Options 8 Floor Trading
(a) The Options 8 Rules shall apply to Exchange options transactions by and among members and member
organizations ph31sically located on the Exchange's options trading floor, including the trading crowds, and
shall govern all activity that occurs in the physical space designated by the Exchange as "trading floor" as
well as trading conducted through the Options Floor Based Management System. All executions that occur
automatically within the electronic system operated by the Exchange that receives and disseminates quotes,
executes orders and reports transactions ("System" or "Electronic System") shall be governed by all other
Options Rules except for the Options 8 Rules.
(b) All Options Rules shall apply to Exchange Floor Trading, in addition to the Options 8 Rules, however
where the Options 8 Rules disagree with another Options Rule not within Options 8 a conflict shall be
resolved in favor of the Options 8 Rule as it applies to the Exchange Trading Floor.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended January 4, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-02), operative February 3, 2021.
(a) The following terms as used in the Rules shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, have the meanings herein specified:
(1) Floor. The term "floor" means the floor of the Exchange.
(2) Floor Broker. The term "Floor Broker" means an individual who is registered with the Exchange for
the purpose, while on the Options Floor, of accepting and handling options orders.
(3) Floor Lead Market Maker. The term “Floor Lead Market Maker” is a member who is registered as an options Lead Market Maker pursuant to Options 2, Section 12(a) and has a physical presence on the Exchange’s trading floor.
(4) Floor Market Maker. The term “Floor Market Maker” is a Market Maker who is neither an SQT or an RSQT. A Floor Market Maker may provide a quote in open outcry.
(5) Floor Transaction. The term “Floor Transaction” is a transaction that is effected in open outcry on the Exchange’s Trading Floor.
(6) Inactive Nominee. The term "inactive nominee" shall mean a natural person associated with and
designated as such by a member organization and who has been approved for such status and is registered as
such with the Membership Department. An inactive nominee shall have no rights or privileges under a permit
unless and until said inactive nominee becomes admitted as a member of the Exchange pursuant to the By-Laws
and Rules of the Exchange. An inactive nominee merely stands ready to exercise rights under a permit upon
notice by the member organization to the Membership Department on an expedited basis.
(7) Permit. The term “Permit” shall refer to the description in General 1, Section 1(23). Additionally, notwithstanding applicable By-Laws and Rules conditioning membership, a Series A-1 permit holder on the Exchange's Trading Floor may be affiliated with up to two (2) member organizations (a primary and a secondary member organization) that are under common ownership. Both the primary and secondary member organizations shall notify the Membership Department of such an affiliation. This notification shall include: (i) an attestation of common ownership; (ii) the names of the individuals responsible for supervision of the permit holder; and (iii) the Exchange account numbers for billing purposes. For purposes of this Rule, "common ownership" shall be defined as at least 75% common ownership between the member organizations. A permit may not be transferred by lease, sale, gift, involuntary transfer, or any other means or as collateral to secure any obligation, except that a permit may be transferred within the Permit Holder's Member Organization or to an "Inactive Nominee" who is registered as such with the Exchange, subject to the provisions of the By-Laws and Rules relating to an "Inactive Nominee".
(8) Presiding Exchange Officials. The term "Presiding Exchange Officials" shall refer to the President
of the Exchange and his/her designated staff who shall have general supervision over: (i) the options trading
floor as well as general supervision of the dealings of members on the trading floor and on Exchange trading
systems, and of the premises of the Exchange immediately adjacent thereto; (ii) the activities of Lead
Market Makers, registered option traders, floor brokers, or other types of market makers and shall establish
standards and procedures for the training and qualification of members active on the trading floor; (iii)
all trading floor employees of members, and shall make and enforce such rules with respect to such employees
as it may deem necessary; (iv) all connections or means of communications with the options trading floor and
may require the discontinuance of any such connection or means of communication when, in the opinion of the
President or his/her designee, it is contrary to the welfare or interest of the Exchange; (v) the location of
equipment and the assignment and use of space on the options trading floor; and (vi) relations with other
options exchanges.
(9) Public Outcry. The term "Public Outcry" shall refer, pursuant to Options 8, Section 24 at
Supplementary Material .01, bids and offers which must be made in an audible tone of voice. A member shall
be considered "in" on a bid or offer, while he remains at the post, unless he shall distinctly and audibly
say "out." A member bidding and offering in immediate and rapid succession shall be deemed "in" until he
shall say "out" on either bid or offer. Once the trading crowd has provided a quote, it will remain in
effect until: (A) a reasonable amount of time has passed, or (B) there is a significant change in the price
of the underlying security, or (C) the market given in response to the request has been improved. In the
case of a dispute, the term "significant change" will be interpreted on a case-by-case basis by an Options
Exchange Official based upon the extent of the recent trading in the option and, in the case of equity and
index options, in the underlying security, and any other relevant factors.
(10) Remote FBMS Transaction. The term “Remote FBMS Transaction” is a transaction effected by a Floor Broker, while not physically present on the Trading Floor, by submitting limit, market or stop orders pursuant to Options 8, Section 28(g), Customer Cross Orders pursuant to Options 8, Section 30(f), Complex Customer Cross Orders pursuant to Options 8, Section 30(g), and Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Orders pursuant to Options 8, Section 30(e) to the electronic order book, through FBMS. In order to conduct Remote FBMS Transactions, unless exempt from such requirements in accordance with Supplementary Material .01 to Options 10, Section 5 or Phlx General 4, Rule 1230, Floor Brokers are subject to the following regulatory requirements: (1) compliance with branch office requirements as described in Supplementary Material .01 to Options 10, Section 5, as well as supervision of such branch office as described in Phlx General 9, Section 20; and (2) compliance with applicable registration requirements described in Phlx General 4. All uses of FBMS involving open outcry must be conducted while physically present on the Trading Floor.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Sept. 10, 2019 (19-33); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended Jan. 26, 2021 (SR-Phlx2021-05); amended July 13, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-41), operative August 12, 2021; amended December 23, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-76); amended Jul. 29, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-22), operative Aug. 1, 2022; amended Aug. 14, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-39), operative Dec. 8, 2025.
The Board of Directors may, from time to time, fix and impose a charge upon members and member
organizations measured by their respective net commissions on transactions effected on the Floor of the
Exchange.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17).
Membership, and Registration
(a) A Series A-1 permit holder shall be subject to Rule 908. Notwithstanding applicable By-Laws and Rules
conditioning membership, a Series A-1 permit holder on the Exchange's Trading Floor may be affiliated with
up to two (2) member organizations (a primary and a secondary member organization) that are under common
ownership. Both the primary and secondary member organizations shall notify the Membership Department of
such an affiliation. This notification shall include: (i) an attestation of common ownership; (ii) the names
of the individuals responsible for supervision of the permit holder; and (iii) the Exchange account numbers
for billing purposes. For purposes of this Rule, "common ownership" shall be defined as at least 75% common
ownership between the member organizations.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17).
(a) In addition to the requirements of General 3, Section 1, applicants seeking membership on the Exchange
Trading Floor are also required to demonstrate knowledge of Exchange Options Floor Rules and Procedures
through an on-floor examination.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).
(a) An applicant for registration as an Option Floor Broker shall file his application in writing with
Regulatory staff on such form or forms as the Exchange may prescribe. Applications shall be reviewed by the
Exchange, which shall consider an applicant's ability as demonstrated by his passing an Options Floor
Broker's examination prescribed by the Exchange, and such other factors as the Exchange deems appropriate.
After reviewing the application, the Exchange shall either approve or disapprove the applicant's
registration as a Floor Broker.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17).
(a) A member organization may designate an individual as an "Inactive Nominee." The member organization shall
pay an Inactive Nominee Fee for the privilege of maintaining the Inactive Nominee status.
(1) The following requirements shall apply to
Inactive Nominees:
(A) To be eligible for Inactive Nominee status, an
individual must be approved as eligible to hold a permit in accordance with the By-Laws and Rules of the
Exchange.
(B) An Inactive Nominee shall meet all membership
requirements including examinations administered by the Exchange.
(C) An Inactive Nominee shall have no rights or
privileges of a permit holder unless and until said Inactive Nominee becomes an effective permit holder and
all applicable Exchange fees are paid.
(D) An Inactive Nominee's status will terminate
after six (6) months unless it has been reaffirmed in writing by the member organization or terminated prior
thereto.
(2) In order to designate an Inactive Nominee as an
effective permit holder the member organization shall:
(A) Notify the Membership Department, in writing,
prior to the opening of trading on any business day the name of the Inactive Nominee that the member
organization desires to designate as an effective permit holder. The notice must identify the name of the
permit holder that the Inactive Nominee will be acting on behalf of as well as the expected duration that
such Inactive Nominee will remain activated.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (ii)(a), a member organization may notify the Membership Department, in
writing, of its desire to designate an Inactive Nominee as an effective permit holder intra-day in the event
of an unforeseen emergency. The notice must identify the name of the Inactive Nominee, the name of the
permit holder that the Inactive Nominee will be acting on behalf of, and the expected duration that such
Inactive Nominee will remain activated. Such intra-day designations must be approved by the Chief Regulatory
Officer or his/her designee prior to such Inactive Nominee becoming an effective permit holder.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17).
(a) Trading Floor Member Registration - Each Floor Broker, Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Maker on the
Exchange trading floor must be registered as "Member Exchange" ("ME") under "PHLX" on Form U4. In addition,
each Floor Broker, Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Maker must successfully complete the appropriate floor
trading examination(s), if prescribed by the Exchange, in addition to requirements imposed by other Exchange
Rules. The Exchange may also require periodic examinations due to changes in trading rules, products or
automated systems. Following the termination of, or the initiation of a change in the trading status of any
such member who has been issued an Exchange access card and a trading floor badge, the appropriate Exchange
form must be completed, approved and dated by a firm principal, officer, or member of the firm with
authority to do so, and submitted to the appropriate Exchange department as soon as possible, but no later
than 9:30 A.M. the next business day by the member organization employer. Every effort should be made to
obtain the person's access card and trading floor badge and to submit these to the appropriate Exchange
department.
(b) Non-member/Clerk Registration-All trading floor personnel, including clerks, interns, stock execution clerks and any other associated persons, of a member organization not required to register pursuant to subparagraph (a) must be registered as "Floor Employee" ("FE") under "PHLX" on Form U4. Further, the Exchange may require successful completion of an examination, in addition to requirements imposed by other Exchange Rules. The Exchange may also require periodic examinations due to changes in trading rules, products or automated systems. Following the termination of, or the initiation of a change in the status of any such personnel of a member organization who has been issued an Exchange access card and a trading floor badge, the appropriate Exchange form must be completed, approved and dated by a member organization principal, officer, or member of the member organization with authority to do so, and submitted to the appropriate Exchange department as soon as possible, but no later than 9:30 A.M. the next business day by the member organization employer. Every effort should be made to obtain the person's access card and trading floor badge and to submit these to the appropriate Exchange department.
(c) Members whose activities are limited to the Exchange's options trading floor and who are registered
pursuant to subparagraph (a) as well as associated persons whose activities are limited to the Exchange's
options trading floor and are registered pursuant to subparagraph (b) are exempt from the representative
registration requirements (but not the principal registration requirements, including any prerequisite
representative registration requirement) of General 4, Rules 1210 and 1220.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended April 30, 2019 (19-18), operative June 7, 2019; amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended July 13, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-41), operative August 12, 2021.
(a) The Exchange’s Trading Floor shall be open for the entrance of members upon every business day, at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Time. The Exchange shall conform with daylight savings time when effective in the City of Philadelphia.
(b) No employee of a member or member organization shall be admitted to the trading floor unless that person
is registered with and approved by the Exchange, which may in its discretion require the payment of a fee
with respect to each employee so approved, and may at any time in its discretion withdraw any approval so
given. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options 8, Section 39, Options Regulation 5 describes the procedures for
non-member visitors.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended December 23, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-76).
(a) In addition to General 9, Section 60 requirements, floor members shall complete mandatory training programs, on at least a semi-annual basis, that address compliance with the federal securities laws and the Exchange's Rules in place to prevent and deter unlawful trading by floor members.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).
(a) In addition to the requirements specified in Options 2, Section 11 related to the appointment of a Lead
Market Maker, each Lead Market Maker unit must consist of at least the following staff for each Trading
Floor Lead Market Maker post: (1) one head Lead Market Maker; and (2) one back-up Lead Market Maker that
must be associated with the Lead Market Maker unit. The Exchange, in its discretion, may require a unit to
obtain additional staff depending upon the number of assigned options classes that are being quoted and associated order flow.
(1) An options Lead Market Maker currently
operating
from the Exchange's Trading Floor or a Remote Streaming Quote Trader ("RSQT"), as defined in Options 1,
Section 1(b)(49), may submit an application as described in Options 2, Section 11 to be approved in one or
more classes as a Remote Lead Market Maker as defined in Options 2, Section 12(a)(ii).
(2) In making a determination regarding the
application of an options Lead Market Maker currently operating from the Exchange's Trading Floor that
requests authorization to operate as a Remote Lead Market Maker, the Exchange will evaluate whether the
change is in the best interest of the Exchange and may consider information that it believes will be of
assistance to it. Factors to be considered may include, but are not limited to, any one or more of the
following: performance, operational capacity of the Exchange or options Lead Market Maker, efficiency,
number and experience of personnel of the options Lead Market Maker who will be performing functions related
to the trading of the applicable securities, number of securities involved, number of Floor Market Makers
and SQTs affected and trading volume of the securities.
(b) A Floor Market Maker has an assignment to trade open outcry in all options classes traded on the Exchange. All such assignments shall not be effective, and
shall be terminated, in the event that such Floor Market Maker applicant fails to qualify as a Floor Market
Maker on the Exchange.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Sept. 10, 2019 (19-33); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended April 14, 2020 (20-21); amended Aug. 14, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-38).
(a) The term "Clerk" means any registered on-floor person employed by or associated with a member or member
organization who is not a member and is not eligible to effect transactions on the Options Floor as a Lead
Market Maker, Floor Market Maker, or Floor Broker. For purposes of this Rule, an Inactive Nominee shall be
deemed a Clerk.
(b) Badges. While on the trading floor, Clerks shall display prominently at all times the identification
supplied to them by the Exchange.
(c) Conduct on the Trading Floor. Clerks shall be primarily located at a post assigned to their employer unless such Clerk is:
(1) entering or leaving the trading floor;
(2) transmitting, correcting, or checking the
status
of an order or reporting or correcting an executed trade; or
(3) supervising other Clerks of his member
organization if he is identified as a supervisor on the registration form submitted to the Exchange's
Membership Department.
(d) Registration Requirements. A member or member organization who employs a Clerk that performs any function
other than a solely clerical or ministerial function shall, prior to the time such Clerk performs any
function as a Clerk, (i) comply with the registration requirement(s) set forth in Exchange General 4,
Rule 1210, where applicable; (ii) disclose in detail to the Exchange, on an annual basis, the specific
nature of such additional function(s); and (iii) submit to the Exchange written supervisory procedures
relating to such Clerk's activities in accordance with General 9, Section 20.
(e) Clerks' Use of Vendor Quote Terminals and Other Order-Entry Devices.
A Clerk may enter an order under the direction of a member by way of a vendor quote terminal or any other
order handling entry device.
(f) Lead Market Maker Clerks. A Lead Market Maker Clerk is any on-floor Clerk, not a member of the Exchange,
employed by or associated with a member or member organization registered as a Lead Market Maker.
(1) Registration Requirements. Any member or
member organization that employs a Lead Market Maker Clerk shall register such Lead Market Maker Clerk with
the Exchange's Membership Department. A Lead Market Maker Clerk that performs any function other than a
solely clerical or ministerial function shall, prior to performing any function as a Lead Market Maker
Clerk, (i) comply with the registration requirement(s) set forth in Exchange General 4, Rule 1210,
where applicable; (ii) disclose in detail to the Exchange, on an annual basis, the specific nature of such
additional function(s); and (iii) in accordance with General 9, Section 20, submit to the Exchange written
supervisory procedures relating to such Lead Market Maker Clerk's activities.
(2) Conduct on the trading floor. A Lead
Market Maker Clerk is permitted to communicate verbal market information (i.e., bid, offer, and size) in
response to requests for such information, provided that such information is communicated under the direct
supervision of his or her member employer. A Lead Market Maker Clerk may consummate electronic transactions
under the express direction of his or her member employer by matching bids and offers. Such bids and offers
and transactions effected under the supervision of a member employer are binding as if made by the member
employer.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended April 30, 2019 (19-18), operative June 7, 2019; amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended July 13, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-41), operative August 12, 2021.
(a) In addition to Options 9, Section 5, acts which could be deemed detrimental to the interest or welfare of
the Exchange include, but are not limited to, misconduct on the Trading Floor, in violation of the
Exchange's Order and Decorum Regulations, that is repetitive, egregious or of a publicly embarrassing nature
to the Exchange.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).
(a) In addition to the obligations specified within Options 6D, Section 1, each member organization whose principal business is as a floor broker on the Exchange and who is not selfclearing must establish and maintain an account with a clearing member organization of the Exchange, for the sole purpose of carrying positions resulting from errors made in the course of its floor brokerage business. Such an account for options transactions must be maintained with an entity which is also a clearing member organization of The Options Clearing Corporation. A floor broker prior to effecting any transactions, must file with the Exchange a letter from its clearing member organization stating that this account has been established and that the clearing member organization guarantees the financial responsibilities of the floor broker with respect to all orders entrusted on the floor with the floor broker as well as all transactions and balances carried within the account. This letter shall remain in effect until the Exchange receives written notice from the clearing member of its intent to no longer clear or carry transactions for such floor broker. Written notice received at least one-half hour before the normal opening of trading shall take effect on the day of receipt; written notice received less than one-half hour before the opening of trading shall take effect on the opening of the business day following Exchange receipt.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).
(a) An agreement to "stop" an option at a specified price constitutes a guarantee by the member who "grants
the stop" that the order of the member who, "accepts the stop" will be executed at the stop price or better.
No member is required to agree to grant or accept a stop.
(b) A member shall not accept a stop for an account in which he or another member has an interest unless:
(1) he is acting for an order originated off the
Floor; or
(2) in the case of an order originated on the
Floor,
the member granting the stop is also acting for an account in which he or another member has an interest; or
(3) he is effecting a transaction to offset a
transaction made in error; or
(4) he is engaged in bona fide arbitrage.
(c) No Lead Market Maker may stop an option against the book or for his own account at a price at which he
holds an order capable of execution at that price; except;
(1) in connection with an opening or reopening; or
(2) when there is a competing bid or offer in the
crowd at the same price at which the stop is granted; or
(3) when the Lead Market Maker does not have an
executable order at the stop price; or
(4) when a broker makes an unsolicited request that
a Lead Market Maker grant him a stop, and
(A) the spread in the quotation is not less than
twice the permitted minimum increment in the option;
(B) after the granting of the stop, the spread
between the bid and the offer is reduced;
(C) the Lead Market Maker does not reduce the size
of the market following the granting of the stop; and
(D) on the election of the stop, the order or
orders
on the Lead Market Maker's book entitled to priority will be executed against the stopped option.
(5) Each "stopped" transaction shall be reported
for
printing on the tape in the form and manner prescribed by the Exchange.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended Mar. 4, 2020 (20-07).
(a) A Floor Broker handling an order is to use due diligence to cause the order to be executed at the best
price or prices available to him in accordance with the Rules of the Exchange.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17).
(a) A Floor Broker handling a contingency order for Treasury securities options that is dependent upon
quotations or prices other than those originating on the floor shall be responsible for satisfying the
dependency requirement on the basis of the most reliable information reasonably available to him concerning
such quotations and prices but, in no event, shall be held to an execution of such an order. Unless mutually
agreed by the members involved, an execution or non-execution that results shall not be altered by the fact
that such information is subsequently found to have been erroneous.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17).
(a) Dealings upon the Exchange shall be limited to the hours during which the Exchange is open for the
transaction of business; and no member shall make any bid, offer or transaction upon the Floor before or
after those hours, except that loans of money or securities may be made after the official closing of the
Exchange.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17).
(a) No member shall, while on the Floor, make a transaction with any non-member in any security admitted to
dealings on the Exchange.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17).
(a) Options transactions on the Exchange's Trading Floor shall be executed in one of the following ways:
(1) automatically by the Exchange Trading System as
provided in applicable Exchange Rules;
(2) through the Options Floor Based Management
System. Members authorized to operate on the floor are not permitted to execute orders in the Exchange's
options trading crowd, except as follows:
(A) The Exchange may determine to permit executions
otherwise than in accordance with subparagraphs (1) and (2) above respecting an option or all options in the
event of a problem with Exchange systems.
(B) In addition, members can execute orders in the
options trading crowd pursuant to Options 8, Section 33, Accommodation Transactions (cabinet trades), and
Options 8, Section 34, FLEX Equity, Index and Currency Options.
(C) Multi-leg orders with more than 15 legs can be
executed in the trading crowd.
(D) The following split price orders that, due to
FBMS system limitations, require manual calculation:
(i) simple orders not expressed in the applicable
minimum increment ("sub-MPV") and that cannot be evenly split into two whole numbers to create a price at
the midpoint of the minimum increment; and (ii) complex and multi-leg orders with at least one option leg
with an odd-numbered volume that must trade at a sub-MPV price or one leg that qualifies under (i) above.
(E) As set forth in Options 8, Section 29(e)(v),
members may use the Snapshot feature of the Options Floor Based Management System to provisionally execute
orders in the options trading crowd.
(i) Surveillance staff must approve all executions
submitted under this Options 8, Section 22(a)(2)(A)-(D) to validate that each abides by applicable priority
and trade through rules. Under subsection (a)(3)(D), the rounding of prices may be used only where necessary
to execute the trade at the MPV, and only to the benefit of a Public Customer order or, where multiple
Public Customers' orders are involved, for the Public Customer order that is earliest in time. If no Public
Customer order is involved, rounding of prices is available to the non-Public Customer order that is
earliest in time.
(b) Manner of Bidding and Offering. Bids and offers to be effective must either be entered electronically in
a form and manner prescribed by the Exchange (as quotes or orders) or made by public outcry in the trading
crowd (to which Options 8, Section 24 at Supplementary Material .01 applies). All bids and offers shall be
general ones and shall not be specified for acceptance by particular members.
(c) Public Outcry - Pursuant to Options 8, Section 24 at Supplementary Material .01, bids and offers must be
made in an audible tone of voice. A member shall be considered "in" on a bid or offer, while he remains at
the post, unless he shall distinctly and audibly say "out." A member bidding and offering in immediate and
rapid succession shall be deemed "in" until he shall say "out" on either bid or offer. Once the trading
crowd has provided a quote, it will remain in effect until: (A) a reasonable amount of time has passed, or
(B) there is a significant change in the price of the underlying security, or (C) the market given in
response to the request has been improved. In the case of a dispute, the term "significant change" will be
interpreted on a case-by-case basis by an Options Exchange Official based upon the extent of the recent
trading in the option and, in the case of equity and index options, in the underlying security, and any
other relevant factors. With respect to using the Options Floor Based Management System to execute an order pursuant to Option 8, Section 22, a member must audibly say "out" before the order is submitted into the FBMS for execution and, if the order is not executed, the member must audibly say "out" before each time the member resubmits the order for execution.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended September 10, 2019 (19-33); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended Mar. 11, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-03); amended July 13, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-41), operative August 12, 2021; amended Feb. 20, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-10).
(a) The highest bid shall have precedence in all cases pursuant to Options 8, Section 24 at Supplementary
Material .02. Where bids are made at the same price, the priority and precedence shall be determined in
accordance with the following rules:
(1) Sale removes bid from Trading Floor: A sale
shall remove all bids from the Floor except that if the number of shares of stock or principal amount of
bonds offered exceeds the number of shares or principal amount specified in the bid having priority or
precedence, a sale of the unfilled balance to other bidders shall be governed by the provisions of these
rules as though no sales had been made to the bidders having priority or precedence.
(2) Subsequent bids: (i) After bids have been
removed from the Trading Floor under the provisions of sub-paragraph (1) above, priority and precedence
shall be determined, in accordance with these rules, by subsequent bids.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).
(a) Size of Bid/Offer and Disseminated Size Guarantee. All bids or offers made on the Floor for option
contracts shall be deemed to be for one option contract unless a specific number of option contracts is
expressed in the bid or offer. A bid or offer for more than one option contract shall be deemed to be for
the amount thereof or a smaller number of option contracts. Responsibility for ensuring that customer orders
are filled to a minimum of the disseminated size at the disseminated price is as set forth in Options 3,
Section 6.
(b) Solicitation of Quotations. In response to a floor broker's solicitation of a single bid or offer, which is clearly and audibly announced in public outcry as a solicitation of interest, the
members of a trading crowd (including the Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Makers) may discuss, negotiate
and agree upon the price or prices at which an order of a size greater than the Exchange's disseminated size
can be executed at that time, or the number of contracts that could be executed at a given price or prices,
subject to the provisions of the Options Order Protection and Locked/Crossed Market Plan and the Exchange's
Rules respecting Trade-Throughs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a single crowd participant may voice a bid
or offer independently from, and differently from, the members of a trading crowd (including the Lead Market
Maker and Floor Market Makers).
(c) Except as provided in (d) and (e) below, all bids or offers made on the Floor for option contracts shall
be expressed as follows: (i) in the case of options on stocks or Exchange-Traded Fund Shares, in terms of
dollars per share of the underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share (e.g., a bid of "5" shall represent
a bid to pay a premium of $500 for an option contract having a unit of trading consisting of 100 shares of
an underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share, or a bid to pay a premium of $550 for an option contract
having a unit or trading consisting of 110 shares of an underlying stock Exchange-Traded Fund Share); and
(ii) In the case of options on foreign currencies in terms of U.S. dollars per unit of the underlying
foreign currency. E.g., a bid of "3.25" for a premium on a $170 strike price option on the British pound
shall represent a bid to pay $325 per option contract.
(d) Contract Adjustments. All bids or offers for an option contract for which The Options Clearing
Corporation has established an adjusted unit of trading in accordance with paragraphs (c) and (d) of Section
11 of Article VI of the by-laws of The Options Clearing Corporation shall be expressed in terms of dollars
per the appropriate fractional part of the total securities and/or other property constituting such adjusted
unit of trading (e.g., where the adjusted unit of trading of an option contract consists of 110 shares of an
underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share plus 15 rights, a bid of "5" shall represent a bid to pay a
premium of $550 for each option contract covering both the shares of underlying stock or Exchange-Traded
Fund Share and the rights).
