Alliancebernstein 10-Q 28 Apr 16 2016 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
Entity Central Index Key	1,109,448
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	270,638,334

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 829,233	$ 577,300
Cash and cash equivalents	796,378	541,483
Cash and securities segregated, at fair value (cost: $723,470 and $565,264)	723,776	565,274
Receivables, net:
Brokers and dealers	266,507	411,174
Brokerage clients	1,373,692	1,328,406
Fees	234,443	257,091
Investments:
Long-term incentive compensation-related	65,511	78,154
Other	463,293	591,646
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	159,029	160,360
Goodwill	3,044,807	3,044,807
Intangible assets, net	139,327	145,710
Deferred sales commissions, net	85,821	99,070
Other assets	210,594	210,546
Total assets	7,915,520	7,433,721
Payables:
Brokers and dealers	283,776	191,990
Securities sold not yet purchased	13,472	16,097
Brokerage clients	1,849,768	1,715,096
AB mutual funds	195,988	137,886
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	441,753	469,753
Accrued compensation and benefits	313,798	253,079
Debt	485,621	581,700
Total liabilities	$ 3,660,532	$ 3,365,601
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable non-controlling interest	$ 217,700	$ 13,203
Capital:
General Partner	40,669	40,875
Limited partners: 270,638,334 and 272,301,827 units issued and outstanding	4,108,796	4,128,752
Receivables from affiliates	(7,765)	(14,498)
AB Holding Units held for long-term incentive compensation plans	(31,417)	(29,332)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(90,617)	(95,353)
Partners’ capital attributable to AB Unitholders	4,019,666	4,030,444
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	17,622	24,473
Total capital	4,037,288	4,054,917
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and capital	7,915,520	7,433,721
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	32,855	0
Investments:
Investments	243,248	0
Other assets	76,239	0
Payables:
Liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities	$ 76,356	$ 0

Condensed Consolidated Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and securities segregated, at cost	$ 723,470	$ 565,264
Limited partners, units issued	270,638,334	272,301,827
Limited partners, units outstanding	270,638,334	272,301,827

Condensed Consolidated Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Investment advisory and services fees	$ 451,413	$ 493,988
Bernstein research services	126,465	126,046
Distribution revenues	92,692	109,184
Dividend and interest income	7,370	5,094
Investment gains (losses)	65,650	3,888
Other revenues	27,611	24,990
Total revenues	771,201	763,190
Less: Interest expense	2,075	619
Net revenues	769,126	762,571
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	302,011	326,327
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	87,127	100,386
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	11,242	12,399
Other	54,201	55,537
General and administrative:
General and administrative	105,923	107,333
Real estate charges (credits)	27,586	(383)
Contingent payment arrangements	353	443
Interest on borrowings	1,232	854
Amortization of intangible assets	6,409	6,461
Total expenses	596,084	609,357
Operating income	173,042	153,214
Income taxes	9,864	10,470
Net income	163,178	142,744
Net (loss) income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	(5,748)	1,275
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 168,926	$ 141,469
Net income per AB Unit:
Basic (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.62	$ 0.51
Diluted (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.61	$ 0.51

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 163,178	$ 142,744
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,225	(12,275)
Income tax expense	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	5,225	(12,275)
Unrealized (losses) gains on investments:
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during period	(8)	189
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income	(3)	0
Change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments	(5)	189
Income tax (expense) benefit	(1)	119
Unrealized (losses) gains on investments, net of tax	(6)	308
Changes in employee benefit related items:
Amortization of prior service cost	71	0
Recognized actuarial (loss) gain	(433)	237
Changes in employee benefit related items	(362)	237
Income tax expense	(71)	(62)
Employee benefit related items, net of tax	(433)	175
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4,786	(11,792)
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income in consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	(5,697)	1,208
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 173,661	$ 129,744

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 163,178	$ 142,744
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	11,242	12,399
Non-cash long-term incentive compensation expense	739	3,387
Depreciation and other amortization	14,784	14,294
Unrealized gains on investments	(10,587)	(7,541)
Other, net	11,936	578
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) in segregated cash and securities	(158,502)	(43,862)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	117,443	(125,720)
(Increase) decrease in investments	127,820	42,310
Decrease (increase) in deferred sales commissions	2,007	(15,991)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(1,402)	(18,756)
Increase in payables	277,154	181,581
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	62,805	988
Increase in accrued compensation and benefits	59,741	73,370
Net cash provided by operating activities	675,917	259,781
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	0	(85)
Proceeds from sales of investments	91	0
Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements	(11,241)	(5,050)
Proceeds from sales of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements	0	33
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,150)	(5,102)
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Repayment) issuance of commercial paper, net	(96,989)	11,295
(Decrease) increase in overdrafts payable	(91,313)	38,772
Distributions to General Partner and Unitholders	(153,433)	(173,075)
Capital contributions from (distributions to) non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	0	202
Capital contributions from General Partner	233	335
Capital contributions from AB Holding	6,115	6,019
Payments of contingent payment arrangements	(280)	(213)
Additional investments by AB Holding with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	1,457	3,901
Purchases of AB Holding Units to fund long-term incentive compensation plan awards, net	(39,550)	(16,929)
Purchases of AB Units	(4)	(11)
Other	(2)	(7)
Net cash used in financing activities	(421,274)	(129,711)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	8,440	(9,183)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	251,933	115,785
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period	577,300	555,503
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period	829,233	671,288
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Unrealized gains on investments	8,032	0
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in investments	(12,208)	0
(Increase) decrease in other assets	1,735	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Capital contributions from (distributions to) non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	(47,508)	$ 0
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period	32,855
Supplemental information - consolidation of variable interest entities:
Consolidation of cash and cash equivalents of consolidated variable interest entities	35,817
Consolidation of investments of consolidated variable interest entities	215,175
Consolidation of other assets of consolidated variable interest entities	13,871
Consolidation of other liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities	14,012
Consolidation of redeemable non-controlling interest of consolidated variable interest entities	$ 250,851

Business Description Organizati

Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation	Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation Business Description We provide research, diversified investment management and related services globally to a broad range of clients. Our principal services include: • Institutional Services – servicing our institutional clients, including private and public pension plans, foundations and endowments, insurance companies, central banks and governments worldwide, and affiliates such as AXA and its subsidiaries, by means of separately-managed accounts, sub-advisory relationships, structured products, collective investment trusts, mutual funds, hedge funds and other investment vehicles. • Retail Services – servicing our retail clients, primarily by means of retail mutual funds sponsored by AB or an affiliated company, sub-advisory relationships with mutual funds sponsored by third parties, separately-managed account programs sponsored by financial intermediaries worldwide and other investment vehicles. • Private Wealth Management Services – servicing our private clients, including high-net-worth individuals and families, trusts and estates, charitable foundations, partnerships, private and family corporations, and other entities, by means of separately-managed accounts, hedge funds, mutual funds and other investment vehicles. • Bernstein Research Services – servicing institutional investors, such as pension fund, hedge fund and mutual fund managers, seeking high-quality fundamental research, quantitative services and brokerage-related services in equities and listed options. We also provide distribution, shareholder servicing, transfer agency services and administrative services to the mutual funds we sponsor. Our high-quality, in-depth research is the foundation of our business. Our research disciplines include economic, fundamental equity, fixed income and quantitative research. In addition, we have experts focused on multi-asset strategies, wealth management and alternative investments. We provide a broad range of investment services with expertise in: • Actively-managed equity strategies, with global and regional portfolios across capitalization ranges and investment strategies, including value, growth and core equities; • Actively-managed traditional and unconstrained fixed income strategies, including taxable and tax-exempt strategies; • Passive management, including index and enhanced index strategies; • Alternative investments, including hedge funds, fund of funds and private equity ( e.g. , direct real estate investing); and • Multi-asset solutions and services, including dynamic asset allocation, customized target-date funds and target-risk funds. Our services span various investment disciplines, including market capitalization ( e.g. , large-, mid- and small-cap equities), term ( e.g. , long-, intermediate- and short-duration debt securities), and geographic location ( e.g. , U.S., international, global, emerging markets, regional and local), in major markets around the world. Organization As of March 31, 2016 , AXA, a société anonyme organized under the laws of France and the holding company for the AXA Group, a worldwide leader in financial protection, through certain of its subsidiaries (“AXA and its subsidiaries”), owns approximately 1.5% of the issued and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial ownership of limited partnership interests in AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“AB Holding Units”). As of March 31, 2016 , the ownership structure of AB, expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests, is as follows: AXA and its subsidiaries 62.7 % AB Holding 36.0 Unaffiliated holders 1.3 100.0 % AllianceBernstein Corporation (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA, “General Partner”) is the general partner of both AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“AB Holding”) and AB. AllianceBernstein Corporation owns 100,000 general partnership units in AB Holding and a 1% general partnership interest in AB. Including both the general partnership and limited partnership interests in AB Holding and AB, AXA and its subsidiaries had an approximate 63.2% economic interest in AB as of March 31, 2016 . Basis of Presentation The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the interim results, have been made. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the interim reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2015 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The condensed consolidated financial statements include AB and its majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries, and the consolidated entities that are considered to be variable interest entities ("VIEs") and for which AB is considered the primary beneficiary. Non-controlling interests on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition includes the portion of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds in which we do not have direct equity ownership. All significant inter-company transactions and balances among the consolidated entities have been eliminated.

