UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number: 811-00126
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Joseph J. Mantineo
AllianceBernstein L.P.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 221-5672
Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2008
Date of reporting period: April 30, 2008
ITEM 1. | REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund
April 30, 2008
Semi-Annual Report
Investment Products Offered
• | Are Not FDIC Insured |
• | May Lose Value |
• | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate as the prices of the individual securities in which it invests fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Fund’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, visit our web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or call your financial advisor or AllianceBernstein® at (800) 227-4618. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by visiting www.alliancebernstein.com.
This shareholder report must be preceded or accompanied by the Fund’s prospectus for individuals who are not current shareholders of the Fund.
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. AllianceBernstein publishes full portfolio holdings for the Fund monthly at www.alliancebernstein.com.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the AllianceBernstein funds, and is a member of FINRA.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
June 12, 2008
Semi-Annual Report
This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund (the “Fund”) for the semi-annual reporting period ended April 30, 2008.
Investment Objective and Policies
This open-end Fund’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of U.S. companies that the Adviser believes are undervalued. The Adviser believes that, over time, a company’s stock price will come to reflect its intrinsic economic value. The Adviser uses a disciplined investment process to evaluate the investment opportunity of the companies in the Adviser’s extensive research universe. The Fund may invest in companies of any size and in any industry. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund’s portfolio normally will include approximately 60-90 companies. The Fund also invests in high-quality securities of non-U.S. issuers. The Fund may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.
Investment Results
The table on page 4 shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, for the six- and 12-month periods ended April 30, 2008. Also included in the table are returns for the Fund’s peer group, as represented by the Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Average (the “Lipper Average”). Funds in the Lipper Average have generally similar investment objectives to the
Fund, although some may have different investment policies and sales and management fees.
The Fund’s Class A shares without sales charges underperformed the benchmark and the Lipper Average for both the six- and 12-month periods ended April 30, 2008. After a solid recent run from May to December 2007—where the Fund outperformed the Lipper Average by 3.2% and the benchmark by 5.2%—the Fund experienced a disappointing first quarter in 2008. While overall portfolio fundamentals remained strong, moderate fundamental disappointments in a number of the Fund’s economically stable health care and consumer holdings met with a negative market overreaction, which drove most of the Fund’s underperformance.
At the start of 2008, the Fund’s Relative Value Investment Team (the “Team”) believed the Fund was well positioned to withstand weak financial markets and a further slowdown in the U.S. economy. Versus the value benchmark, the Fund was meaningfully underweight in the consumer discretionary and financial sectors—the areas of greatest fundamental weakness—and overweight in the economically defensive consumer staples and health care sectors. While the Fund’s defensive sector positioning contributed to relative returns, it didn’t offset the negative impact of steep stock price drops for five health care holdings that appeared to be excessive in relation to the size of the Team’s forecast adjustments. Despite
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 1 |
the weakness of the Fund’s health care holdings, the Fund had more upward revisions than the value benchmark and better average revisions, even without the benefit of lower exposure to financial stocks.
Market Review and Investment Strategy
Renewed fears of a financial-market crisis drove down global equity markets for the semi-annual period ended April 30, 2008. The current financial crisis shares key features with crises past: a run-up in asset prices and debt fueled by cheap credit. But two new elements contributed to the recent crisis: securitization (creating tradable financial instruments from pools of mortgages or other loans) and mark-to-market accounting (basing asset values on current market price, not purchase price or estimated value). A key issue for the economy is whether banks’ unwillingness to lend and consumers’ unwillingness to spend will end up choking off economic activity. After remaining
relatively resilient during the early stages of the financial crisis last year, the global economy is showing signs of stress. Consumer and business confidence measures are falling, activity in the U.K. housing market has slowed, Japan’s economy is flagging and the U.S. jobs market is deteriorating.
The Fund retained its tilt toward high-quality stocks and stocks with above-average exposure to strong foreign markets. But, as a larger number of stocks become very attractively valued, the Team began to take profits on high-quality stocks which outperformed, and to pursue a number of deeper-value opportunities. In sector terms, the Team added significantly to industrials, trimmed the Fund’s overweight in consumer staples versus the value benchmark and reduced the Fund’s underweight in consumer discretionary stocks. The financial sector remains a large underweight, while technology remains the Fund’s largest overweight. The Fund also retains a large overweight in health care.
2 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance
The performance shown on the following pages represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by visiting www.alliancebernstein.com.
