Equity 10 Other Products and Securities
(a) Nasdaq Members and their associated persons shall comply with FINRA Rule 2310 as if such Rule were part of Nasdaq's Rules.
(b) For purposes of this Rule:
(1) references to guidelines published by FINRA with respect to direct participation programs and amounts fixed by the Board of Governors with respect to non-cash compensation arrangements shall be construed to reflect the policy
of Nasdaq with respect to the application of this Rule,
(2) references to "procedures established by FINRA" and "FINRA Rules" shall be construed as references to "Nasdaq Rules", and
(3) for purposes of this Rule only, Nasdaq members and their associated persons shall comply with applicable provisions of FINRA Rule 5110 as if such Rule were part of Nasdaq's Rules.
(c) Pursuant to the Rule 9600 Series, Nasdaq may exempt any member from the provisions of this Rule for good cause shown.
Amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).
(a) Nasdaq Members and their associated persons shall comply with FINRA Rule 2341 as if such Rule were part of Nasdaq's Rules.
(b) For purposes of this Rule:
(1) references to “FINRA rules” shall be construed as references to "the Nasdaq Rules",
(2) references to Rule 2320 shall be deleted, and no comparable Nasdaq Rule shall apply to activities of Nasdaq Members in connection with contracts providing for benefits or values which may vary according to the investment experience
of any separate or segregated account or accounts maintained by an insurance company,
(3) references to Rule 2040 shall be construed as a requirement that a Nasdaq member who is an underwriter of the securities of an investment company selling any such securities, may not directly or indirectly, pay any compensation,
fees, concessions, discounts, commissions or other allowances to any person that is not registered as a broker-dealer under Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act but, by reason of receipt of any such payments and the activities related thereto, is required to
be so registered under applicable federal securities laws and Exchange Act rules and regulations; or any appropriately registered associated person unless such payment complies with all applicable federal securities laws, Nasdaq rules and Exchange Act rules
and regulations, and
(4) references to Rule 2232 shall be construed as references to SEC Rule 10b-10.
Amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).
Section 3. Trading in Index Warrants, Currency Index Warrants, and Currency Warrants
(a) General
(1) Applicability — This Rule shall be applicable: (A) to the conduct of accounts, the execution of transactions, and the handling of orders in index warrants listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq"); and (B) to the extent appropriate
unless otherwise stated herein, to the conduct of accounts, the execution of transactions, and the handling of orders in other exchange-listed stock index warrants, currency index warrants, and currency warrants by members who are not members of the exchange
on which the warrant is listed or traded.
(2) Except to the extent that specific provisions in this Rule govern, or unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of the Nasdaq Rules and all other interpretations and policies shall also be applicable to transactions
in index warrants, currency index warrants, and currency warrants.
(3) This Rule is not applicable to stock index warrants, currency index warrants, and currency warrants listed on national securities exchanges prior to September 28, 1995.
(b) Definitions
(1) "Control"
(A) The term "control" means the power or ability of an individual or entity to make investment decisions for an account or accounts, or influence directly or indirectly the investment decisions of any person or entity who makes investment
decisions for an account. In addition, control will be presumed in the following circumstances:
(i) among all parties to a joint account who have authority to act on behalf of the account;
(ii) among all general partners to a partnership account;
(iii) when a person or entity:
(a) holds an ownership interest of 10 percent or more in an entity (ownership interest of less than 10 percent will not preclude aggregation),
or
(b) shares in 10 percent or more of profits and/or losses of an account;
(iv) when accounts have common directors or management;
(v) where a person or entity has the authority to execute transactions in an account.
(B) Control, presumed by one or more of the above powers, abilities or circumstances, can be rebutted by proving the factor does not exist or by showing other factors which negate the presumption of control. The rebuttal proof must
be submitted by affidavit and/or such other evidence as may be appropriate in the circumstances.
(C) Nasdaq will also consider the following factors in determining if aggregation of accounts is required:
(i) similar patterns of trading activity among separate entities;
(ii) the sharing of kindred business purposes and interests;
(iii) whether there is common supervision of the entities which extends beyond assuring adherence to each entity's investment objectives and/or restrictions;
(iv) the degree of contact and communication between directors and/or managers of separate accounts.
(2) The term "currency index" means a group of currencies each of whose inclusion and relative representation in the group is determined by its inclusion and relative representation in a currency index.
(3) The term "currency index warrants" shall mean instruments that are direct obligations of the issuing company, either exercisable throughout their life (i.e., American style) or exercisable only on their expiration date
(i.e., European style), entitling the holder thereof to a cash settlement in U.S. dollars to the extent that the value of the underlying currency index has declined below (in the case of a put warrant) or increased above (in the case of a call warrant) the
pre-stated cash settlement value of the underlying currency index.
