Notice2026-08471

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To Permit the Listing of A.M.-Settled Options on the S&P 500 Index that Expire on Any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (other than the Third Friday-of-the-Month or Days that Coincide With an End-of-Month Expiration) and Expire on the Last Trading Day of the Month

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
May 1, 2026

Issuing agencies

Securities and Exchange Commission

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 84 (Friday, May 1, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 84 (Friday, May 1, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23499-23503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08471]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-105320; File No. SR-CBOE-2026-044]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To Permit the Listing of A.M.-Settled 
Options on the S&P 500 Index that Expire on Any Monday, Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (other than the Third Friday-of-the-
Month or Days that Coincide With an End-of-Month Expiration) and Expire 
on the Last Trading Day of the Month

April 28, 2026.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on April 27, 2026, Cboe Exchange, Inc. (``Exchange'' or ``Cboe 
Options'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the 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

    Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``Cboe Options'') proposes 
to amend its rules to permit the listing of A.M.-settled options on the 
S&P 500 Index (``SPX'' or ``SPX options'') that expire (1) on any 
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (other than the third 
Friday-of-the-month or days that coincide with an end-of-month 
expiration) and (2) the last trading day of the month. The text of the 
proposed rule change is provided in Exhibit 5.
    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Commission's website (<a href="https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>), the 
Exchange's website (<a href="https://www.cboe.com/us/options/regulation/rule_filings/bzx/">https://www.cboe.com/us/options/regulation/rule_filings/bzx/</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 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 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
    The Exchange proposes to amend its rules to permit the listing of 
A.M.-settled SPX options that expire (1) on any Monday, Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (other than the third Friday-of-the-
month or days that coincide with an end-of-month expiration) (``A.M.-
Settled Weekly Expirations'') and (2) on the last trading day of the 
month (``EOMs'' or ``EOM Expirations'').
Background
Historical context
    By way of background, when cash-settled \3\ index options were 
first introduced in the 1980s, settlement was based on the closing 
value of the underlying index on the option's expiration date. The 
Commission later became concerned about the impact of P.M.-settled, 
cash-settled index options on the markets for the underlying stocks at 
the close on expiration Fridays. Specifically, certain episodes of 
price reversals around the close on quarterly expiration dates 
attracted the attention of regulators to the possibility that the 
simultaneous expiration of index futures, futures options, and options 
might be inducing abnormal volatility in the index value around the 
close.\4\ Academic research at the time provided at least some evidence 
suggesting that futures and options expirations contributed to excess 
volatility and reversals around the close on those days.\5\ In light of 
the concerns with P.M. settlement and to help ameliorate the price 
effects associated with expirations of P.M.-settled, cash-settled index 
products, in 1987, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``CFTC'') 
approved a rule change by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (``CME'') to 
provide for A.M. settlement \6\ for index futures, including futures on 
the S&P 500.\7\ The Commission subsequently approved a rule change by 
Cboe Options to list and trade A.M.-settled SPX options.\8\ In 1992, 
the Commission approved Cboe Options' proposal to transition all of its 
European-style cash-settled options on the S&P 500 Index to A.M. 
settlement.\9\
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    \3\ The seller of a ``cash-settled'' index option pays out the 
cash value of the applicable index on expiration or exercise. A 
``physically settled'' option, like equity and ETF options, involves 
the transfer of the underlying asset rather than cash. See 
Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options, available at: 
<a href="https://www.theocc.com/Company-Information/Documents-and-Archives/Options-Disclosure-Document">https://www.theocc.com/Company-Information/Documents-and-Archives/Options-Disclosure-Document</a>.
    \4\ The close of trading on the quarterly expiration Friday 
(i.e., the third Friday of March, June, September and December), 
when options, index futures, and options on index futures all expire 
simultaneously, became known as the ``triple witching hour.''
    \5\ See Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Economic 
Risk and Analysis, Memorandum, Cornerstone Analysis of PM Cash-
Settled Index Option Pilots (February 2, 2021) (``DERA Staff PM 
Pilot Memo'') at 5, available at: <a href="https://www.sec.gov/files/Analysis_of_PM_Cash_Settled_Index_Option_Pilots.pdf">https://www.sec.gov/files/Analysis_of_PM_Cash_Settled_Index_Option_Pilots.pdf</a>.
    \6\ The exercise settlement value for an A.M.-settled index 
option is determined by reference to the reported level of the index 
as derived from the opening prices of the component securities on 
the business day before expiration.
    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 24367 (April 17, 
1987), 52 FR 13890 (April 27, 1987) (SR-CBOE-87-11) (noting that CME 
moved S&P 500 futures contract's settlement value to opening prices 
on the delivery date).
    \8\ See id.
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 30944 (July 21, 
1992), 57 FR 33376 (July 28, 1992) (SR-CBOE-92-09). Thereafter, the 
Commission approved proposals by the options markets to transfer 
most of their cash-settled index products to A.M. settlement.
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    In 1993, the Commission approved a rule allowing Cboe Options to 
list P.M.-settled options on certain broad-based indices, including the 
S&P 500, expiring at the end of each calendar quarter (``Quarterly 
Index Expirations'') (since adopted as permanent).\10\ In September 
2010, the Commission approved a rule change that established a pilot 
program under which the Exchange is permitted

