(a) The Rules in Options 4A are applicable only to index options (options on indices of securities as defined below). In addition, except to the extent that specific rules in this Section govern, or unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of the Option Rules applicable to stock options and of the By-Laws and all other Rules and Policies of the Board of Directors shall be applicable to the trading on the Exchange of index options.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

(a) The following terms as used in the Rules in this Section shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, have the meanings herein specified.

(1) The term "aggregate exercise price" means the exercise price of the option contract times the index multiplier.

(2) The term "American option" or "American-style index option" means an option on an industry or market index that can be exercised on any business day prior to expiration.

(3) The term "A.M. settled index option" means an index option for which the current index value at expiration shall be determined as provided in Options 4A, Section 12(e).

(4) The term "call" means an option contract under which the holder of the option has the right, in accordance with the terms of the option, to purchase from The Options Clearing Corporation the current index value times the index multiplier.

(5) The term "covered" in respect of a short position in an index call option contract in an account means that the writer holds in the same account a long position in an index call option for the same underlying index with the same index multiplier as the short call and the expiration date of the long call is the same as or subsequent to the expiration date of the short call and the exercise price of the long call is equal to or less than the exercise price of the short call. The term "covered" in respect of a short position in an index put option contract in an account means that the writer holds in the same account a long position in an index put option for the same underlying index with the same index multiplier as the short put and the expiration date of the long put is the same as or subsequent to the expiration date of the short put and the exercise price of the long put is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the short put.

(6) The term "closing index value" in respect of a particular index means the last index value reported on a business day.

(7) The term "current index value" in respect of a particular index means the level of the index that is derived from the reported prices of the underlying securities that are the basis of the index, as reported by the reporting authority for the index.

(8) The term "exercise price" means the specific price per unit at which the current index value may be purchased in the case of a call or sold in the case of a put upon the exercise of the option.

(9) The term "European option" or "European-style index option" means an option on an industry or market index that can be exercised only on the business day of expiration, or, in the case of an option contract expiring on a day that is not a business day, on the last business day prior to the day it expires.

(10) The term "expiration date" means, in the case of options on stock indexes, the third Friday of the expiration month of such option contract, or if such Friday is a day on which the Exchange is not open for business, the preceding day on which the Exchange is open for business.

(11) The terms "industry index" and "narrow-based index" mean an index designed to be representative of a particular industry or a group of related industries.

(12) The term "index multiplier" means the amount specified in the contract by which the current index value is to be multiplied to arrive at the value required to be delivered to the holder of a call or by the holder of a put upon valid exercise of the contract.

(13) The terms "market index" and "broad-based index" mean an index designed to be representative of a stock market as a whole or of a range of companies in unrelated industries.

(14) The term “Monthly Options Series” means, for the purposes of Options 4A, a series in an options class that is approved for listing and trading on the Exchange in which the series is opened for trading on any business day and that expires at the close of business on the last business day of a calendar month.

(15) The term "put" means an option contract under which the holder of the option has the right, in accordance with the terms and provisions of the option, to sell to The Options Clearing Corporation the current index value times the index multiplier.

(16) The term "Quarterly Options Series" means a series in an index options class that is approved for listing and trading on the Exchange in which the series is opened for trading on any business day and expires at the close of business on the last business day of a calendar quarter.

(17) The term "reporting authority" in respect of a particular index means the institutions or reporting service designated by the Exchange as the official source for calculating and determining the current value or the closing index value of the index.

(18) The term "Short Term Option Series" means a series in an option class that is approved for listing and trading on the Exchange in which the series is opened for trading on any Thursday or Friday that is a business day and that expires on the Friday of the next business week. If a Thursday or Friday is not a business day, the series may be opened (or shall expire) on the first business day immediately prior to that Thursday or Friday, respectively.

(19) The term "underlying security" or "underlying securities" with respect to an index option contract means any of the securities that are the basis for the calculation of the index.

Supplementary Material to Options 4A, Section 2

.01 The term "narrow-based index" includes indices the constituents of which are all headquartered within a single country.

.02 The reporting authorities designated by the Exchange in respect of each index underlying an index options contract traded on the Exchange are as provided in the chart below.

Underlying Index	Reporting Authority
Full Value Nasdaq 100 Index	The Nasdaq Stock Market
Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Index	The Nasdaq Stock Market
Nasdaq-100 Micro Index	The Nasdaq Stock Market
Nasdaq-100 ESG Index	The Nasdaq Stock Market
PHLX Oil Service Sector Index	The Nasdaq Stock Market
PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index	The Nasdaq Stock Market
PHLX Utility Sector Index	The Nasdaq Stock Market
PHLX Gold/Silver Sector Index	The Nasdaq Stock Market
PHLX Housing Sector Index	The Nasdaq Stock Market
KBW Bank Index	Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended December 23, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-76); amended May 15, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-09); amended Nov. 29, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-54); amended Nov. 21, 2024 (SR-Phlx-2024-63), operative Dec. 21, 2024.

(a) The underlying securities comprising the index shall be selected by the Exchange or by the index publisher if different from the Exchange and may be revised from time to time, if in the Exchange's or index publisher's discretion such revision is necessary or appropriate to maintain the quality and character of the index. The underlying securities that are the basis for the calculation of the index need not meet the requirements in Options 4, Section 3. The listing of a class of index options on a new underlying index will be treated by the Exchange as a proposed rule change subject to filing with and approved by the SEC under Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, the Exchange may trade options on a narrow-based index pursuant to Rule 19b-4(e) of the Exchange Act, if each of the following conditions is satisfied:

(1) The options are designated as A.M.-settled index options;

(2) The index is capitalization-weighted, price-weighted, modified capitalization-weighted or equal dollar-weighted, and consists of ten or more component securities;

(3) Each component security has a market capitalization of at least $75 million, except that for each of the lowest weighted component securities in the index that in the aggregate account for no more than 10% of the weight of the index, the market capitalization is at least $50 million;

(4) Trading volume of each component security has been at least one million shares for each of the last six months, except that for each of the lowest weighted component securities in the index that in the aggregate account for no more than 10% of the weight of the index, trading volume has been at least 500,000 shares for each of the last six months;

(5) In a capitalization-weighted index, the lesser of the five highest weighted component securities in the index or the highest weighted component securities in the index that in the aggregate represent at least 30% of the total number of component securities in the index each have had an average monthly trading volume of at least 2,000,000 shares over the past six months;

(6) No single component security represents more than 30% of the weight of the index, and the five highest weighted component securities in the index do not in the aggregate account for more than 50% (65% for an index consisting of fewer than 25 component securities) of the weight of the index;

(i) With respect to the Gold/Silver Index, no single component shall account for more than 35% of the weight of the Index and the three highest weighted components shall not account for more than 65% of the weight of the Index. If the Index fails to meet this requirement, the Exchange shall reduce position limits to 8000 contracts on the Monday following expiration of the farthest-out, then trading, non-LEAP series.

(7) Component securities that account for at least 90% of the weight of the index and at least 80% of the total number of component securities in the index satisfy the requirements of Options 4, Section 3 applicable to individual underlying securities;

(8) Each component security must be an "NMS Stock" as defined in Rule 600 of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act;

(9) Non-U.S. component securities (stocks or ADRs) that are not subject to comprehensive surveillance agreements do not in the aggregate represent more than 20% of the weight of the index;

(10) The current underlying index value will be reported at least once every fifteen seconds during the time the index options are traded on the Exchange;

(11) An equal dollar-weighted index will be rebalanced at least once every calendar quarter and a modified capitalization-weighted index will be rebalanced at least twice annually;

(12) If an underlying index is maintained by a broker-dealer, the index is calculated by a third party who is not a broker-dealer, and the broker-dealer has erected a "Chinese Wall" around its personnel who have access to information concerning changes in and adjustments to the index.

