6240. Prohibition from Locking or Crossing Quotations in NMS Stocks
(a) Definitions. For purposes of these Rules, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The terms "automated quotation," "National Market System Plan" (NMS Plan), "intermarket sweep order," "manual quotation," "NMS stock," "protected quotation," and "trading center" shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 600(b) of SEC Regulation NMS.
(2) The term crossing quotation shall mean the display of a bid for an NMS stock at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time at a price that is higher than the price of an offer for such NMS stock previously disseminated pursuant to an effective NMS Plan, or the display of an offer for an NMS stock at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time at a price that is lower than the price of a bid for such NMS stock previously disseminated pursuant to an effective NMS Plan.
(3) The term locking quotation shall mean the display of a bid for an NMS stock at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time at a price that equals the price of an offer for such NMS stock previously disseminated pursuant to an effective NMS Plan, or the display of an offer for an NMS stock at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time at a price that equals the price of a bid for such NMS stock previously disseminated pursuant to an effective NMS Plan.
(b) Prohibition. Except for quotations that fall within the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Rule, members shall reasonably avoid displaying, and shall not engage in a pattern or practice of displaying, any quotations that lock or cross a protected quotation, and any manual quotations that lock or cross a quotation previously disseminated pursuant to an effective NMS Plan.
(c) Manual quotations. FINRA prohibits the display of manual quotations in the Alternative Display Facility, as specified in Rule 6250. However, if a member displays a manual quotation in another FINRA facility that locks or crosses a quotation previously disseminated pursuant to an effective NMS Plan, such member shall promptly either withdraw the manual quotation or route an intermarket sweep order to execute against the full displayed size of the locked or crossed quotation.
(d) Exceptions.
(1) The locking or crossing quotation was displayed at a time when the trading center displaying the locked or crossed quotation was experiencing a failure, material delay, or malfunction of its systems or equipment.
(2) The locking or crossing quotation was displayed at a time when a protected bid was higher than a protected offer in the NMS stock.
(3) The locking or crossing quotation was an automated quotation, and the member displaying such automated quotation simultaneously routed an intermarket sweep order to execute against the full displayed size of any locked or crossed protected quotation.
(4) The locking or crossing quotation was a manual quotation that locked or crossed another manual quotation, and the member displaying the locking or crossing manual quotation simultaneously routed an intermarket sweep order to execute against the full displayed size of the locked or crossed manual quotation.
| Amended by SR-FINRA-2008-021 eff. Dec. 15, 2008. Amended by SR-NASD-2007-001 eff. March 5, 2007. Adopted by SR-NASD-2006-091 eff. March 5, 2007. Selected Notice: 08-57. |
- Regulatory Notice 10-42September 20, 2010