(e) Spread Priority. When a member holding a multi-leg order, as defined in Options 8, Section 32 and
bidding or offering on the basis of a total credit or debit for the order has determined that the order may
not be executed by a combination of transactions at or within the bids and offers established in the
marketplace, then the order may be executed as a multi-leg order at the total credit or debit with one other
member with priority over either the bid or the offer established in the marketplace that is not better than
the bids or offers comprising such total credit or debit, provided that at least one option leg is executed
at a better price than established bid or offer for that option contract AND no option leg is executed at a
price outside of the established bid or offer for that option contract.
(f) Synthetic Option Orders. When a member holding a synthetic option order, as defined in Options 8,
Section 32, and bidding or offering on the basis of a total credit or debit for the order has determined
that the order may not be executed by a combination of transactions at or within the bids and offers
established in the marketplace, then the order may be executed as a synthetic option order at the total
credit or debit with one other member, provided that the option leg is executed at a better price than the
established bid or offer for that option contract, in accordance with Options 8, Section 25. Synthetic
option orders in open outcry, in which the option component is for a size of 100 contracts or more, have
priority over bids (offers) of crowd participants who are bidding (offering) only for the option component
of the synthetic option order, but not over bids (offers) of Public Customers on the limit order book, and
not over crowd participants that are willing to participate in the synthetic option order at the net debit
or credit price.
(g) Three-Way Spread Type Priority. When a member holding a three-way order for foreign currency
options determines that the order will be best served by bidding or offering on the basis of a total net
credit or debit, the member may, after seeking bids and offers for the three-way order, seek to execute the
order at a total credit or debit with one other member provided that at least one of the individual legs to
the order is effected at a price better than the established bid or offer for that option contract and that
no option leg is executed at a price outside of the established bid or offer for that option contract. For
purposes of this Rule, three-way orders include spread, straddle and combination orders of three individual
series in the same foreign currency options where (i) the order size for each of the three individual series
are equal to each other, or (ii) the combined order size of any two series on the same side of the market is
either equal to the order size of the third series by a or differs from the order size of the third series
by a permissible ratio. For purposes of this paragraph, a permissible ratio is any one of the following:
one-to-one, one-to-two, one-to-three and two-to-three.
(h) Ratio Spread Type Priority. A spread order may consist of different numbers of contracts so long
as the number of contracts differ by a permissible ratio (a "Ratio Spread"). Similarly, the legs to a
straddle or combination order may consist of different numbers of puts and calls so long as the number of
contracts differ by a permissible ratio. For the purposes of this paragraph, a permissible ratio is any
ratio that is equal to or greater than one-to-three (.333) and less than or equal to three-to-one (3.00).
For example, a one-to-two (.5) ratio, a two-to-three (.667) ratio, or a two-to-one (2.0) ratio is
permissible, whereas a one-to-four (.25) ratio or a four-to-one (4.0) ratio is not.
(i) Multi-Spread Priority. When a member holding two spread type orders (spreads, straddles or
combinations, as defined in Options 8, Section 32) for the same account determines that the orders will be
best served by bidding or offering on the basis of a total net credit or debit, the member may, after
seeking bids and offers for the total of the two spread type orders, seek to execute both orders as a single
transaction at a total net credit or debit with one other member, provided that at least one of the
individual legs of each individual spread is executed at a better price than the established bid or offer
for that option contract and that no option leg is executed at a price outside of the established bid or
offer for that option contract.
(j) Spread Type Priority. Through FBMS, Spread Type Orders consisting of a conforming ratio, as that term is defined in Options 1, Section 1(b)(13), may be executed at a total credit or debit price with priority over individual bids or offers established in the marketplace (including Public Customers) that are not better than the bids or offers comprising such total credit or debit, provided that at least one option leg is executed at a better price than the established bid or offer for that option contract and no option leg is executed at a price outside of the established bid or offer for that option contract.
Supplementary Material to Options 8, Section 24
.01 Bids and
Offers-Manner. Bids and offers may be made simultaneously, as being essentially
different
propositions, and may be accepted without precedence of one over another. Bids and offers must be made in an
audible tone of voice. A member shall be considered "in" on a bid or offer, while he remains at the post,
unless he shall distinctly and audibly say "out." A member bidding and offering in immediate and rapid
succession shall be deemed "in" until he shall say "out" on either bid or offer.
.02 Precedence of Highest
Bid. The highest bid shall have precedence in all cases. Where bids are made at the same price, the
priority and precedence shall be determined in accordance with the following rules:
Precedence of first bid
(a) When a bid is clearly
established as the first made at a particular price, the maker shall be entitled to priority and shall have
precedence on the next sale at that price, up to the number of shares of stock or principal amount of bonds
specified in the bid, irrespective of the number of shares of stock or principal amount of bonds specified
in such bid.
Precedence of bids equaling or
exceeding amount offered
(b) When no bid is entitled to
priority under paragraph (a) hereof (or when a bid entitled to priority or precedence has been filled and a
balance of the offer remains unfilled) all bids for a number of shares of stock or principal amount of bonds
equaling or exceeding the number of shares of stock or principal amount of bonds in the offer or balance,
shall be on a parity and entitled to precedence over bids for less than the number of shares of stock or
principal amount of bonds in such offer or balance, subject to the condition that if it is possible to
determine clearly the order of time in which the bids so entitled to precedence were made, such bids shall
be filled in that order.
Precedence of bids for amounts
less than amount offered
(c) When no bid is entitled to
priority under paragraph (a) hereof (or when a bid entitled to priority or precedence has been filled and a
balance of the offer remains unfilled) and no bid has been made for a number of shares of stock or principal
amount of bonds equaling or exceeding the number of shares of stock or principal amount of bonds in the
offer or balance, the bid for the largest number of shares of stock or greatest principal amount of bonds
shall have precedence, subject to the condition that if two or more such bids for the same number of shares
of stock or principal amount of bonds have been made, and it is possible to determine clearly the order of
time in which they were made, such bids shall be filled in that order.
Simultaneous bids
(d) When bids are made
simultaneously, or when it is impossible to determine clearly the order of time in which they were made, all
such bids shall be on a parity subject only to precedence based on the size of the bid under the provisions
of paragraphs (b) and (c) hereof.
.03 Precedence of Offers at
Same Price. The lowest offer shall have precedence in all cases. Where offers are made at the same
price the priority and precedence shall be determined in the same manner as specified in the case of bids in
Options 8, Section 23 hereof.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Sept. 10, 2019 (19-33); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03);
amended Mar. 5, 2020 (20-08), operative April 4, 2020; amended December 23, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-76); amended Mar. 14, 2024 (SR-Phlx-2024-13), operative Apr. 13, 2024; amended Apr. 3, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-17), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended Apr. 22, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-20), operative Oct. 1, 2025.
(a) The following applies to the allocation of orders on the Trading Floor:
(1) Supplementary Material .02 and .03 to Options
8,
Section 30 direct members in the establishment of priority of orders on the floor. An account type is either
a controlled account or a customer account. A controlled account includes any account controlled by or under
common control with a broker-dealer. Customer accounts are all other accounts. Equity option, index option
and U.S. dollar-settled foreign currency option orders of controlled accounts are required to yield priority
to customer orders when competing at the same price, as described below. Orders of controlled accounts are
not required to yield priority to other controlled account orders, except as provided in sub-paragraph (B)
below. For the purpose of this Rule, "Initiating Order" means an incoming contra-side order.
(A) Respecting transactions that are executed and
allocated in open outcry by a participant other than the Lead Market Maker, "Remainder of the Order" means
the portion of an Initiating Order that remains following the allocation of contracts to customers that are
on parity in accordance with this Rule. The Remainder of the Order shall be allocated pursuant to this Rule.
(i) Orders of controlled accounts, other than Floor
Market Makers and Lead Market Makers market making in person, must be (1) verbally communicated as for a
controlled account when placed on the floor and when represented to the trading crowd and (2) recorded as
for a controlled account by making the appropriate notation the Options Floor Based Management System.
(ii) The Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation
is
a percentage of the Remainder of the Order to which the Lead Market Maker is entitled.
(B) An Initiating Order executed manually by the
Lead Market Maker shall be allocated as follows: first, to customer orders, and next to Off-Floor
Broker-Dealer Limit Orders (as defined in Options 1, Section 1(b)(33) resting on the limit order book. This
provision shall not apply to electronically executed contracts, the allocation of which is described in
Options 3, Section 10. "Remainder of the Order" means the portion of an Initiating Order that remains
following the allocation of contracts to customers and to Off-Floor Broker-Dealers in accordance with this
sub-paragraph.
(2) Purchase or sale priority for orders of 100
contracts or more. If a member purchases (sells) 50 or more option contracts of a particular series at a
particular price or prices, he shall, at the next lower (higher) price have priority in purchasing (selling)
up to the equivalent number of option contracts of the same series that he purchased (sold) at the higher
(lower) price or prices, but only if his bid (offer) is made promptly and the purchase (sale) so effected
represents the opposite side of a transaction with the same order or offer (bid) as the earlier purchase or
purchases (sale or sales).
(i) When the market has a bid/ask differential of
one minimum trading increment and the bid and/or offer represent the quotation of an out-of-crowd SQT or an
RSQT, such member shall have priority over such SQT and/or RSQT with respect to both the bid and the offer.
(ii) The Exchange may increase the "minimum
qualifying order size" above 100 contracts for all products under its jurisdiction. Announcements regarding
changes to the minimum qualifying order size shall be made on the Exchange's website. This paragraph shall
only apply to transactions that are effected in open outcry.
(b) Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation -In equity option, index option and
U.S. dollar-settled
foreign currency options classes, when the registered Lead Market Maker is on parity with a controlled
account as defined in subparagraph (i) above, in accordance with Supplementary Material .02 and .03 to
Options 8, Section 30 and the number of contracts to be bought or sold is greater than five, the Lead Market
Maker is entitled to receive an enhanced participation of 30% of the Remainder of the Order ("Enhanced Lead
Market Maker Participation"), except in the following circumstances: (1) where there is one controlled
account on parity, the Lead Market Maker is entitled to receive 60% of the Remainder of the Order; or (2)
where there are two controlled accounts on parity, in which case, the Lead Market Maker is entitled to
receive 40% of the Remainder of the Order.
(1) The Exchange shall reduce the level of Enhanced
Lead Market Maker Participation authorized under this Rule to a parity level of participation in accordance
with Supplementary Material .02 and .03 to Options 8, Section 30 with respect to any options class if the
Lead Market Maker in such class is determined to be performing below any minimum standards or not satisfying
any conditions that the Exchange may establish. The Exchange may reinstate Enhanced Lead Market Maker
Participation for a particular options class if it determines that the Lead Market Maker in such class is
performing at or above all established minimum standards and is satisfying all established conditions.
(c) Allocation of the Remainder of the Order Among Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Makers on
Parity. After the application of Options 8, Section 25(a)(1) to an Initiating Order, the Remainder
of the Order shall be allocated by the Allocating Participant (as defined in paragraph (c)(3)(F)(i) below)
as follows:
(1) Entitlement. Floor Market Makers and
Lead
Market Makers on parity are entitled to their Defined Participation (as described below), subject to: (a)
any Waiver, as described below; and (b) rounding, as described below.
(2) Size. The term "stated size" in respect
of an order or electronic quotation shall mean:
(A) in the case of orders handled manually by the
Lead Market Maker:
(i) if a crowd participant (including the Lead
Market Maker) has actually stated a size ("Actual Size"), such crowd participant's stated size shall be his
or her Actual Size;
(ii) if the Lead Market Maker, an SQT or RSQT is
disseminating an electronic quotation at the Exchange's disseminated price in a particular series at the
time of the execution of an Initiating Order in such series, such Lead Market Maker, SQT or RSQT's
disseminated size at the Exchange's disseminated price shall be his or her Actual Size, and such Lead Market
Maker, SQT and/or RSQT shall be deemed a "crowd participant" for purposes of paragraph (c);
(B) unless the Lead Market Maker has an Actual
Size,
the stated size of the Lead Market Maker shall be the amount (if any) by which the disseminated size exceeds
the sum of (x) the aggregate size of limit orders included in the disseminated size and (y) the aggregate
sizes of all Floor Market Makers who have Actual Sizes;
(C) the stated size of an ROT who does not have an
Actual Size is zero.
(i) in the case of floor brokered orders, each
crowd
participant's stated size shall be his or her Actual Size.
(3) Defined Participation. Defined
Participation is the portion of the Remainder of the Order to which a crowd participant is entitled. Defined
Participation is determined as follows:
(A) in the case of a Lead Market Maker entitled to
an Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, the Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, up to the Lead
Market Maker's stated size, as set forth in paragraph (b) of this Rule, as applicable. The Lead Market Maker
may decline to receive the Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, in which case the Lead Market Maker
shall be entitled to participate as one crowd participant, up to the Lead Market Maker's stated size.
(B) except as provided in (A) above, the Defined
Participation of the Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Makers on parity is determined as follows:
(i) where all participants have equal stated sizes,
their Defined Participations shall be equal;
(ii) where participants have unequal stated sizes,
the Defined Participations shall equal their Base Participations (as defined below) plus their Supplemental
Participations (as defined below):
a. the "Base Participations" of all of the
participants shall equal the stated size of the smallest participant; to the extent that there remains any
excess to be allocated after all participants have been allocated their Base Participations, the smallest
participant shall have no Supplemental Participation, and the other participants shall have "Supplemental
Participations" as determined under "b" and "c" below;
b. if the remaining stated sizes (i.e.,
after
taking into account Base Participations) of all participants having Supplemental Participations is equal,
then their Supplemental Participations shall be equal; otherwise the initial Supplemental Participations of
such participants shall equal the remaining stated size of the smallest such participant; to the extent that
there remains any excess to be allocated after all participants have been allocated their initial
Supplemental Participations, the smallest participant shall have no further Supplemental Participation, and
the other participants shall have further "Supplemental Participations" as determined under "c" below; and
c. if the remaining stated sizes (i.e.,
after
taking into account Base Participations and prior Supplemental Participations) of all participants having
further Supplemental Participations is equal, then their further Supplemental Participations
shall be equal; otherwise the next Supplemental Participations of such participants shall equal the
remaining stated size of the smallest such participant; to the extent that there remains any excess to be
allocated after all participants have been allocated the next Supplemental Participations, the smallest
participant shall have no further Supplemental Participation, and the other participants shall have
successive further Supplemental Participations determined in the same manner as provided in this clause.
d. The process described in clause "c" shall be
followed to determine successive further Supplemental Participations until the sum of the Defined
Participations equals the amount of the Remainder of the Order.
(iii)
a. If the sum of the Base Participations pursuant
to
sub-paragraph "a" above exceeds the number of contracts remaining to be allocated, such contracts shall be
divided equally among crowd participants who are entitled to receive Base Participations, subject to
rounding.
b. If the sum of the Supplemental Participations
pursuant to sub-paragraph "b" above exceeds the number of contracts remaining to be allocated, such
contracts shall be divided equally among crowd participants who are entitled to receive Supplemental
Participations, subject to rounding.
c. If the sum of the further Supplemental
Participations pursuant to subparagraph "c" above exceeds the number of contracts remaining to be allocated,
such contracts shall be divided equally among crowd participants who are entitled to receive further
Supplemental Participations, subject to rounding.
(3) Participation in additional contracts in excess
of the Exchange's disseminated size among willing crowd participants shall be allocated under the applicable
provisions of this Rule. Notwithstanding the limitation set forth in sub-paragraph (3)(A) that limits the
Lead Market Maker's entitlement to his/her stated size, for all contracts executed in excess of the
disseminated size, the Specialist shall be entitled to receive the Enhanced Specialist Participation as set
forth in paragraph (b) of this Rule, as applicable, but not to exceed the Specialist's Actual Size (if the
Specialist has an Actual Size) in such excess contracts.
(C) Waiver. (1) An ROT (other than an RSQT)
or Specialist may, in his or her sole discretion, offer to waive, in whole or in part, any part of a trade
to which they were entitled to be allocated (an "Offer to Waive").
(i) Any Offer to Waive shall be made by stating it
in a loud and audible voice to the other members of the trading crowd and the Allocating Participant.
(ii) If the Allocating Participant has determined
that the other crowd participant(s) then on parity is willing to take the number of contracts that are
subject to the Offer to Waive, the Allocating Participant may (but shall not be required to), accept such
Offer to Waive by (a) allocating the Remainder of the Order in accordance with paragraph (c), taking into
account the Offer to Waive; or (b) otherwise indicating, following the execution of the Remainder of the
Order, that such Offer to Waive will be accepted (in which case, it shall be referred to as a "Waiver"). No
Offer to Waive shall be an effective Waiver until the Allocating Participant has allocated the order or
otherwise indicated that it is accepted.
(iii) In the case of an option which is not subject
to an Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, as set forth in paragraph (b) of this Rule, if the Lead
Market Maker or an ROT effects a Waiver in the manner provided above, the number of contracts to which such
Lead Market Maker or ROT is entitled under paragraph (c) shall be reduced by the number of contracts waived,
and the entitlements of the other participants on parity shall be determined by redistributing the waived
number of contracts to willing participants (including the Lead Market Maker) in accordance with paragraph
(c).
(2) In the case of an option which is subject to an
Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, as set forth in paragraph (b) of this Rule, and one or more Floor
Market Makers effect Waivers of their entire entitlements ("Total Waivers"), the number of Floor Market
Makers with whom the Lead Market Maker is deemed to be on parity for purposes of determining the Enhanced
Lead Market Maker Participation shall be reduced by the number of Floor Market Makers effecting Total
Waivers and the following additional Rules shall apply:
(A) in the event that one or more Floor Market
Makers on parity with the Lead Market Maker effect a Total Waiver of their respective entitlements such that
the Lead Market Maker is on parity with three or more Floor Market Makers, the number of contracts to be
allocated to each crowd participant shall be determined as provided in sub-paragraph (c)(1) above, provided
that the maximum number of contracts to be allocated to the Lead Market Maker shall be that which the Lead
Market Maker would be entitled to receive under this Rule, as if the Lead Market Maker had been on parity
with three Floor Market Makers.
(B) in the event that one or more Floor Market
Makers on parity with the Lead Market Maker effect a Total Waiver of their respective entitlements such that
the Lead Market Maker is on parity with two Floor Market Makers, the number of contracts to be allocated to
each crowd participant shall be determined as provided in sub-paragraph (C)(iii) above, provided that the
maximum number of contracts to be allocated to the Lead Market Maker shall be that which the Lead Market
Maker would be entitled to receive under this Rule as if the Lead Market Maker had been on parity with two
Floor Market Makers.
(C) In the event that one or more Floor Market
Makers on parity with the Lead Market Maker effect a Total Waiver of their respective entitlements such that
the Lead Market Maker is on parity with one ROT, the number of contracts to be allocated to each crowd
participant shall be determined as provided in sub-paragraph (C)(iii) above, provided that the maximum
number of contracts to be allocated to the Lead Market Maker shall be that which the Lead Market Maker would
be entitled to receive under this Rule as if the Lead Market Maker had been on parity with one ROT. In no
event shall any non-waiving ROT be required to participate in fewer contracts than he/she would have
received absent the Waiver(s).
(3) Partial Waiver. In the case of an option
which is subject to an Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, in the event that one or more Floor Market
Makers effect a Waiver of a portion of their respective entitlements, but not a Total Waiver, in the manner
provided above (a "Partial Waiver"), the number of contracts to be allocated to each crowd participant shall
be determined as provided in sub-paragraph (C)(iii) above, provided that the Lead Market Maker shall not be
entitled to receive a number of contracts that is greater than 40% of the Remainder of the Order except in
the situation referred to in the following sentence, unless all remaining crowd participants on parity have
waived their entitlements or have been satisfied. In the case of the Lead Market Maker being on parity with
only one ROT, the Lead Market Maker shall not be entitled to receive a number of contracts that is greater
than 60% of the Remainder of the Order unless all remaining crowd participants on parity have waived their
entitlements or have been satisfied.
In no event shall any non-waiving ROT be required
participate in fewer contracts than he/she would have received absent the Partial Waiver(s).
(4) In no event shall two or more crowd
participants
enter into any agreement regarding the number of contracts to be waived by any crowd participant (
i.e., subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (C)(1)(ii) above, any decision by a crowd
participant to waive all or a portion of such crowd participant's entitlement must be an individual
decision, and not the subject of an agreement among crowd participants).
(D) Rounding. In situations where the
allocation of contracts pursuant to this Rule result in fractional amounts of contracts to be allocated to
crowd participants, the number of contracts to be allocated shall be rounded in a fair and equitable manner.
(E) Just and Equitable Principles of Trade.
(i) It shall be considered conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade for a member:
(a) to allocate initiating orders other than in accordance with this Rule; (b) to enter into any agreement
with another member concerning allocation of trades; or (c) to harass, intimidate or coerce any member to
enter into any Waiver, or to make or refrain from making any complaint or appeal.
(ii) A pattern or practice of waiving all or a
portion of a crowd participant's entitlement, with the result that such crowd participant receives no
allocation or a lesser allocation than he or she would otherwise have been entitled to, may be considered
conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade.
(F) Notwithstanding the first sentence of Options
8,
Section 25(a)(1), neither Supplementary Material .02 to Options 8, Section 30 concerning precedence based on
the size of bids on parity, nor Supplementary Material .03 to Options 8, Section 30 (insofar as it
incorporates those provisions by reference) shall apply to the allocation of orders covered by paragraph
(c).
(i) In order to facilitate timely tape reporting of
trades, it is the duty of the persons identified below to allocate, match and time stamp trades executed in
open outcry and to submit the matched trade tickets to an Exchange Data Entry Technician ("DET") located on
the trading floor immediately upon execution. When executing trades electronically, it is also the duty of
the persons identified below to enter and submit trade information to the Trading System using the Options
Floor Based Management System.
a. in a trade involving a floor broker, the floor
broker shall so do, provided that a floor broker may delegate this responsibility to the Lead Market Maker
(or a back-up to the Lead Market Maker under the Lead Market Maker's direct supervision) if the Lead Market
Maker agrees to accept such responsibility, and, in the event of such delegation, the Lead Market Maker (or
a back-up to the Lead Market Maker under the Lead Market Maker direct supervision) shall do so:
b. in all other cases where the Lead Market Maker
is
a participant (i.e., where there is no floor broker), the Lead Market Maker (or a back-up to the Lead Market
Maker under the Lead Market Maker's direct supervision) shall do so;
c. in any other case (i.e., where there is no floor
broker and no Lead Market Maker is involved), the largest on-floor participant shall do so (for example,
where several Floor Market Makers are involved); and
d. if there is only one seller and one buyer (no
floor broker and no Lead Market Maker is involved), the seller shall do so (for example, where only two
Floor Market Makers are involved), unless either the seller or the buyer is an RSQT, in which case the
on-floor participant in the transaction shall do so.
e. The person responsible for trade allocation (the
"Allocating Participant") shall, for each trade allocated by such Allocating Participant, circle his or her
badge identification number on the trade tickets, identifying himself or herself as the Allocating
Participant in the particular trade. If the Allocating Participant is not a participant in the trade to be
allocated, he/she shall identify himself/herself by initiating the trade tickets. In the case of a trade
executed using the Floor Based Management System the Allocating Participant shall allocate the trade using
the Options Floor Based Management System.
(d) An ROT electing to engage in Exchange options transactions is designated as a Lead Market Maker on the
Exchange for all purposes under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder
with respect to options transactions initiated and effected by him on the floor in his capacity as an ROT.
For purposes of this commentary, the term "transactions initiated and effected on the floor" shall not
include transactions initiated by an ROT off the floor, but which are considered "on-floor" pursuant to
(d)(1) and (e) below. Similarly, an RSQT electing to engage in Exchange options transactions is designated
as a Lead Market Maker on the Exchange for all purposes under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
rules and regulations thereunder with respect to options transactions initiated and effected by him in his
capacity as an ROT.
(1) The term "on the Floor" means the Trading Floor
of the Exchange; the rooms, lobbies, and other premises immediately adjacent thereto made available by the
Exchange for use by members generally; other rooms, lobbies and premises made available by the Exchange
primarily for use by members generally; and the telephone and other facilities in any such place. Further,
the provisions of this Rule do not apply to transactions initiated by an ROT for an account in which he has
an interest unless such transactions are either initiated by an ROT while on the Trading Floor or unless
such transactions although originated off the Floor are deemed on-Floor transactions under the provisions of
these Rules.
(e) An off-Floor order for an account in which a member has an interest is to be treated as an on-Floor order
if it is executed by the member who initiated it. In addition to transactions originated on the Trading
Floor by an ROT for an account in which he has an interest, the following transactions are considered
on-Floor trading:
(1) Any transaction for an account in which an ROT
has an interest if such transaction is initiated off the Floor by such ROT after he has been on the Floor
during the same day.
(2) Any transaction for a member organization for
an
account in which it has an interest:
(A) which results from an order entered off the
Floor following a conversation relating thereto with a member on the Floor who is a partner of or
stockholder of such member organization; or
(B) which results from an order entered off the
Floor following the unsolicited submission from the Floor to the office of a quotation in a stock or
Exchange-Traded Fund Share and the size of the market by a member on the Floor who is a partner of or
stockholder of such member organization; or
(C) which results from an order entered off the
Floor which is executed by a member on the Floor who is a partner of or stockholder of such member
organization and who had handled the order on a "not-held" basis; provided, however, that the following are
not on-Floor orders and such restrictions shall not apply to an order:
(i) to sell an option for an account in which the
member organization is directly or indirectly interested if in facilitating the sale of a large block of
stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Shares, the member organization acquired its position because the demand on
the Floor was not sufficient to absorb the block at a particular price or prices; or
(ii) to purchase or sell an option for an account
in
which the member organization is directly or indirectly interested if the member or his member organization
was invited to participate on the opposite side of a block transaction by another member, member
organization or a partner or stockholder therein because the market on the Floor could not readily absorb
the block at a particular price or prices; or
(iii) to purchase or sell an option for an account
in which the member organization is directly or indirectly interested if the transaction is on the opposite
side of a block order being executed by the member organization for the account of its customer and the
transaction is made to facilitate the execution of such order; or
(iv) which results from an order entered off the
Floor which is executed by a member on the Floor who is a partner of or stockholder of such member
organization and who has changed the terms of the order.
(3) Any transaction for the account of an RSQT.
(f) Non-Electronic Orders.
(1) In the event that a Floor Broker or Lead Market
Maker presents a nonelectronic order in which an RSQT is assigned or which is allocated to a Remote Lead
Market Maker, and/or in which an SQT assigned in such option is not a crowd participant, such Remote Lead
Market Maker, SQT and/or RSQT may not participate in trades stemming from such a non-electronic order unless
such nonelectronic order is executed at the price quoted by the non-crowd participant Remote Lead Market
Maker, SQT and/or RSQT at the time of execution.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, respecting
crossing, facilitation and solicited orders (as defined in Section 30) that are represented and executed in
open outcry, priority shall be afforded to in-crowd participants (including, for purposes of this rule only,
Floor Brokers), over Remote Lead Market Makers, RSQTs, out-of crowd SQTs, and out-of-crowd broker-dealer
limit orders on the limit order book, but not over public customer orders. Such orders shall be allocated in
accordance with Exchange Rules.