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Fund’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, visit our website at www.alliancebernstein.com or call your financial advisor or AllianceBernstein Investments at 800.227.4618. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Fund have been deducted. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Fund’s quoted performance would be lower. SEC returns reflect the applicable sales charges for each share class: a 4.25% maximum front-end sales charge for Class A shares; the applicable contingent deferred sales charge for Class B shares (4% year 1, 3% year 2, 2% year 3, 1% year 4); a 1% 1 year contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares. Returns for the different share classes will vary due to different expenses associated with each class. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.
Benchmark Disclosure
The unmanaged Russell 1000 Value Index does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Russell 1000 Value Index contains those securities in the Russell 1000 Index with a less-than-average growth orientation. The Russell 1000 Index comprises 1000 of the largest capitalized companies that are traded in the United States. For the six- and 12-month periods ended April 30, 2008, the Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Average consisted of 558 and 543 funds, respectively. These funds have generally similar investment objectives to the Fund, although some may have different investment policies and sales and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index or average, and their results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Fund.
A Word About Risk
Value investing does not guarantee profit or eliminate risk. Not all companies whose stocks are considered to be value stocks are able to turn their businesses around or successfully employ corrective strategies which would result in stock prices that do not rise as initially expected. The Fund’s assets can be invested in foreign securities which may magnify asset value fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. While the Fund invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Fund may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.
(Historical Performance continued on next page)
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 3 |
Historical Performance
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
(continued from previous page)
THE FUND VS. ITS BENCHMARK PERIODS ENDED APRIL 30, 2008 | Returns | |||||
6 Months | 12 Months | |||||
AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund | ||||||
Class A | -12.21% | -9.39% | ||||
Class B | -12.53% | -10.04% | ||||
Class C | -12.50% | -10.22% | ||||
Advisor Class* | -12.09% | -9.09% | ||||
Class R* | -12.29% | -9.64% | ||||
Class K* | -12.33% | -9.32% | ||||
Class I* | -12.05% | -9.04% | ||||
Russell 1000 Value Index | -9.83% | -8.97% | ||||
Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Average | -10.34% | -7.92% | ||||
* Please note that these share classes are for investors purchasing shares through accounts established under certain fee-based programs sponsored and maintained by certain broker-dealer and financial intermediaries, institutional pension plans and/or investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Funds. | ||||||
See Historical Performance and Benchmark Disclosures on previous page.
(Historical Performance continued on next page)
4 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Historical Performance
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
(continued from previous page)
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF APRIL 30, 2008‡ | ||||||
NAV Returns | SEC Returns | |||||
Class A Shares | ||||||
1 Year | -9.39 | % | -13.28 | % | ||
5 Years | 10.18 | % | 9.23 | % | ||
10 Years | 5.18 | % | 4.73 | % | ||
Class B Shares | ||||||
1 Year | -10.04 | % | -13.33 | % | ||
5 Years | 9.41 | % | 9.41 | % | ||
10 Years(a) | 4.53 | % | 4.53 | % | ||
Class C Shares | ||||||
1 Year | -10.22 | % | -11.03 | % | ||
5 Years | 9.38 | % | 9.38 | % | ||
10 Years | 4.39 | % | 4.39 | % | ||
Advisor Class Shares† | ||||||
1 Year | -9.09 | % | -9.09 | % | ||
5 Years | 10.54 | % | 10.54 | % | ||
10 Years | 5.47 | % | 5.47 | % | ||
Class R Shares† | ||||||
1 Year | -9.64 | % | -9.64 | % | ||
Since Inception* | 7.23 | % | 7.23 | % | ||
Class K Shares† | ||||||
1 Year | -9.32 | % | -9.32 | % | ||
Since Inception* | 4.39 | % | 4.39 | % | ||
Class I Shares† | ||||||
1 Year | -9.04 | % | -9.04 | % | ||
Since Inception* | 4.68 | % | 4.68 | % |
The Fund’s current prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total operating expense ratios as 0.97%, 1.73%, 1.71%, 0.69%, 1.29%, 0.93% and 0.65% for Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K and Class I shares, respectively. The Financial Highlights section of this report sets forth expense ratio data for the current reporting period; the expense ratios shown above may differ from the expense ratios in the Financial Highlights section since they are based on different time periods.