(c) The following maintenance listing standards shall apply to each class of index options originally listed pursuant to paragraph (b) above:

(1) The conditions stated in subparagraphs (b)(1), (3), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (12) must continue to be satisfied, provided that the conditions stated in subparagraph (b)(6) must be satisfied only as to the first day of January and July in each year;

(2) The total number of component securities in the index may not increase or decrease by more than 33 1/3% from the number of component securities in the index at the time of its initial listing, and in no event may be less than nine component securities;

(3) Trading volume of each component security in the index must be at least 500,000 shares for each of the last six months, except that for each of the lowest weighted component securities in the index that in the aggregate account for no more than 10% of the weight of the index, trading volume must be at least 400,000 shares for each of the last six months;

(4) In a capitalization-weighted index, the lesser of the five highest weighted component securities in the index or the highest weighted component securities in the index that in the aggregate represent at least 30% of the total number of stocks in the index each have had an average monthly trading volume of at least 1,000,000 shares over the past six months;

In the event a class of index options listed on the Exchange fails to satisfy the maintenance listing standards set forth herein, the Exchange shall not open for trading any additional series of options of that class unless such failure is determined by the Exchange not to be significant and the Commission concurs in that determination, or unless the continued listing of that class of index options has been approved by the Commission under Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, the Exchange may trade options on a broad-based (market) index pursuant to Rule 19b-4(e) of the Exchange Act, if each of the following conditions is satisfied:

(1) The index is broad-based, as defined in Options 4A, Section 2(a)(13);

(2) Options on the index are designated as A.M.-settled index options;

(3) The index is capitalization-weighted, price-weighted, modified capitalization-weighted or equal dollar-weighted;

(4) The index consists of 50 or more component securities;

(5) Component securities that account for at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the weight of the index have a market capitalization of at least $ 75 million, except that component securities that account for at least sixty-five percent (65%) of the weight of the index have a market capitalization of at least $ 100 million;

(6) Component securities that account for at least eighty percent (80%) of the weight of the index satisfy the requirements of Options 4, Section 3 applicable to individual underlying securities;

(7) Each component security that accounts for at least one percent (1%) of the weight of the index has an average daily trading volume of at least 90,000 shares during the last six month period;

(8) No single component security accounts for more than ten percent (10%) of the weight of the index, and the five highest weighted component securities in the index do not, in the aggregate, account for more than thirty-three percent (33%) of the weight of the index;

(9) Each component security must be an "NMS Stock" as defined in rule 600 of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act;

(10) Non-U.S. component securities (stocks or ADRs) that are not subject to comprehensive surveillance agreements do not, in the aggregate, represent more than twenty percent (20%) of the weight of the index;

(11) The current index value is widely disseminated at least once every fifteen (15) seconds by one or more major market data vendors during the time options on the index are traded on the Exchange;

(12) The Exchange reasonably believes it has adequate System capacity to support the trading of options on the index, based on a calculation of the Exchange's current Independent System Capacity Advisor (ISCA) allocation and the number of new messages per second expected to be generated by options on such index;

(13) An equal dollar-weighted index is rebalanced at least once every calendar quarter;

(14) If an index is maintained by a broker-dealer, the index is calculated by a third-party who is not a broker-dealer, and the broker-dealer has erected an informational barrier around its personnel who have access to information concerning changes in, and adjustments to, the index;

(15) The Exchange has written surveillance procedures in place with respect to surveillance of trading of options on the index.

(e) The following maintenance listing standards shall apply to each class of index options originally listed pursuant to paragraph (d) above:

(1) The conditions set forth in subparagraphs (d)(1), (2), (3), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14) and (15) must continue to be satisfied. The conditions set forth in subparagraphs (d)(5), (6), (7) and (8) must be satisfied only as of the first day of January and July in each year;

(2) The total number of component securities in the index may not increase or decrease by more than ten percent (10%) from the number of component securities in the index at the time of its initial listing.

In the event a class of index options listed on the Exchange fails to satisfy the maintenance listing standards set forth herein, the Exchange shall not open for trading any additional series of options of that class unless the continued listing of that class of index options has been approved by the Commission under Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act.

(f) Alpha Index Options

(1) Alpha Index options will be A.M.-settled. The exercise settlement value will be based upon the opening prices of the individual stock or ETF from the primary listing market on the business day of expiration, or, in the case of an option contract expiring on a day that is not a business day, the business day prior to the expiration date.

(2) At the time of listing an Alpha Index option, options on each underlying component of an Alpha Index will also be listed and traded on the Exchange and will meet the requirements of Options 4, Section 3, Criteria for Underlying Securities. Additionally, each underlying component's trading volume (in all markets in which the underlying security is traded) must have averaged at least 2,250,000 shares per day in the preceding twelve months.

(3) Following the listing of an Alpha Index option, options on each of the component securities of the Alpha Index will continue to meet the continued listing standards set forth by Options 4, Section 4, Withdrawal of Approval of Underlying Securities or Options. Additionally, each underlying component's trading volume (in all markets in which the underlying security is traded) must have averaged at least 2,000,000 shares per day in the preceding twelve months.

(4) No Alpha Index option will be listed unless and until options overlying each of the Alpha Index component securities have been listed and traded on a national securities exchange with an average daily options trading volume during the three previous months of at least 10,000 contracts. Following the listing of an Alpha Index option, options on each of the component securities of the Alpha Index must continue to meet this options average daily volume standard.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended Apr. 9, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-07), operative Apr. 15, 2021; amended May 15, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-09).

(a) Index Values for Settlement. The Rules of The Options Clearing Corporation specify that, unless the Rules of the Exchange provide otherwise, the current index value used to settle the exercise of an index options contract shall be the closing index value for the day on which the index options contract is exercised in accordance with the Rules of The Options Clearing Corporation or, if such day is not a business day, for the most recent business day.

(b) Pricing When Primary Market Does Not Open. When the primary market for a security underlying the current index value of an index option does not open for trading on a given day, which is an expiration day, for the purposes of calculating the settlement price at expiration, the last reported sale price of the security from the previous trading day shall be used. This procedure shall not be used if the current index value at expiration is fixed in accordance with the Rules and By-Laws of The Options Clearing Corporation.

(c) Discretion. For any series of index options the Exchange may, in its discretion, provide that the calculation of the final index settlement value of any index on which options are traded at the Exchange will be determined by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks at a time other than the close of trading on the last trading day before expiration.

(1) With respect to any securities index on which options are traded on the Exchange, the source of the prices of component securities used to calculate the current index level at expiration is determined by the Reporting Authority for that index.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended December 23, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-76).

(a) The Exchange shall disseminate or shall assure that the closing index value is disseminated after the close of business and the current index value is disseminated from time-to-time on days on which transactions in index options are made on the Exchange.

(b) The Exchange shall maintain, in files available to the public, information identifying the stocks whose prices are the basis for calculation of the index and the method used to determine the current index value.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

(a) The position limit for a broad-based (market) index option shall be 25,000 contracts on the same side of the market except as provided below. Certain positions must be aggregated in accordance with paragraph (d) or (e) below.

(i) Respecting the Full Value Nasdaq 100 Options, the Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Options, the Nasdaq 100-Micro Index Options, and the Nasdaq-100 ESG Index Options there shall be no position limits.

(b)(i) In determining compliance with Options 9, Section 13, option contracts on a narrow-based (industry) index shall, subject to the procedures specified in subparagraph (iii) of this Rule, be subject to the following position limits:

— 18,000 contracts (or 54,000 contracts for options on the PHLX Oil Service Sector, PHLX Semiconductor Sector, PHLX Utility Sector, PHLX Gold/Silver Sector, and PHLX Housing Sector) if the Exchange determines, at the time of a review conducted pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (b), that any single underlying stock accounted, on average, for 30% or more of the index value during the 30-day period immediately preceding the review; or

— 24,000 contracts (or 72,000 contracts for options on the PHLX Oil Service Sector, PHLX Semiconductor Sector, PHLX Utility Sector, PHLX Gold/Silver Sector, PHLX Housing Sector) if the Exchange determines, at the time of a review conducted pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (b), that any single underlying stock accounted, on average, for 20% or more of the index value or that any five underlying stocks together accounted, on average, for more than 50% of the index value, but that no single stock in the group accounted, on average, for 30% or more of the index value, during the 30-day period immediately preceding the review; or

— 31,500 contracts (or 94,500 contracts for options on the PHLX Oil Service Sector, PHLX Semiconductor Sector, PHLX Utility Sector, PHLX Gold/Silver Sector, PHLX Housing Sector)) if the Exchange determines that the conditions specified above which would require the establishment of a lower limit have not occurred, or

— 44,000 contracts total with respect to the KBW Bank Index.

(ii) The Exchange shall make the determinations required by subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (b) with respect to options on each industry index at the commencement of trading of such options on the Exchange and thereafter review the determination semiannually on January 1 and July 1.