Significant Accounting Pronounc

Significant Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Pronouncements	Significant Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-02, Consolidation – Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"), which provides a new consolidation standard for evaluating: (i) limited partnerships and similar entities for consolidation, (ii) how decision maker or service provider fees affect the consolidation analysis, (iii) how interest held by related parties affect the consolidation analysis, and (iv) the consolidation analysis required for certain investment funds. We adopted ASU 2015-02 using the modified retrospective method with an effective adoption date of January 1, 2016, which did not require the restatement of prior-year periods. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 resulted in the consolidation of certain investment funds that were not previously consolidated. These funds became consolidated VIEs as we are considered the party with both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. See Consolidation of VIEs below . In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This standard requires debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2016 on a retrospective basis, which required the restatement of prior periods. The adoption of this standard had no material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement : Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) . This standard removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value ("NAV") per share practical expedient. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2016 on a retrospective basis, which required the restatement of prior-period disclosures. The adoption of this standard had no material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . The amendment is effective retrospectively for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017. Management currently is evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . The amendment addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The amendment is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017 and will result in a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, except for one provision relating to equity securities without readily determinable fair values, which provision will be applied prospectively. The amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases . The amendment requires recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the statement of financial condition and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. Specifically, this guidance requires a lessee of operating leases to recognize on the statement of financial condition a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The amendment is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2018 and requires lessees to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements using a modified retrospective approach. Management currently is evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting . The amendment eliminates the current requirement for a retroactive adjustment and instead requires that the investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor's previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Additionally, the amendment requires that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The amendment is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied prospectively as of the effective date of increases in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence that result in the adoption of the equity method. The amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting . The amendment includes provisions intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements, including: income tax effects of share-based payments, minimum statutory tax withholding requirements and forfeitures. The amendment is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2016. The provisions may be applied using various transition approaches (prospective, retrospective and modified retrospective). Management currently is evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. Consolidation of VIEs As discussed above , we adopted ASU 2015-02 effective January 1, 2016. For legal entities evaluated for consolidation, we first determined whether the fees we receive and the interests we hold qualify as a variable interest in the entity. This included an evaluation of fees paid to us as a decision maker or service provider to the entity being evaluated. Fees received by us are not variable interests if (i) the fees are compensation for services provided and are commensurate with the level of effort required to provide those services, (ii) the service arrangement includes only terms, conditions or amounts that are customarily present in arrangements for similar services negotiated at arm’s length, and (iii) our other economic interests in the entity held directly and indirectly through our related parties, as well as economic interests held by related parties under common control, would not absorb more than an insignificant amount of the entity’s losses or receive more than an insignificant amount of the entity’s benefits. For those entities in which we have a variable interest, we performed an analysis to determine whether the entity is a VIE by considering whether the entity’s equity investment at risk is insufficient, whether the investors lack decision making rights proportional to their ownership percentage of the entity, and whether the investors lack the obligation to absorb an entity’s expected losses or the right to receive an entity’s expected income. A VIE must be consolidated by its primary beneficiary, which generally is defined as the party who has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. We are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in a VIE if we have (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE's economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive income from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For purposes of evaluating (ii) above, fees paid to us as a decision maker or service provider are excluded if the fees are compensation for services provided commensurate with the level of effort required to be performed and the arrangement includes only customary terms, conditions or amounts present in arrangements for similar services negotiated at arm’s length. The primary beneficiary evaluation generally is performed qualitatively based on all facts and circumstances, as well as quantitatively, as appropriate. If we have a variable interest in an entity that is determined not to be a VIE, the entity is then evaluated for consolidation under the voting interest entity (“VOE”) model. For limited partnerships and similar entities, we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in a VOE, and would be required to consolidate the entity, if we own a majority of the entity’s kick-out rights through voting limited partnership interests and limited partners do not hold substantive participating rights (or other rights that would indicate that we do not control the entity). For entities other than limited partnerships, we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in a VOE if we own a majority voting interest in the entity. The analysis performed regarding the determination of variable interests held, whether entities are VIEs or VOEs, and whether we have a controlling financial interest in such entities requires the exercise of judgment. The analysis is updated continuously as circumstances change or new entities are formed. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2015-02, effective January 1, 2016, we have consolidated three investment funds that are classified as VIEs in which we have a controlling financial interest. Ownership interests not held by us relating to these consolidated VIEs are included in redeemable non-controlling interest on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition. In addition, effective January 1, 2016, we reclassified our consolidated private equity fund as a consolidated VIE (which was consolidated as of December 31, 2015 under previous accounting guidance due to our controlling financial interest of a VOE). Ownership interests not held by us relating to this consolidated VIE, which is a closed-end fund, are included in non-controlling interest on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition. The supplemental information included on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows relates to balance sheet amounts of the three investment funds consolidated as of January 1, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, the net assets of company-sponsored investment products that are non-consolidated VIEs are approximately $36.6 billion , and our maximum risk of loss is our investment of $6.4 million in these VIEs and advisory fee receivables from these VIEs, which are not material.

Long-term Incentive Compensatio

Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans	Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans We maintain an unfunded, non-qualified long-term incentive compensation plan, under which we grant annual awards to employees, generally in the fourth quarter, and to members of the Board of Directors, who are not employed by us or any of our affiliates ("Eligible Directors"). We fund our restricted AB Holding Unit awards either by purchasing AB Holding Units on the open market or purchasing newly-issued AB Holding Units from AB Holding, and then keeping all of these AB Holding Units in a consolidated rabbi trust until delivering them to employees or retiring them. In accordance with the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AB (“AB Partnership Agreement”), when AB purchases newly-issued AB Holding Units from AB Holding, AB Holding is required to use the proceeds it receives from AB to purchase the equivalent number of newly-issued AB Units, thus increasing its percentage ownership interest in AB. AB Holding Units held in the consolidated rabbi trust are corporate assets in the name of the trust and are available to the general creditors of AB. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , we purchased 1.9 million and 0.7 million AB Holding Units for $39.7 million and $17.0 million , respectively (on a trade date basis). These amounts reflect open-market purchases of 1.8 million and 0.6 million AB Holding Units for $38.1 million and $15.1 million , respectively, with the remainder relating to purchases of AB Holding Units from employees to allow them to fulfill statutory tax withholding requirements at the time of delivery of long-term incentive compensation awards. Purchases of AB Holding Units reflected on the consolidated statements of cash flows are net of AB Holding Unit purchases by employees as part of a distribution reinvestment election. Each quarter, we implement plans to repurchase AB Holding Units pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). A Rule 10b5-1 plan allows a company to repurchase its shares at times when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so because of self-imposed trading blackout periods or because it possesses material non-public information. Each broker we select has the authority under the terms and limitations specified in the plan to repurchase AB Holding Units on our behalf in accordance with the terms of the plan. Repurchases are subject to regulations promulgated by the SEC as well as certain price, market volume and timing constraints specified in the plan. The plan adopted during the first quarter of 2016 expired at the close of business on April 27, 2016. We may adopt additional Rule 10b5-1 plans in the future to engage in open-market purchases of AB Holding Units to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program and for other corporate purposes. During the first three months of 2016 and 2015 , we granted to employees and Eligible Directors 0.3 million and 0.1 million restricted AB Holding Unit awards, respectively. We used AB Holding Units repurchased during the period and newly-issued AB Holding Units to fund these awards. During the first three months of 2016 and 2015 , AB Holding issued 0.1 million and 0.2 million AB Holding Units, respectively, upon exercise of options to buy AB Holding Units. AB Holding used the proceeds of $1.5 million and $3.9 million , respectively, received from employees as payment in cash for the exercise price to purchase the equivalent number of newly-issued AB Units.

Cash Distributions

Cash Distributions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Cash Distributions	Cash Distributions AB is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow, as defined in the AB Partnership Agreement, to its Unitholders and to the General Partner. Available Cash Flow can be summarized as the cash flow received by AB from operations minus such amounts as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, should be retained by AB for use in its business, or plus such amounts as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, should be released from previously retained cash flow. Typically, Available Cash Flow has been the adjusted diluted net income per unit for the quarter multiplied by the number of general and limited partnership interests at the end of the quarter. In future periods, management anticipates that Available Cash Flow will be based on adjusted diluted net income per unit, unless management determines that one or more non-GAAP adjustments that are made for adjusted net income should not be made with respect to the Available Cash Flow calculation. On April 28, 2016 , the General Partner declared a distribution of $0.45 per AB Unit, representing a distribution of Available Cash Flow for the three months ended March 31, 2016 . The General Partner, as a result of its 1% general partnership interest, is entitled to receive 1% of each distribution. The distribution is payable on May 19, 2016 to holders of record on May 9, 2016 .

Real Estate Charges

Real Estate Charges	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Real Estate Charges	Real Estate Charges During 2010, we performed a comprehensive review of our real estate requirements in New York in connection with our workforce reductions, which commenced in 2008. As a result, during 2010 we decided to sub-lease over 380,000 square feet in New York (all of this space has been sublet) and consolidate our New York-based employees into two office locations from three . During the third quarter of 2012, in an effort to further reduce our global real estate footprint, we completed a comprehensive review of our worldwide office locations and began implementing a global space consolidation plan. As a result, we decided to sub-lease approximately 510,000 square feet of office space (all of this space has been sublet), more than 70% of which is New York office space (in addition to the 380,000 square foot space reduction in 2010), with the remainder consisting of office space in England, Australia and various U.S. locations. During the first three months of 2016 , we recorded pre-tax real estate charges of $27.6 million , resulting from new charges of $28.5 million relating to the further consolidation of office space at our New York offices, offset by changes in estimates related to previously recorded real estate charges. The activity in the liability account relating to our 2010 and 2012 office space consolidation initiatives for the following periods is as follows: Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 116,064 $ 148,429 Expense (credit) incurred (391 ) 2,258 Payments made (5,289 ) (38,920 ) Interest accretion 1,075 4,297 Balance as of end of period $ 111,459 $ 116,064

Net Income per Unit

Net Income per Unit	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Unit [Abstract]
Net Income per Unit	Net Income per Unit Basic net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the basic weighted average number of units outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the total of the diluted weighted average number of units outstanding for each period. Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands, except per unit amounts) Net income attributable to AB Unitholders $ 168,926 $ 141,469 Weighted average units outstanding – basic 271,853 272,831 Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units 400 1,098 Weighted average units outstanding – diluted 272,253 273,929 Basic net income per AB Unit $ 0.62 $ 0.51 Diluted net income per AB Unit $ 0.61 $ 0.51 For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , we excluded 2,888,476 and 2,774,117 options, respectively, from the diluted net income per unit computation due to their anti-dilutive effect.

