Notice2025-17336

Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Adopt New Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) To Permit the Generic Listing and Trading of Class Exchange-Traded Fund Shares

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
September 10, 2025

Issuing agencies

Securities and Exchange Commission

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 173 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43655-43662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17336]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-103885; File No. SR-NYSEARCA-2025-39]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
of Amendment No. 1 and Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine 
Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by 
Amendment No. 1, To Adopt New Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) To Permit the Generic 
Listing and Trading of Class Exchange-Traded Fund Shares

September 5, 2025.
    On May 28, 2025, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'' or ``Exchange'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission''), 
pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to 
adopt new NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) to permit the generic listing and 
trading of Class Exchange-Traded Fund Shares. The proposed rule change 
was published for comment in the Federal Register on June 10, 2025.\3\
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 103189 (June 4, 
2025), 90 FR 24463 (``Notice''). The Commission has received no 
comments regarding the proposed rule change.
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    On July 15, 2025, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,\4\ the 
Commission designated a longer period within which to approve the 
proposed rule change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute 
proceedings to determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule 
change.\5\ On September 4, 2025, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to 
the proposed rule change, which amended and replaced the proposed rule 
change in its entirety.\6\
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    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 103457, 90 FR 34044 
(July 18, 2025). The Commission designated September 8, 2025 as the 
date by which the Commission shall approve or disapprove, or 
institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the 
proposed rule change.
    \6\ Amendment No. 1 is available at: <a href="https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2025-39/srnysearca202539.htm">https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2025-39/srnysearca202539.htm</a>.
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    The Commission is publishing this notice and order to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, 
from interested persons and to institute proceedings pursuant to 
Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \7\ to determine whether to approve or 
disapprove the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1.
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    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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I. The Exchange's Description of the Proposal, as Modified by Amendment 
No. 1

    The Exchange proposes to (1) adopt a new Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) to permit 
the generic listing and trading of Class Exchange-Traded Fund (``ETF'') 
Shares, and (2) make certain conforming changes to the Exchange's rules 
to accommodate the proposed listing of Class ETF Shares. This Amendment 
No. 1 to SR-NYSEARCA-2025-39 replaces SR-NYSEARCA-2025-39 as originally 
filed and supersedes such filing in its entirety. The proposed rule 
change is available on the Exchange's website at <a href="http://www.nyse.com">www.nyse.com</a> and at 
the principal office of the Exchange.

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 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to (1) adopt a new Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) to permit 
the generic listing and trading, or trading pursuant to unlisted 
trading privileges, of Class ETF Shares; and (2) make certain 
conforming changes to the Exchange's rules to accommodate the proposed 
listing of Class ETF Shares.\8\
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    \8\ The Exchange notes that Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (``BZX'') 
and The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'') have filed 
substantially similar rule filings. See Securities Exchange Act 
Release Nos. 103188 (June 4, 2025), 90 FR 24457 (June 10, 2025) (SR-
CboeBZX-2025-076) & 103072 (May 20, 2025), 90 FR 22373 (May 27, 
2025) (SR-NASDAQ-2025-037).
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    Consistent with other products (specifically, Investment Company 
Units listed pursuant to Rule 5.2-E(j)(3), Managed Fund Shares listed 
pursuant to Rule 8.600-E, and ETF Shares listed pursuant to Rule 5.2-
E(j)(8)), Class ETF Shares would be permitted to be listed and traded 
on the Exchange without prior Commission approval order or

[[Page 43656]]