(iii) If the Exchange determines, at the time of a semi-annual review, that the position limit in effect with respect to options on a particular industry index is lower than the maximum position limit permitted by the criteria set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (b), the Exchange may effect an appropriate position limit increase immediately. If the Exchange determines, at the time of a semi-annual review, that the position limit in effect with respect to options on a particular industry index exceeds the maximum position limit permitted by the criteria set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (b), the Exchange shall reduce the position limit applicable to such options to a level consistent with such criteria; provided, however, that such a reduction shall not become effective until after the expiration date of the most distantly expiring option series relating to such particular industry index, which is open for trading on the date of the review; and provided further that such a reduction shall not become effective if the Exchange determines, at the next succeeding semi-annual review, that the existing position limit applicable to such options is consistent with the criteria set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (b).

(c) Reporting Requirements for Options on Market Indexes.—Each member or member organization that maintains a position on the same side of the market in excess of 100,000 contracts for its own account or for the account of a customer in excess of 100,000 contracts for its own account or for the account of a customer in Full Value Nasdaq-100® Options, NDX; or in excess of 100,000 contracts for its own account for the account of a customer in Nasdaq-100 ESG Index Options, must file a report with the Exchange that includes, but is not limited to, data related to the option positions, whether such positions are hedged and if applicable, a description of the hedge and information concerning collateral used to carry the positions. Market Makers are exempt from this reporting requirement. For positions exceeding the position limit in paragraph (a), Supplementary Material .01 contains the requirements for qualifying for the Index Hedge Exemption under this Rule.

(d) Except as provided in section (f) below with respect to options on Alpha Indexes, index option contracts shall not be aggregated with option contracts on any stocks whose prices are the basis for calculation of the index.

(e) Aggregation—Full value, reduced value, micro index value, long term, monthly expiring options and quarterly expiring options based on the same index shall be aggregated. Reduced value or mini-size and micro index contracts shall be aggregated with full value or full-size contracts and counted by the amount by which they equal a full value contract (e.g. a hundredth (1/100th)) value contracts equal one (1) full value contract). Positions in Short Term Options Series, Monthly Options Series and Quarterly Options Series shall be aggregated with positions in options contracts of the same index. Nonstandard Expirations (as provided for in Options 4A, Section 5(b)(vii)) on a broad-based index shall be aggregated with option contracts on the same broad-based index and shall be subject to the overall position limit.

(f) The position limit for an option on an Alpha Index shall be 60,000 contracts on the same side of the market unless the Target Component of the Alpha Index is an exchange traded fund share, in which case the position limit shall be 15,000 contracts on the same side of the market.

Positions in Alpha Index options will be aggregated with positions in equity options on the underlying securities for purposes of determining compliance with position limits.

Supplementary Material to Options 4A, Section 6

.01 Index Hedge Exemption.

(a) Index option positions may be exempt from established position limits for each option contract "hedged" by an equivalent dollar amount of the underlying component securities or securities convertible into such components; provided that, in applying such hedge, each option position to be exempted is hedged by a position in at least: (i) respecting industry index options, 75% of the number of component securities underlying the index, (ii) respecting market index options, 20 stocks in four industry groups comprising the index, of which no one component security accounts for more than 15% of the value of the portfolio hedging the index option position, or (iii) respecting Alpha Index options, each of the component securities underlying the index. In addition, the underlying value of the option position may not exceed the value of the underlying portfolio.

(b) The value of the underlying portfolio is:

(1) the total market value of the net stock position; less

(2) the value of:

(A) any offsetting calls and puts in the respective index option; and

(B) any offsetting positions in related stock index futures or options; and

(C) any economically equivalent positions.

The portfolio must be previously established and the options must be carried in an account with an Exchange member. Securities used as a hedge pursuant to this provision may not be used to hedge other option positions.

(c) Prior Exchange approval on the appropriate form designated by the Exchange is required. In no event may position limits for any hedged industry index option exceed two times above the limits established under Options 4A, Section 5(b)(i), in addition to that limit. In certain instances, the Exchange may determine to permit positions less than two times above the existing limits. An increase in the maximum number of contracts exempt from position limits may be requested periodically, as dollar values may warrant. This exemption is in addition to the position limit and any other exemptions available under Exchange Rules.

(d) This exemption requires that both the options and stock positions be initiated and liquidated in an orderly manner. Specifically, a reduction of the options position must occur at or before the corresponding reduction in the stock portfolio position. Initiating or liquidating positions should not be conducted in a manner calculated to cause unreasonable price fluctuations or unwarranted price changes or with a view toward taking advantage of any differential in price between a group of securities and an overlying stock position. The Exchange's Regulatory staff must be notified in writing for approval in advance of liquidating or initiating any such position as well as of any material change in the portfolio or futures positions which materially effects the unhedged value of the qualified portfolio, as defined above.

(e) The Exchange's Regulatory staff will monitor daily that each option contract is hedged by the equivalent dollar amount of component securities. In addition, the hedge exemption form must be kept current, with information updated as warranted. Any information concerning the dollar value and composition of the stock portfolio, or its equivalent, the current hedged and aggregate option positions, any stock index futures positions must be promptly provided to the Exchange.

(f) If any member or member organization carrying an account which has received an exemption pursuant to this Rule has reason to believe that as a result of an opening transaction, the position telescoping provisions of this Rule, or the execution of CMTA transactions, that its customer, acting alone or in concert with others, directly or indirectly, violates this position limit exemption, then the member or member organization has violated this Rule. Violations of any of these provisions, absent reasonable justification or excuse, shall result in withdrawal of the hedge exemption and subsequent denial of an application for a hedge exemption thereunder.

.02 Firm Facilitation Exemption—A member organization may be exempt from established position limits for index option positions held in its proprietary account where such position will facilitate an order for a customer of that member organization, provided that such position satisfies the following:

(a) Maximum limit: the facilitating position may exceed the applicable position limit by two times that limit, in addition to the allowable amount. For example, where the position limit is 25,000 contracts, a firm facilitation exemption is available for an additional 50,000 contracts. This exemption is in addition to any other exemptions available under Exchange Rules.

(b) Approval Procedure: prior approval from an Options Exchange Official and the submission of a complete Firm Facilitation Form, which must be kept current, are required. Approval may be granted on the basis of verbal representations, in which case the member organization shall submit to the Exchange's Regulatory staff a completed form respecting such approval within two business days or the time specified when approval is granted. A member organization may request an exemption based on interest expressed by its customer, prior to obtaining an order. This exemption is not available where either the customer or facilitation order are all or none or fill or kill orders.

The facilitation firm shall promptly provide the Exchange with information or documents requested concerning the exempted and hedging positions. A copy of all applicable order tickets must be provided to the Exchange's Regulatory staff on the day of execution.

The facilitation firm shall establish and liquidate its own as well as its customer's option and stock positions in an orderly fashion, and not in a manner calculated to cause unreasonable price fluctuations or unwarranted price changes nor with a view toward taking advantage of any differential in price between a group of securities and an overlying stock index option. The facilitation firm shall notify the Exchange of any material change in the exempted option position or hedge. The facilitation firm shall not increase the exempt option position once it is liquidated unless prior approval is again received pursuant to this Rule.

(c) Facilitation Procedure: compliance with the facilitation procedures of Options 8, Section 30(b) is required, such that the terms of the order are disclosed and the market quoted, with bidding/offering by the facilitation firm providing an opportunity for the trading crowd to participate.

(d) Hedge: to remain qualified, the facilitation firm must hedge all exempt option positions within five business days after the execution of the order and furnish the Exchange's Regulatory staff with documentation reflecting the resulting hedged positions.

(e) Violations of these requirements, absent reasonable justification or excuse, shall result, in addition to any disciplinary action, in withdrawal of the exemption and may form the basis for subsequent denial of an application for an exemption hereunder.

.03 Exemptions Granted by Other Options Exchanges - A member may rely upon any available exemptions from applicable position limits granted from time to time by another options exchange for any options contract traded on the Exchange provided that such member:

(a) provides the Exchange with a copy of any written exemption issued by another options exchange or a written description of any exemption issued by another options exchange other than in writing containing sufficient detail for Exchange Regulatory staff to verify the validity of that exemption with the issuing options exchange, and

(b) fulfills all conditions precedent for such exemption and complies at all times with the requirements of such exemption with respect to the member's trading on the Exchange.