Cash and Securities Segregated

Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Brokers and Dealers [Abstract]
Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements	Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , $0.6 billion and $0.5 billion , respectively, of U.S. Treasury Bills were segregated in a special reserve bank custody account for the exclusive benefit of our brokerage customers under Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act. One of our subsidiaries, which serves as the distributor of our U.S. mutual funds, maintains several special bank accounts for the exclusive benefit of customers. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , $89.2 million and $55.4 million , respectively, of cash was segregated in these bank accounts.

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Investments Investments consist of: March 31, December 31, (in thousands) Available-for-sale $ 293 $ 364 Trading: Long-term incentive compensation-related 49,120 59,150 U.S. Treasury Bills 29,961 24,942 Seed capital 282,176 406,322 Equities 70,315 43,584 Exchange-traded options 4,709 5,910 Investments in limited partnership hedge funds: Long-term incentive compensation-related 16,391 19,004 Seed capital 19,695 20,082 Consolidated private equity fund — 23,897 Private equity 38,248 48,761 Investments in consolidated VIEs 243,248 — Other 17,896 17,784 Total investments $ 772,052 $ 669,800 Total investments related to long-term incentive compensation obligations of $65.5 million and $78.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, consist of company-sponsored mutual funds and hedge funds. For long-term incentive compensation awards granted before 2009, we typically made investments in our services that were notionally elected by plan participants and maintained them (and continue to maintain them) in a consolidated rabbi trust or separate custodial account. The rabbi trust and custodial account enable us to hold such investments separate from our other assets for the purpose of settling our obligations to participants. The investments held in the rabbi trust and custodial account remain available to the general creditors of AB. The underlying investments of the hedge funds in which we invest include long and short positions in equity securities, fixed income securities (including various agency and non-agency asset-based securities), currencies, commodities and derivatives (including various swaps and forward contracts). These investments are valued at quoted market prices or, where quoted market prices are not available, are fair valued based on the pricing policies and procedures of the underlying funds. U.S. Treasury Bills, the majority of which are pledged as collateral with clearing organizations, are held in our investment account. These clearing organizations have the ability by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge this collateral. We allocate seed capital to our investment teams to help develop new products and services for our clients. The seed capital trading investments are equity and fixed income products, primarily in the form of separately-managed account portfolios, U.S. mutual funds, Luxembourg funds, Japanese investment trust management funds or Delaware business trusts. We also may allocate seed capital to investments in private equity funds, such as our consolidated venture capital fund, which holds technology, media, telecommunications, healthcare and clean-tech investments, and a third-party venture capital fund that invests in communications, consumer, digital media, healthcare and information technology markets. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , our seed capital investments were $395.4 million and $478.0 million , respectively. Our consolidated venture capital fund, previously consolidated under the voting interest entity model, is considered a consolidated VIE effective January 1, 2016 upon the adoption of ASU 2015-02. Trading securities also include long positions in corporate equities, an exchange-traded fund and long exchange-traded options traded through our options desk. The portion of trading gains (losses) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 related to trading securities held as of March 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Net gains recognized during the period $ 1,232 $ 6,784 Less: net (losses) gains recognized during the period on trading securities sold during the period (10,361 ) 6,047 Unrealized gains recognized during the period on trading securities held $ 11,593 $ 737

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments	Derivative Instruments We enter into various futures, forwards and swaps to economically hedge certain seed capital investments. Also, we have currency forwards that economically hedge certain cash accounts and exchange-traded futures to economically hedge a foreign investment. In addition, our options desk trades long and short exchange-traded equity options. We do not hold any derivatives designated in a formal hedge relationship under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging . The notional value and fair value as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 for derivative instruments (excluding our options desk trading activities discussed below ) not designated as hedging instruments were as follows: Fair Value Notional Value Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives (in thousands) March 31, 2016: Exchange-traded futures $ 76,382 $ 373 $ 2,957 Currency forwards 198,361 4,658 5,972 Interest rate swaps 43,300 2,144 3,270 Credit default swaps 23,004 1,476 345 Option swaps 43 46 53 Total return swaps 109,641 457 2,788 Total derivatives $ 450,731 $ 9,154 $ 15,385 December 31, 2015: Exchange-traded futures $ 160,755 $ 1,539 $ 2,651 Currency forwards 262,873 4,604 4,077 Interest rate swaps 65,484 2,945 3,745 Credit default swaps 29,421 2,089 774 Option swaps 24 9 2 Total return swaps 146,001 1,402 972 Total derivatives $ 664,558 $ 12,588 $ 12,221 As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the derivative assets and liabilities are included in both receivables and payables to brokers and dealers on our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The gains and losses for derivative instruments (excluding our options desk trading activities) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income were as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Exchange-traded futures $ 3,346 $ (4,987 ) Currency forwards (1,135 ) 3,452 Interest rate swaps (1,372 ) (745 ) Credit default swaps (408 ) (57 ) Options swaps 48 (17 ) Total return swaps (4,036 ) (3,701 ) Net (losses) on derivative instruments $ (3,557 ) $ (6,055 ) We may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments. We minimize our counterparty exposure through a credit review and approval process. In addition, we executed various collateral arrangements with counterparties to the over-the-counter derivative transactions that require both pledging and accepting collateral in the form of cash. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , we held $1.8 million and $1.5 million , respectively, of cash collateral payable to trade counterparties. This obligation to return cash is reported in payables to brokers and dealers in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Although notional amount is the most commonly used measure of volume in the derivative market, it is not used as a measure of credit risk. Generally, the current credit exposure of our derivative contracts is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivative contracts at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements and any collateral received. A derivative with positive value (a derivative asset) indicates existence of credit risk because the counterparty would owe us if the contract were closed. Alternatively, a derivative contract with negative value (a derivative liability) indicates we would owe money to the counterparty if the contract were closed. Generally, if there is more than one derivative transaction with a single counterparty, a master netting arrangement exists with respect to derivative transactions with that counterparty to provide for aggregate net settlement. Certain of our standardized contracts for over-the-counter derivative transactions (“ISDA Master Agreements”) contain credit risk related contingent provisions pertaining to each counterparty’s credit rating. In some ISDA Master Agreements, if the counterparty’s credit rating, or in some agreements, our assets under management (“AUM”), falls below a specified threshold, either a default or a termination event permitting the counterparty to terminate the ISDA Master Agreement would be triggered. In all agreements that provide for collateralization, various levels of collateralization of net liability positions are applicable, depending on the credit rating of the counterparty. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , we delivered $11.2 million and $12.8 million , respectively, of cash collateral into brokerage accounts. We report this cash collateral in cash and cash equivalents in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , we held $4.7 million and $5.9 million , respectively, of long exchange-traded equity options, which are classified as trading investments and included in other investments on our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. In addition, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , we held $3.3 million and $0.8 million , respectively, of short exchange-traded equity options, which are included in securities sold not yet purchased on our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Our options desk provides our clients with equity derivative strategies and execution for exchange-traded options on single stocks, exchange-traded funds and indices. While predominately agency-based, the options desk may commit capital to facilitate a client’s transaction. Our options desk hedges the risks associated with this activity by taking offsetting positions in equities. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we recognized $8.6 million and $32.8 million , respectively, of losses on equity options activity. These losses are recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of March 31, 2016 , our consolidated VIEs held $0.4 million , net of futures, forwards and swaps within their portfolios. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 , we recognized $3.0 million of gains on these derivative positions. These gains are recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of March 31, 2016 , the consolidated VIEs held $1.5 million of cash collateral payable to trade counterparties. This obligation to return cash is reported in the liabilities of consolidated VIEs in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of March 31, 2016 , the consolidated VIEs delivered $9.4 million of cash collateral into brokerage accounts. The consolidated VIEs report this cash collateral in the consolidated VIEs cash and cash equivalents in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Offsetting Assets and Liabiliti

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Offsetting [Abstract]
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities	Offsetting Assets and Liabilities Offsetting of assets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Received Net Amount (in thousands) March 31, 2016: Securities borrowed $ 25,855 $ — $ 25,855 $ — $ (25,855 ) $ — Derivatives $ 9,155 $ — $ 9,155 $ — $ (1,788 ) $ 7,367 Derivatives held by consolidated VIEs $ 66,227 $ — $ 66,227 $ — $ (1,460 ) $ 64,767 Long exchange-traded options $ 4,709 $ — $ 4,709 $ — $ — $ 4,709 December 31, 2015: Securities borrowed $ 75,274 $ — $ 75,274 $ — $ (75,274 ) $ — Derivatives $ 12,588 $ — $ 12,588 $ — $ (1,518 ) $ 11,070 Long exchange-traded options $ 5,910 $ — $ 5,910 $ — $ — $ 5,910 Offsetting of liabilities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Pledged Net Amount (in thousands) March 31, 2016: Securities loaned $ 17,386 $ — $ 17,386 $ — $ (17,386 ) $ — Derivatives $ 15,385 $ — $ 15,385 $ — $ (11,171 ) $ 4,214 Derivatives held by consolidated VIEs $ 66,812 $ — $ 66,812 $ — $ (9,391 ) $ 57,421 Short exchange-traded options $ 3,328 $ — $ 3,328 $ — $ — $ 3,328 December 31, 2015: Securities loaned $ 9,518 $ — $ 9,518 $ — $ (9,518 ) $ — Derivatives $ 12,221 $ — $ 12,221 $ — $ (12,221 ) $ — Short exchange-traded options $ 843 $ — $ 843 $ — $ — $ 843 Cash collateral, whether pledged or received on derivative instruments, is not considered material and, accordingly, is not disclosed by counterparty.

