Proposes to amend NYSE Rule 104 to codify certain traditional Trading Floor functions that may be performed by Designated Market Makers ("DMMs"), and for these other reasons:  (i) to make Exchange systems available to DMMs that would provide certain market information, (ii) to amend the Exchange’s rules governing the ability of DMMs to provide market information to Floor brokers, and, (iii) to make conforming amendments to other rules. DMM Obligations. DMMs are obligated to maintain the quality of the markets in securities to which they are assigned, similar in certain respects to the obligations formerly held by specialists.  DMMs, in addition to their trading functions, provide support on the Trading Floor to assist in the efficient operation of the Exchange market and maintain fair and orderly markets.  These functions were also performed by specialists before the New Market Model was adopted. The NYSE categorizes Trading Floor functions that DMMs may perform into these 4 areas: (i) maintaining order among Floor brokers manually trading at the DMM’s assigned panel;  (ii) bringing Floor brokers together to facilitate trading;  (iii) assisting Floor brokers with respect to their orders; and, (iv) researching the status of orders or questioned trades. Proposed Rule Changes. The NYSE would add add new subparagraph (j)(ii) to Rule 104, which would state that the Exchange may make systems available to a DMM at the post that display the following types of information about securities in which the DMM is registered:

• (A) aggregated information about buying and selling interest;
• (B) disaggregated information about the price and size of any individual order or Floor broker agency interest file, also known as “e-Quotes,” except that Exchange systems would not make available to DMMs information about any order or  e-Quote, or portion thereof, that a market participant has elected not to display to a DMM; and,
• (C) post-trade information.

For the latter two categories, the DMM would have access to entering and clearing firm information and, as applicable, the badge number of the Floor broker representing the  order. The systems would not contain any information about the ultimate customer - i.e., the name of the member or member organization’s customer) in a transaction.  Aggregated information about buying and selling interest and post-trade information are currently available to DMMs. For further details, go to:   [NYSE Rule Filing 11-56, 10/31/11]