.04 Delta-Based Index Hedge Exemption

The Delta-Based Index Hedge Exemption is in addition to the standard limit and other exemptions available under Exchange Rules. An index option position of a member or, non-member affiliate of a member that is delta neutral shall be exempt from established position limits as prescribed under this Options 4A, Section 6, subject to the following: 

(A) The term "delta neutral" refers to an index option position that is hedged, in accordance with a permitted pricing model, by a position in one or more correlated instruments, for the purpose of offsetting the risk that the value of the option position will change with incremental changes in the value of the underlying index. The term "correlated instruments" means securities and/or other instruments that track the performance of or are based on the same underlying index as the index underlying the option position (but not including baskets of securities).

(B) An index option position that is not delta neutral shall be subject to position limits in accordance with this Options 4A, Section 6 (subject to the availability of other position limit exemptions). Only the options contract equivalent of the net delta of such position shall be subject to the appropriate position limit. The "options contract equivalent of the net delta" is the net delta divided by units of trade that equate to one option contract on a delta basis. The term "net delta" means, at any time, the number of shares and/or other units of trade (either long or short) required to offset the risk that the value of an index option position will change with incremental changes in the value of the underlying index, as determined in accordance with a permitted pricing model.

(C) A "permitted pricing model" shall have the meaning as defined in Exchange Options 9, Section 13(n).

(D) Effect on Aggregation of Accounts

(1) Members and non-member affiliates who rely on this exemption must ensure that the permitted pricing model is applied to all positions in correlated instruments that are owned or controlled by such member or non-member affiliate.

(2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (D)(1), the net delta of an option position held by an entity entitled to rely on this exemption, or by a separate and distinct trading unit of such entity, may be calculated without regard to positions in correlated instruments held by an affiliated entity or by another trading unit within the same entity, provided that:

(i) the entity demonstrates to the Exchange's satisfaction that no control relationship, as defined in Options 9, Section 13(k), exists between such affiliates or trading units; and

(ii) the entity has provided (by the member carrying the account as applicable) the Exchange written notice in advance that it intends to be considered separate and distinct from any affiliate or, as applicable, which trading units within the entity are to be considered separate and distinct from each other for purposes of this exemption.

(3) Notwithstanding subparagraph (D)(1) or (D)(2), a member or non-member affiliate who relies on this exemption shall designate, by prior written notice to the Exchange (to be obtained and provided by the member carrying the account as applicable), each trading unit or entity whose option positions are required under Exchange Rules to be aggregated with the option positions of such member or non-member affiliate that is relying on this exemption for purposes of compliance with Exchange position limits or exercise limits. In any such case:

(i) the permitted pricing model shall be applied, for purposes of calculating such member's or affiliate's or net delta, only to the positions in correlated instruments owned and controlled by those entities and trading units who are relying on this exemption; and

(ii) the net delta of the positions owned or controlled by the entities and trading units who are relying on this exemption shall be aggregated with the non-exempt option positions of all other entities and trading units whose options positions are required under Exchange Rules to be aggregated with the option positions of such member or affiliate.

(E) Obligations of Members

(1) A member that relies on this exemption for a proprietary index options position:

(i) must provide a written certification to the Exchange that it is using a permitted pricing model pursuant to subparagraph (C) above; and

(ii) by such reliance authorizes any other person carrying for such member an account including, or with whom such member has entered into, a position in a correlated instrument to provide to the Exchange or The Options Clearing Corporation such information regarding such account or position as the Exchange or Options Clearing Corporation may request as part of the Exchange's confirmation or verification of the accuracy of any net delta calculation under this exemption.

(2) The index option positions of a non-member relying on this exemption must be carried by a member with which it is affiliated.

(3) A member carrying an account that includes an index option position for a nonmember affiliate that intends to rely on this exemption must obtain from such nonmember affiliate and must provide to the Exchange.

(i) a written certification to the Exchange that the non-member affiliate is using a permitted pricing model pursuant to subparagraph (C) above; and

(ii) a written statement confirming that such non-member affiliate:

(a) is relying on this exemption;

(b) will use only a permitted pricing model for purposes of calculating the net delta of its option positions for purposes of this exemption;

(c) will promptly notify the member if it ceases to rely on this exemption;

(d) authorizes the member to provide to the Exchange or The Options Clearing Corporation such information regarding positions of the non-member affiliate as the Exchange or Options Clearing Corporation may request as part of the Exchange's confirmation or verification of the accuracy of any net delta calculation under this exemption; and

(e) if the non-member affiliate is using the OCC Model, has duly executed and delivered to the member such documents as the Exchange may require to be executed and delivered to the Exchange as a condition to reliance on this exemption.

(F) Reporting.

Each member (other than an Exchange market-maker using the OCC Model) that holds or carries an account that relies on this exemption shall report, in accordance with Exchange Options 6E, Section 2, all index option positions (including those that are delta neutral) that are reportable thereunder. Each such member on its own behalf or on behalf of a designated aggregation unit pursuant to Supplementary Material .04(D) of this Options 4A, Section 6 shall also report, in accordance with Options 6E, Section 2 for each such account that holds an index option position subject to this exemption in excess of the levels specified in this Options 4A, Section 6, the net delta and the options contract equivalent of the net delta of such position.

(G) Records.

Each member relying on this exemption shall: (i) retain, and undertake reasonable efforts to ensure that any non-member affiliate of the member relying on this exemption retains, a list of the options, securities and other instruments underlying each option position net delta calculation reported to the Exchange hereunder, and (ii) produce such information to the Exchange upon request.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended Apr. 9, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-07), operative Apr. 15, 2021; amended May 4, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-28), operative June 3, 2021; amended Mar. 15, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-13); amended May. 5, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2020-41), operative Jun. 14, 2022; amended May 15, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-09); amended May 15, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-09); amended Jun. 27, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-27), operative Jul. 27, 2023; amended Aug. 30, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-41), operative Sep. 29, 2023; amended Nov. 29, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-54); amended Nov. 21, 2024 (SR-Phlx-2024-63), operative Dec. 21, 2024.

 

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

 

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

 

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

In determining compliance with Options 9, Section 15, exercise limits for index option contracts shall be equivalent to the position limits described in Options 4A, Section 6.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended Jun. 17, 2020 (SR-Phlx-2020-30).

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

(a) General.

(1) Meaning of Premium Bids and Offers. Bids and offers shall be expressed in terms of dollars and decimal equivalents of dollars per unit of the index (e.g., a bid of 85.50 would represent a bid of $85.50 per unit).

(2) Exercise Prices. The Exchange shall determine fixed point intervals of exercise prices for index options (options on indexes). Generally, except as provided in Supplementary Material .04 below, the exercise (strike) price intervals will be no less than $5, provided that the Exchange may determine to list strike prices at no less than $2.50 intervals for options on the following indexes (which may also be known as sector indexes):

(A) PHLX Gold/Silver Index, if the strike price is less than $200,

(B) PHLX Housing Index, if the strike price is less than $200,

(C) PHLX Oil Service Index, if the strike price is less than $200,

(D) PHLX Semiconductor Index, if the strike price is less than $200,

(E) PHLX Utility Index, if the strike price is less than $200,

(F) KBW Bank Index, if the strike price is less than $200,

(G) Nasdaq-100 Micro Index Options, if the strike price is less than $200;

(H) Nasdaq-100 ESG Index, if the strike price is less than $200; and

(I) Nasdaq-100 Index, if the strike price is less than $200.

(3) Strike Prices. The Exchange may also determine to list strike prices at no less than $2.50 intervals for options on indexes delineated in this rule in response to demonstrated customer interest or Lead Market Maker request. For purposes of this paragraph, demonstrated customer interest includes institutional (firm) corporate or customer interest expressed directly to the Exchange or through the customer's floor brokerage unit, but not interest expressed by an Market Maker with respect to trading for the Market Maker's own account.

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision regarding strike prices in this Options 4A, Section 12, non-Short Term Options that are on an index class that has been selected to participate in the Short Term Option Series Program (referred to as a "Related non-Short Term Option series") shall be opened during the month prior to expiration of such Related non-Short Term Option series in the same manner as permitted in this Rule Options 4A, Section 12(b)(4) and in the same strike price intervals that are permitted in this Options 4A, Section 12(b)(4).

(4) Expiration Months and Weeks. Index options contracts may expire at three (3)-month intervals or in consecutive weeks or months (as specified below). The Exchange may list: (i) up to six (6) standard monthly expirations at any one time in a class, but will not list index options that expire more than twelve (12) months out; and (ii) up to 12 standard (monthly) expirations in NDX options, Nasdaq-100 ESG Index Options, and XND options.