Fair Value

Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value	Fair Value Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability ( i.e. , the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The three broad levels of fair value hierarchy are as follows: • Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets are available for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date. • Level 2 – Quoted prices in markets that are not active or other pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. • Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable as of the reported date. These financial instruments do not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Valuation of our financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was as follows (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total March 31, 2016: Money markets $ 249,818 $ — $ — $ 249,818 U.S. Treasury Bills — 664,857 — 664,857 Available-for-sale Equity securities 186 — — 186 Fixed income securities 107 — — 107 Trading Equity securities 259,595 3,044 105 262,744 Fixed income securities 138,279 588 — 138,867 Long exchange-traded options 4,709 — — 4,709 Derivatives 373 8,782 — 9,155 Private equity — — 6,500 6,500 Consolidated VIEs Investments 76,678 151,061 15,426 243,165 Derivatives 177 66,050 — 66,227 Total assets measured at fair value $ 729,922 $ 894,382 $ 22,031 $ 1,646,335 Securities sold not yet purchased Short equities – corporate $ 10,143 $ — $ — $ 10,143 Short exchange-traded options 3,328 — — 3,328 Derivatives 2,957 12,428 — 15,385 Consolidated VIEs - derivatives 448 66,364 — 66,812 Contingent payment arrangements — — 31,119 31,119 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 16,876 $ 78,792 $ 31,119 $ 126,787 December 31, 2015: Money markets $ 116,445 $ — $ — $ 116,445 U.S. Treasury Bills — 485,121 — 485,121 Available-for-sale Equity securities 181 — — 181 Fixed income securities 183 — — 183 Trading Equity securities 304,083 22,070 116 326,269 Fixed income securities 180,194 2,594 — 182,788 Long exchange-traded options 5,910 — — 5,910 Derivatives 1,539 11,049 — 12,588 Private equity 14,305 — 16,035 30,340 Total assets measured at fair value $ 622,840 $ 520,834 $ 16,151 $ 1,159,825 Securities sold not yet purchased Short equities – corporate $ 15,254 $ — $ — $ 15,254 Short exchange-traded options 843 — — 843 Derivatives 2,651 9,570 — 12,221 Contingent payment arrangements — — 31,399 31,399 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 18,748 $ 9,570 $ 31,399 $ 59,717 Included in Note 8, Investments, but excluded in the above fair value table, are the following investments: • Limited partnership hedge funds, which are recorded using the equity method of accounting; • One private equity investment ( $10.2 million as of December 31, 2015; sold in the first quarter of 2016), which is recorded using the cost method of accounting; • Other investments, which primarily include miscellaneous investments recorded using the cost or equity method of accounting and long-term deposits; and • One private equity investment ( $31.7 million and $32.1 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)which is measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. We provide below a description of the fair value methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy: • Money markets : We invest excess cash in various money market funds that are valued based on quoted prices in active markets; these are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. • Treasury Bills : We hold U.S. Treasury Bills, which are primarily segregated in a special reserve bank custody account as required by Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act. These securities are valued based on quoted yields in secondary markets and are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. • Equity and fixed income securities : Our equity and fixed income securities consist principally of company-sponsored mutual funds with net asset values and various separately-managed portfolios consisting primarily of equity and fixed income securities with quoted prices in active markets, which are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, some securities are valued based on observable inputs from recognized pricing vendors, which are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. • Derivatives : We hold exchange-traded futures with counterparties that are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, we also hold currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, option swaps and total return swaps with counterparties that are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. • Options : We hold long exchange-traded options that are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. • Private equity : As of December 31, 2015, private equity investments include the investments of our consolidated venture capital fund and our investment in a private equity energy fund. As of March 31, 2016, the consolidated venture capital fund is classified as a consolidated VIE ( see Note 2 ) and is discussed separately below; our investment in a private equity energy fund remains. Generally, the valuation of private equity investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such investments. Private equity investments are valued initially at cost. The carrying values of private equity investments are adjusted either up or down from cost to reflect expected exit values as evidenced by financing and sale transactions with third parties, or when determination of a valuation adjustment is confirmed through ongoing review in accordance with our valuation policies and procedures. A variety of factors are reviewed and monitored to assess positive and negative changes in valuation, including current operating performance and future expectations of investee companies, industry valuations of comparable public companies, changes in market outlooks, and the third party financing environment over time. In determining valuation adjustments resulting from the investment review process, particular emphasis is placed on current company performance and market conditions. For these reasons, which make the fair value of private equity investments unobservable, equity investments are included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. If private equity investments become publicly traded, they are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Also, if they contain trading restrictions, publicly-traded equity investments are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy until the trading restrictions expire. • Securities sold not yet purchased : Securities sold not yet purchased, primarily reflecting short positions in equities and exchange-traded options, are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. • Contingent payment arrangements : Contingent payment arrangements relate to contingent payment liabilities associated with acquisitions in 2010, 2013 and 2014. At each reporting date, we estimate the fair values of the contingent consideration expected to be paid based upon probability-weighted AUM and revenue projections, using unobservable market data inputs, which are included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. • Consolidated VIEs : Three of our consolidated VIEs are open-end Luxembourg funds investing in (i) high yield debt issued by U.S. corporations and related derivatives, (ii) fixed income securities issued by Asia-Pacific issuers and related derivatives, and (iii) equity securities, including common and preferred stocks, convertible securities, depositary receipts and securities of real estate investment trusts. In addition, our venture capital fund, which is classified as a consolidated VIE effective January 1, 2016, holds both private equity investments as well as private equity investments that became publicly-traded. The investments and derivatives held by the consolidated VIEs are included in Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the valuation hierarchy. The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as private equity investments, trading equity securities and investments in consolidated VIEs, is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 16,151 $ 27,813 Transfer out — (26 ) Activity related to consolidate VIEs 5,891 — Purchases — 122 Sales — — Realized gains (losses), net — (5,194 ) Unrealized (losses) gains, net (11 ) 5,024 Balance as of end of period $ 22,031 $ 27,739 Transfers into and out of all levels of the fair value hierarchy are reflected at end-of-period fair values. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 financial instruments are recorded in investment gains and losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Also, as of March 31, 2016 , our three consolidated VIEs that are open-end Luxembourg funds hold $5.1 million of investments that are classified as Level 3. They primarily consist of corporate bonds that are vendor priced with no ratings available, bank loans, non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities. The remainder of the activity related to consolidated VIEs pertains to our consolidated venture capital fund. Quantitative information about private equity Level 3 fair value measurements as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows: Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (in thousands) Private Equity as of March 31, 2016 (included in consolidated VIEs' investments): Technology, Media and Telecommunications $ 10,316 Market comparable companies Revenue multiple 2.7 - 4.4 Marketability discount 30 % Private Equity as of December 31, 2015: Technology, Media and Telecommunications $ 9,527 Market comparable companies Revenue multiple 2.5 - 4.8 Marketability discount 30 % The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the reporting entities’ venture capital securities in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications areas are enterprise value to revenue multiples and a discount to account for liquidity and various risk factors. Significant increases (decreases) in the enterprise value to revenue multiple inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in the discount would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. In addition, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , we have an investment in a private equity fund focused exclusively on the energy sector (fair value of $6.5 million ) that is classified as Level 3. This investment’s valuation is based on a market approach, considering recent transactions of the fund and the industry. The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as contingent payment arrangements, is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 31,399 $ 42,436 Accretion 353 443 Payments (633 ) (656 ) Balance as of end of period $ 31,119 $ 42,223 Our three acquisition-related contingent consideration liabilities (with a combined fair value of $31.1 million as of March 31, 2016 and $31.4 million as of December 31, 2015 ) currently are valued using a projected AUM weighted average growth rate of 46% , a revenue growth rate of 43% , and a discount rate of 3% (using a cost of debt assumption). Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis We did not have any material assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value for impairment on a nonrecurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2016 or during the year ended December 31, 2015 .

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings With respect to all significant litigation matters, we consider the likelihood of a negative outcome. If we determine the likelihood of a negative outcome is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record an estimated loss for the expected outcome of the litigation. If the likelihood of a negative outcome is reasonably possible and we are able to determine an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss in excess of amounts already accrued, if any, we disclose that fact together with the estimate of the possible loss or range of loss. However, it is often difficult to predict the outcome or estimate a possible loss or range of loss because litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, particularly when plaintiffs allege substantial or indeterminate damages. Such is also the case when the litigation is in its early stages or when the litigation is highly complex or broad in scope. In these cases, we disclose that we are unable to predict the outcome or estimate a possible loss or range of loss. During the first quarter of 2012, we received a legal letter of claim (“Letter of Claim”) sent on behalf of Philips Pension Trustees Limited and Philips Electronics U.K. Limited (“Philips”), a former pension fund client, alleging that AllianceBernstein Limited (one of our subsidiaries organized in the U.K.) was negligent and failed to meet certain applicable standards of care with respect to the initial investment in, and management of, a £500 million portfolio of U.S. mortgage-backed securities. Philips has alleged damages ranging between $177 million and $234 million , plus compound interest on an alleged $125 million of realized losses in the portfolio. On January 2, 2014, Philips filed a claim form (“Claim”) in the High Court of Justice in London, England, which formally commenced litigation with respect to the allegations in the Letter of Claim. We believe that any losses to Philips resulted from adverse developments in the U.S. housing and mortgage market that precipitated the financial crisis in 2008 and not from any negligence or other failure or malfeasance on our part. We believe that we have strong defenses to these claims, which are set forth in our October 12, 2012 response to the Letter of Claim and our June 27, 2014 Statement of Defence in response to the Claim, and intend to defend this matter vigorously. In addition to the Claim discussed immediately above , we are involved in various other matters, including regulatory inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation, some of which allege significant damages. In management’s opinion, an adequate accrual has been made as of March 31, 2016 to provide for any probable losses regarding any litigation matters for which we can reasonably estimate an amount of loss. It is reasonably possible that we could incur additional losses pertaining to these matters, but currently we cannot estimate any such additional losses. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, currently believes that the outcome of any individual matter that is pending or threatened, or all of them combined, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity. However, any inquiry, proceeding or litigation has an element of uncertainty; management cannot determine whether further developments relating to any individual matter that is pending or threatened, or all of them combined, will have a material adverse effect on our results of operation, financial condition or liquidity in any future reporting period.