(3) The Lead Market Maker and/or SQTs participating
in a trading crowd may, in response to a verbal request for a market by a floor broker, state a bid or offer
that is different than their electronically submitted bid or offer, provided that such stated bid or offer
is not inferior to such electronically submitted bid or offer, except when such stated bid or offer is made
in response to a floor broker's solicitation of a single bid or offer as set forth in Options 8, Section
24(a)(ii).
(4) For purposes of this Rule, an SQT or Floor
Marker Maker shall be deemed to be participating in a crowd if such SQT is, at the time an order is
represented in the crowd, physically located in a specific "Crowd Area." A Crowd Area shall consist of a
specific physical location marked with specific, visible physical boundaries on the options floor, as
determined by the Exchange. An SQT or Floor Market Maker who is physically present in such Crowd Area may
engage in options transactions in assigned issues as a crowd participant in such a Crowd Area, provided that
such SQT or Floor Market Maker fulfills the requirements set forth in this Rule. An SQT or Floor Market
Maker shall be deemed to be participating in a single Crowd Area.
(g) Orders given out by an ROT to commission brokers—An on-Floor order given by an ROT to
a commission
broker, for an account in which the ROT has an interest, is subject to all the Rules restricting Floor
Market Makers. When an ROT gives out such an order on the Floor to another member, the order must be so
marked to indicate that it is for an account in which the ROT has an interest, unless it is exempt from this
Rule, in order that the other member may know whether it may be entitled to priority or parity.
(h) Pair-offs before opening—An ROT cannot acquire a "long" option by pairing off with a
sell order before
the opening, unless all off-Floor bids at that price are filled.
(i) The number of Floor Market Makers in a trading crowd who are establishing or increasing a position may
temporarily be limited when, in the judgment of an Options Exchange Official, the interests of a fair and
orderly market are served by such limitation.
(j) Within each quarter an ROT must execute in person, and not through the use of orders (except that
non-streaming Floor Market Makers can use orders entered in person), a specified number of contracts, such
number to be determined from time to time by the Exchange.
(k) An Floor Market Maker may not initiate orders from off the floor as a market maker in reliance upon the
market maker exemption contained in Section 11(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(l) In the interest of fair and orderly markets, the Exchange may adopt policies affecting the location of
members in the trading crowd on a crowd-by-crowd basis.
(m) Floor brokers are able to achieve split price priority in accordance with Options 8, Section 25(a)(2),
provided, however, that a floor broker who bids (offers) on behalf of a non-market-maker Phlx member
broker-dealer ("Phlx member BD") must ensure that the Phlx member BD qualifies for an exemption from Section
11(a)(1) of the Exchange Act or that the transaction satisfies the requirements of Exchange Act Rule
11a2-2(T), otherwise the floor broker must yield priority to orders for the accounts of non-members.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended April 14, 2020 (20-21).
(a) Manual Rotations. Pursuant to the authority in Options 3, Section 9(b) and in accordance with the
procedures enumerated in those commentaries, a manual trading rotation may be held on the opening in the
event that the Exchange's System is not available, and a closing rotation may be held 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
trading day prior to expiration where the underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share did not open or was
halted, whenever such action is deemed necessary in the interests of maintaining a fair and orderly market
in such class or series of options and to protect investors.
(1) For purposes of this Rule, a trading rotation
is
a series of very brief time periods during each of which bids, offers and transactions in only a single,
specified option contract can be made. An Options Exchange Official may direct that one or more trading
rotations be employed on any business day to aid in producing a fair and orderly market and shall specify,
for each rotation so employed, the particular option contracts to be included and the sequence of such
option contracts in the rotation. Trading rotations, which shall be conducted by the Lead Market Maker,
shall be conducted in the following manner:
(b) Opening Rotations. In the case of options on stocks or Exchange-Traded Fund Shares, the opening
rotation in each class of options shall be held promptly following the opening of the underlying security on
the primary market where it is traded. An underlying security shall be deemed to have opened on the primary
market where it is traded 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. In the case of options on foreign currencies, the opening rotation in each option shall be held
promptly following the opening of trading. In either case, respecting openings conducted manually, the Lead
Market Maker should proceed in the following manner: Taking each option in which he is assigned in turn, the
Lead Market Maker should first open the one or more series of such options having the nearest expiration,
then proceed to a series of options having the next most distant expiration, and so forth, until all series
have been opened. The Lead Market Maker shall determine which type of option should open first (i.e., put or
call options), and may alternate the opening of put series and call series or may open all series of one
type before opening any series of the other type, depending on current market conditions, except as provided
below.
(c) Modified Rotations. (1) Modified rotations include reverse and shotgun rotations. A reverse
rotation is an opening rotation where the Lead Market Maker should first open the one or more series of
options of a given class having the most distant expiration, then proceed to the next nearest expiration,
and so forth, ending with the nearest expiration, until all series have been opened. A shotgun rotation is
an opening rotation in which each option series opens in the same manner and sequence as during a regular
trading rotation stated above in paragraph (2), but is permitted to freely trade once all option series with
the same expiration month have been opened.
(A) A reverse trading rotation must be employed in
connection with openings and reopenings involving a heavy influx of orders, unless exempted by an Options
Exchange Official.
(B) A second rotation requires the approval of an
Options Exchange Official. In addition, a modified rotation may be employed in connection with delayed
openings, halts or suspensions of options trading or other unusual market conditions, but in a different
manner and sequence of trading than described above provided an Options Exchange Official determines that
such procedure should be implemented.
(C) This Supplementary Material .01(b) shall apply
only to manual openings conducted in accordance with the Options 3, Section 9.
(d) Closing Rotations at Expiration. 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 trading day prior to expiration with
respect to expiring stock option contracts a closing rotation in each series of expiring options shall be
commenced at 4:00 p.m., or 4:15 p.m. for options on Exchange-Traded Fund Shares where the underlying Fund
Shares themselves cease trading at 4:15 p.m., or after a closing price of the stock or Exchange-Traded Fund
Share in its primary market is established, whichever is later. Except as otherwise provided by an Options
Exchange Official, the Lead Market Maker may determine which type of expiring options series should close
first, and may alternate the close of put series and call series or may close all series of one type before
closing any series of the other type, depending on current market conditions. In any instance where an
Options Exchange Official, determines to conduct a closing rotation 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 trading day prior to
expiration in any equity option for which the underlying did not trade, or for which trading was halted as
of the normal close of trading in its primary market on that day, the rotation shall commence as immediately
as practicable following the time at which the option normally ceases free trading, or at any earlier time
(e) Quarterly Rotations. On the last day of each calendar quarter, a closing rotation for some equity
option series may be commenced at 4:00 p.m. or after the closing price of the stock in its primary market is
established, whichever is later. Orders will not be accepted at or after 4:00 p.m. Prior notice will be
provided to the trading floor regarding which options series will be subject to a closing rotation.
(1) In the event that trading in an underlying
stock
or Exchange-Traded Fund Share has not opened in the primary market for such stock or Exchange-Traded Fund
Share within a reasonable time after the opening of business, or, in the event that current quotations for
any underlying foreign currency are for any reason unavailable, the Lead Market Maker shall report such
delay or unavailability to the Regulatory staff and the appropriate steps will be taken to determine the
cause for such delay or unavailability. The opening of trading in such option shall be delayed until the
underlying stock has opened or until current quotations for the underlying foreign currency become
available, as the case may be, unless an Options Exchange Official, determines that the interests of a fair
and orderly market are best served by opening trading in such options.
(2) Stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share Options
Trading after 4:00 p.m. With the prior approval of an Options Exchange Official a trading rotation in any
class of stock option contracts may be effected even though employment of the rotation will result in the
transaction on the Exchange after 4:00 p.m., or 4:15 p.m. for options on Exchange-Traded Fund Shares where
the underlying Fund Shares themselves cease trading at 4:15 p.m., provided:
(i) Promptly after trading in the underlying
security opens or re-opens, an opening or re-opening rotation in the corresponding options class is
commenced; or
(ii) Such rotation was initiated due to unusual
market conditions pursuant to this Rule, notice of such rotation is disseminated to the trading floor and
the rotation does not commence until five minutes after the notice is disseminated.
(iii) 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.
(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, in addition to Options 4A,
Section 18 such rotation was initiated due to unusual market conditions pursuant to this Rule, notice of
such rotation is disseminated to the trading floor, and the rotation does not commence until five minutes
after the notice is disseminated.
(g) Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery. The Exchange may activate its business continuity and
disaster
recovery plans to maintain fair and orderly markets in the event of a System failure, disaster, or other
unusual circumstance
that may threaten the ability to conduct business on the Exchange. The following provisions shall apply with
respect to the Exchange’s Trading Floor:
(1) Loss of Trading Floor. If the physical location designated as the
“Trading Floor” becomes
unavailable, Phlx may enact its Business Continuity Plan (“BCP”) and designate the Philadelphia
Navy Yard as its “Back-Up Trading Floor.” In the alternative, if the physical location designated as the “Trading Floor” becomes unavailable, Phlx may enact a “Virtual Trading Crowd” as provided for in subsection (g)(3).
(2) Back-up Trading Floor Unavailable. In the event that the Back-Up Trading
Floor becomes
inoperable, or the Exchange otherwise determines not to operate its Back-Up Trading Floor the Exchange will operate its electronic market and may elect to enact a Virtual Trading Crowd pursuant to subsection (g)(3).
(3) Virtual Trading Crowd. The Exchange may elect to permit open outcry trading to take place in a Virtual Trading Crowd if the Trading Floor becomes unavailable, the Back-Up Trading Floor becomes inoperable or the Exchange otherwise determines not to operate its Back-Up Trading Floor.
(A) Terms
(i) References in the Rules to the “floor,” “trading floor,” and “Exchange floor” (and any other terms with the same meaning) will be deemed to refer to the “Virtual Trading Crowd.”
(ii) References in the Rules to “physical presence” or “on-floor” or “floor” (and any other terms with the same meaning) will be deemed to refer to “presence” in a Virtual Trading Crowd.
(B) Access. Admission to the Virtual Trading Crowd is limited to members and member organizations, Clerks, Exchange employees, and any other persons the Exchange authorizes admission to the Virtual Trading Crowd. Every member must join the Virtual Trading Crowd via a computer and either (a) computer audio; (b) cell phone; or (c) hard-wired phone, as determined by Phlx. Every member must be identified within the chat by name in place of a badge requirement. Any unidentified attendee will be removed from the Virtual Trading Crowd.
(1) Consent. Every member in the Virtual Trading Crowd must consent to audio and video recording in order to participate in the Virtual Trading Crowd.
(2) Contact Information. Every member in the Virtual Trading Crowd must provide Market Operations with a contact number where Market Operations will be able to reach them during the trading day. The contact number may not be the same number that is being used to connect to the Virtual Trading Crowd. Members are responsible for maintaining updated contact information.
(3) Zones. The Exchange will determine which options class(es) will be available for trading in a particular “zone.” The Exchange may designate 1 or more zones. Multiple classes may trade in a single zone. The Exchange will assign each Floor Market Maker to a zone and Floor Brokers may determine in which zone(s) they will be present.
(C) Equipment. Members and member organizations may use any equipment to access the Virtual Trading Crowd and do not need to register devices they use while in the Virtual Trading Crowd. Notwithstanding Options 8, Section 28(g) and Options 8, Section 30(e), members and member organizations would be permitted remote access to the Options Floor Based Management System (“FBMS”) when the Virtual Trading Floor is enacted for the purpose of executing transactions which require exposure in open outcry.
(D) Chats. The Exchange may determine to require any Floor Market Maker or Floor Broker in a Virtual Trading Crowd that attempts to trade against an order represented for execution to express its bid or offer in a chat available in the remote conferencing feature. Chats will be visible to all participants in a zone and will not be permitted directly between individual participants.
(E) Records. The Exchange will retain records of the chats, consents, and any other records related to the Virtual Trading Crowd that are subject to the Exchange’s record retention obligations under the Exchange Act.
(F) Trading Rules. If a Virtual Trading Crowd is enacted the Options 8 Rules shall apply to the extent not amended by the below rules.
(1) The following open outcry requirements shall apply:
a. Prior to speaking on remote conferencing, each member must announce themselves each time.
b. If a member experiences a technical issue accessing the remote conferencing, the Exchange will not be responsible for unexecuted trades.
c. Floor Market Maker quotes will be considered firm in the event the Floor Market Maker is disconnected from the Virtual Trading Crowd and the parties have a Meeting of the Minds with respect to the terms of the transaction. A “Meeting of the Minds” means the contra-side(s) verbally confirmed participation in the trade. In the event that a Floor Market Maker is disconnected from the Virtual Trading Crowd, a Floor Market Maker quote would not be considered firm if the quote were provided and the parties did not have a Meeting of the Minds with respect to the terms of the transaction.
d. A break-out room may be utilized to declare a dispute or otherwise notify an Options Floor Official of any required notifications.
e. Disruptive or unnecessary conversations or comments in the remote conferencing or on chat will not be permitted and will be subject to disciplinary action.
f. A member may not permit any other unauthorized person to gain audio or video access to the Virtual Trading Crowd. A member shall not record any trading sessions
(4) Other Back-Up Trading Arrangements. This Rule does not preclude the Exchange from conducting business, in the event the Trading Floor and Back-Up Trading Floor are rendered inoperable, pursuant to Options 4, Section 10.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended July 29, 2020
(SR-Phlx-2020-38); amended Mar. 11, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-03); amended Nov. 9, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-48), operative Dec. 9, 2023; amended May 31, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-22), operative Dec. 8, 2025.
(a) No Continuous Electronic Quoting Obligation. A Floor Market Maker will not be obligated to quote
electronically in any designated percentage of series.
(b) Continuous Open Outcry Quoting Obligation: In response to any request for quote by a Floor Broker,
Lead Market Maker, Options Exchange Official, or other ROT (including an SQT), Floor Market Makers must
provide a two-sided market complying with the quote spread parameter requirements contained in paragraph
(c)(1) below (in the case of equity options and U.S. dollar-settled FCOs). Such Floor Market Maker shall
provide such quotations with a size of not less than 10 contracts.
(c) In Classes of Option Contracts to Which Assigned—Affirmative Obligations. With
respect to classes
of option contracts to which his assignment extends, a Lead Market Maker and an ROT, whenever the ROT
(except an RSQT) enters the trading crowd in other than a floor brokerage capacity or is called upon by an
Options Exchange Official or a Floor Broker, to make a market, are expected to engage, to a reasonable
degree under the existing circumstances, in dealing for his own account when there exists, or it is
reasonably anticipated that there will exist, a lack of price continuity, a temporary disparity between the
supply of and demand for a particular option contract, or a temporary distortion of the price relationships
between option contracts of the same class. Without limiting the foregoing, a Lead Market Maker and an ROT
is expected to perform the following activities in the course of maintaining a fair and orderly market:
(1) Options on Equities (including
Exchange-Traded Fund Shares), Index Options, and U.S. dollar-settled Foreign Currency Options.
(A) Quote Spread Parameters (Bid/Ask
Differentials)—
(i) Options on equities (including Exchange-Traded
Fund Shares) and index options bidding and/or offering so as to create differences of no more than $.25
between the bid and the offer for each option contract for which the prevailing bid is less than $2; no more
than $.40 where the prevailing bid is $2 or more but less than $5; no more than $.50 where the prevailing
bid is $5 or more but less than $10; no more than $.80 where the prevailing bid is $10 or more but less than
$20; and no more than $1 where the prevailing bid is $20 or more, provided that, the bid/ask differentials
stated above shall not apply to in-the-money series where the market for the underlying security is wider
than the differentials set forth above. For such series, the bid/ask differentials may be as wide as the
spread between the national best bid and offer in the underlying security, or its decimal equivalent rounded
down to the nearest minimum increment. The Exchange may establish differences other than the above for one
or more series or classes of options.
(ii) Options on U.S. dollar-settled FCO. With
respect to all U.S. dollar-settled FCO bidding and/or offering so as to create differences of no more than
$.25 between the bid and the offer for each option contract for which the prevailing bid is less than $2.00;
no more than $.40 where the prevailing bid is $2.00 or more but less than $5.00; no more than $.50 where the
prevailing bid is $5.00 or more but less than $10.00; no more than $.80 where the prevailing bid is $10.00
or more but less than $20.00; and no more than $1.00 where the prevailing bid is $20.00 or more, provided
that the bid/ask differentials stated above shall not apply to in-the-money series where the market for the
underlying security is wider than the differentials set forth above. For such series, the bid/ask
differentials may be as wide as the spread between the national best bid and offer in the underlying
security, or its decimal equivalent rounded down to the nearest minimum increment. The Exchange may
establish differences other than the above for one or more series or classes of options.
(d) In Classes of Option Contracts Other Than Those Which Appointed. With respect to classes of option
contracts other than those to which his appointment extends, an ROT (other than an RSQT), whenever he enters
the trading crowd in other than a floor brokerage capacity or is called upon by an Options Exchange Official
or a floor broker to make a market, shall undertake the obligations specified in paragraph (c) of this Rule.
Furthermore, an ROT should not:
(1) Effect purchases or sales on the Trading Floor
of the Exchange except in a reasonable and orderly manner.
(e) Except in accordance with paragraphs (c) and (d), no ROT shall:
(1) initiate an Exchange options transaction while
on the Trading Floor for any account in which he has an interest and execute as Floor Broker an off-floor
order in options on the same underlying interest during the same trading session, or
(2) retain priority over an off-floor order while
establishing or increasing a position for an account in which he has an interest while on the Trading Floor
of the Exchange.
(f) A Floor Market Maker is required to trade either (a) 1,000 contracts and 300 transactions, or (b) 10,000
contracts and 100 transactions, on the Exchange each quarter. Transactions executed in the trading crowd
where the contra-side is an ROT are not included.
(1) In addition, in order for an ROT (other than an
RSQT or a Remote Lead Market Maker) to receive Lead Market Maker margin treatment for off-floor orders in
any calendar quarter, the ROT must execute the greater of 1,000 contracts or 80% of his total contracts that
quarter in person (not through the use of orders, except that non-streaming Floor Market Makers can use
orders entered in person) and 75% of his total contracts that quarter in assigned options. Transactions
executed in the trading crowd where the contra-side is an ROT are not included.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Sept. 10, 2019 (19-33); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).
(a) General Responsibility. A Floor Broker handling an order is to use due diligence to cause the
order to be executed at the best price or prices available to him in accordance with the Rules of the
Exchange. An Options Floor Broker shall ascertain that at least one Floor Market Maker is present at the
trading post prior to representing an order for execution. This paragraph (a) shall not apply to a Floor
Broker in any foreign currency option if no Floor Market Maker registered in such foreign currency option is
present on the Exchange's trading floor at that time.
(b) Contingency order. An Options Floor Broker handling a contingency order that is dependent upon the
price of the underlying security shall be responsible for satisfying the dependency requirement on the basis
of the last reported price of the underlying security in the primary market that is generally available on
the Options Floor at any given time. Unless mutually agreed by the members involved, an execution or
non-execution that results shall not be altered by the fact that such reported price is subsequently found
to have been erroneous.
(c) Combination orders at the opening or close. A Floor Broker shall not be held responsible for the
execution of a single order combining different series of options based upon transaction prices that are
established at the opening or close of trading or during any trading rotation.
(d) Orders for Floor Market Makers. An Options Floor Broker must inform the crowd when he is
representing an order for a Floor Market Maker and must comply with Options 8, Section 25 (d)(1), (h), (i)
and (j).
(e)(1) Options Floor Based Management System. In order to create an electronic audit trail for equity,
equity index and U.S. dollar-settled foreign currency options orders represented by Floor Brokers on the
Exchange's Options Floor, a Floor Broker or such Floor Broker's employees shall, contemporaneously upon
receipt of an order and prior to the representation of such an order in the trading crowd, record all
options orders represented by such Floor Broker onto the electronic Options Floor Based Management System
("FBMS") (as described in Options 3, Section 7(a)(i)(C)). The following specific information with respect to
orders represented by a Floor Broker shall be recorded by such Floor Broker or such Floor Broker's
employees: (i) the order type (i.e., Public Customer, firm, broker-dealer, Professional) and order receipt
time; (ii) the option symbol; (iii) buy, sell, cross or cancel; (iv) call, put, complex (i.e., spread,
straddle), or contingency order as described in Option 8, Section 32; (v) number of contracts; (vi) limit
price or market order or, in the case of a multi-leg order, net debit or credit, if applicable; (vii)
whether the transaction is to open or close a position; and (viii) The Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC")
clearing number of the broker-dealer that submitted the order (collectively, the "required information"). A
Floor Broker must enter complete alpha/numeric identification assigned by the Exchange for all orders
entered on behalf of Exchange Registered Option Traders. Any additional information with respect to the
order shall be inputted into the Options Floor Based Management System contemporaneously upon receipt, which
may occur after the representation and execution of the order. In the event of a malfunction in the Options
Floor Based Management System, Floor Brokers shall record the required information on trade tickets, and
shall not represent an order for execution which has not been time stamped with the time of entry on the
trading floor. Such trade tickets also shall be time stamped upon the execution of such an order. Floor
Brokers or their employees shall ensure the required information that is recorded on such trade tickets is
entered into the Exchange's electronic trading system by DETs for inclusion in the electronic audit trail.
(2) Pursuant to Options 8, Section 22, Floor Brokers are not permitted to execute orders in the Exchange's
options trading crowd (subject to certain exceptions). In the event that Floor Brokers execute orders in the
Exchange's options trading crowd pursuant to Options 8, Section 22(a)(2), Floor Brokers shall record the
required information on trade tickets, and shall not represent an order for execution which has not been
time stamped with the time of entry on the trading floor. Such trade tickets also shall be time stamped upon
the execution of such an order. Floor Brokers or their employees shall ensure the required information that
is recorded on such trade tickets is entered into the Exchange's electronic trading system by DETs for
inclusion in the electronic audit trail.
(3) Complex Calculator. The FBMS will calculate and display a suggested price of each individual component of
a multi-leg order up to 15 legs submitted on a net debit or credit basis.
(4) Execution. FBMS is designed to execute two-sided orders entered by Floor Brokers, including multi-leg orders up to 15 legs, after representation in the trading crowd. When a Floor Broker submits an order for execution through FBMS, the order will be executed based on market conditions at the time of execution and in accordance with Exchange rules. FBMS execution functionality will assist the Floor Broker in clearing the Exchange book, consistent with Exchange priority rules. If the order cannot be executed, the System will attempt to execute the order a number of times for a period of no more than one second, which period shall be established by the Exchange and announced by Options Trader Alert, after which it will be returned to the Floor Broker on the FBMS. The Floor Broker may resubmit the order for execution, as long as the quotes/orders that comprise the cross have not been withdrawn. Floor Brokers are responsible for handling all FBMS orders in accordance with Exchange priority and trade-through rules, including Options 8, Sections 24 and 25 and Options 5, Section 2.
(5) Snapshot Feature. The Snapshot feature of FBMS may be utilized by Floor Brokers as set forth sub-paragraph (i) below.
(f) Floor Brokers or their employees shall enter the required information (as described in paragraph (e) above) for FLEX options.
(g) A Floor Broker who wishes to place a limit, market or stop order on the electronic order book must submit such a limit, market or stop order electronically through the Options Floor Based Management System. A Floor Broker does not have to be present on the Exchange’s Trading Floor to submit a limit, market or stop order to the electronic order book. A Floor Broker may remotely submit a limit, market or stop order electronically to the electronic order book through the Options Floor Based Management System.
(h) Floor Brokers must make reasonable efforts to ascertain whether each order entrusted to them is for the account of a Public Customer or a broker-dealer. If it is ascertained that the order is for the account of a broker-dealer, the responsible Floor Broker must advise the crowd of that fact prior to bidding/offering on behalf of the order or submitting the order for execution. The Floor Broker or his employees must make the appropriate notation on the Options Floor Based Management System when it has been determined that the order is for an account of a broker/dealer.
(i) The Snapshot feature of FBMS records the market prevailing at the time the Snapshot is triggered. It records all information required to determine compliance with priority and trade-through requirements, including the following: (1) Away Best Bid and Offer; (2) the Exchange Best Bid and Offer; (3) Public Customer orders at the top of the Exchange book; and (4) the best bid and offer of all-or-none orders.
(1) Availability.
(A) A member is permitted to trigger the Snapshot
feature only at the time he or she provisionally executes a trade in the trading crowd. For purposes of this
provision, provisional execution occurs when either: (1) the participants to a trade reach a verbal
agreement in the trading crowd as to the terms of the trade; or (2) a member announces that he is crossing
an order in accordance with Options 8, Section 30(a).
(B) A member is prohibited from triggering the
Snapshot feature for the purpose of obtaining favorable priority or trade-through conditions or avoiding
unfavorable priority or trade-through conditions.
(C) A member may have only one Snapshot outstanding
across all options classes and series at a given time.
(D) Surveillance Staff will monitor and enforce
proper usage of the Snapshot feature on a post-trade basis.
(2) Snapshot Timer. After triggering the Snapshot
feature, the member will have no more than 30 seconds to submit the provisionally executed trade along with
the Snapshot into the System. The Snapshot will automatically become unavailable and expire if the member
fails to submit a provisionally executed trade along with the Snapshot within 30 seconds after triggering
the Snapshot.
(3) Verification. After the member submits the
provisionally executed trade along with the Snapshot, the System then determines whether the terms of the
provisionally executed trade submitted by the member is consistent with applicable priority and
trade-through rules based on the market prevailing at the time of the Snapshot.
(A) If the provisionally executed trade submitted
with the Snapshot is consistent with the applicable priority and trade-through rules based on the market
prevailing at the time of the Snapshot, the System w-ill report the trade to the Consolidated Tape.
(B) If the provisionally executed trade is not
consistent with the applicable priority and trade-through rules based on the market prevailing at the time
of the Snapshot, the System will reject the trade.
(C) If an order exists on the Exchange's limit
order
book that has priority at the time when a member seeks to take a Snapshot, the System will not prevent the
member from taking a Snapshot, but the member must clear the order on the book, re-announce and
provisionally re-execute the trade, and take a new Snapshot before submitting the provisionally executed
trade to the System or else the System will reject the trade upon submission.