[[Page 23500]]

to list P.M.-settled options on broad-based indexes to expire on (a) 
any Friday of the month, other than the third Friday-of-the-month, and 
(b) the last trading day of the month.\11\ On January 14, 2016, the 
Commission approved a Cboe Options proposal to expand the pilot program 
to allow P.M.-settled options on broad-based indexes to expire on any 
Wednesday of month, other than those that coincide with an EOM.\12\ On 
August 10, 2016, the Commission approved a Cboe Options proposal to 
expand the pilot program to allow P.M.-settled options on broad-based 
indexes to expire on any Monday of month, other than those that 
coincide with an EOM.\13\ On April 12, 2022, the Commission approved a 
Cboe Options proposal to expand the pilot program to allow P.M.-settled 
SPX options to also expire on Tuesday or Thursday.\14\ On September 15, 
2022, the Commission approved a Cboe Options proposal to expand the 
pilot program to allow P.M.-settled XSP options to similarly expire on 
Tuesday or Thursday.\15\ On July 27, 2023, the Commission approved a 
Cboe Options proposal to make the program permanent and permit the 
Exchange to list P.M.-settled options on any broad-based index eligible 
for standard trading that expire on: (1) any Monday, Wednesday, or 
Friday (other than the third Friday-of-the-month or days that coincide 
with an end-of-month expiration and, with respect to SPX and XSP 
options any Tuesday or Thursday and (2) the last trading day of the 
month.\16\ Subsequently, in November 2023, the Commission approved a 
Cboe Options proposal to permit P.M.-settled options on any broad-based 
index eligible for standard options trading that expire on Tuesday or 
Thursday.\17\
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    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 31800 (February 1, 
1993), 58 FR 7274 (February 5, 1993) (SR-CBOE-92-13); and see Rule 
4.13(a)(2)(B); see also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 54123 
(July 11, 2006), 71 FR 40558 (July 17, 2006) (SR-CBOE-2006-65); and 
60164 (June 23, 2009), 74 FR 31333 (June 30, 2009) (SR-CBOE-2009-
029).
    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release 62911 (September 14, 
2010), 75 FR 57539 (September 21, 2010) (order approving SR-CBOE-
2009-075).
    \12\ See Securities Exchange Act Release 76909 (January 14, 
2016), 81 FR 3512 (January 21, 2016) (order approving SR-CBOE-2015-
106).
    \13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release 78531 (August 10, 
2016), 81 FR 54643 (August 16, 2016) (order approving SR-CBOE-2016-
046).
    \14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release 94682 (April 12, 2022) 
(order approving SR-CBOE- 2022-005).
    \15\ See Securities Exchange Act Release 95795 (September 21, 
2022) (order approving SR-CBOE- 2022-039).
    \16\ See Securities Exchange Act Release 98008 (July 27, 2023) 
(order approving SR-CBOE-2023-020).
    \17\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 98957 (November 15, 
2023).
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Current Offerings
    Currently, under the Nonstandard Expirations Program set forth in 
Rule 4.13(e), the Exchange may open for trading (1) Weekly Expirations 
on any broad-based index eligible for standard options trading and on 
CBTX, MBTX, and the Cboe Magnificent 10 Index to expire on any Monday, 
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (other than the third Friday-
of-the-month or days that coincide with an EOM expiration) and (2) EOMs 
on any broad-based index eligible for standard options trading and on 
CBTX, MBTX, and the Cboe Magnificent 10 Index to expire on last trading 
day of the month.
    Further, under its rules, with respect to SPX options, the Exchange 
may open for trading standard monthly expirations with A.M.-settlement 
on the third Friday-of the-month,\18\ Weekly Expirations with P.M.-
settlement \19\ (including P.M.-Settled Third Friday Index Options); 
\20\ and EOM expirations with P.M.-settlement.\21\
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    \18\ See Rule 4.13(a)(2) and (3).
    \19\ See Rule 4.13(e)(1).
    \20\ See Rule 4.13, Interpretation and Policy .13.
    \21\ See Rule 4.13(e)(2).
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    The Exchange now proposes to amend its rules to permit the listing 