Units Outstanding

Units Outstanding	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Units Outstanding	Units Outstanding Changes in AB Units outstanding during the three -month period ended March 31, 2016 were as follows: Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 272,301,827 Options exercised 85,471 Units issued 251,350 Units retired (2,000,314 ) Balance as of March 31, 2016 270,638,334 During the first three months of 2016 , we purchased 200 AB Units in private transactions and retired them.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , AB had $485.6 million and $581.7 million , respectively, in commercial paper outstanding with weighted average interest rates of approximately 0.6% and 0.5% , respectively. The commercial paper is short term in nature, and as such, recorded value is estimated to approximate fair value (and considered a Level 2 security in the fair value hierarchy). Average daily borrowings of commercial paper during the first three months of 2016 and the full year 2015 were $553.1 million and $387.9 million , respectively, with weighted average interest rates of approximately 0.5% and 0.3% , respectively.

Changes in Capital

Changes in Capital	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in Capital	Changes in Capital Changes in capital during the three -month period ended March 31, 2016 were as follows: Partners’ Capital Attributable to AB Unitholders Non-Controlling Interests In Consolidated Entities Total Capital (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 4,030,444 $ 24,473 $ 4,054,917 Comprehensive income: Net income 168,926 (6,902 ) 162,024 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Unrealized (losses) on investments (6 ) — (6 ) Foreign currency translation adjustments 5,174 51 5,225 Changes in employee benefit related items (433 ) — (433 ) Comprehensive income 173,661 (6,851 ) 166,810 Distributions to General Partner and unitholders (153,433 ) — (153,433 ) Compensation-related transactions (37,353 ) — (37,353 ) Capital contributions from affiliates 6,348 — 6,348 Other (1 ) — (1 ) Balance as of March 31, 2016 $ 4,019,666 $ 17,622 $ 4,037,288 Changes in capital during the three -month period ended March 31, 2015 were as follows: Partners’ Capital Attributable to AB Unitholders Non-Controlling Interests In Consolidated Entities Total Capital (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 4,085,465 $ 30,396 $ 4,115,861 Comprehensive income: Net income 141,469 1,275 142,744 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Unrealized gains on investments 308 — 308 Foreign currency translation adjustments (12,208 ) (67 ) (12,275 ) Changes in employee benefit related items 175 — 175 Comprehensive income 129,744 1,208 130,952 Distributions to General Partner and unitholders (173,075 ) — (173,075 ) Compensation-related transactions (9,642 ) — (9,642 ) Capital contributions from affiliates 6,354 — 6,354 Other (11 ) 203 192 Balance as of March 31, 2015 $ 4,038,835 $ 31,807 $ 4,070,642 Deferred taxes are not recognized on foreign currency translation adjustments for foreign subsidiaries, which have earnings that are considered permanently invested outside the United States.

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Non-controlling Interests	Non-controlling Interests As discussed in Note 2 , we adopted ASU 2015-02 effective January 1, 2016. As a result, we are disclosing below the components of non-controlling interest. Non-controlling interest in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Consolidated VIEs $ (5,848 ) $ — Consolidated private equity fund — 1,137 Other 100 138 Total non-controlling interest in net income $ (5,748 ) $ 1,275 Non-redeemable non-controlling interest as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows: March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Consolidated VIEs $ 16,169 $ — Consolidated private equity fund — 23,171 Other 1,453 1,302 Total non-redeemable non-controlling interest $ 17,622 $ 24,473 Redeemable non-controlling interest as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows: March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Consolidated VIEs $ 204,497 $ — CPH Capital Fondsmaeglerselskab A/S acquisition 13,203 13,203 Total redeemable non-controlling interest $ 217,700 $ 13,203

Business Description Organiza23

Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the interim results, have been made. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the interim reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2015 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The condensed consolidated financial statements include AB and its majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries, and the consolidated entities that are considered to be variable interest entities ("VIEs") and for which AB is considered the primary beneficiary. Non-controlling interests on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition includes the portion of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds in which we do not have direct equity ownership. All significant inter-company transactions and balances among the consolidated entities have been eliminated.
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted and Not Yet Adopted	In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-02, Consolidation – Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"), which provides a new consolidation standard for evaluating: (i) limited partnerships and similar entities for consolidation, (ii) how decision maker or service provider fees affect the consolidation analysis, (iii) how interest held by related parties affect the consolidation analysis, and (iv) the consolidation analysis required for certain investment funds. We adopted ASU 2015-02 using the modified retrospective method with an effective adoption date of January 1, 2016, which did not require the restatement of prior-year periods. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 resulted in the consolidation of certain investment funds that were not previously consolidated. These funds became consolidated VIEs as we are considered the party with both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. See Consolidation of VIEs below . In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This standard requires debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2016 on a retrospective basis, which required the restatement of prior periods. The adoption of this standard had no material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement : Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) . This standard removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value ("NAV") per share practical expedient. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2016 on a retrospective basis, which required the restatement of prior-period disclosures. The adoption of this standard had no material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . The amendment is effective retrospectively for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017. Management currently is evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . The amendment addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The amendment is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017 and will result in a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, except for one provision relating to equity securities without readily determinable fair values, which provision will be applied prospectively. The amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases . The amendment requires recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the statement of financial condition and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. Specifically, this guidance requires a lessee of operating leases to recognize on the statement of financial condition a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The amendment is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2018 and requires lessees to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements using a modified retrospective approach. Management currently is evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting . The amendment eliminates the current requirement for a retroactive adjustment and instead requires that the investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor's previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Additionally, the amendment requires that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The amendment is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied prospectively as of the effective date of increases in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence that result in the adoption of the equity method. The amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting . The amendment includes provisions intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements, including: income tax effects of share-based payments, minimum statutory tax withholding requirements and forfeitures. The amendment is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2016. The provisions may be applied using various transition approaches (prospective, retrospective and modified retrospective). Management currently is evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.
Consolidation of VIEs	As discussed above , we adopted ASU 2015-02 effective January 1, 2016. For legal entities evaluated for consolidation, we first determined whether the fees we receive and the interests we hold qualify as a variable interest in the entity. This included an evaluation of fees paid to us as a decision maker or service provider to the entity being evaluated. Fees received by us are not variable interests if (i) the fees are compensation for services provided and are commensurate with the level of effort required to provide those services, (ii) the service arrangement includes only terms, conditions or amounts that are customarily present in arrangements for similar services negotiated at arm’s length, and (iii) our other economic interests in the entity held directly and indirectly through our related parties, as well as economic interests held by related parties under common control, would not absorb more than an insignificant amount of the entity’s losses or receive more than an insignificant amount of the entity’s benefits. For those entities in which we have a variable interest, we performed an analysis to determine whether the entity is a VIE by considering whether the entity’s equity investment at risk is insufficient, whether the investors lack decision making rights proportional to their ownership percentage of the entity, and whether the investors lack the obligation to absorb an entity’s expected losses or the right to receive an entity’s expected income. A VIE must be consolidated by its primary beneficiary, which generally is defined as the party who has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. We are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in a VIE if we have (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE's economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive income from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For purposes of evaluating (ii) above, fees paid to us as a decision maker or service provider are excluded if the fees are compensation for services provided commensurate with the level of effort required to be performed and the arrangement includes only customary terms, conditions or amounts present in arrangements for similar services negotiated at arm’s length. The primary beneficiary evaluation generally is performed qualitatively based on all facts and circumstances, as well as quantitatively, as appropriate. If we have a variable interest in an entity that is determined not to be a VIE, the entity is then evaluated for consolidation under the voting interest entity (“VOE”) model. For limited partnerships and similar entities, we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in a VOE, and would be required to consolidate the entity, if we own a majority of the entity’s kick-out rights through voting limited partnership interests and limited partners do not hold substantive participating rights (or other rights that would indicate that we do not control the entity). For entities other than limited partnerships, we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in a VOE if we own a majority voting interest in the entity. The analysis performed regarding the determination of variable interests held, whether entities are VIEs or VOEs, and whether we have a controlling financial interest in such entities requires the exercise of judgment. The analysis is updated continuously as circumstances change or new entities are formed. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2015-02, effective January 1, 2016, we have consolidated three investment funds that are classified as VIEs in which we have a controlling financial interest. Ownership interests not held by us relating to these consolidated VIEs are included in redeemable non-controlling interest on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition. In addition, effective January 1, 2016, we reclassified our consolidated private equity fund as a consolidated VIE (which was consolidated as of December 31, 2015 under previous accounting guidance due to our controlling financial interest of a VOE). Ownership interests not held by us relating to this consolidated VIE, which is a closed-end fund, are included in non-controlling interest on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.