notice of effectiveness pursuant to Section 19(b) of the Act.\9\
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    \9\ Rule 19b-4(e)(1) provides that the listing and trading of a 
new derivative securities product by a self-regulatory organization 
(``SRO'') is not deemed a proposed rule change, pursuant to 
paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 19b-4, if the Commission has approved, 
pursuant to Section 19(b) of the Act, the SRO's trading rules, 
procedures and listing standards for the product class that would 
include the new derivative securities product and the SRO has a 
surveillance program for the product class. As contemplated by 
proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9), the Exchange proposes to establish 
generic listing standards for Class ETF Shares of the ETF Class (as 
defined herein) that would be required to operate as an ETF pursuant 
to the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief (as defined herein) and be 
in compliance with the conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the ``Investment Company 
Act''), except as noted in the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief. 
Class ETF Shares listed under proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) would 
therefore not need a separate proposed rule change pursuant to Rule 
19b-4 before it can be listed and traded on the Exchange.
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Background
    There are numerous applications for exemptive relief for Class ETF 
Shares currently before the Commission \10\ requesting exemptive relief 
similar to that previously granted to other funds.\11\ The current 
proposal would provide for the ``generic'' listing and/or trading of 
Class ETF Shares under proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) on the Exchange.
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    \10\ See DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc. and Dimensional 
Investment Group Inc., (amendment filed March 31, 2025); F/m 
Investments LLC (amendment filed April 10, 2025); Fidelity Hastings 
Street Trust and Fidelity Management & Research Company (amendment 
filed April 11, 2025); Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust and 
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (amendment filed April 11, 
2025); BlackRock Funds (amendment filed April 15, 2025); Guinness 
Atkinson Funds (amendment filed April 17, 2025); Metropolitan West 
Funds, TCW ETF Trust, and TCW Funds, Inc. (amendment filed April 22, 
2025); and Northern Funds and Northern Trust Investments, Inc. 
(amendment filed May 2, 2025).
    \11\ See note 12, infra.
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    The Commission began granting limited relief for The Vanguard 
Group, Inc. (``Vanguard'') in 2000 to offer certain index-based open-
end management investment companies with Class ETF Shares.\12\ After 
this relief was granted, there was limited public discourse about Class 
ETF Shares until 2019, when the prospect of providing blanket exemptive 
relief to Class ETF Shares was addressed in the Commission's adoption 
of Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company Act (the ``ETF Rule'').\13\ 
The ETF Rule permits ETFs that satisfy certain conditions to operate 
without the expense or delay of obtaining an exemptive order. However, 
the ETF Rule did not provide blanket exemptive relief to allow for 
Class ETF Shares as part of the final rule. Instead, the Commission 
concluded that Class ETF Shares should request relief through the 
exemptive application process so that the Commission may assess all 
relevant policy considerations in the context of the facts and 
circumstances of particular applicants. The Exchange adopted Rule 5.2-
E(j)(8) \14\ shortly after implementation of the ETF Rule and, because 
the ETF Rule did not provide blanket relief to the Class ETF Shares 
listed on the Exchange pursuant to previously granted exemptive relief 
and there were no exemptive applications before the Commission at that 
time, the Exchange did not propose to include any language comparable 
to what is being proposed herein.
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    \12\ See Vanguard Index Funds, Investment Company Act Release 
Nos. 24680 (Oct. 6, 2000) (notice) and 24789 (Dec. 12, 2000) 
(order). The Commission itself, as opposed to the Commission staff 
acting under delegated authority, considered the original Vanguard 
application and determined that the relief was appropriate in the 
public interest and consistent with the protection of investors and 
the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the 
Investment Company Act. In the process of granting the order, the 
Commission also considered and denied a hearing request on the 
original application, as reflected in the final Commission order. 
See also the Vanguard Group, Inc., Investment Company Act Release 
Nos. 26282 (Dec. 2, 2003) (notice) and 26317 (Dec. 30, 2003) 
(order); Vanguard International Equity Index Funds, Investment 
Company Act Release Nos. 26246 (Nov. 3, 2003) (notice) and 26281 
