Notice2021-23923
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Pilot To Permit the Listing and Trading of Options on the Nasdaq 100 Reduced Value Index
Primary source
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Published
November 3, 2021
Issuing agencies
Securities and Exchange Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 210 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 210 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60717-60719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23923]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-93448; File No. SR-ISE-2021-22]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Pilot
To Permit the Listing and Trading of Options on the Nasdaq 100 Reduced
Value Index
October 28, 2021.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on October 21, 2021, Nasdaq ISE, LLC (``ISE'' or ``Exchange'')
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the
proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items
have been prepared by the Exchange. 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\ 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
The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot to permit the listing and
trading of options based on \1/5\ the value of the Nasdaq-100 Index
(``Nasdaq-100'') currently set to expire on November 4, 2021.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
website at <a href="https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/rulebook/ise/rules">https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/rulebook/ise/rules</a>, 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 Exchange 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 statements may be examined at the
[[Page 60718]]
places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange 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
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
ISE filed a rule change to permit the listing and trading of index
options on the Nasdaq 100 Reduced Value Index (``NQX'') on a twelve
month pilot basis \3\ (``Program'').
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\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82911 (March 20,
2018), 83 FR 12966 (March 26, 2018) (SR-ISE-2017-106) (Approval
Order).
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NQX options trade independently of and in addition to NDX options,
and the NQX options are subject to the same rules that presently govern
the trading of index options based on the Nasdaq-100, including sales
practice rules, margin requirements, trading rules, and position and
exercise limits. Similar to NDX, NQX options are European-style and
cash-settled, and have a contract multiplier of 100. The contract
specifications for NQX options mirror in all respects those of the NDX
options contract listed on the Exchange, except that NQX options are
based on \1/5\ of the value of the Nasdaq-100, and are P.M.-settled
pursuant to Options 4A, Section 12(a)(6).
The Exchange proposes to amend ISE Options 4A, Section 12(a)(6) to
extend the current NQX pilot period to May 4, 2022. This pilot was
previously extended with the last extension through November 4,
2021.\4\ The Exchange continues to have sufficient capacity to handle
additional quotations and message traffic associated with the listing
and trading of NQX options. In addition, index options are integrated
into the Exchange's existing surveillance system architecture and are
thus subject to the relevant surveillance processes. The Exchange also
continues to have adequate surveillance procedures to monitor trading
in NQX options thereby aiding in the maintenance of a fair and orderly
market. Additionally, there is continued investor interest in these
products and this extension will provide additional time to collect
data related to the pilot.
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\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 86071 (June 10,
2019), 84 FR 27822 (June 14, 2019) (SR-ISE-2019-18); 87379 (October
22, 2019), 84 FR 57793 (October 28, 2019) (SR-ISE-2019-27); 88683
(April 17, 2020), 85 FR 22768 (April 23, 2020) (SR-ISE-2020-18);
90257 (October 22, 2020), 85 FR 68387 (October 28, 2020) (SR-ISE-
2020-33); and 91485 (April 6, 2021), 86 FR 19052 (April 12, 2021)
(SR-ISE-2021-05).
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The Exchange believes that the proposed extension of the Program
will not have an adverse impact on capacity.
Pilot Report
The Exchange currently makes public on its website the data and
analysis previously submitted to the Commission on the Program and will
continue to make public any data or analysis it submits under the
Program in the future. The Exchange will be submitting a rule change to
request that the Program become permanent. In lieu of submitting any
additional annual reports, the Exchange would provide additional
information requested by the Commission in connection with the
permanency rule change for this Program. The Exchange would continue to
provide the Commission with ongoing data unless and until the Program
is made permanent or discontinued.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b) of the Act,\5\ in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\6\ in particular, in that it
is designed 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. In particular, the Exchange believes
that the Program has been successful to date. The Exchange has not
encountered any problems with the Program. By extending the pilot, the
Exchange believes it will attract order flow to the Exchange, increase
the variety of listed options, and provide a valuable hedge tool to
retail and other investors. Specifically, the Exchange believes that
the pilot will provide additional trading and hedging opportunities for
investors while providing the Commission with data to monitor for and
assess any potential for adverse market effects of allowing P.M.-
settlement for NQX options, including on the underlying component
stocks.
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\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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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 competition that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. NQX options would be
available for trading to all market participants and therefore would
not impose an undue burden on intra-market competition.
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will not impose
an undue burden on inter-market competition as this rule change will
continue to facilitate the listing and trading of a new option product
that will enhance competition among market participants, to the benefit
of investors and the marketplace. The continued listing of NQX will
enhance competition by providing investors with an additional
investment vehicle, in a fully-electronic trading environment, through
which investors can gain and hedge exposure to the Nasdaq-100.
Furthermore, this product could offer a competitive alternative to
other existing investment products that seek to allow investors to gain
broad market exposure. Finally, it is possible for other exchanges to
develop or license the use of a new or different index to compete with
the Nasdaq-100 and seek Commission approval to list and trade options
on such an index.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either solicited or 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 \7\ and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4
thereunder.\8\
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\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\8\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule19b-4(f)(6)(iii)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along
with a brief description and 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.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the
Act \9\ normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date
of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \10\ permits the
Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent
with the protection of investors and the
[[Page 60719]]
public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-
day operative delay so that it may immediately extend the Program prior
to the current expiration date so that the pilot may continue
uninterrupted. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day
operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the
public interest as it will allow the Program to continue uninterrupted,
thereby avoiding investor confusion that could result from a temporary
interruption in the Program. Accordingly, the Commission hereby waives
the operative delay and designates the proposed rule change operative
upon filing.\11\
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\9\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\11\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission also has 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 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
<bullet> Use the Commission's internet comment form (<a href="http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>); or
<bullet> Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bdcfc8d1d890ded2d0d0d8d3c9cefdced8de93dad2cb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fe8c8b929bd39d9193939b908a8dbe8d9b9dd0999188">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include
File Number SR-ISE-2021-22 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
<bullet> 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-ISE-2021-22. 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 (<a href="http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>).
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-ISE-2021-22, and should be submitted on
or before November 24, 2021.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\12\
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\12\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-23923 Filed 11-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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