(5) "European-Style Exercise." European-style index options, some of which may be A.M.-settled as provided in subparagraph (e) or P.M.-settled as provided for in paragraph (f), are approved for trading on the Exchange on the following indexes:

(i) Full-size Nasdaq 100 Index;

(ii) PHLX Oil Service Sector Index;

(iii) PHLX Housing Sector Index;

(iv) PHLX Utility Sector Index;

(v) KBW Bank Index; and

(vi) Nasdaq-100 ESG Index.

(6) In addition to A.M.-settled Nasdaq-100 Index options approved for trading on the Exchange pursuant to Options 4A, Section 12(e)(II), the Exchange may also list options on (i) the Nasdaq-100 Index whose exercise settlement value is the closing value of the Nasdaq-100 Index on the expiration day (P.M.-settled third Friday-of-the-month NDX options series); and (ii) the Nasdaq 100 Micro Index Options (“XND”) whose exercise settlement value is derived from closing prices on the expiration day (“P.M.-settled”).

(7) “American-Style Exercise.” American-style index options, some of which may be A.M.-settled as provided in subparagraph (e) or P.M.-settled as provided for in paragraph (f), are approved for trading on the Exchange on the following indexes:

(i) PHLX Gold/Silver Sector Index; and

(ii) PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index.

(b) After a particular class of stock index options has been approved for listing and trading on the Exchange, the Exchange shall from time to time open for trading series of options therein. Within each approved class of stock index options, the Exchange shall open for trading a minimum of one expiration month and series for each class of approved stock index options and may also open for trading series of options having not less than twelve and up to 60 months to expiration (long-term options series) as provided in subparagraph (b)(2). Prior to the opening of trading in any series of stock index options, the Exchange shall fix the expiration month and exercise price of option contracts included in each such series.

(1) Additional series of stock index options of the same class may be opened for trading on the Exchange when the Exchange deems it necessary to maintain an orderly market, to meet customer demand or when the market price of the underlying index moves more than five strike prices from the initial exercise price or prices. The opening of a new series of options shall not affect the series of options of the same class previously opened. New series of options on an index may be added until the beginning of the month in which the options contract will expire. Due to unusual market conditions, the Exchange, in its discretion, may add a new series of options on indexes until the fourth business day prior to the business day of expiration, or, in the case of an index option contract expiring on a day that is not a business day, up to the fifth business day prior to expiration.

(2) Long-Term Option Series

The Exchange may list, with respect to any class of stock index options, series of options having not less than twelve and up to 60 months to expiration, adding up to ten expiration months. Such series of options may be opened for trading simultaneously with series of options trading pursuant to this rule. Strike price intervals and continuity rules shall not apply to such options series until the time to expiration is less than twelve months. Bid/ask differentials for long-term options contracts are specified within Options 2, Section 4(c)(1)(A).

(i) Index long-term options series may be based on either the full or micro index value of the underlying index. There may be up to ten (10) expiration months, none further out than sixty (60) months. Strike price interval, bid/ask differential and continuity rules shall not apply to such options series until the time to expiration is less than twelve (12) months.

(ii) When a new index long-term options series is listed, such series will be opened for trading either when there is buying or selling interest, or forty (40) minutes prior to the close, whichever occurs first. No quotations will be posted for such options series until they are opened for trading.

(iii) Micro Index Long Term Options Series. Micro index Long Term Options Series on the following stock indices are approved for trading on the Exchange:

(A) Nasdaq 100 Index

(1) Expiration Months. Micro index long term options series may expire at six-month intervals. When a new expiration month is listed, series may be near or bracketing the current index value. Additional series may be added when the value of the underlying index increases or decreases by ten (10) to fifteen (15) percent.

(3) Quarterly Options Series Program

The Exchange may list and trade options series that expire at the close of business on the last business day of a calendar quarter ("Quarterly Options Series"). The Exchange may list Quarterly Options Series for up to five (5) currently listed options classes that are either Index Options or options on Exchange Traded Funds. In addition, the Exchange may also list Quarterly Options Series on any options classes that are selected by other securities exchanges that employ a similar program under their respective rules.

(A) The Exchange may list series that expire at the end of the next consecutive four (4) calendar quarters as well as the fourth quarter of the next calendar year.

(B) Quarterly Options Series shall be P.M. settled.

(C) The strike price of each Quarterly Options Series will be fixed at a price per share, with at least two, but not more than five, strike prices above and two, but not more than five, strike prices below the value of the underlying security at about the time that a Quarterly Options Series is opened for trading on the Exchange. The Exchange may open for trading additional Quarterly Options Series of the same class if the Exchange deems it necessary to maintain an orderly market, to meet customer demand or the current index value of the underlying index moves substantially from the exercise price of those Quarterly Options Series that already have been opened for trading on the Exchange. The exercise price of each Quarterly Options Series opened for trading on the Exchange shall be reasonably related to the current index value of the underlying index to which such series relates at or about the time such series of options is first opened for trading on the Exchange. The term "reasonably related to the current index value of the underlying index" means that the exercise price is within thirty percent (30%) of the current index value. The Exchange may also open for trading additional Quarterly Options Series that are more than thirty percent (30%) away from the current index value, provided that demonstrated customer interest exists for such series, as expressed by institutional, corporate, or individual customers or their brokers. Market-makers trading for their own account shall not be considered when determining customer interest under this provision. The Exchange may open additional strike prices of a Quarterly Options Series that are above the value of the underlying index provided that the total number of strike prices above the value of the underlying index is no greater than five. The Exchange may open additional strike prices of a Quarterly Options Series that are below the value of the underlying index provided that the total number of strike prices below the value of the underlying index is no greater than five. The opening of any new Quarterly Options Series shall not affect the series of options of the same class previously opened.

(D) The interval between strike prices on Quarterly Options Series shall be the same as the interval for strike prices for series in that same options class that expire in accordance with the normal monthly expiration cycle.

(4) Short Term Option Series Program

After an index option class has been approved for listing and trading on the Exchange, the Exchange may open for trading on any Thursday or Friday that is a business day ("Short Term Option Opening Date") series of options on that class that expire at the close of business on each of the next five consecutive Fridays that are business days and are not Fridays in which standard expiration options series, Monthly Options Series, or Quarterly Options Series expire ("Short Term Option Expiration Date"). If the Exchange is not open for business on the respective Thursday or Friday, the Short Term Option Opening Date will be the first business day immediately prior to that respective Thursday or Friday. Similarly, if the Exchange is not open for business on the Friday of the following business week, the Short Term Option Expiration Date will be the first business day immediately prior to that Friday. Regarding Short Term Option Series:

(A) The Exchange may select up to fifty (50) currently listed option classes on which Short Term Option Series may be opened on any Short Term Option Opening Date. In addition to the fifty option class restriction, the Exchange also may list Short Term Option Series on any option classes that are selected by other securities exchanges that employ a similar program under their respective rules. For each index option class eligible for participation in the Short Term Option Series Program, the Exchange may open up to thirty (30) Short Term Option Series on index options for each expiration date in that class. The Exchange may also open Short Term Option Series that are opened by other securities exchanges in option classes selected by such exchanges under their respective short term option rules.

(B) No Short Term Option Series on an index option class may expire in the same week during which any standard expiration option series on the same index class expire or, in the case of Monthly Options Series or Quarterly Options Series, on an expiration that coincides with an expiration of Monthly Options Series or Quarterly Option Series on the same index class.

(C) The strike price of each Short Term Option Series will be fixed at a price per share, with approximately the same number of strike prices being opened above and below the calculated value of the underlying index at about the time that the Short Term Option Series are initially opened for trading on the Exchange (e.g., if seven (7) series are initially opened, there will be at least three (3) strike prices above and three (3) strike prices below the value of the underlying security or calculated index value). Any strike prices listed by the Exchange shall be within thirty percent (30%) above or below the current value of the underlying index.

(D) If the Exchange has opened less than twenty (20) Short Term Option Series for a Short Term Option Expiration Date, additional series may be opened for trading on the Exchange when the Exchange deems it necessary to maintain an orderly market, to meet customer demand or when the current value of the underlying index moves substantially from the exercise price or prices of the series already opened.