of A.M.-Settled Weekly and EOM Expirations on SPX options.
Proposal
    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 4.13(e), which governs its 
Nonstandard Expirations Program (``Program''), to permit A.M.-settled 
SPX options that expire (1) on any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 
Thursday, or Friday (other than the third Friday-of-the-month 
(``Expiration Friday'') or days that coincide with an EOM expiration) 
(``A.M.-Settled Weekly Expirations'') and (2) EOMs.
    A.M.-Settled Weekly Expirations and EOM Expirations on SPX are 
subject to all provisions of Rule 4.13 and treated the same as A.M.-
settled options on SPX that expire on the third Friday of the 
expiration month, as well as P.M.-settled Weekly and EOM SPX options. 
The maximum number of expirations that may be listed for each A.M.-
Settled Weekly Expiration on SPX options (i.e., a A.M.-Settled Monday 
expiration, A.M.-Settled Tuesday expiration, A.M.-Settled Wednesday 
expiration, A.M.-Settled Thursday expiration, or A.M.-Settled Friday 
expiration, as applicable) \22\ and each A.M.-Settled EOM Expiration on 
SPX options is the same as the maximum number of expirations permitted 
in Rule 4.13(a)(2) for standard options on SPX. A.M.-Settled Weekly 
Expirations on SPX need not be for consecutive Monday, Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday expirations as applicable; however, the 
expiration date of a nonconsecutive expiration may not be beyond what 
would be considered the last expiration date if the maximum number of 
expirations were listed consecutively. A.M.-Settled Weekly Expirations 
that are first listed in SPX options may expire up to four weeks from 
the actual listing date. Similarly, A.M.-Settled EOMs on SPX need not 
be for consecutive end of month expirations; however, the expiration 
date of a non-consecutive expiration may not be beyond what would be 
considered the last expiration date if the maximum number of 
expirations were listed consecutively. A.M.-Settled EOMs that are first 
listed in SPX options may expire up to four weeks from the actual 
listing date. If the Exchange lists A.M.-Settled EOMs and A.M.-Settled 
Weekly Expirations on SPX, the Exchange will list an A.M.-Settled EOM 
instead of a A.M.-Settled Weekly Expiration that expires on the same 
day in the given class. Other expirations in the same class are not 
counted as part of the maximum number of Weekly or EOM Expirations for 
SPX.
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    \22\ As part of the proposed changes, the Exchange proposes 
conforming amendments to Rules 4.13(e)(1) and (2) to replace certain 
existing references to ``Weekly Expirations'' with ``P.M.-settled 
Weekly Expirations,'' to reflect that those provisions are 
applicable to P.M.-settled options series and to distinguish them 
from the A.M.-Settled Weekly Expirations proposed. For the avoidance 
of doubt, there are no changes to the P.M.-Settled Weekly 
Expirations or EOMs as a result of the proposed change. The Exchange 
also proposes to remove language stating that Weekly Expirations and 
EOMs shall be P.M-settled.
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    If the Exchange is not open for business on a respective Monday, 
the normally Monday expiring Weekly Expirations will expire on the 
following business day. If the Exchange is not open for business on a 
respective Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, the normally 
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday expiring Weekly Expirations 
will expire on the previous business day. If two different Weekly 
Expirations on an index would expire on the same day because the 
Exchange is not open for business on a certain weekday, the Exchange 
will list only one of such Weekly Expirations.
    In connection with proposed change, the Exchange proposes to amend 
Rule 5.1(b)(2)(C), which currently states in relevant part that on 
their last trading day, Regular Trading Hours for Nonstandard 
Expirations are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Specifically, the Exchange 
proposes to replace the reference to ``Nonstandard Expirations'' with 
``P.M.-Settled Nonstandard Expirations.''
    The Exchange believes that the introduction of A.M.-Settled Weekly 
Expirations and EOMs on SPX options will provide market participants 
with