(Dec. 1, 2003) (order); Vanguard Bond Index Funds, Investment 
Company Act Release Nos. 27750 (Mar. 9, 2007) (notice) and 27773 
(April 2, 2007) (order) (collectively referred to as the ``Vanguard 
Orders'').
    \13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 10695 (September 
26, 2019), 84 FR 57162 (October 24, 2019) (the ``ETF Rule Adopting 
Release'').
    \14\ See Securities Exchange Act No. 88625 (April 13, 2020) 85 
FR 21479 (April 17, 2020) (SR-NYSEArca-2019-81) (Notice of Filing of 
Amendment No. 2 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a 
Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 2, to Adopt NYSE 
Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(8) Governing the Listing and Trading of ETF 
Shares).
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    As noted, a number of applications for exemptive relief to permit 
the applicable fund to offer Class ETF Shares (the ``Applications'') 
have been submitted to the Commission starting in early 2023. In 
general, the Applications state that the ability of a fund to offer 
Class ETF Shares, i.e., a fund offering both a class of mutual fund 
shares and a class of shares that are exchange-traded, could be 
beneficial to the fund and to shareholders of each type of class for 
various reasons, including more efficient portfolio management, better 
secondary market trading opportunities, and cost efficiencies, among 
others.\15\ The Commission has granted, by order, specific exemptive 
relief (``Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief'') under the Investment 
Company Act on [DATE], that permits, subject to certain conditions and 
requirements, a Multi-Class Fund (as defined below) to issue Class ETF 
Shares (as defined below) and one or more classes of shares that are 
not exchange traded, among other things.\16\
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    \15\ See note 10, supra.
    \16\ The Exchange will amend this filing to add a citation to 
the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief once that becomes available.
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Proposed Rule Change
Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) is modeled on current Rule 5.2-E(j)(8).
    Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(a) would provide that the Exchange will consider 
for trading, whether by listing or pursuant to unlisted trading 
privileges, Class ETF Shares that meet the criteria of the proposed 
rule.\17\
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    \17\ To the extent that Class ETF Shares do not satisfy one or 
more of the criteria in proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9), the Exchange may 
file a separate proposal under Section 19(b) of the Act in order to 
list such securities on the Exchange. Any of the statements or 
representations in that proposal regarding the index composition, 
the description of the portfolio or reference assets, limitations on 
portfolio holdings or reference assets, dissemination and 
availability of index, reference asset, and intraday indicative 
values (as applicable), or the applicability of Exchange listing 
rules specified in any filing to list such Class ETF Shares shall 
constitute continued listing requirements for the Class ETF Shares. 
Further, in the event that Class ETF Shares become listed under 
proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) and subsequently can no longer satisfy the 
requirements of proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9), such Class ETF Shares may 
be listed as Investment Company Units pursuant to Rule 5.2-E(j)(3) 
or Managed Fund Shares under Rule 8.600-E, as applicable, as long as 
the Class ETF Shares meet all listing requirements applicable under 
the alternate listing rule. If the Class ETF Shares do change 
listing standards, the Exchange would have to comply with all 
requirements of Rule 19b-4(e) with respect to such Class ETF Shares.
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    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(b) titled ``Applicability'' would provide 
that the proposed rule would be applicable only to Class ETF Shares. 
Except to the extent inconsistent with proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9), or 
unless the context otherwise requires, the rules and procedures of the 
Board of Directors shall be applicable to the trading on the Exchange 
of such securities. Class ETF Shares are included within the definition 
of ``security'' or ``securities'' as such terms are used in the Rules 
of the Exchange.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(c) titled ``Definitions'' would set forth 
the meanings of terms as used in the Rule unless the context otherwise 
requires.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(c)(1) would provide that the term ``Class 
ETF Shares'' means shares of the ETF Class issued by a Multi-Class 
Fund.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(c)(2) would provide that the term ``ETF 
Class'' means the class of exchange-traded shares of a Multi-Class Fund 
that (i) operates as an exchange-traded fund