(4) Taking a New Snapshot
(A) A member may take a new Snapshot and trigger a
new 30-second timer provided that the member first re-announces and provisionally re-executes the trade in
the crowd, as described in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, if: (i) the Snapshot expired before the member
submitted a provisional execution to the Trading System; (ii) the Trading System rejected a provisional
execution that is subject to a Snapshot; or (iii) the member affirmatively canceled a Snapshot or permitted
it to expire in anticipation of the Trading System rejecting the provisional execution that is subject to
it.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Sept. 10, 2019 (19-33); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03);
amended April 16, 2020 (20-22); amended January 4, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-02), operative February 3, 2021; amended July 13, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-41), operative August 12, 2021; amended December 23, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-76); amended Nov. 9, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-48), operative Dec. 9, 2023; amended May 31, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-22), operative Dec. 8, 2025.
(a) Options Floor Based Management System. In order to create an electronic audit trail for equity, equity index and U.S. dollar-settled foreign currency options orders negotiated by Floor Market Makers and Lead Market Makers on the Exchange's Options Floor, a Floor Market Maker, a Lead Market Maker, or their respective employees shall, prior to the negotiation of such an order in the trading crowd, record all options orders negotiated by such Floor Market Maker or Lead Market Maker onto the electronic Options Floor Based Management System ("FBMS") (as described in Options 3, Section 10(a)(i)(C))). The following specific information with respect to orders negotiated by a Floor Market Maker or Lead Market Maker shall be recorded by such Floor Market Maker, Lead Market Maker, or their respective employees: (i) the order type (i.e., market maker) and order receipt time; (ii) the option symbol; (iii) buy, sell, cross or cancel; (iv) call, put, complex (i.e., spread, straddle) or contingency order as described in Options 8, Section 32; (v) number of contracts; (vi) limit price or Market Order or, in the case of a multi-leg order, net debit or credit, if applicable; and (vii) whether the transaction is to open or close a position, as applicable (collectively, the "required information"). A Floor Market Maker or Lead Market Maker must enter complete alpha/numeric identification assigned by the Exchange for all orders entered. Any additional information with respect to the order shall be inputted into the Options Floor Based Management System contemporaneously upon receipt, which may occur after the negotiation and execution of the order. In the event of a malfunction in the Options Floor Based Management System, a Floor Market Maker or Lead Market Maker shall record the required information on trade tickets, and shall not negotiate an order for execution which has not been time stamped with the time of entry on the trading floor. Such trade tickets also shall be time stamped upon the execution of such an order. Floor Market Makers, Lead Market Makers, or their employees shall ensure the required information that is recorded on such trade tickets is entered into the Exchange's electronic trading system by DETs for inclusion in the electronic audit trail.
(b) Pursuant to Options 8, Section 22(a), Floor Market Makers and Lead Market Makers are not permitted to execute orders in the Exchange's options trading crowd (subject to certain exceptions). In the event that Floor Market Makers or Lead Market Makers execute orders in the Exchange's options trading crowd pursuant to Options 8, Section 22(a)(2), Floor Market Makers or Lead Market Makers shall record the required information on trade tickets, and shall not negotiate an order for execution which has not been time stamped with the time of entry on the trading floor. Such trade tickets also shall be time stamped upon the execution of such an order. Floor Market Makers, Lead Market Makers, or their employees shall ensure the required information that is recorded on such trade tickets is entered into the Exchange's electronic trading system by DETs for inclusion in the electronic audit trail.
(c) Complex Calculator. The FBMS will calculate and display a suggested price of each individual component of a multi-leg order up to 15 legs submitted on a net debit or credit basis.
(d) Execution. FBMS is designed to execute orders entered by Floor Market Makers or Lead Market Makers, including multi-leg orders up to 15 legs, after negotiation in the trading crowd. When a Floor Market Maker or Lead Market Maker submits an order for execution through FBMS, the order will be executed based on market conditions at the time of execution and in accordance with Exchange rules. FBMS execution functionality will assist the Market Maker or Lead Market Maker in clearing the Exchange book, consistent with Exchange priority rules. If the order cannot be executed, the System will attempt to execute the order a number of times for a period of no more than one second, which period shall be established by the Exchange and announced in an Options Trader Alert, after which it will be returned to the Floor Market Maker or Lead Market Maker on the FBMS. The Floor Market Maker or Lead Market Maker may resubmit the order for execution, as long as the quotes that comprise the order have not been withdrawn. Floor Market Makers and Lead Market Makers are responsible for handling all FBMS orders in accordance with Exchange priority and trade-through rules, including Options 5, Section 2, Options 8, Section 27, and Options 8, Section 33.
(e) Snapshot Feature. The Snapshot feature of FBMS may be utilized by Floor Market Makers and Lead Market
Makers as set forth in Options 8, Section 28(i).
(f) Floor Market Makers, Lead Market Makers or their employees shall enter the required information (as described in paragraph (a) above) for FLEX options.
(g) A Floor Market Maker or Lead Market Maker who wishes to place a limit order on the limit order book must submit such a limit order electronically through the Options Floor Based Management System.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended December 23, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-76); amended Nov. 9, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-48), operative Dec. 9, 2023; amended May 31, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-22), operative Dec. 8, 2025.
(a) Crossing. Except as provided in paragraph (e) below, an Options Floor Broker who holds orders to
buy and sell the same option series may cross such orders, provided that he proceeds in the following
manner:
(1) In accordance with his responsibilities for due
diligence, pursuant to Options 8, Section 18, an Options Floor Broker shall request bids and offers for such
options series and make all persons in the trading crowd aware of his request.
(2) After providing an opportunity for such bids
and
offers to be made, he must bid and offer at prices differing by the minimum increment and must improve the
market by bidding above the highest bid or offering below the lowest offer.
(3) If such higher bid or lower offer is not taken,
he may cross the orders at such higher bid or lower offer by announcing by public outcry that he is crossing
and giving the quantity and price. All such orders are not deemed executed until entered into and executed
through the Options Floor Based Management System ("FBMS"), except for where there is a provisional
execution using the Snapshot feature of FBMS (as described in Options 8, Section 28(i); bids and offers can
be withdrawn pursuant to Options 8, Section 22(c).
(4) A Floor Broker crossing a Public Customer order
with an order that is not a Public Customer order, when providing for a reasonable opportunity for the
trading crowd to participate in the transaction, shall disclose the Public Customer order that is subject to
crossing prior to the execution of the order.
(b) Facilitation Orders. Except as provided in paragraph (e) below, a Floor Broker holding an options
order for a Public Customer and a contra-side order may cross such orders in accordance with paragraph (a)
above or may execute such orders as a facilitation cross in the following manner:
(1) The Floor Broker or his employees must enter
the
appropriate notation onto the Options Floor Based Management System for the Public Customer's order,
together with all of the terms of the order, including any contingency involving other options or the
underlying or related securities.
(2) The Floor Broker shall request markets for the
execution of all options components of the order. After providing an opportunity for such markets to be
made, the Floor Broker shall announce that he holds an order subject to facilitation and shall bid (or
offer) in between the market for each options component and disclose all terms and conditions of the order
including all securities which are components of the order.
(3) After all market participants in the crowd are
given a reasonable opportunity to accept all terms and conditions made on behalf of the Public Customer
whose order is subject to facilitation, the Floor Broker may immediately thereafter cross all or any
remaining part of such order and the facilitation order at each Public Customer's bid or offer by announcing
by public outcry that he is crossing and by stating the quantity and price(s). All such orders are not
deemed executed until entered into and executed through the Options Floor Based Management System ("FBMS");
bids and offers can be withdrawn pursuant to Options 8, Section 22(c).
Once a Floor Broker has announced an order as
subject to facilitation and has established a bid (or offer) in between the market for the option(s) to be
facilitated, the order cannot be broken up by a subsequent superior bid or offer for just one component to
the facilitated order.
(c) Solicited Orders. Except as provided in paragraph (e) below, for the purpose of this Rule, a
solicitation occurs whenever an order, other than a cross, is presented for execution in the trading crowd
resulting from an away-from-the-crowd expression of interests to trade by one broker dealer to another.
(1) If a member appears in the trading crowd in
response to a solicitation, other trading crowd participants must be given a reasonable opportunity to
respond to the order which prompted the solicitation before the solicited member may respond to the order.
Prior to a bid (or offer) being made on behalf of any such order the solicitor or his representative must
identify the solicited party to the trading crowd and give all information to the trading crowd which was
given to the solicited member.
(2) A member or member organization representing an
order in options ("originating order") may solicit another member, member organization or nonmember
broker-dealer outside the trading crowd ("solicited party") to participate in the transaction on a
proprietary basis provided that the member or member organization representing the originating order, upon
entering the trading crowd must:
(A) announce to the trading crowd the same terms of
the originating order that have been disclosed to the solicited party;
(B) bid at the price he/she is prepared to buy from
the solicited party or offer at the solicited price he/she is prepared to sell to the solicited party; and
(C) give the trading crowd a reasonable opportunity
to accept the bid or offer. All such orders are not deemed executed until entered into and executed through
the Options Floor Based Management System ("FBMS"); bids and offers can be withdrawn pursuant to Options 8,
Section 22(c).
(3) The Floor Broker or his employees must note on
the Options Floor Based Management System that the trade involves a solicited order. The members of the
trading crowd shall have priority over the solicited party order.
(d) Anticipatory Hedging. No member organization or person associated with a member or member organization who has knowledge of the material terms and conditions of a solicited order, an order being facilitated, or orders being crossed, the execution of which are imminent, shall enter, based on such knowledge, an order to buy or sell an option for the same underlying security; an order to buy or sell the security underlying such class; or an order to buy or sell any related instrument until (1) or (2) occur:
(1) the terms and conditions of the order and any
changes in the terms of the order of which the member, member organization or person associated with a
member or member organization has knowledge are disclosed to the trading crowd, or
(2) the trade can no longer reasonably be
considered
imminent in view of the passage of time since the order was received. For purposes of this Rule, an order to
buy or sell a "related instrument" means, in reference to an index option, an order to buy or sell
securities comprising 10% or more of the component securities in the index or an order to buy or sell a
futures contract on an economically equivalent index.
(3) Furthermore, paragraph (d) does not prohibit a
member or member organization from buying or selling a stock, security futures or futures position following
receipt of an option order, including a complex order, but prior to announcing such order to the trading
crowd, provided that:
(A) the option order is in a class designated as
eligible for "tied hedge" transactions (as described below) as determined by the Exchange and is within the
designated tied hedge eligibility size parameters, which parameters shall be determined by the Exchange and
may not be smaller than 500 contracts per order, except that options on the Nasdaq 100® Index including
options with nonstandard expiration dates ("NDX" and "NDXP") may not be smaller than 50 contracts per order
(there shall be no aggregation of multiple orders to satisfy the size parameter);
(B) such member or member organization shall create
an electronic record that it is engaging in a tied hedge transaction in a form and manner prescribed by the
Exchange;
(C) such hedging position is:
(i) comprised of a position designated as eligible
for a tied hedge transaction as determined by the Exchange and may include the same underlying stock
applicable to the option order, a security future overlying the same stock applicable to the option order
or, in reference to an index, ETF or HOLDR option, a related instrument. A "related instrument" means, in
reference to an index option, securities comprising ten percent or more of the component securities in the
index or a futures contract on any economically equivalent index applicable to the option order. A "related
instrument" means, in reference to an ETF or HOLDR option, a futures contract on any economically equivalent
index applicable to the ETF or HOLDR underlying the option order;
(ii) brought without undue delay to the trading
crowd and announced concurrently with the option order;
(iii) offered to the trading crowd in its entirety;
and
(iv) offered, at the execution price received by
the
member or member organization introducing the option, to any in-crowd market participant who has established
parity or priority for the related options;
(D) the hedging position does not exceed the option
order on a delta basis;
(E) all tied hedge transactions (regardless of
whether the option order is a simple or complex order) are treated the same as complex orders for purposes
of the Exchange's open outcry allocation and reporting procedures. Tied hedge transactions are subject to
the existing NBBO trade-through requirements for options and stock, as applicable, and may qualify for
various exceptions; however, when the option order is a simple order the execution of the option leg of a
tied hedge transaction does not qualify it for any NBBO trade-through exception for a Complex Trade;
(F) in-crowd market participants that participate
in
the option transaction must also participate in the hedging position and may not prevent the option
transaction from occurring by giving a competing bid or offer for one component of such order; and
(G) prior to entering tied hedge orders on behalf
of
Public Customers, the member or member organization must deliver to the Public Customer a written
notification informing the Public Customer that his order may be executed using the Exchange's tied hedge
procedures. The written notification must disclose the terms and conditions contained herein and be in a
form approved by the Exchange. A combination option and hedging position offered in reliance on this
provision shall be referred to as a "tied hedge" order.
(H) if at the time a tied hedge transaction is
executed, market conditions in any non-Phlx market(s) prevent the execution of the non-options leg(s) at the
price(s) agreed upon, the trade representing the options leg(s) of the tied hedge transaction may be
cancelled at the request of any member that is a party to the trade.
(I) All such orders are not deemed executed until
entered into and executed by the Options Floor Based Management System ("FBMS"); bids and offers can be
withdrawn pursuant to Options 8, Section 22(c).
(e) Floor Qualified Contingent Cross. A Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Order shall be transacted as specified in Options 3, Section 12(c) and (d).
(1) Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Orders shall be submitted into the System by Floor Brokers on the Floor or remotely via the Options Floor Based Management System. A Floor Broker does not have to be present on the Exchange’s Trading Floor to submit a Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Order to the System. A Floor Broker may remotely submit a Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Order to the System through the Options Floor Based Management System.
(2) Options Floor Brokers shall not enter Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Orders for their own account, the account of an associated person, or an account with respect to which it or an associated person thereof exercises investment discretion. Options Floor Brokers must maintain books and records demonstrating that each Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Order was not entered for a prohibited account. Any Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Order that does not have a corresponding record required by this subsection shall be deemed to have been entered for a prohibited account in violation of this Rule.
(3) The term "qualified contingent trade" shall have the same meaning set forth in Supplementary Material .01 to Options 3, Section 7.
(f) Customer Cross Orders. Customer Cross Orders are automatically executed upon entry provided that the execution is at or between the best bid and offer on the Exchange and (i) is not at the same price as a Public Customer Order on the Exchange’s limit order book and (ii) will not trade through the NBBO.
(1) Customer Cross Orders will be automatically canceled if they cannot be executed.
(2) Customer Cross Orders may only be entered in the regular trading increments applicable to the options class under Options 3, Section 3.
(3) Options 3, Section 22(b)(1) applies to the entry and execution of Customer Cross Orders.
(g) Complex Customer Cross Orders. Complex Orders may be entered as Customer Cross Orders, as defined in Options 8, Section 32(g). Such orders will be automatically executed upon entry so long as: (i) the price of the transaction is at or within the best bid and offer for the same complex strategy on the Complex Order Book; (ii) there are no Public Customer Complex Orders for the same strategy at the same price on the Complex Order Book; and (iii) the options legs can be executed at prices that comply with the provisions of Options 3, Section 14(c)(2). Only Complex Customer Cross Orders with a conforming ratio as defined in Options 1, Section 1(b)(13) will be accepted. Complex Customer Cross Orders will be rejected if they cannot be executed. Options 8, Section 22(b)(1) applies to Complex Customer Cross Orders.
(1) Floor Brokers may only submit Complex Customer Cross Orders with a stock/ETF component if such orders comply with the Qualified Contingent Trade Exemption from Rule 611(a) of Regulation NMS. Floor Brokers submitting such orders with a stock/ETF component represent that such orders comply with the Qualified Contingent Trade Exemption. Members of FINRA or The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) are required to have a Uniform Service Bureau/Executing Broker Agreement (“AGU”) with Nasdaq Execution Services, LLC (“NES”) in order to trade orders containing a stock/ETF component; firms that are not members of FINRA or Nasdaq are required to have a Qualified Special Representative (“QSR”) arrangement with NES in order to trade orders containing a stock/ETF component.
(2) Where one component of a Complex Customer Cross Order is the underlying security, the Exchange shall electronically communicate the underlying security component of a Complex Customer Cross Order to NES, its designated broker-dealer, for immediate execution. Such execution and reporting will not occur on the Exchange and will be handled by NES pursuant to applicable rules regarding equity trading. The execution price must be within a certain price from the current market, as determined by the Exchange. If the stock price is not within these parameters, the Complex Customer Cross Order is not executable.
(3) When the short sale price test in Rule 201 of Regulation SHO is triggered for a covered security, NES will not execute a short sale order in the underlying covered security component of a Complex Customer Cross Order if the price is equal to or below the current national best bid. However, NES will execute a short sale order in the underlying covered security component of a Complex Customer Cross Order if such order is marked “short exempt,” regardless of whether it is at a price that is equal to or below the current national best bid. If NES cannot execute the underlying covered security component of a Complex Customer Cross Order in accordance with Rule 201 of Regulation SHO, the Exchange will cancel back the Complex Customer Cross Order to the entering Member. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “covered security” shall have the same meaning as in Rule 201(a)(1) of Regulation SHO.
Supplementary Material to Options 8, Section 30:
.01 A violation of this Rule may be considered
conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade.
.02 Firm Participation Guarantees. (i)
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule, when a Floor Broker holds an equity,
index or U.S. dollar-settled foreign currency option order of the eligible order size or greater ("original
order"), the Floor Broker is entitled to cross a certain percentage of the original order with other orders
that he is holding or in the case of a Public Customer order, with a facilitation order of the originating
firm (i.e., the firm from which the original Public Customer order originated).
(ii) The Exchange may determine, on an option by
option basis, the eligible size for an order that may be transacted pursuant to this Supplementary Material,
however, the eligible order size may not be less than 50 contracts. Orders for less than 50 contracts may be
crossed pursuant to this Rule but are not subject to subsection (iii) below pertaining to participation
guarantees. In accordance with his responsibilities for due diligence, a Floor Broker representing an order
of the eligible order size or greater which he wishes to cross shall request bids and offers for such option
series and make all persons in the trading crowd aware of his request. In determining whether an order
satisfies the eligible order size requirement, any multi-part or spread order must contain one leg alone
which is for the eligible order size or greater. If the same member organization is the originating firm and
also the Lead Market Maker for the particular class of options to which the order relates, then the Lead
Market Maker is not entitled to any Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation with respect to the particular
cross transaction.
(iii) The percentage of the order which a Floor
Broker is entitled to cross in equity, index and U.S dollar settled foreign currency options, after all
Public Customer orders that were (1) on the limit order book and then (2) represented in the trading crowd
at the time the market was established have been satisfied, is 40% of the remaining contracts in the order
if the order is traded at or between the best bid or offer given by the crowd in response to the Floor
Broker's initial request for a market.
(iv) When crossing an order pursuant to this
Supplementary Material, a Floor Broker must disclose on its order ticket for any order which is subject to
crossing, all of the terms of such order, including any contingency involving, and all related transactions
in, either options or, in the case of equity or index options, underlying or related securities. The Floor
Broker, in the case of equity or index options, must disclose all securities that are components of the
Public Customer order which is subject to crossing before requesting bids and offers for the execution of
all components of the order.
(v) Once the trading crowd has provided a quote, it
will remain in effect until: (A) a reasonable amount of time has passed, or (B) there is a significant
change in the price of the underlying security, or (C) the market given in response to the request has been
improved. In the case of a dispute, the term "significant change" will be interpreted on a case-by-case
basis by an Options Exchange Official based upon the extent of the recent trading in the option and, in the
case of equity and index options, in the underlying security, and any other relevant factors.
(vi) If a trade pursuant to this Supplementary
Material occurs when the Lead Market Maker is on parity with one or more controlled accounts, then the
Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation which is established pursuant to Options 8, Section 25(b) shall
apply only to the number of contracts remaining after the following orders have been satisfied: those Public
Customer orders which trade ahead of the cross transaction, and any portion of an order being crossed
against the original order being represented by the Floor Broker.
(A) The Lead Market Maker shall not be entitled to
receive the Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation in equity, index and U.S dollar settled foreign
currency options after Public Customer orders have been executed for orders crossed pursuant to this
paragraph (vi) unless the Floor Broker has chosen to cross less than its 40% entitlement, in which case the
Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation will be a percentage that combined with the percentage the firm
crossed is no more than 40% of the original order.
If the trade occurs at a price other than the Lead
Market Maker 's disseminated bid or offer, the Lead Market Maker is entitled to no guaranteed participation.
(vii) The members of the trading crowd who
established the market will have priority over all other orders that were not represented in the trading
crowd at the time that the market was established (but not over Public Customer orders on the book) and will
maintain priority over such orders except for orders that improve upon the market. A Floor Broker who is
holding a Public Customer order and either a facilitation or solicited order and who makes a request for a
market will be deemed to be representing both the Public Customer order and either the facilitation order or
solicited order, so that the Public Customer order and the facilitation order or solicited order will also
have priority over all other orders that were not being represented in the trading crowd at the time the
market was established.
(viii) Nothing in this paragraph is intended to
prohibit a Floor Broker or a Lead Market Maker from trading more than their percentage entitlements if the
other members of the trading crowd do not choose to trade the remaining portion of the order.
(ix) A Floor Broker may not cross an order that he
is holding with an order from a Floor Market Maker that is then in the trading crowd.
(x) Spread, straddle, combination or hedge orders,
as defined in Options 8, Section 32, on opposite sides of the market may be crossed, provided that the Floor
Broker holding such orders proceeds in the manner described in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule as
appropriate. Members may not prevent a spread, straddle, stock-option, or combination cross from being
completed by giving a competing bid or offer for one component of such order. In determining whether an
order satisfies the eligible order size requirement, any multi-part or spread order must contain one leg
which, standing alone, is for the eligible order size or greater.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Sept. 10, 2019 (19-33); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03);
amended Mar. 5, 2020 (20-08), operative April 4, 2020; amended January 4, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-02), operative February 3, 2021; amended March 24, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-14), operative April 23, 2021; amended Jul. 29, 2022 (SR-Phlx-2022-22), operative Aug. 1, 2022; amended Nov. 9, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-48), operative Dec. 9, 2023; amended Aug. 3, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-34), operative Jan. 29, 2024; amended Feb. 20, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-10); amended Aug. 5, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-35), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended Aug. 14, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-39), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended May 31, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-22), operative Dec. 8, 2025.
(a) No Floor Broker shall execute or cause to be executed any order or orders on this Exchange with respect
to which such Floor Broker is vested with discretion as to: (i) the choice of the class of options to be
bought or sold, (ii) the number of contracts to be bought or sold, or (iii) whether any such transaction
shall be one of purchase or sale. However, the provisions of this Rule shall not apply to any discretionary
transaction executed by a Floor Market Maker for an account in which he has an interest.
(b) No Options Floor Broker shall hold a "not held" Market Order to buy and a "not held" Market Order to sell
(or orders which have the effect of such "not held" Market Order to buy and to sell) the same series of
options for the same account or for accounts of the same beneficial owner. Also no Floor Broker shall leg a
combination order for a Floor Market Maker or accept opening or discretionary orders for a Floor Market
Maker who is associated with the same member organization as such Floor Broker or who is associated with
another member organization affiliated with the same member organization as such Floor Broker. Holding or
accepting such orders can be interpreted as allowing the Floor Broker discretion respecting whether to
purchase or sell such options.
(c) An Options Floor Broker may not exercise any discretion with respect to the order of a ROT or the order
of an options market marker registered on another exchange.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).
The Exchange may determine to make certain order types and time-in-force, respectively, available on a class
or System basis.
(a) These order types are eligible for entry by a member for execution through the Options Floor Based
Management System ("FBMS").
(1) Market Order. A Market Order is an order to buy or sell a stated number of option contracts and is
to be executed at the best price obtainable when the order reaches the post.
(2) Limit Order. A Limit Order is an order to buy or sell a stated number of option contracts at a
specified price, or better.
(3) Complex Options Strategy. A Complex Options Strategy is as described in Options 3, Section 14(a)(1).
(4) Stock-Option Strategy. A Stock-Option Strategy is as described in Options 3, Section 14(a)(2).
(5) Stock-Complex Strategy. A Stock-Complex Strategy is as described in Options 3, Section 14(a)(3).
(6) Contingency Order. A contingency order is a Limit or Market Order to buy or sell that is contingent upon a condition being satisfied while the order is at the post.
(i) Stop-Limit Order. A Stop-Limit Order is a
contingency order to buy or sell at a limited price when a trade or quote on the Exchange for a particular
option contract reaches a specified price. A Stop-Limit Order to buy becomes a Limit Order executable at the
limit price or better when the option contract trades or is bid on the Exchange at or above the stop-limit
price. A Stop-Limit Order to sell becomes a Limit Order executable at the limit price or better when the
option contract trades or is offered on the Exchange at or below the stop-limit price.
(ii) Stop (stop-loss) Order. A Stop Order is a
contingency order to buy or sell when a trade or quote on the Exchange for a particular option contract
reaches a specified price. A Stop Order to buy becomes a Market Order when the option contract trades or is
bid on the Exchange at or above the stop price. A Stop Order to sell becomes a Market Order when the option
contract trades or is offered on the Exchange at or below the stop price.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Stop or Stop-Limit
Order shall not be elected by a trade that is reported late or out of sequence.
(iii) All or None Order. An All-or-None Order is a Market or Limit Order which is to be executed in its entirety or not at all. Further, pursuant to Options 8, Section 39, A-3, an All-or-None Order has no standing respecting executions in the trading crowd except with respect to other All-or-None Orders. When represented in the trading crowd, All-or-None Orders are not included as part of the bid or offer.
(iv) Cancel-Replacement Order. A Cancel-Replacement Order is a contingency order consisting of two or more parts which require the immediate
cancellation of a previously received order prior to the replacement of a new order with new terms and
conditions. If the previously placed order is already filled partially or in its entirety the replacement
order is automatically canceled or reduced by such number.
(v) Immediate or Cancel Order. An
immediate-or-cancel ("IOC") order is a limit order that is to be executed in whole or in part upon receipt.
Any portion not so executed shall be cancelled. IOC Orders are not routable and shall not be subject to any
routing process described in these Rules.
(b) Time in Force or "TIF." The term "Time in Force" shall mean the period of time that the
System will hold an order for potential execution, and shall include:
(1) Immediate or Cancel Order. An Immediate-or-Cancel ("IOC") order is a Limit Order that is to be executed in whole or in part upon receipt. Any portion not so executed shall be cancelled. IOC Orders are not routable and shall not be subject to any routing process described in these Rules. A Complex Order may be designated as an Immediate-or-Cancel Order that is to be executed in whole or in part upon receipt. Any portion not so executed is cancelled.
(2) Day. If not executed, an order entered with a TIF of "Day" expires at the end of the day on which it was entered. All orders by their terms are Day Orders unless otherwise specified. Day orders may be entered through FIX. A Complex Order may be designated as a Day Order that if not executed, expires at the end of the day on which it was entered.