(4) The term "currency warrants" shall mean instruments that are direct obligations of the issuing company, either exercisable throughout their life (i.e., American style) or exercisable only on their expiration date (i.e.,
European style), entitling the holder thereof to a cash settlement in U.S. dollars to the extent that the value of the underlying foreign currency has declined below (in the case of a put warrant) or increased above (in the case of a call warrant) the pre-stated
cash settlement value of the underlying foreign currency. The term "foreign currency warrants" shall also include cross-rate currency warrants.
(5) The term "index warrants" means instruments that are direct obligations of the issuing company, either exercisable throughout their life (i.e., American style) or exercisable only on their expiration date (i.e., European
style), entitling the holder thereof to a cash settlement in U.S. dollars to the extent that the value of the underlying stock index group has declined below (in the case of a put warrant) or increased above (in the case of a call warrant) the pre-stated cash
settlement value of the underlying stock index group.
(6) The term "stock index group" means a group of stocks each of whose inclusion and relative representation in the group is determined by its inclusion and relative representation in a stock index.
Amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).
(a) Except with the prior written approval of Nasdaq pursuant to the Rule 9600 Series for good cause shown, no member shall effect for any account in which such member has an interest, or for the account of any partner, officer, director
or employee thereof, or for the account of any customer, a purchase or sale transaction in an index warrant listed on Nasdaq or on another national securities exchange if the member has reason to believe that as a result of such transaction the member, or
partner, officer, director or employee thereof, or customer would, acting alone or in concert with others, directly or indirectly, hold or control an aggregate position in an index warrant issue on the same side of the market, combining such index warrant
position with positions in index warrants overlying the same index on the same side of the market, in excess of the position limits established by Nasdaq or the other exchange on which the index warrant is listed.
(b) In determining compliance with this Rule, the position limits for Nasdaq-listed index warrants are as follows:
(1) Fifteen million warrants with respect to warrants on the same stock index (other than the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index) with an original issue price of ten dollars or less.
(2) Seven million five hundred thousand warrants, with respect to warrants on the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with an original issue price of ten dollars or less.
(3) For stock index warrants with an original issue price greater than ten dollars, positions in these warrants must be converted to the equivalent of warrants on the same index priced initially at ten dollars by dividing the original
issue price of the index warrants priced above ten dollars by ten and multiplying this number by the size of such index warrant position. After recalculating a warrant position pursuant to this subparagraph, such recalculated warrant position shall be aggregated
with other warrant positions on the same underlying index on the same side of the market and subjected to the applicable position limit set forth in subparagraph (1) or (2) above. For example, if an investor held 100,000 Nasdaq 100 Index warrants offered originally
at $20 per warrant, the size of this position for the purpose of calculating position limits would be 200,000, or 100,000 times 20/10.
Amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).
(a) Except with the prior written approval of Nasdaq pursuant to the Rule 9600 Series for good cause shown, in each instance, no member or person associated with a member shall exercise, for any account in which such member or person
associated with such member has an interest, or for the account of any partner, officer, director or employee thereof, or for the account of any customer, a long position in any index warrant if as a result thereof such member or partner, officer, director
or employee thereof or customer, acting alone or in concert with others, directly or indirectly:
(1) has or will have exercised within any five (5) consecutive business days a number of index warrants overlying the same index in excess of the limits for index warrant positions contained in Equity 10, Section 4; or
(2) has or will have exceeded the applicable exercise limit fixed from time to time by an exchange other than Nasdaq.
(b) Nasdaq, pursuant to the Rule 9600 Series for good cause shown, may institute other limitations concerning the exercise of index warrants from time to time. Reasonable notice shall be given of each new limitation fixed by Nasdaq.
These exercise limitations are separate and distinct from any other exercise limitations imposed by the issuers of index warrants.
Amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).
(a) Each member shall file with Nasdaq Regulation a report with respect to each account in which the member has an interest, each account of a partner, officer, director or employee of such member, and each customer account of the
member, which has established an aggregate position of 100,000 index warrants on the same side of the market in an index warrant issue listed on Nasdaq, combining such index warrant position with positions in index warrants overlying the same index on the
same side of the market traded on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange.