Business Description Organiza24

Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Ownership Structure of AB as a Percentage of General and Limited Partnership Interests	As of March 31, 2016 , the ownership structure of AB, expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests, is as follows: AXA and its subsidiaries 62.7 % AB Holding 36.0 Unaffiliated holders 1.3 100.0 %

Real Estate Charges (Tables)

Real Estate Charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Real Estate Liability Account Activity Related to Office Space Consolidation Initiatives	The activity in the liability account relating to our 2010 and 2012 office space consolidation initiatives for the following periods is as follows: Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 116,064 $ 148,429 Expense (credit) incurred (391 ) 2,258 Payments made (5,289 ) (38,920 ) Interest accretion 1,075 4,297 Balance as of end of period $ 111,459 $ 116,064

Net Income per Unit (Tables)

Net Income per Unit (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Unit [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Unit, Basic and Diluted	Basic net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the basic weighted average number of units outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the total of the diluted weighted average number of units outstanding for each period. Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands, except per unit amounts) Net income attributable to AB Unitholders $ 168,926 $ 141,469 Weighted average units outstanding – basic 271,853 272,831 Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units 400 1,098 Weighted average units outstanding – diluted 272,253 273,929 Basic net income per AB Unit $ 0.62 $ 0.51 Diluted net income per AB Unit $ 0.61 $ 0.51

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Summary of Investments	Investments consist of: March 31, December 31, (in thousands) Available-for-sale $ 293 $ 364 Trading: Long-term incentive compensation-related 49,120 59,150 U.S. Treasury Bills 29,961 24,942 Seed capital 282,176 406,322 Equities 70,315 43,584 Exchange-traded options 4,709 5,910 Investments in limited partnership hedge funds: Long-term incentive compensation-related 16,391 19,004 Seed capital 19,695 20,082 Consolidated private equity fund — 23,897 Private equity 38,248 48,761 Investments in consolidated VIEs 243,248 — Other 17,896 17,784 Total investments $ 772,052 $ 669,800
Portion of Trading Gains (Losses) Related to Trading Securities	The portion of trading gains (losses) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 related to trading securities held as of March 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Net gains recognized during the period $ 1,232 $ 6,784 Less: net (losses) gains recognized during the period on trading securities sold during the period (10,361 ) 6,047 Unrealized gains recognized during the period on trading securities held $ 11,593 $ 737

Derivative Instruments (Tables)

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Notional and Fair Value for Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	The notional value and fair value as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 for derivative instruments (excluding our options desk trading activities discussed below ) not designated as hedging instruments were as follows: Fair Value Notional Value Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives (in thousands) March 31, 2016: Exchange-traded futures $ 76,382 $ 373 $ 2,957 Currency forwards 198,361 4,658 5,972 Interest rate swaps 43,300 2,144 3,270 Credit default swaps 23,004 1,476 345 Option swaps 43 46 53 Total return swaps 109,641 457 2,788 Total derivatives $ 450,731 $ 9,154 $ 15,385 December 31, 2015: Exchange-traded futures $ 160,755 $ 1,539 $ 2,651 Currency forwards 262,873 4,604 4,077 Interest rate swaps 65,484 2,945 3,745 Credit default swaps 29,421 2,089 774 Option swaps 24 9 2 Total return swaps 146,001 1,402 972 Total derivatives $ 664,558 $ 12,588 $ 12,221
Gains and Losses for Derivative Instruments Recognized in Investment Gains (Losses) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income	The gains and losses for derivative instruments (excluding our options desk trading activities) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income were as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Exchange-traded futures $ 3,346 $ (4,987 ) Currency forwards (1,135 ) 3,452 Interest rate swaps (1,372 ) (745 ) Credit default swaps (408 ) (57 ) Options swaps 48 (17 ) Total return swaps (4,036 ) (3,701 ) Net (losses) on derivative instruments $ (3,557 ) $ (6,055 )

Offsetting Assets and Liabili29

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Offsetting [Abstract]
Schedule of Offsetting of Financial Assets	Offsetting of assets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Received Net Amount (in thousands) March 31, 2016: Securities borrowed $ 25,855 $ — $ 25,855 $ — $ (25,855 ) $ — Derivatives $ 9,155 $ — $ 9,155 $ — $ (1,788 ) $ 7,367 Derivatives held by consolidated VIEs $ 66,227 $ — $ 66,227 $ — $ (1,460 ) $ 64,767 Long exchange-traded options $ 4,709 $ — $ 4,709 $ — $ — $ 4,709 December 31, 2015: Securities borrowed $ 75,274 $ — $ 75,274 $ — $ (75,274 ) $ — Derivatives $ 12,588 $ — $ 12,588 $ — $ (1,518 ) $ 11,070 Long exchange-traded options $ 5,910 $ — $ 5,910 $ — $ — $ 5,910
Schedule of Offsetting of Financial Liabilities	Offsetting of liabilities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Pledged Net Amount (in thousands) March 31, 2016: Securities loaned $ 17,386 $ — $ 17,386 $ — $ (17,386 ) $ — Derivatives $ 15,385 $ — $ 15,385 $ — $ (11,171 ) $ 4,214 Derivatives held by consolidated VIEs $ 66,812 $ — $ 66,812 $ — $ (9,391 ) $ 57,421 Short exchange-traded options $ 3,328 $ — $ 3,328 $ — $ — $ 3,328 December 31, 2015: Securities loaned $ 9,518 $ — $ 9,518 $ — $ (9,518 ) $ — Derivatives $ 12,221 $ — $ 12,221 $ — $ (12,221 ) $ — Short exchange-traded options $ 843 $ — $ 843 $ — $ — $ 843

Fair Value (Tables)

Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Valuation of our financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was as follows (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total March 31, 2016: Money markets $ 249,818 $ — $ — $ 249,818 U.S. Treasury Bills — 664,857 — 664,857 Available-for-sale Equity securities 186 — — 186 Fixed income securities 107 — — 107 Trading Equity securities 259,595 3,044 105 262,744 Fixed income securities 138,279 588 — 138,867 Long exchange-traded options 4,709 — — 4,709 Derivatives 373 8,782 — 9,155 Private equity — — 6,500 6,500 Consolidated VIEs Investments 76,678 151,061 15,426 243,165 Derivatives 177 66,050 — 66,227 Total assets measured at fair value $ 729,922 $ 894,382 $ 22,031 $ 1,646,335 Securities sold not yet purchased Short equities – corporate $ 10,143 $ — $ — $ 10,143 Short exchange-traded options 3,328 — — 3,328 Derivatives 2,957 12,428 — 15,385 Consolidated VIEs - derivatives 448 66,364 — 66,812 Contingent payment arrangements — — 31,119 31,119 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 16,876 $ 78,792 $ 31,119 $ 126,787 December 31, 2015: Money markets $ 116,445 $ — $ — $ 116,445 U.S. Treasury Bills — 485,121 — 485,121 Available-for-sale Equity securities 181 — — 181 Fixed income securities 183 — — 183 Trading Equity securities 304,083 22,070 116 326,269 Fixed income securities 180,194 2,594 — 182,788 Long exchange-traded options 5,910 — — 5,910 Derivatives 1,539 11,049 — 12,588 Private equity 14,305 — 16,035 30,340 Total assets measured at fair value $ 622,840 $ 520,834 $ 16,151 $ 1,159,825 Securities sold not yet purchased Short equities – corporate $ 15,254 $ — $ — $ 15,254 Short exchange-traded options 843 — — 843 Derivatives 2,651 9,570 — 12,221 Contingent payment arrangements — — 31,399 31,399 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 18,748 $ 9,570 $ 31,399 $ 59,717
Schedule of Change in Carrying Value Level 3 Financial Instruments	The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as private equity investments, trading equity securities and investments in consolidated VIEs, is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 16,151 $ 27,813 Transfer out — (26 ) Activity related to consolidate VIEs 5,891 — Purchases — 122 Sales — — Realized gains (losses), net — (5,194 ) Unrealized (losses) gains, net (11 ) 5,024 Balance as of end of period $ 22,031 $ 27,739
Summary of Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements	Quantitative information about private equity Level 3 fair value measurements as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows: Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (in thousands) Private Equity as of March 31, 2016 (included in consolidated VIEs' investments): Technology, Media and Telecommunications $ 10,316 Market comparable companies Revenue multiple 2.7 - 4.4 Marketability discount 30 % Private Equity as of December 31, 2015: Technology, Media and Telecommunications $ 9,527 Market comparable companies Revenue multiple 2.5 - 4.8 Marketability discount 30 %
Schedule of Contingent Payment Arrangements Level 3 Financial Instruments	The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as contingent payment arrangements, is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 31,399 $ 42,436 Accretion 353 443 Payments (633 ) (656 ) Balance as of end of period $ 31,119 $ 42,223

Units Outstanding (Tables)

Units Outstanding (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in Limited Partnership Units Outstanding	Changes in AB Units outstanding during the three -month period ended March 31, 2016 were as follows: Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 272,301,827 Options exercised 85,471 Units issued 251,350 Units retired (2,000,314 ) Balance as of March 31, 2016 270,638,334

Changes in Capital (Tables)