[[Page 43657]]

pursuant to exemptive relief granted by order under the Investment 
Company Act (``Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief''), and (ii) is in 
compliance with the requirements of Rules 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(1)(ii) and 
5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(2)(A)(ii) discussed below on an initial and continued 
listing basis.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(c)(3) would provide that the term 
``Multi-Class Fund'' means a registered open-end management company 
that (i) pursuant to Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief, issues Class 
ETF Shares and one or more classes of shares that are not exchange 
traded, and (ii) is in compliance with the conditions and requirements 
of the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(c)(4) would provide that the term 
``Reporting Authority'' in respect of a particular Multi-Class Fund 
means the Exchange, an institution, or a reporting service designated 
by the Exchange or by the exchange that lists Class ETF Shares (if the 
Exchange is trading such securities pursuant to unlisted trading 
privileges) as the official source for calculating and reporting 
information relating to such Multi-Class Fund, including, but not 
limited to, the amount of any dividend equivalent payment or cash 
distribution to holders of Class ETF Shares, net asset value, index or 
portfolio value, the current value of the portfolio of securities 
required to be deposited in connection with the issuance of Class ETF 
Shares, or other information relating to the issuance, redemption or 
trading of Class ETF Shares. A Multi-Class Fund may have more than one 
Reporting Authority, each having different functions.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(d) titled ``Limitation of Exchange 
Liability'' would provide that neither the Exchange, the Reporting 
Authority, nor any agent of the Exchange shall have any liability for 
damages, claims, losses or expenses caused by any errors, omissions, or 
delays in calculating or disseminating any current index or portfolio 
value; the current value of the portfolio of securities required to be 
deposited to the Multi-Class Fund in connection with the issuance of 
Class ETF Shares; the amount of any dividend equivalent payment or cash 
distribution to holders of Class ETF Shares; net asset value; or other 
information relating to the purchase, redemption, or trading of Class 
ETF Shares, resulting from any negligent act or omission by the 
Exchange, the Reporting Authority, or any agent of the Exchange, or any 
act, condition, or cause beyond the reasonable control of the Exchange, 
its agent, or the Reporting Authority, including, but not limited to, 
an act of God; fire; flood; extraordinary weather conditions; war; 
insurrection; riot; strike; accident; action of government; 
communications or power failure; equipment or software malfunction; or 
any error, omission, or delay in the reports of transactions in one or 
more underlying securities.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e) would provide that the Exchange may 
approve Class ETF Shares of a Multi-Class Fund for listing and/or 
trading (including pursuant to unlisted trading privileges) pursuant to 
Rule 19b-4(e) of the Act. For each listed Class ETF Shares, the ETF 
Class and the Multi-Class Fund issuing the Class ETF Shares, as 
applicable, must satisfy the requirements of Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) upon 
initial listing and, except for subparagraph (1)(A) of Rule 5.2-
E(j)(9)(e), on a continuing basis. An issuer of such securities must 
notify the Exchange of any failure to comply with such requirements.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(1) titled ``Initial and Continued 
Listing'' would provide that Class ETF Shares will be listed and traded 
on the Exchange provided that: (i) the Multi-Class Fund is eligible to 
operate an ETF Class as an exchange-traded fund pursuant to, and is 
otherwise in compliance with the terms and conditions of, the Multi-
Class Fund Exemptive Relief; (ii) the ETF Class is in compliance with 
the conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 under the Investment 
Company Act, except as noted in such Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief; 
and (iii) the ETF Class and the Multi-Class Fund each satisfies the 
requirements of this Rule, as applicable, on an initial and continued 
listing basis. Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(1)(A), titled ``Initial 
Shares Outstanding.'' would provide that the Exchange will establish a 
minimum number of Class ETF Shares required to be outstanding at the 
time of commencement of trading on the Exchange.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(2) titled ``Suspension of trading or 
removal'' would provide that the Exchange will consider the suspension 
of trading in, and will commence delisting proceedings under Rule 5.5-
E(m) of Class ETF Shares under any of the following circumstances:
    <bullet> if the Exchange becomes aware that with respect to the 
Class ETF Shares: (i) the Multi-Class Fund is no longer eligible to 
operate an ETF Class as an exchange-traded fund pursuant to, or is 
otherwise no longer in compliance with the terms and conditions of, the 
Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief; or (ii) the ETF Class is no longer 
in compliance with the conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 under 
the Investment Company Act, except as noted in such Multi-Class Fund 
Exemptive Relief;
    <bullet> if any of the other listing requirements set forth in 
proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) are not continuously maintained (proposed 
Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(2)(B));
    <bullet> if, following the initial twelve-month period after 
commencement of trading on the Exchange of Class ETF Shares, there are 
fewer than 50 beneficial holders of Class ETF Shares (proposed Rule 
5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(2)(C)); or
    <bullet> if such other event shall occur or condition exists which, 
in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange 
inadvisable (proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(2)(D)).
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(f) would provide that transactions in 
Class ETF Shares will occur during the trading hours specified in Rule 
7.34-E(a).
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(g) titled ``Surveillance Procedures'' 
would provide that the Exchange will implement and maintain written 
surveillance procedures for Class ETF Shares.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(h) titled ``Termination'' would provide 
that with respect to the Class ETF Shares, upon termination of the 
Multi-Class Fund or the ETF Class, as the case may be, the Exchange 
requires that the Class ETF Shares be removed from Exchange listing.
    The Exchange proposes to add Commentary .01 to proposed Rule 5.2-
E(j)(9). Proposed Commentary .01 to Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) would provide that 
the following requirements shall be met by Class ETF Shares on an 
initial and continued listing basis.
    Subsection (a)(1) of proposed Commentary .01 would provide that 
with respect to Class ETF Shares based on an index, if the underlying 
index is maintained by a broker-dealer or fund adviser, the broker-
dealer or fund adviser will erect and maintain a ``fire wall'' around 
the personnel who have access to information concerning changes and 
adjustments to the index and the index will be calculated by a third 
party who is not a broker-dealer or fund adviser.
    Subsection (a)(2) of proposed Commentary .01 would provide that any 
advisory committee, supervisory board, or similar entity that advises a 
Reporting Authority (as defined in the proposed rule) or that makes 
decisions on the index composition, methodology and related matters, 
must implement and maintain, or be subject to, procedures designed to 
prevent the use and dissemination of material non-public