(3) Good Til Cancelled. A Good Til Cancelled ("GTC") Order entered with a TIF of GTC, if not fully executed, will remain available for potential display and/or execution unless cancelled by the entering party, or until the option expires, whichever comes first. GTC Orders shall be available for entry from the time prior to market open specified by the Exchange until market close.
(4) Opening Only (“OPG”) Order. An Opening Only (“OPG”) order is entered with a TIF of “OPG.” This order can only be executed in the Opening Process pursuant to Options 3, Section 8.
(c) Not Held Order. A not held order is an order marked "not held", "take time" or which bears any qualifying notation giving discretion as to the price or time at which such order is to be executed.
(d) Reserved.
(e) Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Order or Floor QCC Order. A Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Order is comprised of an originating order to buy or sell at least 1,000 contracts, as provided in Options 8, Section 30(e), that is identified as being part of a qualified contingent trade, as that term is defined in subsection Options 8, Section 30(e)(3), coupled with a contra-side order or orders totaling an equal number of contracts.
(f) Customer Cross Order. A Customer Cross Order is comprised of a Public Customer Order to buy and a Public Customer Order to sell at the same price and for the same quantity. Such orders will trade in accordance with Options 8, Section 30(f).
(g) Complex Customer Cross Order. A Complex Customer Cross Order is comprised of a Priority Customer Complex Order to buy and a Priority Customer Complex Order to sell at the same price and for the same quantity. Such orders will trade in accordance with Options 8, Section 30(g).
(h) Multi-leg Orders. A multi-leg order is any spread type order (including a spread, straddle and
combination order) for the same account or tied hedge order as defined below:
(1) Spread Order. A Spread Order is an order
to buy a stated number of option contracts and to sell a stated number of option contracts in a different
series of the same option and may be bid for or offered on a total net debit or credit basis.
(2) Straddle Order. A Straddle Order is an order to buy a number of call option contracts and the same number of put option contracts with respect to the same underlying security (in the case of options on a stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share) or the same underlying foreign currency (in the case of options on a foreign currency) and having the same exercise price and expiration date; or an order to sell a number of call option contracts and the same number of put option contracts with respect to the same underlying security (in the case of options on a stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share) or the same underlying foreign currency (in the case of options on a foreign currency) and having the same exercise price and expiration date (e.g., an order to buy two XYZ July 50 calls and to buy two XYZ July 50 puts is a straddle order). In the case of adjusted stock option contracts, a straddle order need not consist of the same number of put and call contracts if such contracts both represent the same number of shares at option.
(3) Combination Order. A Combination Order is an order involving a number of call option contracts and the same number of put option contracts in the same underlying security and representing the same number of shares at option (if the underlying security is a stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share) or the same number of foreign currency units (if the underlying security is a foreign currency). A Combination Order includes a conversion (generally, buying a put, selling a call and buying the underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share) and a reversal (generally, selling a put, buying a call and selling the underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share). In the case of adjusted option contracts, a Combination Order need not consist of the same number of shares at option.
(4) Tied Hedge Order. A Tied Hedge Order is an option order that is tied to a hedge transaction as defined in Options 8, Section 30(d)(3)(A), following the receipt of an option order in a class determined by the Exchange as eligible for "tied hedge" transactions.
(5) Synthetic Option. A Synthetic Option Order is an order to buy or sell a stated number of units of an underlying stock or a security convertible into the underlying stock ("convertible security") coupled with either (i) the purchase or sale of option contract(s) on the opposite side of the market representing either the same number of units of the underlying stock or convertible security or the number of units of the underlying stock or convertible security necessary to create a delta neutral position, or (ii) the purchase or sale of an equal number of put and call option contracts, each having the same exercise price, expiration date, and each representing the same number of units of stock as, and on the opposite side of the market from, the stock or convertible security portion of the order.
(6) Spread Type Order. A Spread Type Order is a Multi-Leg Order submitted through the Floor Based Management System ("FBMS") involving the simultaneous purchase and/or sale of two or more different options series (up to 15) in the same underlying security, priced as a net debit or credit based on the relative prices of the individual components, for the same account, for the purpose of executing a particular investment strategy. A Spread Type Order may include as one of the legs a stated number of units of an underlying security (stock or Exchange Traded Fund Share ("ETF")) coupled with the purchase or sale of options contract(s). The underlying security must be the deliverable for the options component of that Complex Order and represent exactly 100 shares per option for regular way delivery.
(7) Complex Order. A Complex Order is a type of multi-leg order that meets the definition of Complex Options Strategy in Options 3, Section 14(a)(1), Stock-Option Strategy in Options 3, Section 14(a)(2) or Stock-Complex Strategy in Options 3, Section 14(a)(3).
(i) FLEX Option. A FLEX Option is as described in Options 8, Section 34.
(j) Routing order types. In the System, the following order types will be available and governed by Options 5, Section 4: DNR (do not route), FIND and SRCH.
(k) For options on foreign currencies, a multi-spread transaction consisting of spread, straddle or combination orders may be executed. A multi-spread transaction combines any two spread type orders for the same account as defined in Options 8, Section 32(e), a permissible multi-spread transaction combines any of the following: a two-way transaction with another two-way transaction of the same spread type; a three-way transaction with another three-way transaction of the same spread type; or a two-way transaction with a three-way transaction of the same spread type. In addition, a multi-spread transaction includes the combination of a spread type order with a ratio spread type order. The ratio between the spread type order and the ratio spread type order comprising the multi-spread transaction may range from one-to-one to three-to-one, which will be determined by the Exchange.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Nov. 26, 2019 (19-52), operative Dec. 26, 2019; amended Feb.
3, 2020 (20-03); amended Feb. 14, 2020 (20-05); amended Mar. 4, 2020 (20-07); amended Jan. 26, 2021 (SR-Phlx2021-05); amended Nov. 9, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-48), operative Dec. 9, 2023; amended Aug. 3, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-34), operative Jan. 29, 2024; amended Dec. 12, 2024 (SR-Phlx-2024-71), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended Apr. 3, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-17), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended Apr. 22, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-20), operative Oct. 1, 2025; amended Aug. 14, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-39), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended May 31, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-22), operative Dec. 8, 2025.
(a) A "cabinet order" is a closing limit order at a price of $1 per option contract for the account of a Public Customer, firm, Lead Market Maker or ROT. An opening order is not a "cabinet order" but may in certain cases be matched with a cabinet order pursuant to subsection (a)(iii) below. Only Floor Brokers may represent cabinet orders. Cabinet trading shall be available for each series of options open for trading on the Exchange under the following terms and conditions:
(1) Trading shall be conducted in accordance with
other Exchange Rules except as otherwise provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires.
(2) Cabinet orders may be submitted to Floor Brokers and represented by them in the designated trading crowd of the option class. Floor Brokers shall enter cabinet orders into The Options Floor Based Management System pursuant to Options 3, Section 29.
(3) (A) Floor Broker Holds the Cabinet Order
Only. If a Floor Broker holds a cabinet order but does not hold contra-side interest, the Floor Broker shall follow the procedures set forth in this subsection (3)(A). In the trading crowd, and in the presence of at least one market maker and Nasdaq Market Regulation Floor Surveillance, the Floor Broker shall announce the terms of the cabinet order to the trading crowd to solicit interest to participate on the closing position. All matching cabinet orders shall be assigned priority based upon the sequence in which such orders are received by the Floor Broker. If there is no matching cabinet order, the Floor Broker may match the cabinet order with a matching opening buy or sell limit order priced at $1 per option contract. If there is no matching cabinet order or opening order, the Floor Broker may seek matching bids or offers for accounts of Lead Market Makers and Floor Market Makers. Lead Market Makers and Floor Market Makers can only participate after all other orders have been matched.
(B) Floor Broker Holds the Cabinet Order and
also
a Contra-Side Cabinet Order. If the Floor Broker holds a cabinet order as well as contra-side cabinet order, the Floor Broker shall follow the procedures set forth in this subsection (3)(B). In the trading crowd, and in the presence of at least one market-maker and Nasdaq Market Regulation Floor Surveillance, the Floor Broker shall announce the terms of the cabinet orders to the trading crowd. The cabinet orders shall then be immediately crossed by the Floor Broker.
(C) Floor Broker Holds Cabinet Order and a
Contra-Side Opening Order. If the Floor Broker holds a cabinet order as well as contra-side opening order, the Floor Broker shall follow the procedures set forth in this subsection (3)(C). In the trading crowd, and in the presence of at least one market-maker and Nasdaq Market Regulation Floor Surveillance, the Floor Broker shall announce the terms of the cabinet order to the trading crowd. If there is a matching cabinet order, the Floor Broker shall match the two cabinet orders. If there is no matching cabinet order, the cabinet order shall then be immediately crossed by the Floor Broker with the opening order held by the Floor Broker.
(4) Once the cabinet order has been either crossed or matched, the Floor Broker shall submit the cabinet order for execution into The Options Floor Based Management System pursuant to Options 3, Section 29.
(5) Lead Market Makers and Floor Market Makers shall not be subject to the requirements of Options 8, Section 25 in respect of orders placed pursuant to this Rule. The provisions of Options 8 Section 24(b) and (c) and Options 3, Section 3 shall not apply to orders placed in the cabinet. Cabinet transactions shall not be reported on the ticker.
(b) Any (i) member, or (ii) other person who is a non-member broker or dealer and who directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, a member (any such other person being referred to as an affiliated person) may effect any transaction as principal in the over-the-counter market in any class of option contracts listed on the Exchange for a premium not in excess of $1.00 per contract.
(c) For each transaction executed by a member or affiliated person pursuant to paragraph (b) a record of such transaction shall be maintained by the member and shall be available for inspection by the Exchange for a period of three years. Such record shall include the circumstances under which the transaction was executed in conformity with this Rule.
(d) Limit Orders Priced Below $1: Limit orders with a price of at least $0 but less than $1 per option contract may trade under the terms and conditions in Options 8, Section 33 above in each series of option contracts open for trading on the Exchange, except that:
(1) Bids and offers for opening transactions are only permitted to accommodate closing transactions.
(2) These procedures are available for trading in all options classes trading on the Exchange, including options classes participating in the Penny Interval.
(e) Pursuant to Options 8, Section 34(k)(2), open FLEX option positions are eligible to be closed in accordance with this Options 8, Section 33 at the minimum increments specified herein. The FLEX option cabinet order may be executed against contra-side interest which closes a FLEX option position or, to the extent permitted under Options 8, Section 33(a)(iii), against contra-side interest which opens a FLEX option position. Section (f) of Options 8, Section 34 shall not apply to FLEX option transactions executed pursuant to Options 8, Section 34(k)(2), and Options 8, Section 33. However, Sections (g), (i) and (j) of Options 8, Section 34 shall apply to any FLEX option position opened pursuant to this rule.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Sept. 10, 2019 (19-33); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03);
amended Jun. 23, 2020 (20-32); amended Nov. 9, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-48), operative Dec. 9, 2023; amended Apr. 22, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-20), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended May 31, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-22), operative Dec. 8, 2025.
(a) A Requesting Member shall obtain quotes and execute trades in certain non-listed FLEX options at the post of the non-FLEX option on the Exchange. The term "FLEX option" means a FLEX option contract that is traded subject to this Rule. Although FLEX options are generally subject to the Rules in this section, to the extent that the provisions of this Rule are inconsistent with other applicable Exchange Rules, this Rule takes precedence with respect to FLEX options.
(b) Order Types. The Exchange may determine to make the order types and Time-in-Force, respectively, within Options 8, Section 32 submitted in FLEX Options (“FLEX Orders”) available on a class or System basis. With respect to complex orders, complex FLEX Orders may have up to the maximum number of legs permitted pursuant to Exchange rules for standard trading. Each leg of a complex FLEX Order:
(1) must be for a FLEX Option series authorized for FLEX trading with the same underlying equity security or index;
(2) must have the same exercise style (American or European); and
(3) for a FLEX Index Option, may have a different settlement type (a.m.-settled or p.m.- settled).
(c) Trading Hours. FLEX Options trading must be effected during the hours established by the Exchange. Such hours shall be within regular Exchange trading hours (for the non-FLEX Option) on each business day, except that the Exchange in its discretion may determine at any time to narrow or expand FLEX trading hours to encompass, but not exceed, the trading hours of the non-FLEX Option.
(d) Trading Rotations. There will be no trading rotations in FLEX Options, either at the opening or at the close of trading.
(e) Permissible Series. The Exchange may authorize for trading a FLEX Option class on any equity security or index it may authorize for trading a non-FLEX Option class on that equity security or index pursuant to Options 4, Section 3 and Options 4A, Section 3, respectively, even if the Exchange does not list that non-FLEX Option class for trading. FLEX Option series are not pre-established. A FLEX Option series is eligible for trading on the Exchange upon submission to the System of a FLEX Order for that series pursuant to this Rule, subject to the following:
(1) The Exchange only permits trading in a put or call FLEX Option series that does not have the same exercise style, same expiration date, and same exercise price as a non-FLEX Option series on the same underlying security or index that is already available for trading. This includes permitting trading in a FLEX Option series before a series with identical terms is listed for trading as a non-FLEX Option series. If the Exchange lists for trading a non-FLEX Option series with identical terms as a FLEX Option series, the FLEX Option series will become fungible with the non-FLEX Option series. The System does not accept a FLEX Order for a put or call FLEX Option series if a non-FLEX Option series on the same underlying security or index with the same expiration date, exercise price, and exercise style is already listed for trading.
(2) A FLEX Order for a FLEX Option series may be submitted on any trading day prior to the expiration date. In the event the Non-FLEX series is added intra-day, a position established under the FLEX trading procedures would be permitted to be closed using the FLEX trading procedures for the balance of the trading day on which the Non-FLEX series is added against another closing only FLEX position.
(f) Terms. When submitting a FLEX Order for a FLEX Option series to the Options Floor Based Management System, one of each of the following terms within subparagraph (f)(1) must be included. All other terms of a FLEX Option series are the same as those that apply to non-FLEX Options, except that a FLEX Index Option with an index multiplier of one may not be the same type (put or call) and may not have the same exercise style, expiration date, settlement type, and exercise price as a non-FLEX Index Option overlying the same index listed for trading (regardless of the index multiplier of the non-FLEX Index Option). Additionally, a FLEX Option overlying an Exchange-Traded Fund (“ETF”), which is settled in cash or physically-settled, may not be the same type (put or call) and may not have the same exercise style, expiration date, and exercise price as a non-FLEX Option overlying the same ETF, which terms constitute the FLEX Option series:
(1) Characteristics of Underlying Interest:
(A) an underlying equity security or index, as applicable (the index multiplier for FLEX Index Options is 100); or any index upon which options currently trade on the Exchange. The applicable index multiplier shall be the same multiplier, in the case of U.S. dollar-denominated FLEX Index Options, that applies to non-FLEX Index Options on the same underlying index;
(B) any security which is options-eligible pursuant to Options 4, Section 3; or
(C) any foreign currency which is options-eligible pursuant to Options 4, Section 3 and which underlies non-FLEX U.S. dollar-settled foreign currency options that are trading on the Exchange.
(2) Type:
(A) A put, call or hedge order (as defined in Options 8, Section 32).
(3) Exercise Price:
The Exchange may determine the smallest increment for exercise prices of FLEX Options on a class-by-class basis without going lower than the $0.01.
(4) Exercise Style:
(A) American or European in the case of FLEX Index Options and FLEX Equity Options, and European only in the case of FLEX U. S. dollar-settled foreign currency options (“FLEX Currency Option”).
(5) Expiration Date:
(A) The expiration date may be any business day (specified to the day, month, and year) no more than 15 years from the date on which an executed FLEX Equity and Index Option is submitted to the System and no more than 3 years from the date on which an executed FLEX Currency Option is submitted to the System with exercise settlement value on the expiration date determined by reference to the reported level of the index as derived from the opening prices of the component securities ("a.m. settlement") or closing prices (“p.m. settlement”). All FLEX Currency Options will expire at 11:59 p.m. eastern time on their designated expiration date.
(6) Settlement type:
(A) FLEX Equity Options.
(1) FLEX Equity Options, other than as permitted in subparagraph (2) below, are settled with physical delivery of the underlying security.
(2) FLEX Equity Options with an underlying security that is an ETF that has an average daily notional value of $500 million or more and a national average daily volume of at least 4,680,000 shares, measured over the prior 6-month period, may be settled by physical delivery of the underlying security or by delivery in cash.
(a) The Exchange will determine bi-annually the underlying ETFs that satisfy the notional value and trading volume requirements in subparagraph (2) by using trading statistics for the previous six-month period. The Exchange will permit cash settlement as a contract term on no more than 50 underlying ETFs that meet the criteria in subparagraph (2). If more than 50 ETFs satisfy the notional value and trading volume requirements, the Exchange will select the top 50 ETFs that have the highest average daily volume.
(b) If the Exchange determines pursuant to the review conducted under paragraph (2)(a) of this Rule that an underlying ETF ceases to satisfy the criteria in subparagraph (2)(a) of this Rule, any new position overlying such ETF entered into will be required to have exercise settlement by physical delivery and any open cash-settled FLEX ETF Option positions may be traded only to close the position.
(B) FLEX Index Options. FLEX index options are settled in U.S. dollars. The settlement value for FLEX index options may be specified based on the index value reported at the:
(1) close with exercise settlement value determined by reference to the reported level of the index derived from the reported closing prices of the component securities (“P.M-settled”); or
(2) opening of trading on the Exchange with exercise settlement value determined by reference to the reported level of the index derived from the reported opening prices of the component securities (“A.M.-settled”).
(C) FLEX Currency Options. The settlement value for FLEX Currency Options on the Australian dollar, the Euro, the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Swiss franc, the Japanese yen, the Mexican peso, the Brazilian real, the Chinese yuan, the Danish krone, the New Zealand dollar, the Norwegian krone, the Russian ruble, the South African rand, the South Korean won, and the Swedish krona shall be the Exchange Spot Price at 12:00:00 Eastern Time (noon) on expiration day, unless the Exchange determines to apply an alternative closing settlement value as a result of extraordinary circumstances. FLEX Currency Options are settled in U.S. dollars. FLEX Currency Options will cease trading at 10:15 a.m. eastern time on their designated expiration date.
(g) Who May Trade FLEX Options.
(1) Assigned Floor Market Makers and Assigned Lead Market Maker. A Market Maker or Lead Market Maker may apply on a form prescribed by the Exchange to be assigned in FLEX Options. At least two members shall be assigned to each FLEX Option. Only the Lead Market Maker in the non-FLEX Option may be the assigned Specialist in that FLEX Option (“FLEX Lead Market Maker”). The provisions of Options 8, Section 27(c) regarding market making obligations shall be applicable to assigned Floor Market Makers and assigned Lead Market Makers, such that a market must be provided in any FLEX Option when requested by an Options Exchange Official.
(2) Financial Requirements. An assigned Market Maker in FLEX Index Options shall be required to maintain a minimum of $100,000 in net liquid assets. An assigned Lead Market Maker in FLEX Index Options shall be required to maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in net capital. Floor Brokers shall be required to maintain a minimum of $50,000 in net capital to qualify to trade FLEX Options. Each such assigned Market Maker, assigned Lead Market Maker or Floor Broker shall immediately inform the Exchange upon failure to be in compliance with such requirements. The Exchange may waive the financial requirements of this Rule in unusual circumstances.
(3) Letters of Guarantee. No Market Maker or Lead Market Maker shall effect any FLEX Option unless a Letter of Guarantee has been issued by a clearing member organization and filed with the Exchange pursuant to Options 6D, Section 1 specifically accepting financial responsibility for all FLEX Option transactions made by such person and such letter has not been revoked.
(h) FLEX Trading. Trading of FLEX Options is subject to all other Options 8 Rules applicable to the trading of options on the Exchange, unless otherwise provided in this Rule. A FLEX Option series is only eligible for trading if the FLEX Order is represented in open outcry. With respect to FLEX Options, floor participants have a reasonable amount of time (which amount of time must be between three seconds and five minutes) from the time a FLEX Trader requests a quote in a FLEX Option series or represents a FLEX Order (including announcing a crossing transaction pursuant to Options 8, Section 30(a)) to respond with bids or offers.
(1) Simple FLEX Order. A FLEX Order for a FLEX Option series submitted to the System must include all terms for a FLEX Option series set forth in subparagraphs (e) and (f) (including that a non-FLEX Option series with identical terms is not listed for trading), size, side of the market, and a bid or offer price, subject to the order entry requirements set forth in Options 8, Section 32.
(2) Complex FLEX Order. A FLEX Order for a FLEX Option complex strategy submitted to the System must satisfy the criteria for a complex FLEX Order set forth in subparagraph (b) and include size, side of the market, and a net debit or credit price. Additionally, each leg of the FLEX Option complex strategy must include all terms for a FLEX Option series set forth in subparagraphs (e) and (f) (including that a non-FLEX Option series with identical terms is not listed for trading), subject to the order entry requirements set forth in subparagraph (a).
(i) Position Limits.
(1) There shall be no position limits for FLEX Equity Options, other than as set forth in this paragraph and (4) below. Position limits for cash-settled FLEX Equity Options where the underlying security is an ETF pursuant to subparagraph (f)(6)(A)(2) shall be subject to the position limits set forth in Options 9, Section 13, and subject to the exercise limits set forth in Options 9, Section 15. Positions in such cash-settled FLEX Options shall be aggregated with positions in physically-settled non-FLEX options on the same underlying ETF for the purpose of calculating the position limits set forth in Options 9, Section 13, and the exercise limits set forth in Options 9, Section 15.
(2) FLEX Index Options shall be subject to a separate position limit for broad-based FLEX Index Options, in the aggregate, of 200,000 contracts on the same side of the market, except that there shall be no position limits for FLEX NDX or XND. FLEX Index Options shall otherwise be subject to the same position limits governing index options as provided for within Options 4A, Section 6. FLEX Equity Options shall not be subject to a separate FLEX position limit. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section (d), positions in FLEX Equity Options shall not be taken into account when calculating position limits for non-FLEX Equity Options, or FLEX or non-FLEX Index Options.
(2) Reports. Each member or member organization (other than a Lead Market Maker or Market Maker) that maintains a position on the same side of the market in excess of the standard limit under Options 9, Section 13 for non-FLEX Equity Options of the same class on behalf of its own account or for the account of a customer shall report information on the FLEX Equity Option position, positions in any related instrument, the purpose or strategy for the position and the collateral used by the account. This report shall be in the form and manner prescribed by the Exchange.
(3) Additional Margin Requirements. In addition, whenever the Exchange determines that a higher margin requirement is necessary in light of the risks associated with a FLEX Equity Option position in excess of the standard limit for non-FLEX Equity Options of the same class, the Exchange may consider imposing additional margin upon the account maintaining such under-hedged position. Additionally, it should be noted that the clearing firm carrying the account will be subject to capital charges under SEC rule 15c3-1 to the extent of any margin deficiency resulting from the higher margin requirement.
(4) Aggregation of FLEX Positions. For purposes of the position limits and reporting requirements set forth in this Rule, FLEX Option positions shall not be aggregated with positions in non-FLEX Options other than as noted in subparagraphs (i)(1) and (i)(4)(a)-(c), and position limits in FLEX Index Options on a given index shall not be aggregated with options on any stocks included in the index or with FLEX Index Option positions on another index. Positions in FLEX Currency Options will be aggregated with positions in non-FLEX Currency Options for purposes of determining compliance with the position limits established by Options 9, Section 13. As long as the options positions remain open, positions in FLEX Index Options that expire on a third Friday-of-the-month will be aggregated with positions in non-FLEX Index Options on the same underlying security (“comparable non-FLEX Index Options”), positions in FLEX Equity Options that expire on a third Friday-of-the-month will be aggregated with positions in non-FLEX Equity Options on the same underlying security (“comparable non-FLEX Equity Options”), and shall be subject to the position and exercise limits set forth in this rule, and Options 9, Section 13, 15 and Options 4A, Sections 6 and 19, as applicable.
(a) Commencing at the close of trading two business days prior to the last trading day of the calendar quarter, positions in P.M.-settled FLEX Index Options (i.e., the settlement value for FLEX Index Options is derived from closing prices on the expiration date) shall be aggregated with positions in Quarterly Options Series on the same index with the same expiration and shall be subject to the position limits set forth in Options 4A, Section 6.
(b) Commencing at the close of trading two business days prior to the last trading day of the week, positions in FLEX Index Options that are cash settled shall be aggregated with positions in Short Term Option Series on the same underlying (e.g., same underlying index as a FLEX Index Option) with the same means for determining exercise settlement value (e.g., opening or closing prices of the underlying index) and same expiration, and shall be subject to the position limits set forth in Options 4A, Section 6.
(c) As long as the options positions remain open, positions in FLEX Options that expire on a third Friday-of-the-month expiration day shall be aggregated with positions in non-FLEX Options on the same underlying, and shall be subject to the position limits set forth in Options 4A, Section 6 or Options 9, Section 13, as applicable, and the exercise limits set forth in Options 9, Section 15, as applicable.
(j) Exercise Limits.
(1) In determining compliance with Options 9, Section 15 and Options 4A, Section 19, exercise limits for FLEX Options shall be equivalent to position limits established in this Rule. There shall be no exercise limits for broad-based FLEX Index Options (including reduced value option contracts) on the broad-based indexes listed in Options 4A, Section 6(a).
(a) The minimum value size for FLEX Equity Options and FLEX Currency Options exercises shall be 25 contracts or the remaining size of the position, whichever is less.
(b) The minimum value size for FLEX Index Options exercises shall be $1 million Underlying Equivalent Value (as defined below) or the remaining Underlying Equivalent Value of the position, whichever is less.
(c) Except as provided in subparagraph (i) and (i)(4) above, FLEX Options shall not be taken into account when calculating exercise limits for non-FLEX Option contracts.
(d) “Underlying Equivalent Value” means the aggregate value of a FLEX Index Option (index multiplier times the current index value) multiplied by the number of FLEX Index Options.
(k) Miscellaneous.
(1) FLEX Equity and Currency Options shall be subject to the exercise-by-exception procedure of Rule 805 of The Options Clearing Corporation.
(2) Notwithstanding Rule (c)(4) of this rule regarding FLEX Index, Equity and Currency Options minimum increments, open FLEX Option positions are eligible to be closed in accordance with Options 8, Section 33, Accommodation Transactions, at the minimum increments specified therein. The FLEX Option cabinet order may be executed against contra-side interest to close a FLEX Option position or, to the extent permitted under Options 8, Section 33(a)(3)(B), against contra-side interest which opens a FLEX Option position. Sections (a) and (f) of this rule shall not apply to FLEX Option transactions executed pursuant to this paragraph and Options 8, Section 33. Sections (g), (i) and (j) of this rule shall apply to any FLEX Option position opened pursuant to Options 8, Section 33.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Sept. 10, 2019 (19-33); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended August 13, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-45), operative September 24, 2021; amended May 15, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-09); amended Nov. 9, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-48), operative Dec. 9, 2023; amended Nov. 4, 2024 (SR-Phlx-2024-53); amended Nov. 21, 2024 (SR-Phlx-2024-64); amended Apr. 10, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-18); amended Apr. 22, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-20), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended Jul. 29, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2024-72); amended Aug. 6, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-34); amended Aug. 7, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-36); amended Aug. 14, 2025 (SR-Phlx-2025-39), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended May 31, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-22), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended May 30, 2024 (SR-Phlx-2024-24), operative Dec. 8, 2025; amended Jan. 7, 2026 (SR-Phlx-2026-02).