(b) Such report shall identify the person or persons having an interest in such account and shall identify separately the total number of each type of index warrant that comprises the reportable position in such account. The report
shall be in such form as may be prescribed by Nasdaq Regulation and shall be filed no later than the close of business on the next business day following the day on which the transaction or transactions necessitating the filing of such report occurred. Whenever
a report shall be required to be filed with respect to an account pursuant to this Rule, the member filing such report shall file with Nasdaq Regulation such additional periodic reports with respect to such account as Nasdaq Regulation may from time to time
prescribe.
Amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).
(a) Whenever Nasdaq Regulation determines that a person or group of persons acting in concert holds or controls an aggregate position (whether short or long) in index warrants overlying the same index in excess of the position limitations
established by Equity 10, Section 4, it may, when deemed necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors, direct any member or all members carrying a position in index warrants overlying such index for such person or persons
to liquidate such position or positions, or portions thereof, as expeditiously as possible and consistent with the maintenance of an orderly market, so as to bring such person or persons into compliance with the position limitations contained in Equity 10,
Section 4.
(b) Whenever such a directive is issued by Nasdaq Regulation no member receiving notice thereof shall accept and/or execute for any person or persons named in such directive any order to purchase or sell short any index warrants based
on the same index, unless in each instance express approval therefor is given by Nasdaq Regulation, or the directive is rescinded.
Amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).
(a) Nasdaq will consider for trading pursuant to unlisted trading privileges, a Commodity-Related Security that meets the criteria of this Rule. Unless otherwise noted, a Commodity-Related Security approved for trading under this
rule is eligible for trading during all Nasdaq market sessions if members comply with Equity 2, Section 20 when accepting Commodity-Related Security orders for execution in the pre-market session or post-market session.
(b) Applicability. This Rule is applicable only to Commodity-Related Securities. Except to the extent inconsistent with this Rule, or unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of all other Nasdaq Rules shall be applicable
to the trading on Nasdaq of such securities. Commodity-Related Securities are included within the definition of "security" or "securities" as such terms are used in the Nasdaq Rules.
(c) Definitions. The following terms shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning herein specified:
(1) Commodity-Related Security. The term "Commodity-Related Security" means a security that is issued by a trust, partnership, commodity pool or similar entity that invests, directly or through another entity, in any
combination of commodities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, commodity swaps, or other related derivatives, or the value of which is determined by the value of commodities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts,
forward contracts, commodity swaps, or other related derivatives.
(2) Commodity. The term "commodity" is defined in Section 1(a)(4) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
(d) Information Barriers. A member acting as a registered market maker in a Commodity-Related Security is obligated to establish adequate information barriers when such market maker engages in inter-departmental communications. Members
should refer to NASD/NYSE Joint Memo on Chinese Wall Policies and Procedures ( NASD Notice to Members 91-45) for guidance on the "`minimum elements' of adequate Chinese Wall policy and procedures." For purposes of a Commodity-Related Security only, "inter-departmental
communications" shall include communications to other departments within the same firm or the firm's affiliates that involve trading in commodities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, commodity swaps, or other related derivatives
underlying such Commodity-Related Security.
(e) Market Maker Accounts. A member acting as a registered market maker in a Commodity-Related Security must file with Nasdaq Regulation in a manner prescribed by Nasdaq Regulation and keep current a list identifying all accounts
for trading in commodities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, commodity swaps, or other related derivatives underlying such Commodity- Related Security, in which the market maker holds an interest, over which it may exercise
investment discretion, or in which it shares in the profits and losses. No market maker shall trade in, or exercise investment discretion with respect to, such underlying commodities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, commodity
swaps, or other related derivatives, in an account in which a market maker, directly or indirectly, controls trading activities, or has an interest in the profits or losses thereof, that has not been reported as required by this Rule.
(f) The member acting as a registered market maker in a Commodity-Related Security shall make available to Nasdaq Regulation such books, records or other information pertaining to transactions by such entity or registered or non-registered
employee affiliated with such entity for its or their own accounts for trading commodities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, commodity swaps, or other related derivatives underlying such Commodity-Related Security, as may
be requested by Nasdaq Regulation.
(g) In connection with trading a Commodity-Related Security or commodities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, commodity swaps, or other related derivatives underlying a Commodity-Related Security,
the member acting as a market maker in a Commodity-Related Security shall not use any material nonpublic information received from any person associated with the member or employee of such person regarding trading by such person or employee in the commodities,
futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, commodity swaps, or other related derivatives underlying such Commodity- Related Security.
(h) Nasdaq requires that members provide all purchasers of a newly issued Commodity-Related Security a prospectus for such Commodity-Related Security.
Amended Nov. 23, 2020 (SR-NASDAQ-2020-079).