[[Page 23501]]

additional hedging tools and greater trading opportunities. By offering 
expanded expirations along with the current standard A.M.-settled 
expirations (as well as P.M.-settled weekly, monthly and quarterly 
expirations), the proposed rule change will allow market participants 
to purchase options on SPX available for trading on the Exchange in a 
manner more aligned with specific timing needs (such as to hedge 
special events) and more effectively tailor their investment and 
hedging strategies and manage their portfolios.
    The Exchange believes that expanding the SPX options offering to 
include A.M.-Settled Weekly and EOM Expirations would allow market 
participants to purchase an option based on their needed timing and 
allow them to tailor their investment or hedging needs more 
effectively. Further, the Exchange believes there is sufficient 
investor interest and demand in A.M-Settled Weekly and EOM Expirations 
on SPX options to warrant inclusion in the Program and in the Rules, 
and that the Program and the Rules, as amended, will continue to 
provide investors with additional means of managing their risk 
exposures and carrying out their investment objectives.
    With regard to the impact of this proposal on system capacity, the 
Exchange has analyzed its capacity and represents that it believes that 
the Exchange has the necessary systems capacity to handle any potential 
additional traffic associated with trading of A.M-Settled Weekly 
Expirations and EOM Expirations for SPX options. The Options Price 
Reporting Authority (``OPRA'') also informed the Exchange it believes 
it has the necessary systems capacity to handle the additional traffic 
associated with the listing of A.M-Settled Weekly Expirations and EOM 
Expirations for SPX options that would result from this proposed rule 
change.
    The Exchange does not believe that its Trading Permit Holders 
(``TPHs'') will experience any capacity issues as a result of this 
proposal and represents that it will monitor the trading volume 
associated with any possible additional SPX options series listed as a 
result of this proposal and the effect (if any) of these additional 
series on market fragmentation and on the capacity of the Exchange's 
automated systems.
    In addition to this, the Exchange believes that its existing 
surveillance and reporting safeguards in place are adequate to deter 
and detect possible manipulative behavior which might arise from 
listing and trading A.M-Settled Weekly and EOM Expirations for SPX 
options (as the Exchange currently applies these to SPX options that 
are A.M.-settled with standard expirations, as well as P.M.-settled 
with weekly, monthly and quarterly expirations) and will support the 
protection of investors and the public interest. Furthermore, the 
trading of A.M-Settled Weekly and EOM Expirations for SPX options will 
be subject to the same rules that currently govern the trading of these 
options with other expirations, including governing customer accounts, 
position and exercise limits,\23\ margin requirements and trading halt 
procedures, among other Rules, which are designed to prevent fraudulent 
and manipulative acts and practices.
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    \23\ There are no position or exercise limits for SPX options, 
per Rules 8.31(a) and 8.42(b), respectively.
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    In response to any potential concerns that disruptive trading 
conduct could occur as a result of the concurrent listing and trading 
of two index option products based on the same index but for which 
different settlement methodologies exist (i.e., one is A.M.-settled and 
one is P.M.-settled), the Exchange notes that for roughly five years 