Any additional strike prices listed by the Exchange shall be within thirty percent (30%) above or below the current value of the underlying index. The Exchange may also open additional strike prices of Short Term Option Series that are more than 30% above or below the current value of the underlying index provided that demonstrated customer interest exists for such series, as expressed by institutional, corporate or individual customers or their brokers. Market-Makers trading for their own account shall not be considered when determining customer interest under this provision. In the event that the underlying security has moved such that there are no series that are at least 10% above or below the current price of the underlying security, the Exchange will delist any series with no open interest in both the call and the put series having a: (i) strike higher than the highest price with open interest in the put and/or call series for a given expiration week; and (ii) strike lower than the lowest strike price with open interest in the put and/or the call series for a given expiration week, so as to list series that are at least 10% but not more than 30% above or below the current price of the underlying security. In the event that the underlying security has moved such that there are no series that are at least 10% above or below the current price of the underlying security and all existing series have open interest, the Exchange may list additional series, in excess of the 30 allowed under Options 4A, Section 12(b)(4), that are between 10% and 30% above or below the price of the underlying security. The opening of the new Short Term Option Series shall not affect the series of options of the same class previously opened.

(E) The interval between strike prices on Short Term Option Series may be (1) $0.50 or greater where the strike price is less than $75, and $1 or greater where the strike price is between $75 and $150 for all index classes that participate in the Short Term Option Series Program; or (2) $0.50 for index classes that trade in one dollar increments in Related non-Short Term Options and that participate in the Short Term Option Series Program. Related non-Short Term Option series shall be opened during the month prior to expiration of such Related non-Short Term Option series in the same manner as permitted in Options 4A, Section 12(b)(4) and in the same strike price intervals that are permitted in this Options 4A, Section 12(b)(4).

(5) Monthly Options Series Program. The Exchange may list and trade options series that expire at the close of business on the last business day of a calendar month ("Monthly Options Series").

(a) Classes. The Exchange may list Monthly Options Series for up to five currently listed option classes that are either index options or options on ETFs. In addition, the Exchange may also list Monthly Options Series on any options classes that are selected by other securities exchanges that employ a similar program under their respective rules.

(b) Expiration. The Exchange may list 12 expirations for Monthly Options Series. Monthly Options Series expirations need not be for consecutive months; 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. No Monthly Options Series may expire on a date that coincides with an expiration date of a Quarterly Options Series in the same index or ETF class. Other expirations in the same class are not counted as part of the maximum numbers of Monthly Options Series expirations for a class.

(c) Settlement. Monthly Options Series will be P.M.-settled.

(d) Initial Series. The strike price of each Monthly Options Series will be fixed at a price per share, with at least two, but no more than five, strike prices above and at least two, but no more than five, strike prices below the value of the underlying index or price of the underlying security at about the time that a Monthly Options Series is opened for trading on the Exchange. The Exchange will list strike prices for Monthly Options Series that are reasonably related to the current price of the underlying security or current index value of the underlying index to which such series relates at about the time such series of options is first opened for trading on the Exchange. The term “reasonably related to the current price of the underlying security or index value of the underlying index” means that the exercise price is within 30% of the current underlying security price or index value.

(e) Additional Series. Additional Monthly Options Series of the same class may be open for trading on the Exchange when the Exchange deems it necessary to maintain an orderly market, to meet customer demand, or when the market price of the underlying security moves substantially from the initial exercise price or prices. To the extent that any additional strike prices are listed by the Exchange, such additional strike prices will be within 30% above or below the closing price of the underlying index or security on the preceding day. The Exchange may also open additional strike prices of Monthly Options Series that are more than 30% above or below the current price of the underlying index or security, provided that demonstrated customer interest exists for such series, as expressed by institutional, corporate, or individual customers or their brokers. Market Makers trading for their own account will not be considered when determining customer interest under this provision. The opening of the new Monthly Options Series will not affect the series of options in the same class previously opened.

(f) Strike Interval. The interval between strike prices on Monthly Options Series will be the same as the interval for strike prices for series in that same options class that expire in accordance with the normal monthly expiration cycle.

(g) Delisting Policy.

(1) With respect to Monthly Options Series added pursuant to subparagraphs (a) through (f) above, the Exchange will, on a monthly basis, review series that are outside a range of five strikes above and five strikes below the current price of the underlying index or security, and delist series with no open interest in both the put and the call series having a: (i) strike higher than the highest strike price with open interest in the put and/or call series for a given expiration month; and (ii) strike lower than the lowest strike price with open interest in the put and/or call series for a given expiration month.

(2) Notwithstanding the above referenced delisting policy, customer requests to add strikes and/or maintain strikes in Monthly Options Series in series eligible for delisting will be granted.

(3) In connection with the above referenced delisting policy, if the Exchange identifies series for delisting, the Exchange will notify other options exchanges with similar delisting policies regarding eligible series for delisting and will work with such other exchanges to develop a uniform list of series to be delisted, so as to ensure uniform series delisting of multiply listed Monthly Options Series.

(6) Nonstandard Expirations Program

(A) Weekly Expirations. The Exchange may open for trading Weekly Expirations on any broad-based index eligible for standard options trading 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). Weekly Expirations shall be subject to all provisions of this Rule and treated the same as options on the same underlying index that expire on the third Friday of the expiration month; provided, however, that Weekly Expirations shall be P.M.-settled and new series in Weekly Expirations may be added up to and including on the expiration date for an expiring Weekly Expiration.

The maximum number of expirations that may be listed for each Weekly Expiration (i.e., a Monday expiration, Tuesday expiration, Wednesday expiration, Thursday expiration, or Friday expiration, as applicable) in a given class is the maximum number of expirations permitted for standard index options in Options 4A, Section 12(a)(4). Weekly Expirations need not be for consecutive Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday expirations as applicable; 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. Weekly Expirations that are initially listed in a given class may expire up to four weeks from the actual listing date. If the last trading day of a month is a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday and the Exchange lists EOMs and Weekly Expirations as applicable in a given class, the Exchange will list an EOM instead of a Weekly Expiration that expires the same day in the given class. Other expirations in the same class are not counted as part of the maximum number of Weekly Expirations for an applicable broad-based index class. 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 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.

(B) End of Month ("EOM") Expirations. The Exchange may open for trading EOMs on any broad-based index eligible for standard options trading to expire on last trading day of the month. EOMs shall be subject to all provisions of this Rule and treated the same as options on the same underlying index that expire on the third Friday of the expiration month; provided, however, that EOMs shall be P.M.-settled and new series in EOMs may be added up to and including on the expiration date for an expiring EOM.

The maximum number of expirations that may be listed for EOMs in a given class is the same as the maximum number of expirations permitted for standard options on the same broad-based index. EOM expirations 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. EOMs that are first listed in a given class may expire up to four weeks from the actual listing date. Other expirations in the same class are not counted as part of the maximum numbers of EOM expirations for a broad-based index class.

(C) Weekly Expirations and EOM Trading Hours. Transactions in Weekly Expirations and EOMs may be effected on the Exchange between the hours of 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) and 4:15 pm (Eastern Time), except that on the last trading day, transactions in expiring Weekly Expirations and EOMs may be effected on the Exchange between the hours of 9:30 a.m. (Eastern time ) and 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time).

(c) On the business day of expiration, or, in the case of an option contract expiring on a day that is not a business day, the business day prior to the expiration date of a particular series of index options, such option shall freely trade until 4:00 P.M., unless the Board of Directors has established different hours of trading for certain index options.

(d) Index Level. The reported level of the underlying index that is calculated by the reporting authority for purposes of determining the current index value at the expiration of an index option may differ from the level of the index that is separately calculated and reported by the reporting authority and that reflects trading activity subsequent to the opening of trading in any of the underlying securities.

(e) A.M.-Settled Index Options. The last day of trading for A.M.-settled index options shall be the business day preceding the business day of expiration, or, in the case of an option contract expiring on a day that is not a business day, the business day preceding the last day of trading in the underlying securities prior to the expiration date. The current index value at the expiration of an A.M.-settled index option shall be determined, for all purposes under these Rules and the Rules of The Options Clearing Corporation, on the last day of trading in the underlying securities prior to expiration, by reference to the reported level of such index as derived from first reported sale (opening) prices of the underlying securities on such day, except that:

(I) In the event that the primary market for an underlying security does not open for trading on that day, the price of that security shall be determined, for the purposes of calculating the current index value at expiration, as set forth in Options 4A, Section 12(g), unless the current index value at expiration is fixed in accordance with the Rules and By-Laws of The Options Clearing Corporation; and

(II) in the event that the primary market for an underlying security is open for trading on that day, but that particular security does not open for trading on that day, the price of that security, for the purposes of calculating the current index value at expiration, shall be the last reported sale price of the security. The following A.M.-settled index options are approved for trading on the Exchange on the following indexes:

(i) PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index;

(ii) PHLX Housing Sector Index;

(iii) PHLX Oil Service Sector Index;

(iv) KBW Bank Index;

(v) Full Value Nasdaq-100^® Index;

(vi) Reduced Value Nasdaq-100^® Index;

(vii) Nasdaq 100 Micro Index;

(viii) PHLX Utility Sector Index; and

(ix) Nasdaq-100 ESG Index.