(a) | Assumes conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares after eight years. |
* | Inception Dates: 11/3/03 for Class R shares; 3/1/05 for Class K and Class I shares. |
† | These share classes are offered at net asset value (NAV) to eligible investors and their SEC returns are the same as the NAV returns. Please note that these share classes are for investors purchasing shares through accounts established under certain fee-based programs sponsored and maintained by certain broker-dealers and financial intermediaries, institutional pension plans and/or investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Funds. The inception dates for Class R, K and I are listed above. |
‡ | Reflects the positive impact of proceeds related to class action settlements that were originated from individual fund holdings. For further information, please visit:/www.alliancebernstein.com/CmsObjectABD/PDF/HistoricalPricing/settlements.pdf |
(See Historical Performance disclosures on page 3.)
(Historical | Performance continued on next page) |
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 5 |
Historical Performance
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
(continued from previous page)
SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS (WITH ANY APPLICABLE SALES CHARGES) AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END (MARCH 31, 2008)‡ | |||||
SEC Returns | |||||
Class A Shares | |||||
1 Year | -14.43 | % | |||
5 Years | 9.80 | % | |||
10 Years | 4.25 | % | |||
Class B Shares | |||||
1 Year | -14.73 | % | |||
5 Years | 9.89 | % | |||
10 Years(a) | 4.05 | % | |||
Class C Shares | |||||
1 Year | -12.03 | % | |||
5 Years | 10.01 | % | |||
10 Years | 3.94 | % | |||
Advisor Class Shares† | |||||
1 Year | -10.33 | % | |||
5 Years | 11.11 | % | |||
10 Years | 5.00 | % | |||
Class R Shares† | |||||
1 Year | -10.89 | % | |||
Since Inception* | 6.12 | % | |||
Class K Shares† | |||||
1 Year | -10.58 | % | |||
Since Inception* | 2.79 | % | |||
Class I Shares† | |||||
1 Year | -10.29 | % | |||
Since Inception* | 3.09 | % |
(a) | Assumes conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares after eight years. |
* | Inception Dates: 11/3/03 for Class R shares; 3/1/05 for Class K and Class I shares. |
† | Please note that these share classes are for investors purchasing shares through accounts established under certain fee-based programs sponsored and maintained by certain broker-dealers and financial intermediaries, institutional pension plans and/or investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Funds. The inception dates for Class R, K and I are listed above. |
‡ | Reflects the positive impact of proceeds related to class action settlements that were originated from individual fund holdings. For further information, please visit:/www.alliancebernstein.com/CmsObjectABD/PDF/HistoricalPricing/settlements.pdf |
See Historical Performance disclosures on page 3.
6 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Historical Performance
FUND EXPENSES
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the hypothetical example is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Beginning Account Value November 1, 2007 | Ending Account Value April 30, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | Hypothetical | Actual | Hypothetical** | Actual | Hypothetical | |||||||||||||
Class A | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 877.95 | $ | 1,019.84 | $ | 4.72 | $ | 5.07 | ||||||
Class B | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 874.73 | $ | 1,016.01 | $ | 8.30 | $ | 8.92 | ||||||
Class C | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 875.02 | $ | 1,016.16 | $ | 8.16 | $ | 8.77 | ||||||
Advisor Class | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 879.08 | $ | 1,021.23 | $ | 3.41 | $ | 3.67 | ||||||
Class R | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 877.06 | $ | 1,019.14 | $ | 5.37 | $ | 5.77 | ||||||
Class K | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 876.70 | $ | 1,019.89 | $ | 4.67 | $ | 5.02 | ||||||
Class I | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 879.46 | $ | 1,021.68 | $ | 2.99 | $ | 3.22 |
* | Expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratios of 1.01%, 1.78%, 1.75%, 0.73%, 1.15%, 1.00% and 0.64%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
** | Assumes 5% return before expenses. |
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 7 |
Fund Expenses
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
April 30, 2008 (unaudited)
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $3,306
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS**
April 30, 2008 (unaudited)
Company | U.S. $ Value | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Schering-Plough Corp. | $ | 120,031,359 | 3.6 | % | ||
Loews Corp. | 109,100,322 | 3.3 | ||||
Honeywell International, Inc. | 106,587,360 | 3.2 | ||||
Merck & Co., Inc. | 105,271,896 | 3.1 | ||||
ACE Ltd. | 102,306,101 | 3.1 | ||||
Lockheed Martin Corp. | 100,398,672 | 3.0 | ||||
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. | 97,118,240 | 3.0 | ||||
Sun Microsystems, Inc. | 96,406,092 | 2.9 | ||||
Safeway, Inc. | 94,800,000 | 2.9 | ||||
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 94,335,752 | 2.9 | ||||
$ | 1,026,355,794 | 31.0 | % |
* | All data are as of April 30, 2008. The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. |
Please Note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.