[[Page 43658]]

information regarding the applicable index.
    Subsection (b) of proposed Commentary .01 would provide that with 
respect to a Multi-Class Fund that is actively managed, if the 
investment adviser to the Multi-Class Fund issuing Class ETF Shares is 
affiliated with a broker-dealer, such investment adviser will erect and 
maintain a ``fire wall'' between the investment adviser and the broker-
dealer with respect to access to information concerning the composition 
and/or changes to such Multi-Class Fund's portfolio. Further, personnel 
who make decisions on the portfolio composition must be subject to 
procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of material 
non-public information regarding the applicable portfolio. The 
Reporting Authority that provides information relating to the Multi-
Class Fund's portfolio must also implement and maintain, or be subject 
to, procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of 
material non-public information regarding the actual components of such 
portfolio.
Proposed Conforming Changes
    The Exchange also proposes corresponding amendments to include 
Class ETF Shares in other Exchange rules, which are intended to align 
the treatment of the proposed products with how other open-end 
management investment company shares (e.g., Investment Company Units, 
Managed Fund Shares, and ETF Shares) are treated under the Exchange's 
rules.
    First, the Exchange proposes to add Class ETF Shares to the 
definition of ``Derivative Securities Product and UTP Derivative 
Securities Product'' in Rule 1.1.
    Second, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 5.3-E to exempt Class 
ETF Shares from the requirements of Rule 5.3-E(d)(9) in connection with 
the acquisition of the stock or assets of an affiliated registered 
investment company in a transaction that complies with Rule 17a-8 under 
the Investment Company Act and does not otherwise require shareholder 
approval under the Investment Company Act \18\ and the rules thereunder 
or any other Exchange rule.\19\ In addition, the Exchange proposes to 
add proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) to the last paragraph of Rule 5.3-E, 
which defines derivative and special purpose securities for purposes of 
Rule 5.3-E.
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    \18\ The Exchange also proposes non-substantive, technical 
changes to delete two extraneous words in this rule.
    \19\ The Exchange notes that these proposed changes would 
subject Class ETF Shares to the same corporate governance 
requirements as other open-end management investment companies 
listed on the Exchange.
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Discussion
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) is based in large part on Rule 5.2-
E(j)(8) related to the listing and trading of ETF Shares, which are 
issued under the Investment Company Act and qualify as ETF Shares under 
Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company Act. ETF Shares are similar to 
Class ETF Shares because the ETF Class is required to operate as an ETF 
pursuant to the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief and be in compliance 
with the conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 under the Investment 
Company Act (except as noted in the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive 
Relief).\20\ The proposed Class ETF Shares generic listing rule would 
apply only to the class of shares that are exchange-traded. Because the 
ETF Class would be required to comply, among other things, with the 
conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company 
Act, similar to ETF Shares under Rule 5.2-E(j)(8), the Exchange 
believes that using Rule 5.2-E(j)(8) as the basis for proposed Rule 
5.2-E(j)(9) is appropriate.
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    \20\ See note 16, supra.
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    The Exchange believes that the proposal is designed to prevent 
fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices because the Exchange 
will perform ongoing surveillance of Class ETF Shares listed on the 
Exchange in order to ensure (i) the Multi-Class Fund is, and continues 
to be, eligible to operate an ETF Class as an exchange-traded fund 
pursuant to, and is otherwise in compliance with, the terms and 
conditions of, the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief, (ii) the ETF 
Class continues to be compliant with the conditions and requirements of 
Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company Act, except as noted in such 
Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief, and (iii) the ETF Class and the 
Multi-Class Fund each satisfies the requirements of the proposed Rule, 
as applicable, on an initial and continuing basis. The Exchange 
believes that the manipulation concerns that such standards are 
intended to address are otherwise mitigated by a combination of the 
Exchange's surveillance procedures, the Exchange's ability to halt 
trading and to suspend trading and commence delisting proceedings under 
proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(2). The Exchange will also halt trading in 
Class ETF Shares under the conditions specified in Rule 7.12-E, 
``Trading Halts Due to Extraordinary Market Volatility.'' The Exchange 
also believes that such concerns are further mitigated by enhancements 
to the arbitrage mechanism that have come from Rule 6c-11 under the 
Investment Company Act, specifically the additional flexibility 
provided through the use of custom baskets for creations and 
redemptions and the additional information made available to the public 
through the additional daily website disclosure obligations applicable 
under Rule 6c-11.\21\ The Exchange also notes that there are firewall 
and other information barrier restrictions in place in the proposed 
rule text.\22\ The Exchange believes that the combination of these 
factors will act to keep Class ETF Shares trading near the value of 
their underlying holdings and further mitigate concerns around 
manipulation of Class ETF Shares on the Exchange.
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    \21\ The Exchange notes that the Commission came to a similar 
conclusion in several places in the ETF Rule Adopting Release. See 
ETF Rule Adopting Release at 15-18; 60-61; 69-70; 78-79; 82-84; and 
95-96.
    \22\ See proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9), Commentary .01(a)(1) & (2).
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    The Exchange will monitor for compliance to ensure that (i) the 
Multi-Class Fund is, and continues to be, eligible to operate an ETF 
Class as an exchange-traded fund pursuant to, and is in otherwise in 
compliance with, the terms and conditions of, the Multi-Class Fund 
Exemptive Relief, (ii) the ETF Class continues to be compliant with the 
conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company 
Act, except as noted in such Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief, and 
(iii) the ETF Class and the Multi-Class Fund each satisfies the 
requirements of Rule 5.2-E(j)(9), as applicable, on an initial and 
continuing basis. Specifically, the Exchange will review the website of 
Class ETF Shares listed on the Exchange in order to ensure that the 
requirements of Rule 6c-11 are being met. The Exchange will also employ 
numerous intraday alerts that will notify Exchange personnel of trading 
activity throughout the day that is potentially indicative of certain 
disclosures not being made timely or the presence of other unusual 
conditions or circumstances that could be detrimental to the 
maintenance of a fair and orderly market. As a backstop to the 
surveillances described above, the Exchange also notes that Rule 5.2-
E(j)(9) would require an issuer of Class ETF Shares to notify the 
Exchange of any failure to comply with the requirements of the proposed 
Rule, the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief, or Rule 6c-11 under the 
Investment Company Act.