Changes in Capital (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Capital	Changes in capital during the three -month period ended March 31, 2016 were as follows: Partners’ Capital Attributable to AB Unitholders Non-Controlling Interests In Consolidated Entities Total Capital (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 4,030,444 $ 24,473 $ 4,054,917 Comprehensive income: Net income 168,926 (6,902 ) 162,024 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Unrealized (losses) on investments (6 ) — (6 ) Foreign currency translation adjustments 5,174 51 5,225 Changes in employee benefit related items (433 ) — (433 ) Comprehensive income 173,661 (6,851 ) 166,810 Distributions to General Partner and unitholders (153,433 ) — (153,433 ) Compensation-related transactions (37,353 ) — (37,353 ) Capital contributions from affiliates 6,348 — 6,348 Other (1 ) — (1 ) Balance as of March 31, 2016 $ 4,019,666 $ 17,622 $ 4,037,288 Changes in capital during the three -month period ended March 31, 2015 were as follows: Partners’ Capital Attributable to AB Unitholders Non-Controlling Interests In Consolidated Entities Total Capital (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 4,085,465 $ 30,396 $ 4,115,861 Comprehensive income: Net income 141,469 1,275 142,744 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Unrealized gains on investments 308 — 308 Foreign currency translation adjustments (12,208 ) (67 ) (12,275 ) Changes in employee benefit related items 175 — 175 Comprehensive income 129,744 1,208 130,952 Distributions to General Partner and unitholders (173,075 ) — (173,075 ) Compensation-related transactions (9,642 ) — (9,642 ) Capital contributions from affiliates 6,354 — 6,354 Other (11 ) 203 192 Balance as of March 31, 2015 $ 4,038,835 $ 31,807 $ 4,070,642

Non-controlling Interests (Tabl

Non-controlling Interests (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Non-controlling Interest in Net Income	Non-controlling interest in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Consolidated VIEs $ (5,848 ) $ — Consolidated private equity fund — 1,137 Other 100 138 Total non-controlling interest in net income $ (5,748 ) $ 1,275
Non-redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	Non-redeemable non-controlling interest as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows: March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Consolidated VIEs $ 16,169 $ — Consolidated private equity fund — 23,171 Other 1,453 1,302 Total non-redeemable non-controlling interest $ 17,622 $ 24,473
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	Redeemable non-controlling interest as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows: March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Consolidated VIEs $ 204,497 $ — CPH Capital Fondsmaeglerselskab A/S acquisition 13,203 13,203 Total redeemable non-controlling interest $ 217,700 $ 13,203

Business Description Organiza34

Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016shares
Ownership structure of AllianceBernstein expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
AXA and its subsidiaries ownership interest in holding company (percent)	1.50%
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent)	100.00%
General partnership information [Abstract]
General Partnership number of general partnership units owned in Holding Company (in units)	100,000
General partnership interest in Company (as a percent)	1.00%
AXA and its subsidiaries economic interest in Company (percent)	63.20%
AXA and its subsidiaries
Ownership structure of AllianceBernstein expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent)	62.70%
AB Holding
Ownership structure of AllianceBernstein expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent)	36.00%
Unaffiliated holders
Ownership structure of AllianceBernstein expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent)	1.30%

Significant Accounting Pronou35

Significant Accounting Pronouncements (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2016investment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net assets of non-consolidated variable interest entities	$ 36,600
Maximum risk of loss in variable interest entities	$ 6.4
Early Adoption
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Number of variable interest entities consolidated | investment		3

Long-term Incentive Compensat36

Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
AB Holding Units purchased in periods	1,900,000	700,000
Dollar amount paid for AB Holding Units acquired	$ 39,700	$ 17,000
Open-market purchases of AB Holding Units (in units)	1,800,000	600,000
Dollar amount paid for open-market purchases of AB Holding Units	$ 38,100	$ 15,100
Restricted AB Holding Units awarded to employees	300,000	100,000
Units issued upon exercise of options	85,471	200,000
Proceeds from stock options exercised	$ 1,457	$ 3,901

Cash Distributions (Details)

Cash Distributions (Details) - $ / shares	Apr. 28, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
General partnership interest in Company (as a percent)		1.00%
Subsequent Event
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
Distribution declared (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.45
Cash Distribution
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
Declaration date		Apr. 28, 2016
General partnership interest in Company (as a percent)		1.00%
Distribution date		May 19, 2016
Date of record		May 9, 2016

Real Estate Charges (Details)

Real Estate Charges (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012ft²	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010ft²office_location
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Area of office space to be sub-leased (in square feet) | ft²			510,000		380,000
Consolidated number of office locations in New York | office_location					2
Number of office locations | office_location					3
Portion of office space to be subleased in New York (more than 70%)			70.00%
Real estate charges	$ 27,586	$ (383)
New pre-tax real estate charges	28,500
Real estate liability restructuring reserve [Abstract]
Balance as of beginning of period	116,064	$ 148,429		$ 148,429
Expense (credit) incurred	(391)			2,258
Payments made	(5,289)			(38,920)
Interest accretion	1,075			4,297
Balance as of end of period	$ 111,459			$ 116,064

Net Income per Unit (Details)

Net Income per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Unit [Abstract]
General partnership interest in Company (as a percent)	1.00%
Limited Partners interest in Company (as a percent)	99.00%
Net income per unit, basic and diluted [Abstract]
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 168,926	$ 141,469
Weighted average units outstanding – basic	271,853,000	272,831,000
Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	400,000	1,098,000
Weighted average units outstanding – diluted	272,253,000	273,929,000
Basic net income per AB Unit (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.62	$ 0.51
Diluted net income per AB Unit (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.61	$ 0.51
Options excluded from diluted net income per unit computation due to their anti-dilutive effect (in units)	2,888,476	2,774,117

Cash and Securities Segregate40

Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Brokers and Dealers [Abstract]
United States Treasury Bills in special reserve bank custody account for exclusive benefit of brokerage customers of SCB LLC	$ 600	$ 500
Restricted funds held for benefit of customers by AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.	$ 89.2	$ 55.4

Investments (Summary of Investm

Investments (Summary of Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	$ 772,052	$ 669,800
Long-term incentive compensation obligations	65,511	78,154
Seed capital
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	395,400	478,000
Consolidated private equity fund
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	0	23,897
Private equity
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	38,248	48,761
Investments in consolidated VIEs
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	243,248	0
Available-for-sale
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	293	364
Trading | Long-term incentive compensation-related
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	49,120	59,150
Trading | U.S. Treasury Bills
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	29,961	24,942
Trading | Seed capital
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	282,176	406,322
Trading | Equities
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	70,315	43,584
Trading | Exchange-traded options
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	4,709	5,910
Investments in limited partnership hedge funds | Long-term incentive compensation-related
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	16,391	19,004
Investments in limited partnership hedge funds | Seed capital
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	19,695	20,082
Other
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments owned	$ 17,896	$ 17,784

Investments (Gains (Losses) Rel

Investments (Gains (Losses) Related to Trading Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Net gains recognized during the period	$ 1,232	$ 6,784
Less: net (losses) gains recognized during the period on trading securities sold during the period	(10,361)	6,047
Unrealized gains recognized during the period on trading securities held	$ 11,593	$ 737

Derivative Instruments (Notiona

Derivative Instruments (Notional Value and Fair Value of Derivative Instruments) (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 450,731	$ 664,558
Asset Derivatives	9,154	12,588
Liability Derivatives	15,385	12,221
Exchange-traded futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	76,382	160,755
Asset Derivatives	373	1,539
Liability Derivatives	2,957	2,651
Currency forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	198,361	262,873
Asset Derivatives	4,658	4,604
Liability Derivatives	5,972	4,077
Interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	43,300	65,484
Asset Derivatives	2,144	2,945
Liability Derivatives	3,270	3,745
Credit default swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	23,004	29,421
Asset Derivatives	1,476	2,089
Liability Derivatives	345	774
Option swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	43	24
Asset Derivatives	46	9
Liability Derivatives	53	2
Total return swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	109,641	146,001
Asset Derivatives	457	1,402
Liability Derivatives	$ 2,788	$ 972

Derivative Instruments (Gains a

Derivative Instruments (Gains and Losses for Derivative Instruments Recognized in Investment Gains (Losses)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Net (losses) on derivative instruments	$ (3,557)	$ (6,055)
Exchange-traded futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Net (losses) on derivative instruments	3,346	(4,987)
Currency forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Net (losses) on derivative instruments	(1,135)	3,452
Interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Net (losses) on derivative instruments	(1,372)	(745)
Credit default swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Net (losses) on derivative instruments	(408)	(57)
Option swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Net (losses) on derivative instruments	48	(17)
Total return swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Net (losses) on derivative instruments	$ (4,036)	$ (3,701)

Derivative Instruments (Details

Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash collateral payable to trade counterparties	$ 1,800		$ 1,500
Cash collateral in brokerage accounts	11,200		12,800
Losses on equity options activity	8,600	$ 32,800
Net gain on derivative instruments	(3,557)	$ (6,055)
Exchange-traded options | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash collateral payable to trade counterparties	0		0
Long exchange-traded equity options, classified as trading investments	4,700		5,900
Exchange-traded options | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash collateral in brokerage accounts	0		0
Short exchange-traded equity options, included in securities sold not yet purchased	3,300		$ 800
Consolidated VIEs
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash collateral payable to trade counterparties	1,460
Cash collateral in brokerage accounts	9,391
Net derivative asset in VIE portfolios	400
Net gain on derivative instruments	$ 3,000

Offsetting Assets and Liabili46

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Offsetting Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Asset [Abstract]
Cash Collateral Received	$ (1,800)	$ (1,500)
Securities borrowed
Securities Borrowed [Abstract]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	25,855	75,274
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	25,855	75,274
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	(25,855)	(75,274)
Net Amount	0	0
Derivatives
Derivative Asset [Abstract]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	9,155	12,588
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	9,155	12,588
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	(1,788)	(1,518)
Net Amount	7,367	11,070
Exchange-traded options | Long
Derivative Asset [Abstract]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	4,709	5,910
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	4,709	5,910
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	4,709	$ 5,910
Consolidated VIEs
Derivative Asset [Abstract]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	66,227
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	66,227
Financial Instruments	0
Cash Collateral Received	(1,460)
Net Amount	$ 64,767

