SEC Directs Equity Exchanges and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority to Improve Governance of Market Data Plans

The Securities and Exchange Commission today issued an order directing the equity exchanges and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) (the participants) to submit a new National Market System plan (NMS plan) with a modernized governance structure for the production of public consolidated equity market data and the dissemination of trade and quote data from trading venues. "Today's action reflects careful analysis and deliberation on modernizing and improving access to equity market data and, as a result, our equity market structure more generally," said SEC Chairman Jay Clayton. "Today's Commission action is based on extensive input from a broad range of investors and market participants and reflects the commitment of the women and men of the SEC to fairness in our markets and the interests of investors." Millions of Main Street investors, whether individually or collectively through mutual funds or pension funds, have invested their savings in equity securities.