(a) Disputes occurring on and relating to the Trading Floor, if not settled by agreement between the members
interested, shall be settled, if practicable, by vote of the members knowing of the transaction in question;
if not so settled, they shall be settled by an Options Exchange Official.
In issuing decisions for the resolution of trading disputes, an Options Exchange Official shall institute the
course of action deemed to be most fair to all parties under the circumstances at the time. An Options
Exchange Official may direct the execution of an order on the floor, or adjust the transaction terms or
participants to an executed order on the floor. An Options Exchange Official may nullify a transaction if
the Options Exchange Official determines the transaction to have been in violation of Options 2, Section 4
(Obligations of Market Makers), Options 8, Section 25 (Floor Allocation) or Options 8, Section 24 (Bids and
Offers- Premium). This Rule shall not apply to options transactions that are the result of an Obvious Error
or Catastrophic Error (as defined in Options 3, Section 20). Options transactions that are the result of an
Obvious Error or Catastrophic Error shall be subject to the provisions and procedures set forth in Options
3, Section 20.
(b) All rulings rendered by an Options Exchange Official are effective immediately and must be complied with
promptly. Failure to promptly comply with an initial Options Exchange Official ruling may result in referral
to the Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation, or Department of Enforcement. Failure to
promptly comply with other Options Exchange Official rulings issued pursuant to Order and Decorum
Regulations (Rule 9216(c)) or Floor Procedure Advices (Rule 9216(b)) and not concerning a trading dispute
may result in an additional violation.
(c) Review—Options Exchange Official rulings issued pursuant to Order and Decorum
Regulations are reviewable
pursuant to Rule 9216(c). Options Exchange Official rulings issued pursuant to Floor Procedure Advices are
subject to the Rule 9000 Series. All other Options Exchange Official rulings are reviewable pursuant to
paragraph (d) of this Rule.
(d) Review of Options Exchange Official Rulings (Trading Disputes)—All Options Exchange
Official rulings are
reviewable by the Exchange Review Council.
(i) Regulatory staff must be advised within 15
minutes of an Options Exchange Official's ruling that a party to such ruling has determined to appeal from
such ruling to the Exchange Review Council. The Exchange may establish the procedures for the submission of
a request for a review of an Options Exchange Official ruling. Options Exchange Official rulings (including
those concerning the nullification or adjustment of transactions) may be sustained, overturned or modified
by the Exchange Review Council. The Exchange Review Council may act as a panel with a minimum of three
Committee members, of which no more than 50% can be engaged in market making activity or employed by an
Exchange member organization whose revenues from market making activity exceed ten percent of its total
revenues.
In making a determination, the Exchange Review
Council may consider facts and circumstances not available to the ruling Options Exchange Official as well
as action taken by the parties in reliance on the Options Exchange Official's ruling (e.g., cover, hedge and
related trading activity).
(ii) All decisions made by the Exchange Review
Council in connection with initial rulings on requests for relief and with the review of an Options Exchange
Official ruling pursuant to this paragraph (d) shall be documented in writing and maintained by the Exchange
in accordance with the record keeping requirements set forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules thereunder.
(iii) A member or member organization seeking
review
of an Options Exchange Official ruling shall be assessed a fee of $250.00 for each Options Exchange Official
ruling to be reviewed that is sustained and not overturned or modified by the Exchange Review Council. In
addition, in instances where the Exchange, on behalf of a member or member organization, requests a review
by another options exchange, the Exchange will pass any resulting charges through to the relevant member
organization.
(iv) Decisions of the Exchange Review Council shall
be final and may not be appealed to the Exchange's Board of Directors.
(v) All decisions of the Exchange Review Council
are
effective immediately and must be complied with promptly. Failure to promptly comply with a decision of the
Exchange Review Council may result in referral to the Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market
Regulation or Department of Enforcement.
(e) Exchange staff may determine that an Options Exchange Official is ineligible to participate in a
particular ruling where it appears that such Options Exchange Official has a conflict of interest. For
purposes of this Rule, and without limitation, a conflict of interest exists where an Options Exchange
Official: (a) is directly or indirectly affiliated with a party seeking an Options Exchange Official ruling;
(b) is a participant or is directly or indirectly affiliated with a participant in a transaction that is the
subject of a Option Exchange Official ruling; (c) is a debtor or creditor of a party seeking an Options
Exchange Official ruling; or (d) is an immediate family member of a party seeking an Options Exchange
Official ruling. Exchange staff may consider other circumstances, on a case-by-case basis, in determining
the eligibility or ineligibility of a particular Options Exchange Official to participate in a particular
ruling due to a conflict of interest.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).
(a) When a disagreement between members or member organizations arising from an uncompared Exchange options transaction cannot be resolved by mutual agreement prior to 10:00 a.m. on the first business day following the trade date (in the case of options on stocks or Exchange-Traded Fund Shares) or prior to 8:30 a.m. on the first business day following the trade date (in the case of options on foreign currencies), the parties shall promptly, but not later than 3:30 p.m. on such day (in the case of options on stocks or Exchange-Traded Fund Shares) or 2:00 p.m. on such day (in the case of options on foreign currencies (unless otherwise excused by the Exchange) close out the transaction in the following manner. The member or member organization representing the purchaser in the uncompared Exchange options transaction shall promptly enter into a new Exchange options transaction on the Floor of the Exchange to purchase the option contract that was the subject of the uncompared Exchange options transaction. The member or member organization representing the writer in the uncompared Exchange options transaction shall promptly enter into a new Exchange options transaction on the Floor of the Exchange to sell (write) the option contract that was the subject of the uncompared Exchange options transaction. Any claims for damages resulting from such transactions must be made promptly for the accounts of the members or member organizations involved and not for the accounts of their respective customers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either member or member organization is acting for a firm account in an uncompared Exchange options transaction and not for the account of a customer, such member organization need not enter into a new transaction, in which event money differences will be based solely on the closing transaction of the other party to the uncompared transaction.
(b) In the event an uncompared transaction involves an option contract of a series in which trading has been terminated or suspended before a new Exchange options transaction can be effected to establish the amount of any loss, the member or member organization not at fault may claim damages against the other member or member organization involved in the transaction based on the terms of such transaction. All such claims for damages shall be made promptly.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17).
(a) Required of each Options Floor Broker. No Options Floor Broker shall act as such on the Exchange
unless there is in effect and filed with the Exchange a Letter of Authorization that has been issued for
such Options Floor Broker by a Clearing Member.
(b) Terms of Letter of Authorization. A Letter of Authorization shall provide that the issuing
Clearing Member shall be responsible for the clearance of the Exchange transactions of the Options Floor
Broker when the name of such Clearing Member is given up.
(c) Revocation of Letter of Authorization. A Letter of Authorization shall remain in effect until a
written notice of revocation has been filed with the Exchange. If such written notice has not been filed for
at least one hour prior to the opening of trading on a particular business day, such revocation shall not
become effective until the close of trading on such day.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17).
(a) No member or member organization shall establish or maintain any private wire connection, private radio,
television or wireless system, between the Exchange Trading Floor and a nonmember without application to and
approval by the Exchange.
Every such means of communication shall be registered with the Exchange. Notice of the discontinuance of any
such means of communication shall be promptly given to the Exchange.
(b)(1) No member, member organization or person associated with a member organization shall establish or
maintain any telephonic communication between the Options Floor and any other location, or between locations
on the Options Floor, without the prior written approval of the Exchange.
(2) No member, member organization or person associated with a member organization shall:
(A) establish or maintain any telephonic,
electronic
or wireless transmitting system or device, including related antennas, on the Options Floor or
(B) operate any other equipment on the Options
Floor
that creates radio frequency (RF) or other interference with the systems of the Exchange or other members.
(c) The Exchange may remove any telephonic, electronic or wireless equipment that has not received written
approval under subsection (b)(1) from any Exchange facility.
(d) The Exchange may remove any telephonic, electronic or wireless equipment that violates subsection (b)(2)
from any Exchange facility.
(1) The Exchange may deny, limit or revoke the use
of any communication device whenever it determines that use of such communication device: (1) interferes
with normal operation of the Exchange's own systems or facilities or with the Exchange's regulatory duties,
(2) is inconsistent with the public interest, the protection of investors or just and equitable principles
of trade, or (3) interferes with the obligations of a member or member organization to fulfill its duties
under, or is used to facilitate any violation of, the Securities Exchange Act or rules thereunder, or
Exchange rules.
(2)
(e)(1) Registration. Members and member organizations must register, prior to use, any new telephone
to be used on the Options Floor. Each phone registered with the Exchange must be registered by category of
user. If there is a change in the category of any user, the member or member organization must immediately
inform the Exchange in writing on the same day as when the change occurs. At the time of registration,
members and member organization representatives must sign a statement that they are aware of and understand
the rules and procedures governing the use of telephones on the Options Floor.
(2) Capacity and Functionality. No person on
the Options Floor may use any device for the purpose of maintaining an open line of continuous communication
whereby a person not located in the trading crowd may continuously monitor the activities in the trading
crowd. This prohibition covers, but is not limited to, intercoms, walkie-talkies and any similar devices,
and open mic and web-based communication applications. Speed-dialing features are permitted on any member
telephone.
(3) Lead Market Makers and Floor Market
Makers.
(A) Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Makers may
use their own cellular and cordless phones to place calls to any person at any location (whether on or off
the Options Floor).
(B) Floor Market Makers located off the Options
Floor may not place an order by calling a Floor Broker who is present in a trading crowd. Floor Market
Makers located off the Options Floor may not otherwise place an order by calling the Lead Market Maker phone
in the trading crowd. Any telephonic order entered from off the Options Floor must be placed with a person
located in a member organization booth.
(4) Floor Brokers.
(A) Floor Brokers may use cellular and cordless
telephones, but only to communicate with persons located on the Options Floor. These telephones may not use
a call forwarding or open mic feature on the Options Floor; if a call forwarding or open mic feature is
available on the phone then such feature must be disengaged at all times when the phone is on the Options
Floor. Headsets are permitted for Floor Brokers, but if the Exchange determines that a Floor Broker is
maintaining a continuous open line through the use of a headset, the Floor Broker will be prohibited from
future use of any headset for a length of time to be determined by the Exchange.
(B) All orders phoned to Floor Brokers must be
received initially at the Floor Broker's booth. Floor Brokers may not receive telephonic orders while in the
trading crowd except from their booth. Any telephonic order entered from off the Options Floor must be
placed with a person located in a member organization booth.
(5) Clerks.
(A) Floor Broker clerks are subject to the same
terms and conditions on telephone use as Floor Brokers.
(B) The Exchange reserves the right to prohibit
clerks from using cellular or cordless phones on the floor at any time that it is necessary due to
electronic interference problems or capacity problems resulting from the number of such phones then in use
on the Options Floor.
(6) Telephone Records. Members must maintain
logs of calls and chats, including their cellular or cordless telephone records and logs of calls placed,
for a period of not less than three years, the first two years in an easily accessible place. The Exchange
reserves the right to inspect and/or examine such telephone records.
(7) Exchange Liability. The Exchange assumes
no liability to members or member organizations due to conflicts between telephones in use on the Options
Floor or due to electronic interference problems resulting from the use of telephones on the trading floor.
(f) The Exchange has established a Wireless Telephone System policy. Violations of the Wireless Telephone
System policy may result in disciplinary action by the Exchange.
(g) This Rule and any relevant Exchange policy are intended to apply to all communication and other
electronic devices on the floor of the Exchange, including, but not limited to, wireless, wired, tethered,
voice, and data.
Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03).
A. Lead Market Makers
A-1 Options Floor Based Management System
Options Floor Based Management System. In order to create an electronic audit trail for options orders negotiated by Lead Market Makers on the Exchange's Options Floor, a Lead Market Maker or such Lead Market Maker's employees shall, prior to the negotiation of such an order in the trading crowd, record all options orders negotiated by such Lead Market Maker onto the electronic Options Floor Based Management System as described in Options 8, Section 28(e)(1). The following specific information with respect to orders negotiated by a Lead Market Maker shall be recorded by such Lead Market Maker or such Lead Market Maker's employees: (i) the order type (i.e., market maker) and order receipt time; (ii) the option symbol; (iii) buy, sell, cross or cancel; (iv) call, put, complex (i.e., spread, straddle) or contingency order as described in Options 8, Section 32; (v) number of contracts; (vi) limit price or Market Order or, in the case of a multi-leg order, net debit or credit, if applicable; and (vii) whether the transaction is to open or close a position, as applicable (collectively, the "required information"). A Lead Market Maker must enter complete alpha/numeric identification assigned by the Exchange for all orders entered. Any additional information with respect to the order shall be inputted into the Options Floor Based Management System contemporaneously upon receipt, which may occur after the negotiation and execution of the order.
Pursuant to Options 8, Section 22(a) Lead Market Makers are not permitted to execute orders in the Exchange's options trading crowd (subject to certain exceptions). In the event that Lead Market Makers execute orders in the Exchange's options trading crowd pursuant to Options 8, Section 22(a)(2) (other than for the use of Snapshot, as set forth in Options 8, Section 22(a)(2)(E)), Lead Market Makers shall record the required information on trade tickets, and shall not negotiate an order for execution which has not been time stamped with the time of entry on the trading floor. Such trade tickets also shall be time stamped upon the execution of such an order. Lead Market Makers or their employees shall ensure the required information that is recorded on such trade tickets is entered into the Exchange's electronic trading system by DETs for inclusion in the electronic audit trail.
Lead Market Makers or their employees shall enter the required information (as described above) for FLEX options.
FBMS is designed to execute orders entered by Lead Market Makers, including multi-leg orders up to 15 legs, after negotiation in the trading crowd. When a Specialist submits an order for execution through FBMS, the order will be executed based on market conditions at the time of execution and in accordance with Exchange rules. FBMS execution functionality will assist the Specialist in clearing the Exchange book, consistent with Exchange priority rules. If the order cannot be executed, the System will attempt to execute the order a number of times for a period of no more than one second, which period shall be established by the Exchange and announced by Options Trader Alert, after which it will be returned to the Specialist on the FBMS. The Lead Market Maker may resubmit the order for execution, as long as the quotes that comprise the order have not been withdrawn. Lead Market Makers are responsible for handling all FBMS orders in accordance with Exchange priority and trade-through rules, including Options 3, Section 7, Options 5, Section 2 and Options 8, Section 24.
A Lead Market Maker is prohibited from triggering the Snapshot feature for the purpose of obtaining favorable priority or trade-through conditions or avoiding unfavorable priority or trade-through conditions.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
A-2 Requesting Market Quotations
A Lead Market Maker may request an ROT in the crowd to state his current bid and offer (including size) for any series of options traded at the post. A Lead Market Maker may request that staff or an Options Exchange Official call for additional Floor Market Makers to enter the trading crowd.
FINE SCHEDULE
Fine not applicable
A-3 All-or-None Option Orders
An All-or-None Order is described in Options 3, Section 7(b)(5). This rule shall apply to All-or-None Orders submitted on the trading floor. An All-or-None Order has no standing respecting executions in the trading crowd except with respect to other All-or-None Orders. When represented in the trading crowd, All-or-None Orders are not included as part of the bid or offer.
FINE SCHEDULE
Fine not applicable
B. Market Makers
B-1 Responsibility to Make Markets
An ROT shall not refuse a request by a Floor Broker, Lead Market Maker, or Options Exchange Official to make
a two sided market for any option series trading in the same crowd at which such ROT is trading.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
B-2 Crowd Courtesy
An ROT shall position himself in the trading crowd so as to permit easy access to the time clock located at
the Lead Market Maker post.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$250.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
B-3 Trading Requirements
(a) An ROT (other than an RSQT or a Remote Lead Market Maker) is required to trade in person, and not through
the use of orders (except that non-streaming Floor Market Makers can use orders entered in person), the
greater of 1,000 contracts or 50% of his contract volume on the Exchange each quarter. Also, at least 50% of
an ROT's trading activity in each quarter must be in assigned options. No application by an ROT to change
options assignments will be approved unless such ROT is in compliance with the above requirements at the
time the application for change is made.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
(a)
1. Quarterly requirement to trade the greater of 1,000 contracts or 50% of contract volume in person
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1st Occurrence
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$250.00
|
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2nd Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
2. Quarterly requirement to trade 50% in assigned options
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$250.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
(b) For any calendar quarter, in addition to the requirements of paragraph (a) above, in order for an ROT
(other than an RSQT or a Remote Lead Market Maker) to receive Lead Market Maker margin treatment for
off-floor orders in accordance with Options 8, Section 27(f), the ROT must execute the greater of 1,000
contracts or 80% of his total contracts that quarter in person (not through the use of orders except that
non-streaming Floor Market Makers can use orders entered in person) and 75% of his total contracts that
quarter in assigned options. Violations of this trading requirement are subject to Phlx Regulation
Department, Department of Market Regulation, or Department of Enforcement review.
B-4 Floor Market Makers Entering Orders from On-Floor and Off-Floor for Execution on the Exchange
An Floor Market Maker may not enter from off the floor opening orders for his market maker accounts, but may
enter from off the floor or on the floor opening orders for his customer account. An Floor Market Maker may
enter from off the floor closing orders for either his market maker or customer account.
However, an ROT who has executed the greater of 1,000 contracts or 80% of his total contracts in a calendar
quarter in person and 75% of his total contracts that quarter in assigned options may enter an opening
transaction from off the floor for his market maker account if such transaction is for the purpose of
hedging, reducing risk of, or rebalancing positions of the ROT. The off-floor orders for which an ROT
receives Lead Market Maker margin treatment shall be subject to the obligations of Options 2, Section 4(a)
and an ROT is responsible for evidencing reliance of these provisions. Violations of this paragraph are
subject to Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation, or Department of Enforcement review.
An ROT who enters an order from off the floor must advise the person receiving the order that it is an order
for an ROT and must state whether the order is opening or closing, for a customer or market maker account,
or opening from off-floor pursuant to the previous paragraph.
While on the floor, an ROT may place opening orders for his market maker account with a Floor Broker or with
a Lead Market Maker which may then be executed even if the ROT has left the floor prior to its execution.
An ROT may cancel from off the floor opening or closing orders for his market maker or customer accounts; but
if he wishes to effect a change in the terms of an opening order (e.g., security, price, volume, series,
class or contingencies) from off the floor such changed order must be executed in his customer account,
except in accordance with the second paragraph of this Advice.
An ROT shall not give discretion to a Floor Broker and shall not give a Floor Broker "not held" orders. With
respect to delta orders placed with a Floor Broker for the account of an ROT, such orders may only be placed
as day orders and must have the applicable delta legibly recorded on both the broker's floor ticket and the
ROT's record of the order.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
B-5 Agency-Principal Restrictions
Except under extraordinary circumstances and with the prior approval of an Options Exchange Official, a
member may not act as an ROT and as a Floor Broker during the same trading session in options on the same
underlying security. A member has acted as a Floor Broker if he has accepted an order even though such order
was not executed. However, an ROT may close out positions held in his customer account in options on the
same underlying security while he is acting as an ROT in those options.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
B-6 Priority of Options Orders for Equity Options, Index Options and U.S. Dollar-Settled Foreign Currency
Options by Account Type (EQUITY OPTION, INDEX OPTION AND U.S. DOLLAR-SETTLED FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTION
ONLY)
Section A
Supplementary Material .02 and .03 to Options 8, Section 30 direct members in the establishment of priority
of orders on the floor. An account type is either a controlled account or a customer account. A controlled
account includes any account controlled by or under common control with a broker-dealer. Customer accounts
are all other accounts. Equity option, index option and U.S. dollar-settled foreign currency option orders
of controlled accounts are required to yield priority to customer orders when competing at the same price,
as described below. Orders of controlled accounts are not required to yield priority to other controlled
account orders, except as provided in sub-paragraph (ii) below.
For the purposes of this Advice, "Initiating Order" means an incoming contra-side order.
(i) Respecting transactions that are executed and
allocated in open outcry by a participant other than the Lead Market Maker, "Remainder of the Order" means
the portion of an Initiating Order that remains following the allocation of contracts to customers that are
on parity in accordance with this Advice. The Remainder of the Order shall be allocated pursuant to this
Advice.
(ii) An Initiating Order executed manually by the
Lead Market Maker shall be allocated as follows: first, to customer orders, and next to off-floor
broker-dealer limit orders (as defined in Options 3, Section 7(b)(i)(C)) resting on the limit order book.
This provision shall not apply to electronically executed contracts, the allocation of which is described in
Section F of this Advice. "Remainder of the Order" means the portion of an Initiating Order that remains
following the allocation of contracts to customers and to off-floor broker-dealers in accordance with this
sub-paragraph (ii).
Section B
Orders of controlled accounts, other than Floor Market Makers and Lead Market Makers market making in-person,
must be
(1) verbally communicated as for a controlled
account when placed on the floor and when represented to the trading crowd and
(2) recorded as for a controlled account by making
the appropriate notation in the Options Floor Based Management System.
In any instance where an order is misrepresented in this fashion due to factors which give rise to the
concern that it was the result of anything other than an inadvertent error, the Exchange may determine to
bypass the fine schedule below and refer the incident to the Phlx Regulation Department, Department of
Market Regulation, or Department of Enforcement for possible disciplinary proceedings in accordance with
those procedures set forth under the Rule 8000 and 9000 Series.
Section C
The Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation is a percentage of the Remainder of the Order to which the Lead
Market Maker is entitled.
Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation - In equity option, index option and U.S. dollar-settled foreign
currency option classes, when the registered Lead Market Maker is on parity with a controlled account, as
defined above, in accordance with Exchange Supplementary Material .02 and .03 to Options 8, Section 30 and
the number of contracts to be bought or sold is greater than five, the Lead Market Maker is entitled to
receive an enhanced participation of 30% of the Remainder of the Order ("Enhanced Lead Market Maker
Participation"), except in the following circumstances:
(1) where there is one controlled account on
parity,
in which case the Lead Market Maker is entitled to receive 60% of the Remainder of the Order; or
(2) where there are two controlled accounts on
parity, in which case the Lead Market Maker is entitled to receive 40% of the Remainder of the Order.
Section D
Reserved.
Section E
Allocation of the Remainder of the Order Among Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Makers on Parity. After the
application of this Advice to an Initiating Order, the Remainder of the Order shall be allocated by the
Allocating Participant (as defined in Options 8, Section 25(c)(4)) as follows:
(A) Entitlement. Floor Market Makers and
Lead
Market Makers on parity are entitled to their Defined Participation (as described below), subject to: (1)
any Waiver, as described below; and (2) rounding, as described below.
(B) Size. The term "stated size" in respect
of an order or electronic quotation shall mean:
(1) in the case of orders handled manually by the
Lead Market Maker:
(a) (a) (i) if a crowd participant (including the
Lead Market Maker) has actually stated a size ("Actual Size"), such crowd participant's stated size shall be
his or her Actual Size;
(ii) if the Lead Market Maker, an SQT or RSQT is
disseminating an electronic quotation at the Exchange's disseminated price in a particular series at the
time of the execution of an Initiating Order in such series, such Lead Market Maker, SQT or RSQT's
disseminated size at the Exchange's disseminated price shall be his or her Actual Size, and such Lead Market
Maker, SQT and/or RSQT shall be deemed a "crowd participant" for purposes of this Advice;
(b) unless the Lead Market Maker has an Actual
Size,
the stated size of the Lead Market Maker shall be the amount (if any) by which the disseminated size exceeds
the sum of (x) the aggregate size of limit orders included in the disseminated size and (y) the aggregate
sizes of all Floor Market Makers who have Actual Sizes;
(c) the stated size of an Floor Market Maker who
does not have an Actual Size is zero.
(2) in the case of floor brokered orders, each
crowd
participant's stated size shall be his or her Actual Size.
(C) Defined Participation. Defined
Participation is the portion of the Remainder of the Order to which a crowd participant is entitled. Defined
Participation is determined as follows:
(1) in the case of a Lead Market Maker entitled to
an Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, the Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, up to the Lead
Market Maker's stated size, as set forth in C of this Advice, as applicable. The Lead Market Maker may
decline to receive the Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, in which case the Lead Market Maker shall
be entitled to participate as one crowd participant, up to the Lead Market Maker's stated size.
(2) except as provided in (1) above, the Defined
Participation of the Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Makers on parity is determined as follows:
(a) where all participants have equal stated sizes,
their Defined Participations shall be equal;
(b) where participants have unequal stated sizes,
the Defined Participations shall equal their Base Participations (as defined below) plus their Supplemental
Participations (as defined below):
(i) the "Base Participations" of all of the
participants shall equal the stated size of the smallest participant; to the extent that there remains any
excess to be allocated after all participants have been allocated their Base Participations, the smallest
participant shall have no Supplemental Participation, and the other participants shall have "Supplemental
Participations" as determined under (ii) and (iii) below;
(ii) if the remaining stated sizes (i.e., after
taking into account Base Participations) of all participants having Supplemental Participations is equal,
then their Supplemental Participations shall be equal; otherwise the initial Supplemental Participations of
such participants shall equal the remaining stated size of the smallest such participant; to the extent that
there remains any excess to be allocated after all participants have been allocated their initial
Supplemental Participations, the smallest participant shall have no further Supplemental Participation, and
the other participants shall have further "Supplemental Participations" as determined under (iii) below; and
(iii) if the remaining stated sizes (i.e., after
taking into account Base Participations and prior Supplemental Participations) of all participants having
further Supplemental Participations is equal, then their further Supplemental Participations shall be equal;
otherwise the next Supplemental Participations of such participants shall equal the remaining stated size of
the smallest such participant; to the extent that there remains any excess to be allocated after all
participants have been allocated the next Supplemental Participations, the smallest participant shall have
no further Supplemental Participation, and the other participants shall have successive further Supplemental
Participations determined in the same manner as provided in this clause (iii).
The process described in clause (iii) shall be
followed to determine successive further Supplemental Participations until the sum of the Defined
Participations equals the amount of the Remainder of the Order.
(iv) (a) If the sum of the Base Participations
pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above exceeds the number of contracts remaining to be allocated, such
contracts shall be divided equally among crowd participants who are entitled to receive Base Participations,
subject to rounding.