[[Page 43659]]

    The Exchange may suspend trading in and commence delisting 
proceedings for Class ETF Shares where such securities are not in 
compliance with the applicable listing standards or where the Exchange 
believes that further dealings on the Exchange are inadvisable.\23\ The 
Exchange also notes that proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e) requires any 
issuer to provide the Exchange with prompt notification after it 
becomes aware that: (i) the Multi-Class Fund is no longer eligible to 
operate an ETF Class as an exchange-traded fund pursuant to, or 
otherwise no longer complies with, the terms and conditions of, the 
Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief; (ii) the ETF Class is no longer 
compliant with the conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 under the 
Investment Company Act, except as noted in such Multi-Class Fund 
Exemptive Relief; or (iii) the ETF Class or the Multi-Class Fund no 
longer satisfies the requirements of proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9), as 
applicable, on an initial and continuing basis.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ Specifically, proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(1) provides that 
Class ETF Shares will be listed and traded on the Exchange subject 
to application of proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(2). Proposed Rule 
5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(2) provides that the Exchange will consider the 
suspension of trading in, and will commence delisting proceedings 
under Rule 5.5(m) for, Class ETF Shares under any of the following 
circumstances: (i) if the Exchange becomes aware, with respect to 
the Class ETF Shares: (1) the Multi-Class Fund is no longer eligible 
to operate an ETF Class as an exchange-traded fund pursuant to, or 
is otherwise no longer in compliance with the terms and conditions 
of, the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief; or (2) the ETF Class is 
no longer in compliance with the conditions and requirements of Rule 
6c-11 under the Investment Company Act, except as noted in such 
Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief; (ii) if any of the other listing 
requirements set forth in this Rule are not continuously maintained; 
(iii) if, following the initial twelve-month period after 
commencement of trading on the Exchange of Class ETF Shares, there 
are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of such the Class ETF Shares; 
or (iv) if such other event shall occur or condition exists which, 
in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the 
Exchange inadvisable. Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(h) provides that 
with respect to the Class ETF Shares, upon termination of the Multi-
Class Fund or the ETF Class, as the case may be, the Exchange 
requires that Class ETF Shares be removed from Exchange listing.
    \24\ The Exchange notes that failure by an issuer to notify the 
Exchange of non-compliance pursuant to proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e) 
would itself be considered non-compliance with the requirements of 
Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) and would subject the Class ETF Shares to potential 
trading halts and the delisting process under Rule 5.5(m).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the Exchange also represents that its surveillance 
procedures are adequate to properly monitor the trading of the Class 
ETF Shares in all trading sessions and to deter and detect violations 
of Exchange rules and applicable federal securities laws. Specifically, 
the Exchange intends to utilize its existing surveillance procedures 
applicable to derivative products, which are currently applicable to 
Investment Company Units, Managed Fund Shares, and ETF Shares, among 
other product types, to monitor trading in Class ETF Shares on the 
Exchange. The Exchange or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, 
Inc. (``FINRA''), on behalf of the Exchange, will communicate as needed 
regarding trading in Class ETF Shares and certain of their applicable 
underlying components with other markets that are members of the 
Intermarket Surveillance Group (``ISG'') or with which the Exchange has 
in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. In addition, 
the Exchange may obtain information regarding trading in Class ETF 
Shares and certain of their applicable underlying components from 
markets and other entities that are members of ISG or with which the 
Exchange has in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. 
Additionally, FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, is able to access trade 
information for certain fixed income securities that may be held by a 
Multi-Class Fund for the Class ETF Shares reported to FINRA's Trade 
Reporting and Compliance Engine (``TRACE''). FINRA also can access data 
obtained from the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's (``MSRB'') 
Electronic Municipal Market Access (``EMMA'') system relating to 
municipal bond trading activity for surveillance purposes in connection 
with trading in Class ETF Shares, to the extent that the Multi-Class 
Fund for the Class ETF Shares holds municipal securities. Finally, the 
issuer of Class ETF Shares will be required to comply with Rule 10A-3 
under the Act for the initial and continued listing of Class ETF 
Shares, as provided under Rule 5.3-E.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ The Exchange notes that these proposed changes would 
subject Class ETF Shares to the same corporate governance 
requirements as other open-end management investment companies 
listed on the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange notes that it may consider all relevant factors in 
exercising its discretion to halt or suspend trading in Class ETF 
Shares. Trading may be halted if the circuit breaker parameters in Rule 
7.12-E have been reached, because of other market conditions, or for 
reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Shares 
inadvisable. These may include: (1) the extent to which certain 
information about the Class ETF Shares that is required to be disclosed 
under Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company Act is not being made 
available, including specifically where the Exchange becomes aware that 
the net asset value or the daily portfolio disclosure with respect to 
Class ETF Shares is not disseminated to all market participants at the 
same time, it will halt trading in such securities until such time as 
the net asset value or the daily portfolio disclosure is available to 
all market participants; \26\ (2) if an interruption to the 
dissemination to the value of the index or reference asset on which 
Class ETF Shares is based persists past the trading day in which it 
occurred or is no longer calculated or available; (3) trading in the 
securities comprising the underlying index or portfolio has been halted 
in the primary market(s); or (4) whether other unusual conditions or 
circumstances detrimental to the maintenance of a fair and orderly 
market are present.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ The Exchange will obtain a representation from the issuer 
of Class ETF Shares that the net asset value per share will be 
calculated daily and made available to all market participants at 
the same time, and the requirements pertaining to the Multi-Class 
Fund Exemptive Relief and Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company 
Act in proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) will be satisfied.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange deems Class ETF Shares to be equity securities and 
therefore they would be subject to the full panoply of Exchange rules 
and procedures that currently govern the trading of equity securities 
on the Exchange.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ With respect to trading in Class ETF Shares, the Exchange 
represents that all ETP Holder obligations relating to product 
description and prospectus delivery requirements will continue to 
apply in accordance with the Exchange's rules and federal securities 
laws, and the Exchange will continue to monitor ETP Holders for 
compliance with such requirements, which are not changing as a 
result of the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief order issued under 
the Investment Company Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the 
Act,\28\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5),\29\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \29\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) is designed to 
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices in that the 
proposed rules relating to listing and trading Class ETF Shares on the 
Exchange provide specific initial and continued listing criteria 
required to be met by such securities. Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e) 
sets forth

