**Summary:**
This circular, reference number SEBI/HO/MRD1/DSA/CIR/P/2020/107, issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on June 24, 2020, outlines revised guidelines for the Order-to-Trade Ratio (OTR) for algorithmic trading. It is addressed to all recognized stock exchanges, excluding Commodity Derivatives Exchanges and Stock Exchanges in International Financial Services Centres.
The circular modifies the existing OTR framework based on requests from stock exchanges. It permits exchanges to introduce additional OTR slabs up to 2000 (from the existing 500) and for OTRs exceeding 2000, with incrementally deterrent penalties determined jointly by the exchanges.
Furthermore, a cooling-off period will be enforced: on the third instance of a member's OTR reaching 2000 or more within a rolling 30-day period, that member will be prohibited from placing orders for the first 15 minutes of the subsequent trading day.
Stock exchanges are required to amend their bylaws, rules, and regulations as necessary to implement these changes.
This circular is issued under the authority granted by Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, and Section 10 of the Securities Contracts Regulation Act, 1956. The purpose is to protect investor interests, promote the development of the securities market, and regulate the market.
The circular is accessible on the SEBI website (www.sebi.gov.in) under the "Legal Framework-Circulars" section.
For further information, contact Sanjay Purao, General Manager, Market Regulation Department, at 022-26449343 or sanjayp@sebi.gov.in.
Key Entities Referenced
Securities and Exchange Board of India: Regulatory body for securities market in India, referred to as SEBI.
Stock Exchanges: Refers to recognised Stock Exchanges in India, excluding Commodity Derivatives Exchanges and Stock Exchanges in International Financial Services Centre.
Algorithmic Trading: Trading using computer programs that automatically submit orders, also called algo trading.
Ordertotrade ratio: Ratio of orders placed to trades executed, abbreviated as OTR.
Securities Contracts Regulation Act, 1956: Indian legislation regulating securities contracts.
Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act 1992: Legal provision under which the circular is issued, granting powers to SEBI.
Market Regulation Department: The department within SEBI responsible for market regulation, headed by Sanjay Purao.
International Financial Services Centre: Financial centers offering financial services to non-residents and residents, but denominated in foreign currency
CIRCULAR
SEBI/HO/MRD1/DSAP/CIR/P/2020/107 June 24, 2020
To
All recognised Stock Exchanges (except Commodity Derivatives Exchanges and Stock
Exchanges in International Financial Services Centre)
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Subject: Guidelines for Order-to-trade ratio (OTR) for Algorithmic Trading
SEBI vide circulars no. CIR/MRD/DP/09/2012 dated March 30, 2012,
CIR/MRD/DP/16/2013 dated May 21, 2013 and SEBI/HO/MRD/DP/CIR/P/2018/62 dated
April 09, 2018, had advised stock exchanges to put in place effective economic
disincentives for high daily order-to-trade ratio (OTR) of algo orders placed by trading
members.
2. On the basis of request received from the stock exchange(s) the mechanism has been
reviewed and the following modification shall be carried out in the existing OTR
framework:
a. Stock exchanges may be permitted to introduce additional slabs upto OTR of
2000 (from existing OTR of 500), and for OTR more than 2000. Such slabs can
be introduced with deterrent incremental penalty, which stock exchanges may
decide jointly.
b. On the third instance of OTR being 2000 or more, in last 30 days (rolling basis),
the concerned member shall not be permitted to place any orders for the first
15 minutes on the next trading day as a cooling off action.
Page 1 of 23. The recognised stock exchanges may make necessary amendment to their existing
byelaws, rules and/or regulations, wherever required.
4. This circular is issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 11(1) of the
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act 1992, read with Section 10 of the
Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 to protect the interests of investors in
securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market.
5. This circular is available on SEBI website at www.sebi.gov.in at “Legal
Framework→Circulars”.
Yours faithfully,
Sanjay Purao
General Manager
Market Regulation Department
Tel. No: 022-26449343
sanjayp@sebi.gov.in
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