(b) If the sum of the Supplemental Participations
pursuant to sub-paragraph (ii) above exceeds the number of contracts remaining to be allocated, such
contracts shall be divided equally among crowd participants who are entitled to receive Supplemental
Participations, subject to rounding.
(c) If the sum of the further Supplemental
Participations pursuant to sub-paragraph (iii) above exceeds the number of contracts remaining to be
allocated, such contracts shall be divided equally among crowd participants who are entitled to receive
further Supplemental Participations, subject to rounding.
(3) Participation in additional contracts in excess
of the Exchange's disseminated size among willing crowd participants shall be allocated under the applicable
provisions of this Advice. Notwithstanding the limitation set forth in sub-paragraph (C)(1) that limits the
Lead Market Maker's entitlement to his/her stated size, for all contracts executed in excess of the
disseminated size, the Lead Market Maker shall be entitled to receive the Enhanced Lead Market Maker
Participation as set forth in Section C of this Advice, as applicable, but not to exceed the Lead Market
Maker's Actual Size (if the Lead Market Maker has an Actual Size) in such excess contracts.
(D) Waiver. (1) Any ROT (other than an RSQT)
or Lead Market Maker may, in his or her sole discretion, offer to waive, in whole or in part, any part of a
trade to which they were entitled to be allocated (an "Offer to Waive").
(a) Any Offer to Waive shall be made by stating it
in a loud and audible voice to the other members of the trading crowd and the Allocating Participant.
(b) If the Allocating Participant has determined
that the other crowd participant(s) then on parity is willing to take the number of contracts that are
subject to the Offer to Waive, the Allocating Participant may (but shall not be required to), accept such
Offer to Waive by (i) allocating the Remainder of the Order in accordance with this Advice, taking into
account the Offer to Waive; or (ii) otherwise indicating, following the execution of the Remainder of the
Order, that such Offer to Waive will be accepted (in which case, it shall be referred to as a "Waiver"). No
Offer to Waive shall be an effective Waiver until the Allocating Participant has allocated the order or
otherwise indicated that it is accepted.
(c) (i) In the case of an option which is not
subject to an Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, as set forth in Section C of this Advice, if the
Lead Market Maker or an ROT effects a Waiver in the manner provided above, the number of contracts to which
such Lead Market Maker or ROT is entitled under this Advice shall be reduced by the number of contracts
waived, and the entitlements of the other participants on parity shall be determined by redistributing the
waived number of contracts to willing participants (including the Lead Market Maker) in accordance with this
Advice.
(ii) In the case of an option which is subject to
an
Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, as set forth in Section C of this Advice, and one or more Floor
Market Makers effect Waivers of their entire entitlements ("Total Waivers"), the number of Floor Market
Makers with whom the Lead Market Maker is deemed to be on parity for purposes of determining the Enhanced
Lead Market Maker Participation shall be reduced by the number of Floor Market Makers effecting Total
Waivers and the following additional Rules shall apply:
(A) in the event that one or more Floor Market
Makers on parity with the Lead Market Maker effect a Total Waiver of their respective entitlements such that
the Lead Market Maker is on parity with three or more Floor Market Makers, the number of contracts to be
allocated to each crowd participant shall be determined as provided in sub-paragraph (c)(i) above, provided
that the maximum number of contracts to be allocated to the Lead Market Maker shall be that which the Lead
Market Maker would be entitled to receive under this Advice, as if the Lead Market Maker had been on parity
with three Floor Market Makers.
(B) in the event that one or more Floor Market
Makers on parity with the Lead Market Maker effect a Total Waiver of their respective entitlements such that
the Lead Market Maker is on parity with two Floor Market Makers, the number of contracts to be allocated to
each crowd participant shall be determined as provided in sub-paragraph (c)(i) above, provided that the
maximum number of contracts to be allocated to the Lead Market Maker shall be that which the Specialist
would be entitled to receive under this Advice as if the Lead Market Maker had been on parity with two Floor
Market Makers.
(C) In the event that one or more Floor Market
Makers on parity with the Lead Market Maker effect a Total Waiver of their respective entitlements such that
the Lead Market Maker is on parity with one ROT, the number of contracts to be allocated to each crowd
participant shall be determined as provided in sub-paragraph (c)(i) above, provided that the maximum number
of contracts to be allocated to the Lead Market Maker shall be that which the Lead Market Maker would be
entitled to receive under this Advice as if the Lead Market Maker had been on parity with one ROT. In no
event shall any non-waiving ROT be required to participate in fewer contracts than he/she would have
received absent the Waiver(s).
(iii) Partial Waiver. In the case of an option
which
is subject to an Enhanced Lead Market Maker Participation, in the event that one or more Floor Market Makers
effect a Waiver of a portion of their respective entitlements, but not a Total Waiver, in the manner
provided above (a "Partial Waiver"), the number of contracts to be allocated to each crowd participant shall
be determined as provided in sub-paragraph (c)(i) above, provided that the Lead Market Maker shall not be
entitled to receive a number of contracts that is greater than 40% of the Remainder of the Order except in
the situation referred to in the following sentence, unless all remaining crowd participants on parity have
waived their entitlements or have been satisfied. In the case of the Lead Market Maker being on parity with
only one ROT, the Lead Market Maker shall not be entitled to receive a number of contracts that is greater
than 60% of the Remainder of the Order unless all remaining crowd participants on parity have waived their
entitlements or have been satisfied.
In no event shall any non-waiving ROT be required
to
participate in fewer contracts than he/she would have received absent the Partial Waiver(s).
(iv) In no event shall two or more crowd
participants enter into any agreement regarding the number of contracts to be waived by any crowd
participant (i.e., subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (D)(1)(b) above, any decision by a crowd
participant to waive all or a portion of such crowd participant's entitlement must be an individual
decision, and not the subject of an agreement among crowd participants).
(E) Rounding. In situations where the allocation of
contracts pursuant to this Rule result in fractional amounts of contracts to be allocated to crowd
participants, the number of contracts to be allocated shall be rounded in a fair and equitable manner.
(F) Just and Equitable Principles of Trade. (1) It
shall be considered conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade for a member:
(a) to allocate initiating orders other than in
accordance with this Advice;
(b) to enter into any agreement with another member
concerning allocation of trades; or (c) to harass, intimidate or coerce any member to enter into any Waiver,
or to make or refrain from making any complaint or appeal.
(2) A pattern or practice of waiving all or a
portion of a crowd participant's entitlement, with the result that such crowd participant receives no
allocation or a lesser allocation than he or she would otherwise have been entitled to, may be considered
conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade.
(G) Notwithstanding the first sentence of this
Advice, neither Supplementary Material .02 to Options 8, Section 30 concerning precedence based on the size
of bids on parity, nor Supplementary Material .03 to Options 8, Section 30 (insofar as it incorporates those
provisions by reference) shall apply to the allocation of orders covered by this Advice.
Section F
Allocation of Automatically Executed Trades. After public customer market and marketable limit orders
have been executed, trades automatically executed in such options shall be allocated among the Lead Market
Maker and crowd participants with orders or quotations at the Exchange's disseminated price in the following
manner:
(i) If the Lead Market Maker or any crowd
participant is quoting alone at the disseminated price and their quote is not matched by another market
participant prior to execution, such Lead Market Maker or crowd participant shall be entitled to receive a
number of contracts up to the size associated with his/her quotation.
(ii) Parity. Quotations entered
electronically by the Lead Market Maker or an SQT that do not cause an order resting on the limit order book
to become due for execution may be matched at any time by quotations entered electronically by the Lead
Market Maker and/or other SQTs, and by ROT limit orders entered and shall be deemed to be on parity, subject
to the requirement that orders of controlled accounts must yield priority to customer orders as set forth in
Options 8, Section 25(c)(1)(A).
(A) if the Lead Market Maker is quoting at the
Exchange's disseminated price:
(1) orders for 5 contracts or fewer shall be
allocated first to the Lead Market Maker, provided, however, that on a quarterly basis, the Exchange will
evaluate what percentage of the volume executed on the Exchange is comprised of orders for 5 contracts or
fewer allocated to Lead Market Makers, and will reduce the size of the orders included in this provision if
such percentage is over 25%. In order to be entitled to receive the 5 contract or fewer order preference set
forth in this sub-paragraph (ii)(A)(1), the Lead Market Maker must be quoting at the Exchange's disseminated
price, and shall not be entitled to receive a number of contracts that is greater than the size that is
associated with its quote.
(2) Respecting orders for greater than 5 contracts,
the Lead Market Maker shall be entitled to receive a number of contracts that is the greater of: (i) the
proportion of the aggregate size associated with the Lead Market Maker's quote, SQT quotes, and non-SQT ROT
limit orders entered on the book at the disseminated price represented by the size of the Lead Market
Maker's quote, or (ii) 60% of the contracts to be allocated if the Lead Market Maker is on parity with one
SQT or one non-SQT ROT that has placed a limit order on the book at the Exchange's disseminated price; (iii)
40% of the contracts to be allocated if the Lead Market Maker is on parity with two SQTs or non-SQT Floor
Market Makers that have placed a limit order on the book at the Exchange's disseminated price; and (iv) 30%
of the contracts to be allocated if the Lead Market Maker is on parity with three or more SQTs or non-SQT
Floor Market Makers that have placed a limit order on the book at the Exchange's disseminated price. In
order to be entitled to receive the number of contracts set forth in this sub-paragraph (ii)(A)(2), the Lead
Market Maker must be quoting at the Exchange's disseminated price, and shall not be entitled to receive a
number of contracts that is greater than the size that is associated with its quote.
(3) Thereafter, SQTs quoting at the disseminated
price and non-SQT Floor Market Makers that have placed limit orders on the limit order book at the
Exchange's disseminated price shall be entitled to receive a number of contracts that is the proportion of
the total remaining aggregate size associated with SQT quotes and non-SQT Floor Market Maker limit orders on
the book at the disseminated price represented by the size of the SQT's quote or, in the case of a non-SQT
Floor Market Maker, by the size of the limit order they have placed on the limit order book. Such SQT(s) and
non-SQT Floor Market Makers shall not be entitled to receive a number of contracts that is greater than the
size associated with their quotation or limit order.
(4) If any contracts remain to be allocated after
the Lead Market Maker, SQTs and non-SQT Floor Market Makers with limit orders on the limit order book have
received their respective allocations, off-floor broker-dealers (as defined in Options 3, Section
7(b)(i)(C)) that have placed limit orders on the limit order book which represent the Exchange's
disseminated price shall be entitled to receive a number of contracts that is the proportion of the
aggregate size associated with off-floor broker-dealer limit orders on the limit order book at the
disseminated price represented by the size of the limit order they have placed on the limit order book. Such
off-floor broker-dealers shall not be entitled to receive a number of contracts that is greater than the
size that is associated with each such limit order.
(B) If the Lead Market Maker is not quoting at the
Exchange's disseminated price, SQTs quoting at the disseminated price and non-SQT Floor Market Makers that
have placed limit orders on the limit order book which represent the Exchange's disseminated price shall be
entitled to receive a number of contracts equal to the proportion of the aggregate size associated with SQT
quotes and non-SQT ROT limit orders on the book at the disseminated price represented by the size of the
SQT's quote or, in the case of a non-SQT ROT, by the size of the limit order they have placed on the limit
order book. Thereafter, off-floor broker-dealers that have placed limit orders on the limit order book which
represent the Exchange's disseminated price shall be entitled to receive a number of contracts as specified
in paragraph (ii)(A)(4) above.
(iii) Notwithstanding the first sentence of Options 8, Section 25(c)(1) neither Supplementary Material .02 to Options 8, Section 30,, Options 8, Section 23(f), nor Supplementary Material .03 to Options 8, Section 30 (insofar as it incorporates those provisions by reference) shall apply to the allocation of automatically executed trades.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
|
Section A
|
No fine applicable. Matters subject for review by the Phlx Regulation Department, Department
of Market Regulation, or Department of Enforcement.
|
|
Section B
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
|
4th Occurrence and thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
|
Section C
|
Fine not applicable
|
|
|
Section D
|
Fine not applicable
|
|
|
Section E
|
Fine not applicable
|
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B-7 Options Floor Based Management System
Options Floor Based Management System. In order to create an electronic audit trail for options
orders negotiated by Floor Market Makers on the Exchange's Options Floor, a Floor Market Maker or such Floor
Market Maker's employees shall, prior to the negotiation of such an order in the trading crowd, record all
options orders negotiated by such Floor Market Maker onto the electronic Options Floor Based Management
System as described in Options 8, Section 28(e)(1). The following specific information with respect to
orders negotiated by a Floor Market Maker shall be recorded by such Floor Market Maker or such Floor Market
Maker's employees: (i) the order type (i.e., market maker) and order receipt time; (ii) the option symbol;
(iii) buy, sell, cross or cancel; (iv) call, put, complex (i.e., spread, straddle) or contingency order as
described in Options 8, Section 32; (v) number of contracts; (vi) limit price or Market Order or, in the
case of a multi-leg order, net debit or credit, if applicable; and (vii) whether the transaction is to open
or close a position, as applicable (collectively, the "required information"). A Floor Market Maker must
enter complete alpha/numeric identification assigned by the Exchange for all orders entered. Any additional
information with respect to the order shall be inputted into the Options Floor Based Management System
contemporaneously upon receipt, which may occur after the negotiation and execution of the order.
Pursuant to Options 8, Section 22, Floor Market Makers are not permitted to execute orders in the Exchange's
options trading crowd (subject to certain exceptions). In the event that Floor Market Makers execute orders
in the Exchange's options trading crowd pursuant to Options 8, Section 22(a) (other than for the use of
Snapshot, as set forth in Options 8, Section 22(a)(2)(E)), Floor Market Makers shall record the required
information on trade tickets, and shall not negotiate an order for execution which has not been time stamped
with the time of entry on the trading floor. Such trade tickets also shall be time stamped upon the
execution of such an order. Floor Market Makers or their employees shall ensure the required information
that is recorded on such trade tickets is entered into the Exchange's electronic trading system by DETs for
inclusion in the electronic audit trail.
Floor Market Makers or their employees shall enter the required information (as described above) for FLEX options.
FBMS is designed to execute orders entered by Floor Market Makers, including multi-leg orders up to 15 legs, after negotiation in the trading crowd. When a Floor Market Makers submits an order for execution through FBMS, the order will be executed based on market conditions at the time of execution and in accordance with Exchange rules. FBMS execution functionality will assist the Floor Market Maker in clearing the Exchange book, consistent with Exchange priority rules. If the order cannot be executed, the System will attempt to execute the order a number of times for a period of no more than one second, which period shall be established by the Exchange and announced by Options Trader Alert, after which it will be returned to the Floor Market Maker on the FBMS. The Floor Market Maker may resubmit the order for execution, as long as the quotes that comprise the order have not been withdrawn. Floor Market Makers are responsible for handling all FBMS orders in accordance with Exchange priority and trade-through rules, including Options 3, Section 10 and Option 8, Section 24 and Options 5, Section 2.
A Floor Market Maker is prohibited from triggering the Snapshot feature for the purpose of obtaining
favorable priority or trade-through conditions or avoiding unfavorable priority or trade-through conditions.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
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|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
B-8 Use of Floor Brokers by an ROT While on the Floor
(a) When an ROT who is on the floor gives an order to a Floor Broker for execution, the ROT must initial and
time stamp the order ticket. The Floor Broker or his employees must indicate on the Options Floor Based
Management System whether such order is opening or closing.
(b) If such order opens or increases a position in the account of an ROT, the ROT must be aware of the terms
of the trade, initial and time stamp the order and retain a copy of the ticket.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
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|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$250.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
B-9 Use of Tickets
When an issue of parity arises among yielding and non-yielding orders, unless the field which reads "closing" on an options ticket is checked, the order for an ROT shall be presumed to be an opening order.
FINE SCHEDULE
Fine not applicable
B-10 Responsibility for Mismatched or "Out" Trades
In order for an ROT to be held responsible on mismatches or other "out" trades of listed options, the ROT
must have been informed of the problem before 9:30 A.M. on the business day following the transaction in
question.
FINE SCHEDULE
Fine not applicable
B-11 Floor Market Makers and Lead Market Makers Entering Orders for Execution on Other Exchanges in
Multiply Traded Options
(a) A ROT or Lead Market Maker may not for the Market Functions Account send an opening order to buy or sell
options on any other exchange unless such ROT or Lead Market Maker is registered in that specific option on
the Exchange.
(b) Each opening order sent for execution on another market for the market maker account of a ROT or Lead
Market Maker must be initiated from on the Exchange floor, except if executed pursuant to Options 8, Section
27(f) and the corresponding provisions in Advice B-4 respecting off-floor orders. In initiating any such
order, the ROT or Lead Market Maker, or Floor Broker, in the case of orders initiated from off-floor, is
required to clear the crowd on the Exchange when the bid or offer of the order is on or between the Exchange
disseminated market. Clearing the crowd on the Exchange requires that the order be loudly and audibly voiced
in the crowd and, if not then executed, the order may be sent away.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
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|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$250.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence of Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
C. FLOOR BROKERS
C-1 Ascertaining the Presence of Floor Market Makers in a Trading Crowd
A Floor Broker representing an order in options shall ascertain that at least one Floor Market Maker is
present in the trading crowd at the post where such order is traded. This Floor Procedure Advice C-1 shall
not apply to a Floor Broker in any foreign currency option if no Floor Market Maker registered in such
foreign currency option is present on the Exchange's trading floor at that time.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$250.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
C-2 Options Floor Based Management System
Options Floor Based Management System. In order to create an electronic audit trail for options orders represented by Floor Brokers on the Exchange's Options Floor, a Floor Broker or such Floor Broker's employees shall, contemporaneously upon receipt of an order and prior to the representation of such an order in the trading crowd, record all options orders represented by such Floor Broker onto the electronic Options Floor Based Management System (as described in Options 3, Section 7(a)(i)(C). The following specific information with respect to orders represented by a Floor Broker shall be recorded by such Floor Broker or such Floor Broker's employees: (i) the order type (i.e., customer, firm, broker-dealer, professional, market maker) and order receipt time; (ii) the option symbol; (iii) buy, sell, cross or cancel; (iv) call, put, complex (i.e., spread, straddle), or contingency order as described in Options 8, Section 32; (v) number of contracts; (vi) limit price or Market Order or, in the case of a complex or multi-leg order, net debit or credit, if applicable; (vii) whether the transaction is to open or close a position; and (viii) The Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC") clearing number of the broker-dealer that submitted the order (collectively, the "required information"). A Floor Broker must enter complete alpha/numeric identification assigned by the Exchange for all orders entered on behalf of Exchange Registered Option Traders. Any additional information with respect to the order shall be inputted into the Options Floor Based Management System contemporaneously upon receipt, which may occur after the representation and execution of the order.
Pursuant to Options 8, Section 22(a), Floor Brokers are not permitted to execute orders in the Exchange's
options trading crowd (subject to certain exceptions). In the event of a malfunction in the Options Floor
Based Management System or in the event that the Exchange determines that Floor Brokers are permitted to
execute orders in the Exchange's options trading crowd for a specific reason pursuant to Options 8, Section
22(a)(2), (other than for the use of Snapshot, as set forth in Options 8, Section 22(a)(2)(E)), Floor
Brokers shall record the required information on trade tickets, and shall not represent an order for
execution which has not been time stamped with the time of entry on the trading floor. Such trade tickets
also shall be time stamped upon the execution of such an order. Floor Brokers or their employees shall
either enter the required information that is recorded on such trade tickets into the Exchange's electronic
trading system or ensure that such information is entered for inclusion in the electronic audit ensure the
required information that is recorded on such trade tickets is entered into the Exchange's electronic
trading system by DETs for inclusion in the electronic audit trail.
Floor Brokers or their employees shall enter the required information (as described above) for FLEX options.
FBMS is also designed to execute two-sided orders entered by Floor Brokers, including multi-leg orders up to
15 legs, after representation in the trading crowd. When a Floor Broker submits an order for execution
through FBMS, the order will be executed based on market conditions at the time of execution and in
accordance with Exchange rules. FBMS execution functionality will assist the Floor Broker in clearing the
Exchange book, consistent with Exchange priority rules. If the order cannot be executed, the System will
attempt to execute the order a number of times for a period of no more than one second, which period shall
be established by the Exchange and announced by Options Trader Alert, after which it will be returned to the
Floor Broker on the FBMS. The Floor Broker may resubmit the order for execution, as long as the
quotes/orders that comprise the cross have not been withdrawn. Floor Brokers are responsible for handling
all FBMS orders in accordance with Exchange priority and trade-through rules, including Options 3, Section
10 and Option 8, Section 24 and Options 5, Section 2.
A Floor Broker is prohibited from triggering the Snapshot feature for the purpose of obtaining favorable
priority or trade-through conditions or avoiding unfavorable priority or trade-through conditions.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
C-3 Handling Orders of Floor Market Makers and Other Registered Options Market Makers
(a) A Floor Broker must announce to the trading crowd when he is handling an order for a ROT and must state
whether such order is opening or closing. In addition, in handling such orders the Floor Broker must comply
with Options 8, Section 25 (d)(1), (h) and (j).
(b) Upon receipt of an options order on the Exchange for any account of a person registered as an options
market maker on another national securities exchange, the Floor Broker or his employees must so indicate on
the Options Floor Based Management System and must ensure that the order is represented in the trading crowd
as a "BD" order for the purposes of the Exchange's yielding requirements. A Floor Broker must make
reasonable efforts to inquire which orders placed with him for execution on the Exchange qualify as such
orders.
(c) Before handling an opening transaction on behalf of a ROT, the Floor Broker or his employees must
ascertain that the ROT is aware of the terms of the trade and assure that the floor ticket has been
initialed and time-stamped by the ROT and that the order is appropriately entered on the Options Floor Based
Management System. The Floor Broker must note on the Options Floor Based Management System any opening
off-floor order to be cleared into an Exchange market maker account, as indicated by a ROT seeking market
maker margin treatment for such order pursuant to Options 8, Section 27(f) and Advice B-4, and comply with
the requirements of Advice B-12 respecting multiply traded options.
(d) A Floor Broker may not exercise any discretion with respect to the order of a ROT or any order for the
account of an options market maker registered on another exchange.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
C-4 Floor Brokers Handling Orders for Same Firm
A Floor Broker may not accept opening or discretionary orders for an ROT who is associated with the same
member organization as such Floor Broker or who is associated with another member organization affiliated
with the same member organization as such Floor Broker.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
C-5 Floor Market Makers Acting as Floor Brokers
Whenever an order is handled as agent by a Floor Broker who is also an ROT, the Floor Broker must advise at
the time a market is sought from the crowd for the order that he is acting as a Floor Broker. Bids or offers
made in person by an ROT will be assumed to be for his account unless otherwise specified.
An exemption to the above exists in the instance where a Floor Broker is representing an order in an issue in
which the broker has previously that day represented himself as an agent, provided that the Floor Broker
obtain the prior approval of an Options Exchange Official. In such cases, a Floor Broker is not required to
further advise the crowd of his role as agent in that issue for the remainder of that day.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
C-6 Responsibility to Represent Orders to the Trading Crowd
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Options Floor Procedure Advice B-11(c) and Exchange Options 8, Section
30(c), once an option order has been received on the floor, it must be represented to the trading crowd
before it may be represented away from the crowd.
(b) A Floor Broker must be loud and audible when representing a market and/or representing an order in the
trading crowd. A Floor Broker must make reasonable efforts to position himself in the trading crowd to be
heard by the majority of the trading crowd.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
(a) Fine not applicable. Matters subject for review by the Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market
Regulation, or Department of Enforcement.
(b)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
C-7 Floor Brokers and Clerks Trading in their Customer Accounts
All persons employed on the trading floor in association with a member organization, other than Floor Market
Makers and Lead Market Makers, are prohibited from initiating trades in Exchange options in their customer
accounts while on the floor. A member organization which accepts an order for the customer account of such a
person must process the order through the channels it normally provides for its other customer orders. When
any such order is received by the member organization and delivered to the floor for execution, it may not
be handled by any person with a beneficial interest in the account, or by any associated person with
knowledge that the order is for the account of an associate. Once such a person has placed an order for
his/her customer account in an option, that person is prohibited from brokering orders in that option for
the remainder of that day or until such order has been executed or cancelled whichever is later. This
provision shall not apply to any transaction permissible under Section 11(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
Matters subject to review by Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation, or Department of
Enforcement.
D. STAFFING
D-1 Required Staffing of Options Floor
Every Options Lead Market Maker Unit, Floor Brokerage Unit, Clearing Firm, Floor Broker and ROT must have a
representative available on the floor (except that a Remote Lead Market Maker must have a representative
available via telephonic and/or electronic communication access) for the thirty minutes before the opening
and the thirty minutes after the close of trading and one hour after the preliminary trade reports are
distributed. Such representatives must be authorized to make appropriate changes and corrections to trades
of or guaranteed by such Lead Market Maker Unit, Floor Brokerage Unit, Clearing Firm, Floor Broker and ROT.
Additionally, on expiration such representatives must be available on the floor until the Exchange has
announced the last call for adjustments in expiring options.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E. MISCELLANEOUS
E-1 Use of Identification Letters and Numbers
All Lead Market Makers, Floor Market Makers, and Floor Brokers must use the complete alpha/numeric
identification assigned by the Exchange. All Floor Brokers or their employees must indicate their complete
alpha/numeric identifiers on the Options Floor Based Management System for each order they receive and
represent in the trading crowd.
Fine not applicable.
E-2 Allocation, Time Stamping, Matching and Access to Matched Trades
(a) In order to facilitate timely tape reporting of trades, it is the duty of the persons identified below to
allocate, match and time stamp trades executed in open outcry and to submit the matched trade tickets to an
Exchange Data Entry Technician ("DET") located on the trading floor immediately upon execution. When
executing trades electronically, it is also the duty of the persons identified below to enter and submit
trade information to the Trading System using the Options Floor Based Management System. Trades executed
electronically via the System and through the Options Floor Based Management System are automatically trade
reported without further action required by executing parties:
(i) in a trade involving a Floor Broker, the Floor Broker shall do so, provided that a Floor Broker may
delegate this responsibility to the Lead Market Maker (or a back-up to the Lead Market Maker under the Lead
Market Maker's direct supervision) if the Specialist agrees to accept such responsibility, and, in the event
of such delegation, the Lead Market Maker (or a back-up to the Lead Market Maker under the Lead Market
Maker's direct supervision) shall do so:
(ii) in all other cases where the Lead Market Maker is a participant (i.e., where there is no Floor Broker),
the Lead Market Maker (or a back-up to the Lead Market Maker under the Specialist's direct supervision)
shall do so.