** | Long-term investments. |
8 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Portfolio Summary and Ten Largest Holdings
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
April 30, 2008 (unaudited)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | |||
COMMON STOCKS – 99.7% | |||||
Financials – 19.8% | |||||
Capital Markets – 3.4% | |||||
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | 196,500 | $ | 8,553,645 | ||
Franklin Resources, Inc. | 252,800 | 24,053,920 | |||
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. | 541,743 | 23,966,710 | |||
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | 503,500 | 25,089,405 | |||
MF Global Ltd.(a) | 417,172 | 5,494,155 | |||
Morgan Stanley | 334,800 | 16,271,280 | |||
Northern Trust Corp. | 100,600 | 7,455,466 | |||
110,884,581 | |||||
Commercial Banks – 0.2% | |||||
Wells Fargo & Co. | 197,300 | 5,869,675 | |||
Consumer Finance – 0.2% | |||||
American Express Co. | 168,100 | 8,072,162 | |||
Diversified Financial Services – 3.4% | |||||
Bank of America Corp. | 816,200 | 30,640,148 | |||
Citigroup, Inc. | 1,172,300 | 29,624,021 | |||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 1,129,900 | 53,839,735 | |||
114,103,904 | |||||
Insurance – 12.2% | |||||
ACE Ltd. | 1,696,900 | 102,306,101 | |||
American International Group, Inc. | 1,784,800 | 82,457,760 | |||
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. | 2,864,000 | 97,118,240 | |||
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. | 675,500 | 48,142,885 | |||
Loews Corp. | 600,000 | 25,266,000 | |||
MetLife, Inc. | 421,400 | 25,642,190 | |||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | 281,400 | 21,304,794 | |||
402,237,970 | |||||
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 0.4% | |||||
Federal National Mortgage Association | 502,700 | 14,226,410 | |||
655,394,702 | |||||
Health Care – 14.5% | |||||
Health Care Providers & Services – 4.5% | |||||
Aetna, Inc. | 1,255,900 | 54,757,240 | |||
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | 1,684,500 | 54,965,235 | |||
WellPoint, Inc.(a) | 754,400 | 37,531,400 | |||
147,253,875 | |||||
Life Sciences Tools & Services – 0.4% | |||||
Applera Corp. - Applied Biosystems Group | 254,100 | 8,108,331 | |||
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.(a) | 76,608 | 4,433,305 | |||
12,541,636 | |||||
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 9 |
Portfolio of Investments
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | |||
Pharmaceuticals – 9.6% | |||||
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 897,600 | $ | 19,720,272 | ||
Eli Lilly & Co. | 1,271,000 | 61,185,940 | |||
Merck & Co., Inc. | 2,767,400 | 105,271,896 | |||
Schering-Plough Corp. | 6,519,900 | 120,031,359 | |||
Wyeth | 250,000 | 11,117,500 | |||
317,326,967 | |||||
477,122,478 | |||||
Industrials – 14.2% | |||||
Aerospace & Defense – 8.1% | |||||
Honeywell International, Inc. | 1,794,400 | 106,587,360 | |||
Lockheed Martin Corp. | 946,800 | 100,398,672 | |||
United Technologies Corp. | 845,400 | 61,266,138 | |||
268,252,170 | |||||
Electrical Equipment – 3.8% | |||||
Ametek, Inc. | 623,365 | 30,245,670 | |||
Cooper Industries Ltd.-Class A | 122,100 | 5,175,819 | |||
Emerson Electric Co. | 1,433,200 | 74,899,032 | |||
EnerSys(a) | 586,800 | 13,731,120 | |||
124,051,641 | |||||
Industrial Conglomerates – 1.4% | |||||
General Electric Co. | 1,441,100 | 47,123,970 | |||
Machinery – 0.9% | |||||
Eaton Corp. | 344,600 | 30,269,664 | |||
469,697,445 | |||||
Information Technology – 13.6% | |||||
Communications Equipment – 1.4% | |||||
ADC Telecommunications, Inc.(a) | 422,200 | 5,919,244 | |||
Ciena Corp.(a) | 310,400 | 10,494,624 | |||
JDS Uniphase Corp.(a) | 542,800 | 7,767,468 | |||
Juniper Networks, Inc.(a) | 842,600 | 23,272,612 | |||
47,453,948 | |||||
Computers & Peripherals – 2.9% | |||||
Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a) | 6,156,200 | 96,406,092 | |||
