Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 6.1, Days and Hours of Business, To Clarify the Trading Hours for Options on Index-Linked Exchangeable Notes

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Federal RegisterAug 3, 2017
82 Fed. Reg. 36176 (Aug. 3, 2017)
July 31, 2017.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on July 18, 2017, C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (the “Exchange” or “C2”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange filed the proposal as a “non-controversial” proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

17 CFR 240.19b-4.

17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The purpose of this filing is to amend C2 Rule 6.1 to clarify the trading hours for options on Index-Linked Exchangeable Notes (“ETNs”). The text of the proposed rule change is provided below.

An Index-Linked Exchangeable Note is exchangeable debt security that is exchangeable at the option of the holder (subject to the requirement that the holder in most circumstances exchange a specified minimum amount of notes), on call by the issuer, or at maturity for a cash amount based on the reported market prices of the underlying stocks of an underlying index. See Rule 1.1.

(additions are underlined; deletions are [bracketed])

C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated Rules

Rule 6.1. Days and Hours of Business

The hours during which option transactions may be made on the Exchange shall be from 8:30 a.m. Chicago Time to 3:00 p.m. Chicago Time except for option contracts on Index Options, Index-Linked Exchangeable Notes, Index Portfolio Shares, Index Portfolio Receipts, and Trust Issued Receipts which may remain open for trading beyond 3:00 p.m. but in no case later than 3:15 p.m. Chicago Time, as designated by the Exchange.

The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the Exchange's Web site ( http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx ), at the Exchange's Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the 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 purpose of this filing is to amend C2 Rule 6.1 to clarify the trading hours for options on Index-Linked Exchangeable Notes (“ETNs”). Specifically, the Exchange seeks to amend Rule 6.1 to provide that options on ETNs may be traded on the Exchange until 3:15 p.m. (CT) each business day. The Exchange notes that the proposed rule is based on NYSE MKT LLC (“NYSE MKT”) Rule 901NY Commentary .02.

An Index-Linked Exchangeable Note is exchangeable debt security that is exchangeable at the option of the holder (subject to the requirement that the holder in most circumstances exchange a specified minimum amount of notes), on call by the issuer, or at maturity for a cash amount based on the reported market prices of the underlying stocks of an underlying index. See Rule 1.1.

See Securities Exchange Act Release 62067 (May 10, 2010), 75 FR 27603 (May 17, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-41).

Rule 6.1 provides that the default trading hours on the Exchange are from 8:30 a.m. Chicago Time to 3:00 p.m. Chicago Time. However, Rule 6.1 provides an exception for Index Options, Index Portfolio Shares, Index Portfolio Receipts, and Trust Issued Receipts, which may remain open for trading beyond 3:00 p.m. but in no case later than 3:15 p.m. Chicago Time, as designated by the Exchange. Rule 6.1 does not specifically identify ETNs in the list of products that may be traded beyond 3:00 p.m. Chicago Time, which suggests options on ETNs must close at 3:00 p.m. Chicago time. However, industry practice and the Exchange's current practice allow options on ETNs to trade until 3:15 p.m. Chicago Time. This filing seeks to align C2 Rules with industry practice by allowing the Exchange to determine which options on ETNs will trade beyond 3:00 p.m. Chicago Time but no later than 3:15 p.m. Chicago Time.

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. Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) 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) requirement that the rules of an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.

15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

Id.

In particular, the proposed rule change will protect investors and the public interest by reducing potential confusing regarding C2's trading hours for options on ETNs and aligning C2's Rules regarding trading orders for options on ETNs with industry practice. The Exchange notes that the proposed rule is based on NYSE MKT Rule 901NY Commentary .02.

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

C2 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 proposed rule change will not impose any burden on intermarket or intramarket competition as the proposed rule change will align C2's Rules regarding trading orders for options on ETNs with industry practice. In addition, the proposed rule change does not modify the construct for trading hours but simply adds options on ETNs to the list of products specifically noted in Rule 6.1.

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 comments on the proposed rule change.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(6) Rule 19b-4 thereunder.

17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the Exchange's intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.

At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission will institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

  • Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or
  • Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-C2-2017-022 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-C2-2017-022. 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 Web site ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-C2-2017-022 and should be submitted on or before August 24, 2017.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.

Eduardo A. Aleman,

Assistant Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2017-16396 Filed 8-2-17; 8:45 am]

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