Offsetting Assets and Liabili47

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Offsetting Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Cash Collateral Pledged	$ (11,200)	$ (12,800)
Securities loaned
Securities Loaned [Abstract]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	17,386	9,518
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	17,386	9,518
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Pledged	(17,386)	(9,518)
Net Amount	0	0
Derivatives
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	15,385	12,221
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	15,385	12,221
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Pledged	(11,171)	(12,221)
Net Amount	4,214	0
Exchange-traded options | Short
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	3,328	843
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	3,328	843
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Pledged	0	0
Net Amount	3,328	$ 843
Consolidated VIEs
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	66,812
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	66,812
Financial Instruments	0
Cash Collateral Pledged	(9,391)
Net Amount	$ 57,421

Fair Value (Valuation of Financ

Fair Value (Valuation of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Consolidated VIEs
Trading
Derivatives	$ 66,227
Securities sold not yet purchased
Derivatives	66,812
Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	1,646,335	$ 1,159,825
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Money markets	249,818	116,445
U.S. Treasury Bills	664,857	485,121
Available-for-sale
Equity securities	186	181
Fixed income securities	107	183
Trading
Equity securities	262,744	326,269
Fixed income securities	138,867	182,788
Long exchange-traded options	4,709	5,910
Derivatives	9,155	12,588
Private equity	6,500	30,340
Securities sold not yet purchased
Short equities – corporate	10,143	15,254
Short exchange-traded options	3,328	843
Derivatives	15,385	12,221
Contingent payment arrangements	31,119	31,399
Total liabilities measured at fair value	126,787	59,717
Recurring | Consolidated VIEs
Securities sold not yet purchased
Derivatives	66,812
Recurring | Consolidated VIEs | Investments
Consolidated VIEs
Investments	243,165
Recurring | Consolidated VIEs | Derivatives
Consolidated VIEs
Investments	66,227
Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	729,922	622,840
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Money markets	249,818	116,445
U.S. Treasury Bills	0	0
Available-for-sale
Equity securities	186	181
Fixed income securities	107	183
Trading
Equity securities	259,595	304,083
Fixed income securities	138,279	180,194
Long exchange-traded options	4,709	5,910
Derivatives	373	1,539
Private equity	0	14,305
Securities sold not yet purchased
Short equities – corporate	10,143	15,254
Short exchange-traded options	3,328	843
Derivatives	2,957	2,651
Contingent payment arrangements	0	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value	16,876	18,748
Recurring | Level 1 | Consolidated VIEs
Securities sold not yet purchased
Derivatives	448
Recurring | Level 1 | Consolidated VIEs | Investments
Consolidated VIEs
Investments	76,678
Recurring | Level 1 | Consolidated VIEs | Derivatives
Consolidated VIEs
Investments	177
Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	894,382	520,834
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Money markets	0	0
U.S. Treasury Bills	664,857	485,121
Available-for-sale
Equity securities	0	0
Fixed income securities	0	0
Trading
Equity securities	3,044	22,070
Fixed income securities	588	2,594
Long exchange-traded options	0	0
Derivatives	8,782	11,049
Private equity	0	0
Securities sold not yet purchased
Short equities – corporate	0	0
Short exchange-traded options	0	0
Derivatives	12,428	9,570
Contingent payment arrangements	0	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value	78,792	9,570
Recurring | Level 2 | Consolidated VIEs
Securities sold not yet purchased
Derivatives	66,364
Recurring | Level 2 | Consolidated VIEs | Investments
Consolidated VIEs
Investments	151,061
Recurring | Level 2 | Consolidated VIEs | Derivatives
Consolidated VIEs
Investments	66,050
Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	22,031	16,151
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Money markets	0	0
U.S. Treasury Bills	0	0
Available-for-sale
Equity securities	0	0
Fixed income securities	0	0
Trading
Equity securities	105	116
Fixed income securities	0	0
Long exchange-traded options	0	0
Derivatives	0	0
Private equity	6,500	16,035
Securities sold not yet purchased
Short equities – corporate	0	0
Short exchange-traded options	0	0
Derivatives	0	0
Contingent payment arrangements	31,119	31,399
Total liabilities measured at fair value	31,119	$ 31,399
Recurring | Level 3 | Consolidated VIEs
Securities sold not yet purchased
Derivatives	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Consolidated VIEs | Investments
Consolidated VIEs
Investments	15,426
Recurring | Level 3 | Consolidated VIEs | Derivatives
Consolidated VIEs
Investments	$ 0

Fair Value (Details)

Fair Value (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)investmentacquisition	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Number of private equity investments measured using practical expedient | investment	1
Private equity investments measured at fair value using net asset value	$ 31,700	$ 32,100
Private Equity Investment Venture Capital Fund
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	6,500
Recurring
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent payment arrangements	$ 31,119	31,399
Contingent Payment Arrangements
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Number of acquisition | acquisition	3
Contingent Payment Arrangements | Recurring
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent payment arrangements	$ 31,100	31,400
Contingent Payment Arrangements | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
AUM growth rate	46.00%
Revenue growth rate	43.00%
Contingent Payment Arrangements | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.00%
Cost-method Investments
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Number of private equity investments | investment	1
Private equity investments measured at fair value using net asset value		10,200
Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent payment arrangements	$ 31,119	$ 31,399
Luxembourg Funds | Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Number of consolidated VIEs | investment	3
Fair value of investments	$ 5,100

Fair Value (Change in Carrying

Fair Value (Change in Carrying Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair value measurement Level 3 reconciliation [Abstract]
Balance as of beginning of period	$ 16,151	$ 27,813
Transfer out	0	(26)
Activity related to consolidate VIEs	5,891	0
Purchases	0	122
Sales	0	0
Realized gains (losses), net	0	(5,194)
Unrealized (losses) gains, net	(11)	5,024
Balance as of end of period	$ 22,031	$ 27,739

Fair Value Fair Value (Private

Fair Value Fair Value (Private Equity Level 3 Fair Value Measurements) (Details) - Private Equity Technology Media and Telecommunications - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Fair value		$ 9,527
Marketability discount		30.00%
Minimum
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Revenue multiple		2.5
Maximum
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Revenue multiple		4.8
Consolidated VIEs
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Fair value	$ 10,316
Marketability discount	30.00%
Consolidated VIEs | Minimum
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Revenue multiple	2.7
Consolidated VIEs | Maximum
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Revenue multiple	4.4

Fair Value (Change in Carryin52

Fair Value (Change in Carrying Value Associated with Contingent Payment Arrangements Level 3 Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Liabilities Measurement Level 3 reconciliation
Balance as of beginning of period	$ 31,399	$ 42,436
Accretion	353	443
Payments	(633)	(656)
Balance as of end of period	$ 31,119	$ 42,223

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2012 £ in Millions, $ in Millions	USD ($)	GBP (£)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Portfolio amount of client seeking damages | £		£ 500
Realized losses in the portfolio	$ 125
Alleged Damages Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages sought	177
Alleged Damages Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages sought	$ 234

Units Outstanding (Details)

Units Outstanding (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Units Outstanding
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 (in units)	272,301,827
Options exercised	85,471	200,000
Units issued	251,350
Units retired	(2,000,314)
Outstanding as of March 31, 2016	270,638,334
AllianceBernstein Units
Units Outstanding
Units retired	(200)

Debt (Details)

Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt outstanding	$ 485,621	$ 581,700
Commercial Paper
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt outstanding	$ 485,600	$ 581,700
Weighted average interest rates on short-term debt outstanding	0.60%	0.50%
Average daily borrowings	$ 553,100	$ 387,900
Weighted average interest rates on average daily borrowings	0.50%	0.30%

Changes in Capital (Details)

Changes in Capital (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance	$ 4,030,444
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance	24,473
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance	4,054,917
Comprehensive income:
Net income	163,178	$ 142,744
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,225	(12,275)
Changes in employee benefit related items	(433)	175
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders	173,661	129,744
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(153,433)	(173,075)
Partners' capital, ending balance	4,019,666
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	17,622
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	4,037,288
Partners’ Capital Attributable to AB Unitholders
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance	4,030,444	4,085,465
Comprehensive income:
Net income	168,926	141,469
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	(6)	308
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,174	(12,208)
Changes in employee benefit related items	(433)	175
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders	173,661	129,744
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(153,433)	(173,075)
Compensation-related transactions	(37,353)	(9,642)
Capital contributions from affiliates	6,348	6,354
Other	(1)	(11)
Partners' capital, ending balance	4,019,666	4,038,835
Non-Controlling Interests In Consolidated Entities
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance	24,473	30,396
Comprehensive income:
Net income		1,275
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	(6,902)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	51	(67)
Changes in employee benefit related items	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(6,851)	1,208
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	0	0
Compensation-related transactions	0	0
Capital contributions from affiliates	0	0
Other	0	203
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	17,622	31,807
Total Capital
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance	4,054,917	4,115,861
Comprehensive income:
Net income	162,024	142,744
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	(6)	308
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,225	(12,275)
Changes in employee benefit related items	(433)	175
Comprehensive income	166,810	130,952
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(153,433)	(173,075)
Compensation-related transactions	(37,353)	(9,642)
Capital contributions from affiliates	6,348	6,354
Other	(1)	192
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	$ 4,037,288	$ 4,070,642

Non-controlling Interests (Deta

Non-controlling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net (loss) income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	$ (5,748)	$ 1,275
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	17,622		$ 24,473
Redeemable non-controlling interest	217,700		13,203
CPH acquisition
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Redeemable non-controlling interest	13,203		13,203
Consolidated private equity fund
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net (loss) income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	0	1,137
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	0		23,171
Other
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net (loss) income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	100	138
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	1,453		1,302
Consolidated VIEs
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net (loss) income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	(5,848)	$ 0
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	16,169		0
Redeemable non-controlling interest	$ 204,497		$ 0