Electronic Equipment & Instruments – 0.8% | |||||
Tyco Electronics Ltd. | 740,300 | 27,694,623 | |||
Internet Software & Services – 0.9% | |||||
Yahoo!, Inc.(a) | 1,131,500 | 31,014,415 | |||
IT Services – 1.9% | |||||
Accenture Ltd.-Class A | 1,619,100 | 60,797,205 | |||
10 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Portfolio of Investments
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | |||
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 4.1% | |||||
Broadcom Corp.-Class A(a) | 970,500 | $ | 25,194,180 | ||
Integrated Device Technology, Inc.(a) | 2,263,300 | 24,194,677 | |||
Lam Research Corp.(a) | 168,200 | 6,869,288 | |||
MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.(a) | 293,900 | 18,506,883 | |||
Nvidia Corp.(a) | 2,948,500 | 60,591,675 | |||
135,356,703 | |||||
Software – 1.6% | |||||
Adobe Systems, Inc.(a) | 675,200 | 25,178,208 | |||
Microsoft Corp. | 922,000 | 26,295,440 | |||
51,473,648 | |||||
450,196,634 | |||||
Energy – 12.7% | |||||
Energy Equipment & Services – 0.1% | |||||
Nabors Industries Ltd.(a) | 87,100 | 3,269,734 | |||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 12.6% | |||||
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | 169,200 | 11,261,952 | |||
Chevron Corp. | 654,800 | 62,959,020 | |||
ConocoPhillips | 844,900 | 72,788,135 | |||
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 1,013,600 | 94,335,752 | |||
Marathon Oil Corp. | 595,300 | 27,127,821 | |||
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | 376,100 | 31,295,281 | |||
StatoilHydro ASA (ADR) | 715,700 | 25,886,869 | |||
Total SA (Sponsored) (ADR) | 1,094,500 | 91,938,000 | |||
417,592,830 | |||||
420,862,564 | |||||
Consumer Staples – 9.4% | |||||
Food & Staples Retailing – 2.9% | |||||
Safeway, Inc. | 3,000,000 | 94,800,000 | |||
Household Products – 1.2% | |||||
Procter & Gamble Co. | 595,300 | 39,914,865 | |||
Tobacco – 5.3% | |||||
Altria Group, Inc. | 1,430,900 | 28,618,000 | |||
Loews Corp. | 1,276,600 | 83,834,322 | |||
Philip Morris International, Inc.(a) | 1,266,200 | 64,614,186 | |||
177,066,508 | |||||
311,781,373 | |||||
Consumer Discretionary – 6.9% | |||||
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.2% | |||||
Wyndham Worldwide Corp. | 329,300 | 7,073,364 | |||
Household Durables – 0.8% | |||||
Garmin Ltd. | 673,800 | 27,558,420 | |||
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 11 |
Portfolio of Investments
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||
Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.6% | ||||||
Expedia, Inc.(a) | 700,000 | $ | 17,682,000 | |||
Media – 5.3% | ||||||
CBS Corp.-Class B | 1,332,300 | 30,736,161 | ||||
The DIRECTV Group, Inc.(a) | 424,200 | 10,452,288 | ||||
EW Scripps Co.-Class A | 193,800 | 8,703,558 | ||||
Gannett Co., Inc. | 1,268,500 | 36,304,470 | ||||
Omnicom Group, Inc. | 839,000 | 40,053,860 | ||||
Viacom, Inc.-Class B(a) | 1,256,500 | 48,299,860 | ||||
174,550,197 | ||||||
226,863,981 | ||||||
Telecommunication Services – 5.7% | ||||||
Diversified Telecommunication | ||||||
AT&T, Inc. | 1,826,200 | 70,692,202 | ||||
CenturyTel, Inc. | 1,823,700 | 59,179,065 | ||||
Verizon Communications, Inc. | 1,517,400 | 58,389,552 | ||||
188,260,819 | ||||||
Materials – 1.5% | ||||||
Chemicals – 1.5% | ||||||
Dow Chemical Co. | 499,500 | 20,054,925 | ||||
Eastman Chemical Co. | 390,700 | 28,716,450 | ||||
48,771,375 | ||||||
Utilities – 1.4% | ||||||
Electric Utilities – 0.6% | ||||||
Entergy Corp. | 101,700 | 11,681,262 | ||||
FirstEnergy Corp. | 125,800 | 9,515,512 | ||||
21,196,774 | ||||||
Gas Utilities – 0.4% | ||||||
Oneok, Inc. | 294,900 | 14,190,588 | ||||
Multi-Utilities – 0.4% | ||||||
Sempra Energy | 208,800 | 11,832,697 | ||||
47,220,059 | ||||||
Total Common Stocks | 3,296,171,430 | |||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 1.4% | ||||||
Investment Companies – 1.4% | ||||||
AllianceBernstein Fixed-Income Shares, | 47,457,769 | 47,457,769 | ||||
Total Investments – 101.1% | 3,343,629,199 | |||||
