SEC releases proposals relating to options markets and large trader reporting
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday proposed creating a "large trader" reporting system that would identify large market participants, collect information regarding their trades and analyze their trading activity. Traders would generally be considered to fit the "large trader" categorization where their transactions in exchange-listed securities equalled or exceeded two million shares or $20 million during any calendar day, or 20 million shares or $200 million during any calendar month. The proposals would require such traders to identify themselves to the SEC and impose recordkeeping and reporting obligations on the part of broker-dealers.
Meanwhile, the SEC also proposed extending two investor protection measures, currently existing in stock markets, to options markets. Specifically, the SEC proposed prohibiting an option exchange from unfairly impeding access to displayed quotes and limiting the fees that an options exchange can charge those wishing to access a quote.
Comments on the proposals are being accepted for 60 days after their publication in the Federal Register.