(iii) in any other case (i.e., where there is no Floor Broker and no Lead Market Maker is involved), the
largest participant shall do so (for example, where several Floor Market Makers are involved):
and
(iv) if there is only one seller and one buyer (no Floor Broker and no Lead Market Maker is involved), the
seller shall do so (for example, where only two Floor Market Makers are involved).
The person responsible for trade allocation (the "Allocation Participant") shall, for each trade allocated by
such Allocating Participant, circle his or her badge identification number on the trade tickets, identifying
himself or herself as the Allocating Participant in the particular trade. If the Allocating Participant is
not a participant in the trade to be allocated, he/she shall identify himself/herself/ by initialing the
trade tickets. In the case of a trade, executed using the Floor Based Management System, such member shall
allocate the trade using the Options Floor Based Management System.
(b) A member or member organization initiating an options transaction, whether acting as principal or agent,
must report or ensure that the transaction is reported within 90 seconds of the execution to the tape.
Transactions not reported within 90 seconds after execution shall be designated as late. A pattern or
practice of late reporting without exceptional circumstances may be considered conduct inconsistent with
just and equitable principles of trade.
(c) Execution times must be recorded on the reverse side of one or more of the tickets to a matched trade.
(d) Once a trade has been matched and submitted to a DET located on the trading floor for reporting, the
respective parties to the trade must preserve the matched tickets, or copies thereof, for a period of not
less than three years.
(e) Member access to tickets comprising a matched trade is available to any participant of that trade, as
well as the respective Lead Market Maker and any Options Exchange Official acting in his capacity as an
Options Exchange Official. Requests to review trade matches must be made with the Lead Market Maker Unit.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis).
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-2 (b)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,500.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-3 Orders Executed as Spreads, Straddles, Combinations or Synthetics and Other Order Ticket Marking
Requirements
(a) Sp, St, Comb, Syn - Members executing spread, straddle or combination orders in reliance upon the "spread
priority rule," Options 8, Section 34(d), or synthetic option (buy-write, synthetic put and synthetic call)
orders, must mark the tickets as "sp" for spreads, "st" for straddles, "comb" for combinations and "syn" for
synthetics. Members or their employees must make the appropriate notation on the Options Floor Based
Management System.
(b) Additional Marking Requirements - The following is a list of requirements to mark order tickets or, in
the case of trades involving the Options Floor Based Management System to make the appropriate notations on
the Options Floor Based Management System, including a description and reference to the Rule or Advice
requiring such mark or notation:
|
|
|
|
|
Circling "yield"
|
yielding/11(a) (1)
|
Advice B-6
|
|
acronym
|
identification letter/#s
|
Advice E-1
|
|
ROT initial/time stamp
|
on-floor brokered orders
|
Advice B-8, C-3
|
|
SS
|
sold sale
|
Minor Rule Plan F-3
|
|
F
|
facilitation
|
Advice B-11
|
|
BD
|
non-member BD
|
Advice A-11
|
|
N
|
non-Phlx Floor Market Makers
|
Advice C-3
|
|
P
|
off-floor/market maker margin
|
Options8, Section 27(f)
|
|
P/A
|
principal acting as agent
|
General 2, Section 17
|
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$250.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-4 Changes or Corrections to Material Terms of a Matched Trade
(a) All correction sheet submissions which change material terms of a transaction (security, price, volume,
series, class and customer to Firm participations) must be signed by all parties to the transaction and by a
representative of the Lead Market Maker Unit. Also if one of the parties to the transaction is not present
at a time such matter is being resolved, a signature by Regulatory staff is required to acknowledge the
contra-side's absence. The Regulatory signature in any such case does not relieve any party to the trade of
liability in connection with the change.
(b) Any person signing a correction sheet shall use due diligence to confirm the correction before signing
the correction sheet, including checking the appropriate floor tickets or computerized report ("run") in any
case where a sizeable error may result in the absence of appropriate corrective action.
Generally, a sizeable error with respect to equity options and index options exceeds $1,000 and, with respect
to foreign currency options, exceeds $3,000. However, the circumstances surrounding each correction must be
considered and these amounts are guidelines only.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-5 Option Quote Parameters
When bidding and/or offering in equity option or index option issues, the following parameters should be
utilized after the opening for those quoting verbally:
|
|
|
|
Current Option Bid
|
Maximum Quote Spread
|
|
Less than $2.00
|
.25
|
|
$2.00 to less than $5.00
|
.40
|
|
$5.00 to less than $10.00
|
.50
|
|
$10.00 to less than $20.00
|
.80
|
|
$20.00 and greater
|
1
|
Quotations provided in open outcry may not be made with $5 bid/ask differentials and instead must comply with
the bid/ask differential requirements described above.
The bid/ask differentials stated above shall not apply to in-the-money series where the market for the
underlying security is wider than the differentials set forth above. For such series, the bid/ask
differential may be as wide as the quotation for the underlying security on the primary market, or its
decimal equivalent rounded up to the nearest minimum increment.
Foreign Currency Options
When bidding and/or offering in U.S. dollar-settled foreign currency option issues, the following parameters
should be utilized after the opening for those quoting verbally (in open outcry):
|
|
|
|
Current Option Bid
|
Maximum Quote Spread
|
|
Less than $2.00
|
.25
|
|
$2.00 to less than $5.00
|
.40
|
|
$5.00 to less than $10.00
|
.50
|
|
$10.00 to less than $20.00
|
.80
|
|
$20.00 and greater
|
1
|
Quotations provided in open outcry may not be made with $5 bid/ask differentials and instead must comply with
the bid/ask differential requirements described above.
The bid/ask differential as stated above shall apply to all listed series, including the longest term, except
for the two longest term series open for trading in the Euro options and long-term foreign currency options.
Relief
Relief from the established bid/ask differentials may be granted upon the receipt of an approval of an
Options Exchange Official.
Batching
The Exchange may aggregate individual violations and treat such violations as a single offense.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a one-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
Warning letter
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
Warning letter
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
Warning letter
|
|
4th Occurrence
|
$250.00
|
|
5th Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
6th Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
7th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-6 Failure to Comply with an Exchange Inquiry
In addition to E-2 of the Options Minor Rule Plan, whenever the Exchange staff requests that a floor broker
identify clients with respect to an order, regardless of whether that order has been executed or not, the
floor broker must immediately provide the Exchange with sufficient information to reveal the identity of the
floor broker's clients. If the floor broker fails to comply immediately with such request, the fines in the
schedule above apply.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-7 Affiliations
In addition to F-3 of the Options Minor Rule Plan, Floor members shall adhere to the following requirements:
(a) Pursuant to Options 2, Section 12, an ROT is
prohibited from receiving communications about trading interests or orders from an affiliated Floor Broker's
customers prior to the respective trading crowd receiving the same information. In this regard, the ROT is
prohibited from answering telephones at the affiliate's post, except that he may access a telephone at the
post to communicate with associates of his Registered Options Trading Firm.
(b) Any exchange of interests to trade between an
ROT or his Firm and an affiliated Floor Broker Firm will require that the same information be provided to
the respective trading crowd and shall also require that the crowd be advised that the order is presented
for execution under Options 8, Section 30(c) - Solicited Orders.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-8 Splitting Orders
Floor Market Makers of the same Firm, affiliated or financially affiliated Floor Market Makers, when bidding
or offering at the same price for the same option, are to be treated as one interest for purpose of
splitting an order in the trading crowd.
For the purposes of this Advice, affiliated Floor Market Maker's are Floor Market Makers required to report
such affiliations pursuant to General 3, Section 11 and financially affiliated Floor Market Maker's are
Floor Market Maker's required to report financial arrangements pursuant to General 9, Section 7.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-9 Responsibility for Assigning Participation
a) In each instance where a member effects a transaction on the options or foreign currency options floor, he
must make reasonable efforts to ensure that a meeting of the minds occurred with the contra-side as to
confirming the contra-side's participation in the trade. In trades where more than one contra-side is
involved, each contra-side must immediately make known to the largest participant his understanding as to
his respective level of participation in the trade.
b) No such contra-side who has participated in the trade shall leave the crowd until the level of his
participation in the trade has been confirmed by the largest participant.
c) No person in the crowd shall submit a ticket for matching on a trade when that person is not due
participation in the trade.
d) Disputes as to participation on a trade shall be resolved by a majority vote of those persons present in
the crowd during the relevant time or, if not so settled, then by an Options Exchange Official.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-10 Executing Multi-leg and Synthetic Option Orders
A multi-leg order (i.e. spread type order) as defined in Options 8, Section 32(e) may be executed as a single
transaction at a single credit or debit in accordance with Options 8, Section 24(d) and the requirements
below:
(a) Bids (offers) for the total hedge order must be solicited from the crowd on the basis of a total credit
or debit.
(b) In the case of an "options-only hedge order" (spread, straddle, and combination orders), the trade may be
immediately executed at a single credit or debit which is superior to the aggregate price of the established
markets for the individual option legs (on a buy-on-the-bid or sell-on-the-offer basis), such that:
(1) no option leg is executed outside of the
established bid/offer for that option contract; and
(2) at least one option leg is executed at a price
better than the established bid/offer for that option contract.
(c) In the case of conversions and reversals, the trade may be immediately executed at a single credit or
debit which is superior to the aggregate price of the established markets for the individual option legs (on
a buy-on-the-bid or sell-on-the-offer basis), such that:
(1) no option leg is executed outside of the
established bid/offer for that option contract;
(2) at least one option leg is executed at a price
better than the established bid/offer for that option contract.
(d) In the case of a synthetic option order, the trade may be immediately executed at a single credit or
debit which is superior to the aggregate price of the established market for the individual legs (on a
buy-on-the-offer and sell-on-the-bid basis), provided that the option leg is executed at a price better than
the established bid/offer for that option contract.
Once the credit or debit execution price to a multi-leg option order is agreed upon, the stock portion of the
order, if any, must be effected at or near the same time as the execution of the option portion.
FINE SCHEDULE
Fine not applicable.
E-11 Two-Way, Three Way and Multi-Spread Transactions (FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTION ONLY)
Execution of spread type orders (spread, straddle and combination orders, as defined in Options 8, Section
32(f) in foreign currency options must be effected in accordance with the provisions of Options 8, Section
24(d), which requires that a foreign currency options participant holding a spread type order must first
determine that the order is best served by bidding or offering on the basis of a total credit or debit
before executing the order as a single transaction. Options 8, Section 24(d), also requires the participant
to ensure that at least one leg of the order is executed at a better price than the established bid/offer
for that option and that no leg is executed at a price outside of the established bid/offer for that option.
Options 8, Section 24(h) governing ration spread type orders in foreign currency options permits the size of
the respective legs of such orders to be either equal in size or related by a permissible ratio (two-to-one,
three-to-one, and three-to-two). In addition, spread type orders may be comprised of two or more legs, as
described below:
Two-Way Transaction
(a) A two-way transaction is comprised of two legs, which can be either equal in size or differ by a
permissible ratio (two-to-one, three-to-one, and three-to two), forming one spread type. See Options 8,
Section 24(d)
Three-Way Transaction
(b) A three-way transaction is comprised of three legs forming one spread type where (1) the order sizes of
each of the three legs are equal to each other, or (2) the combined order size of any two legs on the same
side of the market is either equal to the order size of the third leg or differs from the order size of the
third leg by a permissible ratio (two-to-one, three-to-one, and three-to-two). See Options 8, Section 24(g).
Multi-Spread Transaction
(c) A multi-spread transaction, as defined in Options 8, Section 32(e), combines two of the same spread type
orders for execution at a total net credit or debit, such as: a two-way order with another two-way order of
the same spread type; a three-way order with another three-way order of the same spread type; or a two-way
order with a three-way order of the same spread type. In addition, a multi-spread transaction may combine a
spread type order with a ratio spread type order of the same spread type. In combining spread type orders to
create a multi-spread transaction, each individual spread must meet the execution requirements of Options 8,
Section 24(i) at least one leg of each spread must be executed at a price better than the established
bid/offer for that option and no leg of any spread may be executed at a price outside of the established
market for that option.
FINE SCHEDULE
Fine not applicable.
E-12 Intra-Day Addition of Strike Prices
The Exchange may, under appropriate circumstances, list and make available for trading on an intra-day basis
one or more option series with new strike prices.
For the purposes of this Advice, appropriate circumstances may include instances where:
(1) bona fide off floor customer interest is expressed to effect a sizable transaction at a strike price at
or within 5 points of the price of the underlying instrument, or within a comparable amount of ticks
respecting foreign currency options; or
(2) an operational error in not adding a requested exercise strike price has occurred. 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 ROT with respect to trading for the
ROT's own account. Only strike prices which are consistent with the provision in Options 4, Section 5 and
Options 4A, Section 12 imposing a "reasonably related" standard for listing additional strike prices may be
added intraday pursuant to this Advice.
In each instance where such approval has been granted, prior written disclosure of each strike price to be
added shall be disseminated to the trading floor and electronically to the options members. No trading may
occur in any such series until such dissemination has taken place.
New series of equity options, options on Exchange Traded Fund Shares and options on Trust Issued Receipts
opened for trading shall be subject to the range limitations set forth in Options 4, Section 5 at
Supplementary Material .10.
FINE SCHEDULE
Fine not applicable
E-13 Clerks in the Crowd
Clerks, other than Lead Market Maker clerks, are prohibited from a sustained presence in the trading crowd.
In addition, clerks are prohibited from requesting market quotations from a Lead Market Maker or ROT, except
that a Lead Market Maker clerk, under the supervision of a Lead Market Maker, may request the crowd's market
in order to update disseminated markets or ascertain parity/priority splits in relation to the execution of
an order. For purposes of this Advice, a clerk is any associated person not registered or eligible to effect
transactions on the floor as a Lead Market Maker, ROT or Floor Broker, including member organizations whose
membership privileges have been suspended or terminated as well as other member organizations without
trading privileges.
A sustained presence shall be a period of time beyond such time that would, under the prevailing
circumstances, be needed by the clerk to complete the allowable business function which brought the clerk to
that crowd in the first place.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$250.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-14 Fingerprinting Floor Personnel
Member organizations are required to comply with Section 17(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
respecting the fingerprinting of required employees. Applicants for a permit must also be fingerprinted.
Such fingerprints must be submitted to the FINRA for identification and appropriate processing prior to any
employee performing the functions listed in SEC Rule 17f-2.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a two-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$250.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-15 Options Trading Floor Training
All members and persons employed by or associated with a member organization shall successfully complete
mandatory training, as required by the Exchange. Training topics include, but are not limited to, training
related to that member's or person's function at the Exchange, changes in existing automated systems or any
new technology that is utilized by the Exchange, compliance with Exchange Rules and federal securities laws,
and issues related to conduct, health and safety on the trading floor. In addition, floor members shall
complete mandatory training programs, on at least a semi-annual basis, that address compliance with the
federal securities laws and the Exchange's Rules in place to prevent and deter unlawful trading by floor
members.
Failure to attend the scheduled mandatory training described above may result in the issuance of a fine in
accordance with the fine schedule below.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three-year running calendar basis)
|
|
|
|
1st Occurrence
|
$500.00
|
|
2nd Occurrence
|
$1,000.00
|
|
3rd Occurrence
|
$2,000.00
|
|
4th Occurrence and Thereafter
|
Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
|
E-16 Communications and Equipment
(1) Registration. Members and member organizations must register, prior to use, any new telephone to
be used on the Options floor. Each phone registered with the Exchange must be registered by category of
user. If there is a change in the category of any user, the phone must be re-registered with the Exchange.
At the time of registration, members and representatives of member organizations must sign a statement that
they are aware of and understand the Rules and procedures governing the use of telephones on the Options
floor.
(2) Capacity and Functionality. No wireless telephone used on the Options floor may have an output
greater than one watt. No person on the Options floor may use any device for the purpose of maintaining an
open line of continuous communication whereby a person not located in the trading crowd may continuously
monitor the activities in the trading crowd. This prohibition covers intercoms, walkie-talkies and any
similar device. Speed-dialing features are permitted on any member telephone.
(3) Lead Market Makers and Floor Market Makers.
(a) Lead Market Makers and Floor Market Makers may use their own cellular and cordless phones to place calls
to any person at any location (whether on or off the Options floor).
(b) Floor Market Makers located off the Options floor may not place an order by calling a Floor Broker who is
present in the trading crowd. Floor Market Makers located off the Options floor may not otherwise place an
order by calling the Lead Market Maker phone in the trading crowd. Any telephonic order entered from off the
Options floor must be placed with a person located in a member organization booth.
(4) Floor Brokers.
(a) Floor Brokers may use cellular and cordless telephones, but only to communicate with persons located on
the Options floor. These telephones may not include a call forwarding feature. Headsets are permitted for
Floor Brokers, but if the Exchange determines that a Floor Broker is maintaining a continuous open line
through the use of a headset, the Floor Broker will be prohibited from future use of any headset for a
length of time to be determined by the Exchange.
(b) All orders phoned to Floor Brokers must be received initially at the Floor Broker's booth. Floor Brokers
may not receive telephonic orders while in the trading crowd except from their booth. Any telephonic order
entered from off the Options floor must be placed with a person located in a member organization booth.
(5) Clerks.
(a) Floor Broker clerks are subject to the same terms and conditions on telephone use as Floor Brokers.
(b) Stock Execution clerks are subject to the same terms and conditions on telephone use as Floor Brokers.
(c) The Exchange reserves the right to prohibit clerks from using cellular or cordless phones on the floor at
any time that it is necessary due to electronic interference problems or capacity problems resulting from
the number of such phones then in use on the Options floor. In such circumstances, the Exchange will first
consider restricting the use of such phones by Stock Execution Clerks, and then by Floor Broker Clerks.
(6) General Access In-House Phones. The general access in-house telephones located outside of the
trading post areas may be used by any member, clerk or Floor Broker to communicate with persons located on
the Options floor or within the Exchange complex.
(7) Telephone Records. Members must maintain their cellular or cordless telephone records, including
logs of calls placed, for a period of not less than one year. The Exchange reserves the right to inspect
and/or examine such telephone records.
(8) Exchange Liability. The Exchange assumes no liability to members or member organizations due to
conflicts between telephones in use on the Options floor or due to electronic interference problems
resulting from the use of telephones on the trading floor.
FINE SCHEDULE (Implemented on a three year running calendar basis)
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1st Occurrence
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$250.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$500.00
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3rd Occurrence
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$1,000.00
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4th Occurrence
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department, Department of Market Regulation,
or Department of Enforcement
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E-17 Solicitation of Quotations
In response to a Floor Broker's solicitation of a single bid or offer, the members of a trading crowd
(including the Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Makers) may discuss, negotiate and agree upon the price or
prices at which an order of a size greater than the Exchange's disseminated size can be executed at that
time, or the number of contracts that could be executed at a given price or prices, subject to the
provisions of the Options Order Protection and Locked/Crossed Market Plan and the Exchange's Rules
respecting Trade-Throughs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a single crowd participant may voice a bid or
offer independently from, and differently from, the members of a trading crowd (including the Lead Market
Maker and Floor Market Makers).
F. REGULATIONS Pursuant to Rule 9216(c)
Regulation 1 - Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking is prohibited on the trading floor and the lower level areas adjacent to the trading floor except for
those areas specifically designated for smoking.
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1st Occurrence
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$250.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$500.00
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3rd Occurrence
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$1,000.00
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4th and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the trading floor and the lower level areas adjacent to the trading
floor.
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1st Occurrence
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$1,000.00
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2nd Occurrence
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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Regulation 2 - Food, Liquids and Beverages, Trash, Litter and Vandalism
(a) Food, Liquids and Beverages
Food, liquids and beverages while allowed on the trading floor, should be kept and consumed in a way that
does not unreasonably interfere with others. All drinks should be in cans or covered containers. Food and
drink may not be consumed while in transit on the trading floor.
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1st Occurrence
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$250.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$500.00
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3rd Occurrence
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$1,000.00
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4th and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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(b) Trash and Litter
All debris resulting from the consumption of food and drink, and other non-business trash, must be properly
disposed of. Throwing or dropping objects on the trading floor, including food or drink, is strictly
prohibited. All trading posts/booths must be free of debris, trash or litter at the end of each trading day.
The following fine schedule will apply to a violation of this section:
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1st Occurrence
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$250.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$500.00
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3rd Occurrence
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$1,000.00
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4th and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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(c) Vandalism
The abuse, destruction, or theft ("Vandalism") of any property on the Exchange's premises, whether or not
owned by the Exchange, is a serious offense and will be dealt with appropriately, including prompt
disciplinary action.
The following fine schedule will apply to a violation of this section:
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1st Occurrence
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$3,000.00 and restitution
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2nd Occurrence
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$5,000.00 and restitution
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3rd Occurrence
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$10,000.00 and restitution
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4th and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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Each Floor Manager, Post Supervisor, or Firm Representative will be responsible for monitoring staff
compliance with this Regulation. A violation of this Regulation may result in fines to the members, member
organizations and associated persons.
Regulation 3 - Identification Badges/Access Cards
(i) Identification badges must be worn chest high in full view and must accurately reflect the respective
person's associations and affiliations.
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1st Occurrence
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Official Warning
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2nd Occurrence
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$100.00
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3rd Occurrence
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$200.00
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4th and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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(ii) Use of another person's Identification Badge or Access Card will carry a fine of $250.00 for the first
occurrence and $500.00 for each subsequent occurrence. The fine may be assessed against both the user and
the person who allowed such use.
Regulation 4 - Order
(a) Members and associated persons shall not conduct themselves in a disorderly manner on the trading floor
or on the premises immediately adjacent to the trading floor. Further, members, participants and associated
persons shall not conduct themselves in an indecorous manner that is disruptive to the conduct of business
on the trading floor, including but not limited to the use of profanity.
The fines to be imposed for such violations shall be as follows:
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1st Occurrence
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$500.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$1,000.00
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3rd Occurrence
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$2,500.00
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4th Occurrence and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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(b) Members and associated persons shall not direct any threatening, abusive, harassing or intimidating
speech or conduct at anyone while on the trading floor or on the premises immediately adjacent to the
trading floor. The fines to be imposed for such violations shall be as follows:
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1st Occurrence
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$2,500.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$5,000.00
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3rd and thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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(c) Members and associated persons shall not possess a firearm on the trading floor or on the premises
immediately adjacent to the trading floor. As stated in Rule 9216(c), members, participants and associated
persons shall be excluded from the floor if they possess a firearm. In addition, the fines to be imposed for
such violations shall be as follows
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1st Occurrence
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$5,000.00
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2nd Occurrence
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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(d) Members and associated persons shall not possess illegal controlled substances on the trading floor or on
the premises immediately adjacent to the trading floor.
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1st Occurrence
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$5,000.00
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2nd Occurrence
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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(e) The Exchange must report fines over $1,000 to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(f) Each Floor Manager, Post Supervisor, or Firm Representative will be responsible for monitoring staff
compliance with this Regulation. A violation of this Regulation may result in fines to the members, member
organizations and associated persons.
Regulation 5 - Visitors
Non-member visitors will be permitted on the trading floor at the discretion of an Exchange official or
Options Exchange Official. All visitors must be signed in by a member or Exchange official and accompanied
at all times by a member, associated person or an Exchange official.
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1st Occurrence
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Official Warning
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2nd Occurrence
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$50.00
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3rd Occurrence
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$100.00
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4th Occurrence
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$200.00
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5th and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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Each Floor Manager, Post Supervisor, or Firm Representative will be responsible for monitoring staff
compliance with this Regulation. A violation of this Regulation may result in fines to the members, member
organizations and associated persons.
Non-member visitors who are performing contract work at the Exchange on behalf of a member are required to
provide, upon request, a certificate of insurance evidencing Professional Liability Insurance in respect of
all claims for injury, loss or damage arising out of any errors, acts or omissions in the performance of his
or her duties for a sum of not less than $1,000,000 for any one occurrence or series of occurrences and list
Nasdaq PHLX as an insured. This includes any non-member visitors who are requesting access to perform any
type of work at the Exchange or are utilizing any building facilities.
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1st Occurrence
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$1,000.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$5,000.00
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3rd and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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Regulation 6 - Dress
(a) The Dress Code must be complied with at the point of entry to the trading floor. The Dress Code is in
effect on the trading floor before, during and after trading hours. The Dress Code outlining acceptable and
unacceptable dress for members and member organization staff, and changes thereto, shall be communicated to
members and member organizations by the Exchange in writing. Changes to the Dress Code shall be effective
three business days after they are so communicated. In addition, the Dress Code will be posted in at least
one visible location on the trading floor of the Exchange.
(b) Each member will be responsible for compliance with this Regulation; and each member organization will be
responsible for monitoring staff compliance with this Regulation. A violation of this Regulation may result
in fines to the members, member organizations and associated persons.
The following is the fine schedule for dress code violations:
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1st Occurrence
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$100.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$250.00
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3rd Occurrence
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$500.00
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4th Occurrence and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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Regulation 7 - Proper Utilization of the Security System
(a) Attempt to Circumvent the Security System of the Exchange
Any member or employee of a member organization who wishes to enter or exit the Exchange trading facilities
must do so through the areas where the Exchange security systems are located.
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1st Occurrence
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$250.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$500.00
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3rd and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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(b) Required Filing for Floor Member Organization Employee Status Notices with the Exchange Following the termination of, or the initiation of a change in the trading status of any member or any non-member/clerk and trading floor personnel including clerks, interns, stock execution clerks and any other associated person, of member organizations who have been issued an Exchange access card and trading floor badge, the appropriate Exchange form must be completed, approved and dated by a firm, principal, officer, or member of the firm with authority to do so, and submitted to the appropriate Exchange Department as soon as possible, but no later than 9:30 A.M. the next business day by the member organization employer. Further, every effort should be made to obtain the employee's access card and trading floor badge and to submit these to the appropriate Exchange Department.
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1st Occurrence
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$100.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$200.00
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3rd and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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(c) Required Filing for the Termination of, or the Initiation of a Change in the Status of, a Business Relationship between member organizations and their Clearing Organizations
Following the commencement or termination of a clearing arrangement between member organizations and their clearing organization, a completed "Clearing Arrangement Notice" must be submitted to the Exchange as soon as possible, but no later than 9:30 AM the next business day by such clearing organization.
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1st Occurrence
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$100.00
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2nd Occurrence
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$200.00
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3rd and Thereafter
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Sanction is discretionary with Phlx Regulation Department
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Adopted: April 16, 2019 (19-17); amended Sept. 10, 2019 (19-33); amended Nov. 26, 2019 (19-52),
operative Dec. 26, 2019; amended Feb. 3, 2020 (20-03); amended April 16, 2020 (20-22); amended April 14,
2020 (20-21); amended July 13, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-41), operative August 12, 2021; amended December 23, 2021 (SR-Phlx-2021-76); amended Nov. 9, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-48), operative Dec. 9, 2023; amended May 31, 2023 (SR-Phlx-2023-22), operative Dec. 8, 2025.