(f) P.M. - Settled Index Options. The last day of trading for P.M.-settled index options shall be the business day of expiration, or, in the case of an option contract expiring on a day that is not a business day, on the last business day before its expiration date. The current index value at expiration of the index is determined by the last reported sale price of each component security. In the event that the primary market for an underlying security does not open for trading on the expiration date, the price of that security shall be the last reported sale price prior to the expiration date. The following P.M.-settled index options are approved for trading on Phlx:

(i) Nasdaq-100 Micro Index Options (“XND”); and

(ii) PHLX Gold/Silver Sector Index.

Supplementary Material to Options 4A, Section 12

.01 Transactions in broad-based (market) index options traded on the Exchange, including the Full Value Nasdaq-100^® Options, Reduced Value Nasdaq-100^® Options, Nasdaq-100 Micro Index Options, and Nasdaq-100 ESG Index Options may be effected on the Exchange until 4:15 P.M. each business day, through the expiration date. Transactions in Alpha Index options may also be effected on the Exchange until 4:15 P.M. each business day, through the expiration date.

.02 Notwithstanding subsection (a) to this Options 4A, Section 12, the interval between strike prices of series of Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Options and Nasdaq 100 Micro Index Options will be $1 or greater, subject to following conditions:

(a) Initial Series. The Exchange may list series at $1 or greater strike price intervals for Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Options and Nasdaq 100 Micro Index Options, and will list at least two strike prices above and two strike prices below the current value of the Nasdaq-100 Index at about the time a series is opened for trading on the Exchange. The Exchange shall list strike prices for Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Options and Nasdaq 100 Micro Index Options that are within 5 points from the closing value of the Nasdaq-100 Index on the preceding day.

(b) Additional Series. Additional series of the same class of Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Options and Nasdaq 100 Micro Index Options may be opened for trading on the Exchange when the Exchange deems it necessary to maintain an orderly market, to meet customer demand or when the underlying Nasdaq-100 Index moves substantially from the initial exercise price or prices. To the extent that any additional strike prices are listed by the Exchange, such additional strike prices shall be within thirty percent (30%) above or below the closing value of the Nasdaq-100 Index. The Exchange may also open additional strike prices that are more than 30% above or below the current Nasdaq-100 Index value provided that demonstrated customer interest exists for such series, as expressed by institutional, corporate or individual customers or their brokers. Market-Makers trading for their own account shall not be considered when determining customer interest under this provision. In addition to the initial listed series, the Exchange may list up to sixty (60) additional series per expiration month for each series in Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Options and Nasdaq 100 Micro Index Options.

(c) The Exchange shall not list LEAPS on Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Options and Nasdaq 100 Micro Index Options at intervals less than $2.50.

(d) (1) Delisting Policy. With respect to Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Options and Nasdaq 100 Micro Index Options added pursuant to the above paragraphs, the Exchange will, on a monthly basis, review series that are outside a range of five (5) strikes above and five (5) strikes below the current value of the Nasdaq-100 Index, and delist series with no open interest in both the put and the call series having a: (A) strike higher than the highest strike price with open interest in the put and/or call series for a given expiration month; and (B) strike lower than the lowest strike price with open interest in the put and/or call series for a given expiration month.

(2) Notwithstanding the above referenced delisting policy, customer requests to add strikes and/or maintain strikes in Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Options and Nasdaq 100 Micro Index Options series eligible for delisting shall be granted.

(3) In connection with the above referenced delisting policy, if the Exchange identifies series for delisting, the Exchange shall notify other options exchanges with similar delisting policies regarding eligible series for delisting, and shall work with such other exchanges to develop a uniform list of series to be delisted, so as to ensure uniform series delisting of multiply listed Reduced Value Nasdaq 100 Options and Nasdaq 100 Micro Index Options.

.03 Notwithstanding subsection (a) to this Options 4A, Section 12, the interval between strike prices of series of options on the PHLX Gold/Silver Index, PHLX Housing Index, PHLX Oil Service Index, PHLX Semiconductor Index, and KBW Bank Index (individually the "$1 Index" and together the "$1 Indexes"), which may also be known as sector indexes, will be $1 or greater, subject to following conditions:

(a) Initial Series. The Exchange may list series at $1 or greater strike price intervals for each $1 Index, and will list at least two strike prices above and two strike prices below the current value of each $1 Index at about the time a series is opened for trading on the Exchange. The Exchange shall list strike prices for each $1 Index that are within 5 points from the closing value of each $1 Index on the preceding day.

(b) Additional Series. Additional series of the same class of each $1 Index may be opened for trading on the Exchange when the Exchange deems it necessary to maintain an orderly market, to meet customer demand or when each underlying $1 Index moves substantially from the initial exercise price or prices. To the extent that any additional strike prices are listed by the Exchange, such additional strike prices shall be within thirty percent (30%) above or below the closing value of each $1 Index. The Exchange may also open additional strike prices that are more than 30% above or below each current $1 Index value provided that demonstrated customer interest exists for such series, as expressed by institutional, corporate or individual customers or their brokers. Market-Makers trading for their own account shall not be considered when determining customer interest under this provision. In addition to the initial listed series, the Exchange may list up to sixty (60) additional series per expiration month for each series in $1 Indexes.

(c) The Exchange shall not list LEAPS on $1 Indexes at intervals less than $2.50.

(d) (1) Delisting Policy. With respect to each $1 Index added pursuant to the above paragraphs, the Exchange will regularly review series that are outside a range of five (5) strikes above and five (5) strikes below the current value of each $1 Index, and in each $1 Index may delist series with no open interest in both the put and the call series having a: (A) strike higher than the highest strike price with open interest in the put and/or call series for a given expiration month; and (B) strike lower than the lowest strike price with open interest in the put and/or call series for a given expiration month.

(2) Notwithstanding the above referenced delisting policy, customer requests to add strikes and/or maintain strikes in $1 Index options eligible for delisting may be granted.

.04 Notwithstanding subsection (a) to this Options 4A, Section 12, the interval between strike prices of series of Alpha Index options will be $1 or greater. The Exchange will list at least two strike prices above and two strike prices below the current value of each Alpha Index option at about the time a series is opened for trading on the Exchange. The Exchange may also list additional strike prices at any price point, with a minimum of a $1.00 interval between strike prices, as required to meet the needs of customers.

.05 The procedures set forth in Exchange rules for determining the current index value at expiration shall not be used if the current index value at expiration is fixed in accordance with the Rules and By- Laws of The Options Clearing Corporation.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended Mar. 18, 2020 (20-10); amended April 13, 2020 (20-24); amended Oct. 14, 2020 (SR-Phlx-2020-48); amended Apr. 9, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-07), operative Apr. 15, 2021; amended April 1, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-21), operative May 1, 2021; amended May 4, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-28), operative June 3, 2021; amended October 20, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-66); amended October 28, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-65); amended December 23, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-76); amended Mar. 15, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-13); amended Mar. 31, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-16), operative Apr. 30, 2022; amended May. 5, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2020-41), operative Jun. 14, 2022; amended Nov. 19, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-56), operative Jun. 14, 2022; amended Jun. 6, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-25), operative Jun. 14, 2022; amended Jul. 29, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-22), operative Aug. 1, 2022; amended Sep. 26, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-39), operative Oct. 26, 2022; amended Oct. 19, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-42); amended Nov. 30, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-38); amended Nov. 22, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-48); amended Apr. 14, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-13); amended May 15, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-09); amended Jun. 27, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-27), operative Jul. 27, 2023; amended Sep. 20, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-07); amended Aug. 30, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-41), operative Sep. 29, 2023; amended Nov. 15, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-45); amended Nov. 29, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-54); amended Nov. 21, 2024 (SR-Phlx-2024-63), operative Dec. 21, 2024.

 

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

(a) Applicability of Disclaimers. The disclaimers in paragraph (b) below shall apply to the reporting authorities identified in Supplementary Material .02 to Options 4A, Section 2.