[[Page 43660]]

initial and continued listing criteria applicable to Class ETF Shares, 
specifically providing that the Exchange may approve Class ETF Shares 
for listing and/or trading (including pursuant to unlisted trading 
privileges) on the Exchange pursuant to Rule 19b-4(e) under the Act, 
provided that (i) the Multi-Class Fund is eligible to operate an ETF 
Class as an exchange-traded fund pursuant to, and is otherwise in 
compliance with the terms and conditions of, the Multi-Class Fund 
Exemptive Relief; (ii) the ETF Class is in compliance with the 
conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company 
Act, except as noted in such Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief; and 
(iii) the ETF Class and the Multi-Class Fund each satisfies the 
requirements of this Rule, as applicable, on an initial and continued 
listing basis.\30\ The Exchange will comply with all the requirements 
of Rule 19b-4(e) to specifically note that such Class ETF Shares are 
being listed on the Exchange pursuant to the proposed Rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ The Exchange notes that eligibility to operate in reliance 
on Rule 6c-11 or any applicable exemptive relief under the 
Investment Company Act does not necessarily mean that an investment 
company would be listed on the Exchange pursuant to proposed Rule 
5.2-E(j)(9). To this point, an investment company that operates in 
reliance of exemptive relief providing for Class ETF Shares could 
alternatively be listed as Investment Company Units or Managed Fund 
Shares pursuant to Rules 5.2-E(j)(3) or 8.600-E, respectively, and 
would be subject to all requirements under each of those rules. 
Further to this point, in the event that Class ETF Shares listed on 
the Exchange preferred to be listed as a series of Investment 
Company Units or Managed Fund Shares (as applicable), nothing would 
preclude such security from changing to be listed as Investment 
Company Units or Managed Fund Shares (as applicable), as long as the 
security met each of the initial and continued listing obligations 
under the applicable rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e) provides that Class ETF Shares of each 
Multi-Class Fund will be listed and traded on the Exchange subject to 
application of proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(2). Proposed Rule 5.2-
E(j)(9)(e)(2) provides that the Exchange will consider the suspension 
of trading in, and will commence delisting proceedings under Rule 
5.5(m) of, Class ETF Shares under any of the following circumstances:
    <bullet> if the Exchange becomes aware with respect to the Class 
ETF Shares: (i) the Multi-Class Fund is no longer eligible to operate 
an ETF Class as an exchange-traded fund pursuant to, or is otherwise no 
longer in compliance with the terms and conditions of, the Multi-Class 
Fund Exemptive Relief; or (ii) the ETF Class is no longer in compliance 
with the conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 under the Investment 
Company Act, except as noted in such Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief;
    <bullet> if any of the other listing requirements set forth in 
proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) are not continuously maintained;
    <bullet> if, following the initial twelve-month period after 
commencement of trading on the Exchange of the Class ETF Shares, there 
are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of Class ETF Shares; or
    <bullet> if such other event shall occur or condition exists which, 
in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange 
inadvisable.
    The Exchange notes that issuers are required to notify the Exchange 
of any non-compliance with Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company Act 
or any applicable exemptive relief thereunder, as described in proposed 
Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e)(1). Moreover, the Exchange may identify non-
compliance through its own monitoring process.
    Proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(h) provides that with respect to the 
Class ETF Shares, upon termination of the Multi-Class Fund or the ETF 
Class, as the case may be, the Exchange requires that the Class ETF 
Shares be removed from Exchange listing. The Exchange also notes that 
it will obtain a representation from the issuer of Class ETF Shares 
stating that the requirements of Rule 6c-11 and the applicable 
exemptive relief under the Investment Company Act will be continuously 
satisfied and that the issuer will notify the Exchange of any failure 
to do so.
    The Exchange further believes that proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) is 
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices 
because of the robust surveillances in place on the Exchange as 
required under proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(g) along with the similarities 
of proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) to the rules related to other securities 
that are already listed and traded on the Exchange and which would 
qualify as Class ETF Shares. ETF Shares are identical to Class ETF 
Shares except that Class ETF Shares have received exemptive relief to 
operate an exchange-traded fund class in addition to classes of shares 
that are not exchange-traded. As such, the Exchange believes because 
the ETF Class would be required to comply, among other things, with the 
conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company 
Act, similar to ETF Shares under Rule 5.2-E(j)(8), using Rule 5.2-
E(j)(8) as the basis for proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) is appropriate.
    The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b)(1) of the Act \31\ in that, in addition to being designed to 
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, the Exchange 
has the capacity to enforce proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) by performing 
ongoing surveillance of Class ETF Shares listed on the Exchange in 
order to ensure that (i) the Multi-Class Fund is, and continues to be, 
eligible to operate an ETF Class as an exchange-traded fund pursuant 
to, and is otherwise in compliance with the terms and conditions of, 
the Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief, (ii) the ETF Class continues to 
be compliant with the conditions and requirements of Rule 6c-11 under 
the Investment Company Act, except as noted in such Multi-Class Fund 
Exemptive Relief, and (iii) the ETF Class and the Multi-Class Fund each 
satisfies the requirements of proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9), as applicable, 
on an initial and continuing basis. The Exchange believes that the 
manipulation concerns that such standards are intended to address are 
otherwise mitigated by a combination of the Exchange's surveillance 
procedures, and the Exchange's ability to halt trading and to suspend 
trading and commence delisting proceedings under proposed Rule 5.2-
E(j)(9)(e)(2). The Exchange also believes that such concerns are 
further mitigated by enhancements to the arbitrage mechanism that have 
come from compliance with Rule 6c-11, specifically the additional 
flexibility provided through the use of custom baskets for creations 
and redemptions and the additional information made available to the 
public through the additional daily website disclosure obligations 
applicable under Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company Act.\32\ The 
Exchange believes that the combination of these factors will act to 
keep Class ETF Shares trading near the value of their underlying 
holdings and further mitigate concerns around manipulation of Class ETF 
Shares on the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
    \32\ The Exchange notes that the Commission came to a similar 
conclusion in several places in the ETF Rule Adopting Release. See 
ETF Rule Adopting Release at 15-18; 60-61; 69-70; 78-79; 82-84; and 
95-96.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange will monitor for compliance with Rule 6c-11 and any 
applicable exemptive relief in order to ensure that the continued 
listing standards are being met. Specifically, the Exchange plans to 
review the website of Class ETF Shares in order to ensure that the 
requirements of Rule 6c-11 are being met. The Exchange will also employ 
numerous intraday alerts that will notify Exchange personnel of trading 
activity throughout the day that

[[Page 43661]]