(1987 to 1992) the Exchange listed and traded an A.M.-settled S&P 500 
index option under symbol NSX at the same time it listed and traded a 
P.M.-settled S&P 500 index option under symbol SPX, and the Exchange 
did not observe any market disruptions as a result of offering both 
products.\24\
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    \24\ Today, A.M.-settled SPX options and P.M.-Settled SPX 
options trade under different symbols (i.e., SPX and SPXW, 
respectively).
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    The adoption of trading of A.M-Settled Weekly and EOM Expirations 
on the S&P 500 Index on the same exchange as A.M.-settled (with 
standard expirations) and P.M-settled options on the S&P 500 Index 
would provide greater spread opportunities. This manner of trading 
allows a market participant to take advantage of the different 
expiration times, which provides expanded trading opportunities. In the 
options market currently, market participants regularly trade similar 
or related products in conjunction with each other, which contributes 
to overall market liquidity.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, 
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\25\ Specifically, the 
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \26\ requirements that the rules of an exchange be 
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation 
and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, 
settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating 
transactions in securities, 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. Additionally, 
the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \27\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be 
designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, 
brokers, or dealers.
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    \25\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \26\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \27\ Id.
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    In particular, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change 
will 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. The Exchange believes that the 
introduction of A.M-Settled Weekly and EOM Expirations for SPX options 
will provide investors with expanded hedging tools and greater trading 
opportunities. As a result, investors will have additional means to 
manage their risk exposures and carry out their investment objectives. 
By offering expanded expirations along with the current standard A.M.-
settled expirations (as well as P.M.-settled weekly, monthly and 
quarterly expirations), the proposed rule change will allow market 
participants to purchase options on SPX available for trading on the 
Exchange in a manner more aligned with specific timing needs (such as 
to hedge special events) and more effectively tailor their investment 
and hedging strategies and manage their portfolios. For example, the 
proposed rule change will allow market participants to spread risk 
across more trading days and incorporate daily changes in the markets, 
which may reduce the premium cost of buying protection. The Exchange 
represents that it believes that it has the necessary systems capacity 
to support any additional traffic associated with trading of A.M-
Settled Weekly and EOM Expirations for SPX options and does not believe 
that its TPHs will experience any capacity issues as a result of this 
proposal.
    The Exchange does not believe that the addition of A.M-Settled 
Weekly and EOM Expirations for SPX options to the Nonstandard 
Expirations Program will raise any prohibitive regulatory concerns, nor 
adversely impact fair and

