliate'' shall mean any Member under 75% 
common ownership or control of that Member.
    Lastly, the Exchange proposes to correct an errant cross reference 
in the Fee Schedule that incorrectly cross references Rule 11.160(a) 
(Notification Requirements for Offering Participants) as the IEX 
Enhanced Market Maker program. The Exchange proposes to correct the 
cross reference to appropriately cite to Rule 11.170(a) (Market Quality 
Incentive Programs).
2. Statutory Basis
    IEX believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
provisions of Section 6(b) \11\ of the Act in general, and furthers the 
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \12\ in particular, in that it 
is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, 
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the 
public interest.
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    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the protection of investors and the public interest because it 
establishes a clear and objective process for aggregating activity 
across affiliated legal entities to simplify the process of billing 
under the IEMM program. Furthermore, the Exchange believes the proposed 
rule change is consistent with the protection of investors and the 
public interest in that it establishes a clear policy with respect to 
affiliate aggregation for fee purposes that is common among other 
exchanges, thereby promoting Members' understanding of the parameters 
of the IEMM program and the efficiency of its administration. The 
proposed rule is equitable because all similarly situated members are 
subject to the proposed rules equally, and access to the Exchange is 
offered on fair and nondiscriminatory terms.
    All Members seeking to aggregate their activity are subject to the 
same reasonable parameters, in accordance with a standard that 
recognizes an affiliation as of the month's beginning, or close in time 
to when the affiliation occurs, provided the Member submits a timely 
request. Moreover, the proposed billing aggregation language is 
reasonable because it establishes a standard for implementation of 
aggregation requests that is easy to administer and that reflects the 
need for the Exchange to review and approve aggregation requests while 
avoiding the complexities associated with proration of the bills of 
Members that become affiliated during the course of a month. The 
Exchange believes that this approach will thus simplify the process of 
billing under the IEMM program for the Exchange and its Members and is 
substantially similar to aggregation standards adopted by other 
exchanges.\13\
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    \13\ See supra note 4 [sic].
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    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change avoids 
disparate treatment of Members that have divided their various business 
activities between separate legal entities as compared to Members that 
operate those business activities within a single legal entity. The 
Exchange further notes that the proposed rule change is reasonable and 
is designed to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a 
free and open market by harmonizing the rules across exchanges that 
govern the aggregation of certain activity for purposes of billing. In 
particular, as noted above, both Nasdaq and NYSE have substantially 
similar rules governing aggregation of activity for fee purposes.\14\ 
Thus, the Exchange believes the proposed change does not present any 
unique or novel issues under the Act that have not already been 
considered by the Commission.
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    \14\ See supra note 4 [sic].

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[[Page 51517]]

    Lastly, the Exchange believes the proposed correction to the cross-
reference is reasonable and consistent with the protection of investors 
and the public interest in that it is designed to make the Exchange's 
Fee Schedule more clear and accurate, to the benefit of all market 
participants.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on intermarket or intramarket competition that is not 
necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. As 
stated above, the proposed rule change, which applies equally to all 
Members, is intended to reduce the Exchange's administrative burden in 
applying discounts for firms which have requested aggregation with an 
affiliate Member, and is substantially similar to rules adopted by 
other exchanges. Because the market for order execution and routing is 
extremely competitive, Members may readily opt to disfavor the Exchange 
if they believe that alternatives offer them better value. The Exchange 
thus does not believe the proposed changes will impair the ability of 
Members or competing order execution venues to maintain their 
competitive standing in the financial markets.
    Lastly, the Exchange believes the proposed correction to the cross 
reference, as described above, does not impose any burden on 
competition, as it is simply designed to make the Exchanges Fee 
Schedule more clear and accurate, to the benefit of all market 
participants.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    Because the proposed rule change does not (i) significantly affect 
the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any 
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 
days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the 
Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \15\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\16\
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    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written 
notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a 
brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least 
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule 
change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
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    A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the 
Act \17\ normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date 
of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \18\ permits the 
Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent 
with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange 
has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that 
the Exchange may implement the proposed rule change to coincide with 
the launch of its listing program. The Exchange believes that providing 
for IEMM affiliate aggregation will help to address the significant 
competitive challenges it will face in establishing itself as a 
competitive listings market by providing appropriate incentives to 
affiliated Members seeking to become IEMMs that accrue to the benefit 
of issuers listed on IEX as well as market participants generally. The 
Commission does not believe that the proposed change presents any new 
or novel issues, as the Exchange's proposal is based on similar rules 
of other listing exchanges. Accordingly, waiver of the operative delay 
is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. 
Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and 
designates the proposal operative upon filing.\19\
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    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \19\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 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) \20\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed 
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-IEX-2018-20 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-IEX-2018-20. This file 
number should be included in 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 Section, 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 will also be available for inspection 
and copying at the IEX's principal office and on its internet website 
at www.iextrading.com. 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-IEX-2018-20 
and should be submitted on or before November 1, 2018.

[[Page 51518]]

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
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    \21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-22043 Filed 10-10-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P