# Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Fee Schedule of the Boston Options Exchange Facility
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 June 26, 2009, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule from interested persons and approves the proposal on an accelerated basis.
[^1] 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
[^2] 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
**I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change**
The Exchange is proposing an amendment to the Fee Schedule of the Boston Options Exchange Group, LLC (“BOX”). The text of the proposed rule change is available from the principal office of the Exchange, at the Commission's Public Reference Room and also on the Exchange's Internet Web site at *http://nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.com/NASDAQOMXBX/Filings/.*
**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 these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The self-regulatory organization has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
**A.
Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change**
**1. Purpose**
Executions on BOX resulting from orders sent via the InterMarket Linkage System (“Linkage Orders”) are currently subject to the same billing treatment as other executions on BOX. This includes either `standard billing' or The Liquidity Make or Take Pricing Structure, as described in Section 7 of the BOX Fee Schedule, depending upon the particular options class.
*The Exchange recently submitted a proposed rule change*[^3]* with the Commission which removed the following three (3) classes from the Liquidity Make or Take Pricing Structure:* (1) Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts® (SPY); (2) Powershares® QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQQ); and (3) iShares Russell 2000® Index Fund (IWM). Instead `standard' transaction fees shall apply. Currently, transactions in these three classes are charged the Take fee of $0.30. Under the new standard fees all executions for Market Makers or Firms will be charged $0.20 and there will be no fees for Public Customer executions. [^4]
[^3]*See* SR-BX-2009-033.
[^4] The $0.15 fee per executed contract of an Improvement Order for a Public Customer that is not submitted as a Customer Price Improvement Period Order (“CPO”) for a Price Improvement Period (“PIP”) auction—(“non-CPO”) will remain.
In conjunction with the above referenced rule change the Exchange is now proposing to remove the application of Liquidity Make or Take Pricing from Linkage Orders in these three classes sent to and executed on BOX. Standard Linkage Fees shall instead apply to transactions in these three classes.
**2. Basis**
The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act, [^5] in general, and Section 6(b)(4) of the Act, [^6] in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members and issuers and other persons using its facilities for the purpose of executing Linkage Orders that are routed to BOX from other market centers. These three particular classes are some of the most liquid and actively traded multiply-listed options classes so there is no need to entice liquidity by using the Make or Take pricing structure. The proposed rule change will apply fees more appropriate for the level of liquidity in the specific classes.
[^5] 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
[^6] 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
**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 not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
**C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others**
The Exchange has neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed rule change.
**III. 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 e-mail to *[email protected].* Please include File Number SR-BX-2009-034 on the subject line.
**Paper Comments**
• Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BX-2009-034. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail 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 inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the self-regulatory organization. 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-BX-2009-034 and should be submitted on or before July 29, 2009.
**IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change**
After careful consideration, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange [^7] and, in particular, with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act. [^8] Specifically, the Commission finds that the Exchange's proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act, [^9] which requires that the rules of the Exchange provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members and other persons using its facilities.
[^7] In approving this rule, the Commission notes that it has considered its impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
[^8] 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
[^9] 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
The Exchange requests that the Commission approve the proposed rule change on an accelerated basis pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act. [^10] The Commission finds good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act, [^11] for approving the proposed rule change prior to the 30th day after the date of publication of the notice of the filing thereof in the *Federal Register* . An accelerated approval will allow the Exchange to immediately implement a lower fee for market participants executing certain Linkage Orders on the Exchange.
[^10] 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
[^11] 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
**V. Conclusion**
*It is therefore ordered,* pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act [^12] that the proposed rule change (SR-BX-2009-034), is hereby approved on an accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority. [^13]
[^12] 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
[^13] 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.