[[Page 23502]]

orderly markets on expiration days. The Exchange has not experienced 
any meaningful regulatory concerns, nor adverse impact on fair and 
orderly markets, in connection with these programs, nor with the 
listing of standard A.M.-settled expirations for SPX options along with 
P.M.-settled expirations, (as the Exchange currently does) and is 
unaware of any reason why adding A.M.-settled options with expirations 
each day of the week for SPX options would be create such concerns or 
impact. Particularly, the Exchange does not believe increases in the 
number of options series and expirations will have any significant 
adverse economic impact on the futures, index, or underlying index 
component securities markets. The Exchange believes that the proposed 
rule change will provide investors with greater trading and hedging 
opportunities and flexibility, allowing them to transact in SPX options 
in a manner more aligned with specific timing needs and more 
effectively tailor their investment and hedging objectives by listing 
these A.M-settled options that expire each trading day of the week, in 
addition to options that expire at on the third Friday-of-the-month or 
that are P.M-settled and expire daily, monthly and quarterly (which, as 
noted above, the Exchange may already do pursuant to separate listing 
programs in the Rules).
    The Commission previously recognized the benefits of A.M-settlement 
for broad-based index options when it approved Cboe Options' proposal 
to transition most of its cash-settled index options, including on the 
S&P 500 Index, to A.M.-settlement.\28\ Specifically, the Commission 
identified several advantages of opening price settlement, including: 
(1) the ability to facilitate contra-side interest to alleviate order 
imbalances caused by the unwinding of index-related positions, without 
requiring market participants to assume overnight or weekend position 
risk; (2) providing market participants the remainder of the trading 
day to adjust to price movements resulting from expiration activity and 
assess whether those movements reflect changes in fundamental value or 
short-term supply and demand; and (3) allowing stock positions 
associated with expiring contracts to benefit from orderly opening 
procedures designed to facilitate price discovery.\29\
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    \28\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 30944 (July 21, 
1992), 57 FR 33376 (July 28, 1992) (SR-CBOE-92-09). Thereafter, the 
Commission approved proposals by the options markets to transfer 
most of their cash-settled index products to A.M. settlement.
    \29\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 30944 (July 21, 
1992), 57 FR 33376 (July 28, 1992) (SR-CBOE-92-09). Thereafter, the 
Commission approved proposals by the options markets to transfer 
most of their cash-settled index products to A.M. settlement.
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    The Exchange believes the benefits set forth by the Commission are 
not unique to standard monthly expirations. Specifically, as daily and 
end-of-month P.M.-settled SPX expirations have grown in prominence, the 
same concerns regarding order imbalance and price discovery could arise 
at any expiration (not just the third Friday of each month). 
Accordingly, the Exchange believes that extending A.M.-settlement to 
daily and end-of-month expirations is consistent with the Commission's 
own rationale, and would provide market participants with those same 
protections across the full expiration calendar.
    Finally, the Exchange believes its proposal to introduce changes to 
specify between A.M.-Settled Weekly Expirations and P.M.-Settled Weekly 
Expirations are reasonable, as they provide clarity within the Exchange 
rules, thereby mitigating potential investor confusion.

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 does not 
believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on 
intramarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act because A.M.-settled SPX options 
with Weekly and EOM Expirations will be available to all market 
participants. By listing SPX options with these expirations (in 
addition to the standard Expiration Friday expirations (A.M.-settled) 
and weekly and EOM expirations (P.M.-settled) that are currently 
listed), the proposed rule change will provide all investors that 
participate in the markets for these index options available for 
trading on the Exchange with greater trading and hedging opportunities 
and flexibility to meet their investment and hedging needs.
    The Exchange does not believe that the proposal to list A.M.-
settled SPX options with Weekly and EOM Expirations will impose any 
burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act because these options are 
proprietary Exchange products. To the extent that the addition of these 
expirations for SPX options makes the Exchange a more attractive 
marketplace to market participants at other exchanges, such market 
participants are free to elect to become market participants on the 
Exchange. Further, to other exchanges offer ``nonstandard'' expirations 
\30\ for index options and are welcome to similarly propose to list 
options on those index or equity products with similar expirations as 
proposed herein. Finally, as noted above, SPX options with these 
expirations will trade in the same manner as other options with these 
expirations currently do.
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    \30\ See, e.g., Nasdaq PHLX, LLC Options 4A, Section 12 
(permitting nonstandard expirations, including daily expirations for 
Nasdaq-100 index options and Nasdaq 100-Micro index options); and 
Nasdaq ISE, LLC Options 4, Section 5, Supplementary Material .03 
(permitting short-term options series with daily expirations for SPY 
and QQQ options).
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C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    The Exchange neither solicited nor received written comments on the 
proposed rule change.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the 
Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be 
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the Exchange consents, the Commission will:
    A. by order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or
    B. institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be 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="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#394b4c555c145a5654545c574d4a794a5c5a175e564f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0b797e676e26686466666e657f784b786e68256c647d">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please include 
file number SR-CBOE-2026-044 on the subject line.

[[Page 23503]]

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-CBOE-2026-044. 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-CBOE-2026-044 and should be submitted on 
or before May 22, 2026.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\31\
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    \31\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Vanessa A. Countryman,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-08471 Filed 4-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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