is potentially indicative of certain disclosures not being made 
accurately or the presence of other unusual conditions or circumstances 
that could be detrimental to the maintenance of a fair and orderly 
market. As a backstop to the surveillances described above, the 
Exchange also notes that Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) requires an issuer of Class 
ETF Shares to promptly notify the Exchange of any failure to comply 
with Rule 6c-11 or the Investment Company Act.
    To the extent that any of the requirements under Rule 6c-11 or the 
Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief under the Investment Company Act are 
not being met, the Exchange may halt trading in Class ETF Shares as 
provided in proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9)(e). Further, the Exchange may 
also suspend trading in and commence delisting proceedings for Class 
ETF Shares where such securities are not in compliance with the 
applicable listing standards or where the Exchange believes that 
further dealings on the Exchange are inadvisable. As discussed above, 
the Exchange also notes that proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) requires any 
issuer to provide the Exchange with prompt notification after it 
becomes aware of any non-compliance with the proposed rule, which would 
include any failure of the issuer to comply with Rule 6c-11 or the 
Multi-Class Fund Exemptive Relief under the Investment Company Act.
    Further, the Exchange also represents that its surveillance 
procedures are adequate to properly monitor the trading of the Class 
ETF Shares in all trading sessions and to deter and detect violations 
of Exchange rules. Specifically, the Exchange intends to utilize its 
existing surveillance procedures applicable to derivative products, 
which are currently applicable to Investment Company Units, Managed 
Fund Shares, and ETF Shares, among other product types, to monitor 
trading in Class ETF Shares. The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the 
Exchange, will communicate as needed regarding trading in Class ETF 
Shares and certain of their applicable underlying components with other 
markets that are members of the ISG or with which the Exchange has in 
place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. In addition, the 
Exchange may obtain information regarding trading in Class ETF Shares 
and certain of their applicable underlying components from markets and 
other entities that are members of ISG or with which the Exchange has 
in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement.
    Additionally, FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, is able to access 
trade information for certain fixed income securities that may be held 
by the Multi-Class Fund for the Class ETF Shares reported to FINRA's 
TRACE. FINRA also can access data obtained from the MSRB's EMMA system 
relating to municipal bond trading activity for surveillance purposes 
in connection with trading in Class ETF Shares, to the extent that the 
Multi-Class Fund for the Class ETF Shares holds municipal securities. 
Finally, as noted above, the issuer of Class ETF Shares will be 
required to comply with Rule 10A-3 under the Act for the initial and 
continued listing of Class ETF Shares, as provided under Rule 5.3-E.
    The Exchange believes that permitting Class ETF Shares to list on 
the Exchange will help perfect the mechanism of a free and open market 
and, in general, will protect investors and the public interest in that 
it will permit the listing and trading of Class ETF Shares, consistent 
with the applicable exemptive relief, and in a manner that will benefit 
investors. Specifically, the Exchange believes that the relief proposed 
in the Applications and the expected benefits of the Class ETF Shares 
described above would be to the benefit of investors.
    The Exchange also believes that proposed Rule 5.2-E(j)(9) 
provisions which explicitly provide the initial and continued listing 
standards applicable to Class ETF Shares, including the suspension of 
trading or removal standards, are designed to promote transparency and 
clarity in the Exchange's Rules.
    The Exchange also believes that the corresponding changes to add 
Class ETF Shares in the Exchange's corporate governance requirements 
under Rule 1.1 and Rule 5.3-E discussed above will add clarity to the 
Exchange's rulebook. Investment Company Units, Managed Fund Shares, and 
ETF Shares are similarly included in these provisions. Therefore, the 
Exchange believes these are non-substantive changes meant only to 
subject Class ETF Shares to the same exemptions and provisions 
currently applicable to Investment Company Units, Managed Fund Shares, 
and ETF Shares so that the treatment of these open-end management 
investment companies is consistent under the Exchange's rules.
    For the above reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the requirements of Section 6(b)(5) of the 
Act.

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. The Exchange believes the 
proposal, by permitting the listing and trading of Class ETF Shares 
under exemptive relief from the Investment Company Act and the rules 
and regulations thereunder, would introduce additional competition 
among various ETF products to the benefit of investors.

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. Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove SR-
NYSEARCA-2025-39, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, and Grounds for 
Disapproval Under Consideration

    The Commission is instituting proceedings pursuant to Section 
19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \33\ to determine whether the proposed rule 
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, should be approved or 
disapproved. Institution of such proceedings is appropriate at this 
time in view of the legal and policy issues raised by the proposal. 
Institution of proceedings does not indicate that the Commission has 
reached any conclusions with respect to any of the issues involved. 
Rather, as described below, the Commission seeks and encourages 
interested persons to provide comments on the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act,\34\ the Commission is 
providing notice of the grounds for disapproval under consideration. 
The Commission is instituting proceedings to allow for additional 
analysis of the proposal's consistency with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, 
which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national 
securities exchange be ``designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices'' and ``to protect investors and the 
public interest.'' \35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ Id.
    \35\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission asks that commenters address the sufficiency of the 
Exchange's statements in support of the proposal, which are set forth 
in the Notice and Amendment No. 1, in addition to any other comments 
they may wish to submit about the proposed rule change, as modified by 
Amendment No. 1. In particular, the Commission seeks comment on whether 
the proposal

[[Page 43662]]

is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\36\ and specifically, 
whether the proposed rule change is designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Procedure: Request for Written Comments

    The Commission requests that interested persons provide written 
submissions of their views, data, and arguments with respect to the 
issues identified above, as well as any other concerns they may have 
with the proposal. In particular, the Commission invites the written 
views of interested persons concerning whether the proposed rule 
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with Section 
6(b)(5) or any other provision of the Act, and the rules and 
regulations thereunder. Although there do not appear to be any issues 
relevant to approval or disapproval that would be facilitated by an 
oral presentation of views, data, and arguments, the Commission will 
consider, pursuant to Rule 19b-4, any request for an opportunity to 
make an oral presentation.\37\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the Securities 
Acts Amendments of 1975, Public Law 94-29 (June 4, 1975), grants the 
Commission flexibility to determine what type of proceeding--either 
oral or notice and opportunity for written comments--is appropriate 
for consideration of a particular proposal by a self-regulatory 
organization. See Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, Senate Comm. 
on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st 
Sess. 30 (1975).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments regarding whether the proposed rule change should be approved 
or disapproved by October 1, 2025. Any person who wishes to file a 
rebuttal to any other person's submission must file that rebuttal by 
October 15, 2025.
    Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

    <bullet> Use the Commission's internet comment form (<a href="https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>); or
    <bullet> Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0775726b622a64686a6a626973744774626429606871"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b494e575e16585456565e554f487b485e58155c544d">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please include 
file number SR-NYSEARCA-2025-39 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-NYSEARCA-2025-39. 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="https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>). Copies of the filing will be available for inspection and 
copying at the principal office of the Exchange. Do not include 
personal identifiable information in submissions; you should submit 
only information that you wish to make available publicly. We may 
redact in part or withhold entirely from publication submitted material 
that is obscene or subject to copyright protection. All submissions 
should refer to file number SR-NYSEARCA-2025-39 and should be submitted 
on or before October 1, 2025. Rebuttal comments should be submitted by 
October 15, 2025.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\38\
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(57).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2025-17336 Filed 9-9-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.