(b) Disclaimer. No reporting authority, and no affiliate of a reporting authority (each such reporting authority, its affiliates, and any other entity identified in this Rule are referred to collectively as a "Reporting Authority"), makes any warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained by any person or entity from the use of an index it publishes, any opening, intra-day or closing value therefore, or any data included therein or relating thereto, in connection with the trading of any options contract based thereon or for any other purpose. The Reporting Authority shall obtain information for inclusion in, or for use in the calculation of, such index from sources it believes to be reliable, but the Reporting Authority does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such index, any opening, intra-day or closing value therefore, or any date included therein or related thereto. The Reporting Authority hereby disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to such index, any opening, intra-day, or closing value therefore, any data included therein or relating thereto, or any options contract based thereon. The Reporting Authority shall have no liability for any damages, claims, losses (including any indirect or consequential losses), expenses, or delays, whether direct or indirect, foreseen or unforeseen, suffered by any person arising out of any circumstance or occurrence relating to the person's use of such index, any opening, intra-day or closing value therefore, any data included therein or relating thereto, or any options contract based thereon, or arising out of any errors or delays in calculating or disseminating such index.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended December 23, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-76).

With respect to index option contracts, clearing members are required to follow the procedures of The Options Clearing Corporation for tendering exercise notices. Clearing Members must follow the procedures of The Options Clearing Corporation when exercising American-style cash-settled index options contracts issued or to be issued in any account at the Option Clearing Corporation. Member organizations must also follow the procedures set forth below with respect to American-style cash-settled index options:

(i) For all contracts exercised by the member organization or by any customer of the member organization, an "exercise advice" must be time stamped and delivered by the member organization in such form or manner prescribed by the Exchange no later than five (5) minutes after the close of trading on that day.

(ii) Subsequent to the delivery of an "exercise advice," should the member organization or a customer of the member organization determine not to exercise all or part of the advised contracts, the member organization must also deliver an "advice cancel" in such form or manner prescribed by the Exchange no later than five (5) minutes after the close of trading on that day.

(iii) The Exchange may determine to extend the applicable deadline for the delivery of "exercise advice" and "advice cancel" notifications pursuant to this paragraph if unusual circumstances are present.

(iv) No member organization may time stamp or submit an "exercise advice" prior to the purchase of the contracts to be exercised if the member organization knew or had reason to know that the contracts had not yet been purchased.

(v) The failure of any member organization to follow the procedures in this rule may result in the assessment of a fine, which may include but is not limited to disgorgement of potential economic gain obtained or loss avoided by the subject exercise, as determined by the Exchange.

(vi) Preparing or submitting an "exercise advice" or "advice cancel" after the applicable deadline on the basis of material information released after such deadline, in addition to constituting a violation of this Rule, is activity inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade.

(vii) The procedures set forth in subparagraphs (i)-(ii) above do not apply (a) on the business day prior to expiration in series expiring on a day other than a business day or (b) on the expiration day in series expiring on a business day.

(viii) Each member organization shall prepare a memorandum of every exercise instruction received showing by time stamp the time when such instruction was so received. Such memoranda shall be subject to the requirements of SEC Rule 17a-4(b).

(ix) Each member organization shall establish fixed procedures to ensure secure time stamps in connection with their electronic systems employed for the recording of submissions to exercise or not exercise expiring options.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

 

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

With respect to index options, restrictions on exercise may be in effect until the opening of business on the business day of expiration, or, in the case of an option contract expiring on a day that is not a business day, the business day prior to the expiration date.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

(a) Openings:

(i) Industry Index—The opening rotation for industry index options may be held after the Exchange has received the opening price of the underlying index.

Once the Exchange has received the opening price of the underlying index, the opening rotation shall be held as soon as practicable.

(ii) Market Index—With respect to openings conducted manually, the opening rotation for market index options shall be held at or as soon as practicable after the opening of business on the Exchange.

Respecting openings conducted manually, the Lead Market Maker shall open first those series of an index option which have the nearest expiration. Thereafter, the Lead Market Maker shall open the remaining series in a manner he deems appropriate under the circumstances. One and one-half hours after the rotation, trading shall become subject to paragraph (c) of this Rule, unless an Options Exchange Official determines it is in the public interest to halt trading at an earlier time.

(iii) For the purposes of this Rule, an underlying security shall be deemed to have opened for trading on the primary market if such market has (i) reported a transaction in the underlying security or (ii) disseminated opening quotations for the underlying security and not given an indication of a delayed opening.

(iv) With respect to automated openings in an Industry or Market Index conducted pursuant to Options 3, Section 8, the System will automatically open such options when the Exchange has received the opening price of the underlying index.

(v) An automated opening conducted pursuant to Options 3, Section 8 shall be considered a "rotation" for purposes of this Rule.

(b) Modified Rotations: In addition to the opening rotation procedure provided in paragraph (a) of this Rule, the Exchange may conduct a rotation in accordance with Options 3, Section 9(b).

(c) Halts: Trading on the Exchange in any option may be halted with the approval of an Options Exchange Official, whenever trading on the primary market in any underlying security is halted or suspended. Trading shall be halted whenever an Options Exchange Official deems such action appropriate in the interests of a fair and orderly market and to protect investors. Among the factors that may be considered are the following:

(i) trading has been halted or suspended in the market that is the primary market for a plurality of the underlying stocks;

(ii) the current calculation of the index derived from the current market prices of the stocks is not available;

(iii) a Trading System (for purposes of this Rule, "Trading System" is defined as the System, or any other Exchange quotation, transaction reporting, execution, order routing or other Systems for trading options) technical failure or failures including, but not limited to, the failure of a part of the central processing System, a number of member or member organization trading applications, or the electrical power supply to the System itself or any related System; or;

(iv) other unusual conditions or circumstances detrimental to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market are present.

(v) In the event that trading is halted on the primary market in any underlying security, the Lead Market Maker may halt trading in the option overlying such index, subject to the approval of an Options Exchange Official within five minutes of the halt in trading in the option.

Trading in options on any Alpha Index may be halted for the same reasons as other index options pursuant to this Rule, and shall be halted when trading is halted in options overlying either of the two index component securities.

(d) Reopenings: Trading in any class or series of index options that has been subject of a halt by the Exchange may be resumed upon a determination by an Options Exchange Official that the conditions which led to the halt are no longer present. In addition, an Options Exchange Official must conclude in his best judgment that the interests of a fair and orderly market are served by a resumption of trading. The definition of "open for trading" appears in subparagraph (a)(iii) above.

(e) No closing rotation for expiring index options shall be required.

(f) Index Options Trading after 4:00 P.M.: With the prior approval of an Options Exchange Official, a trading rotation in any class of index option contracts may be effected even though employment of the rotation will result in the transaction on the Exchange after 4:00 P.M. provided:

(i) Promptly after trading in underlying securities opens or re-opens, the trading rotation in any Exchange commences an opening or re-opening rotation in the corresponding options class pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) or (d) above; or

(ii) If prior to 4:00 P.M., a trading rotation is in progress and an Options Exchange Official, determines that a final trading rotation is needed to assure a fair and orderly market, the rotation in progress shall be halted and such final rotation begun as promptly as possible after 4:00 P.M. Any trading rotation commenced after 4:00 P.M. must be approved by an Options Exchange Official.

(iii) Index Options Trading after 4:15 P.M.—in applying this provision to broad-based index options, the relevant time is 4:15 P.M.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

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 the current index value or the closing index value resulting from any negligent act or omission by the Exchange or any act, condition or cause beyond the reasonable control of the Exchange, 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; any error, omission or delay in the reports of transactions in one or more underlying securities; or any error, omission or delay in the reports of the current index value or the closing index value by the Exchange or the reporting authority.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

Standard & Poor's®, a division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by any person or any entity from the use of the S&P 500® Index or any data included therein in connection with the trading of option contracts thereon, or for any other use. Standard & Poor's® makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the S&P 500® Index or any data included therein in connection with the trading of options contracts thereon, or for any other use.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).

Nasdaq, Inc. ("Nasdaq") does not guarantee the accuracy and/or uninterrupted calculation of any Nasdaq Index (including, but not limited to, the NASDAQ-100 Index® and the NASDAQ Internet Index[service]) or any data included therein. Nasdaq makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Exchange, owners of options on any Nasdaq Index, or any other person or entity from the use of any Nasdaq Index or any data included therein. Nasdaq makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to any Nasdaq Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Nasdaq have any liability for any lost profits or special, incidental, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

Adopted Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).