Other assets less liabilities – (1.1)% | (37,896,936 | ) | ||||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $ | 3,305,732,263 | ||||
12 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Portfolio of Investments
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. |
Glossary:
ADR – American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 13 |
Portfolio of Investments
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
April 30, 2008 (unaudited)
Assets | |||
Investments in securities, at value | |||
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $3,213,584,780) | $ | 3,296,171,430 | |
Affiliated issuers (cost $47,457,769) | 47,457,769 | ||
Receivable for investment securities sold | 81,493,880 | ||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 13,820,114 | ||
Dividends receivable | 2,645,143 | ||
Total assets | 3,441,588,336 | ||
Liabilities | |||
Payable for investment securities purchased | 112,006,990 | ||
Payable for capital stock redeemed | 20,284,146 | ||
Advisory fee payable | 1,417,378 | ||
Distribution fee payable | 1,362,341 | ||
Transfer Agent fee payable | 200,213 | ||
Administrative fee payable | 17,823 | ||
Accrued expenses | 567,182 | ||
Total liabilities | 135,856,073 | ||
Net Assets | $ | 3,305,732,263 | |
Composition of Net Assets | |||
Capital stock, at par | $ | 8,685,702 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 3,019,334,456 | ||
Undistributed net investment income | 11,426,447 | ||
Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions | 183,699,008 | ||
Net unrealized appreciation on investments | 82,586,650 | ||
$ | 3,305,732,263 | ||
Net Asset Value Per Share—21 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.01 par value
Class | Net Assets | Shares Outstanding | Net Asset Value | ||||||
A | $ | 2,066,012,907 | 539,865,065 | $ | 3.83 | * | |||
B | $ | 658,708,180 | 175,409,840 | $ | 3.76 | ||||
C | $ | 419,298,681 | 111,236,421 | $ | 3.77 | ||||
Advisor | $ | 150,886,449 | 39,216,683 | $ | 3.85 | ||||
R | $ | 2,759,109 | 726,932 | $ | 3.80 | ||||
K | $ | 5,751,307 | 1,509,932 | $ | 3.81 | ||||
I | $ | 2,315,630 | 605,367 | $ | 3.83 | ||||
* | The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $4.00 which reflects a sales charge of 4.25%. |
See notes to financial statements.
14 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Statement of Assets & Liabilities
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited)
Investment Income | ||||||||
Dividends | ||||||||
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $505,711) | $ | 34,191,896 | ||||||
Affiliated issuers | 741,658 | |||||||
Interest | 149,659 | $ | 35,083,213 | |||||
Expenses | ||||||||
Advisory fee (see Note B) | 9,329,433 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class A | 3,051,880 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class B | 3,937,198 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class C | 2,298,054 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class R | 7,321 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class K | 7,538 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class A | 1,947,134 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class B | 909,414 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class C | 450,926 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Advisor Class | 139,516 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class R | 1,340 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class K | 6,031 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class I | 698 | |||||||
Custodian | 238,419 | |||||||
Printing | 129,130 | |||||||
Registration fees | 84,952 | |||||||
Administrative | 41,882 | |||||||
Audit | 30,400 | |||||||
Directors’ fees | 20,331 | |||||||
Legal | 18,950 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 55,864 | |||||||
Total expenses | 22,706,411 | |||||||
Less: expense offset arrangement | (82,124 | ) | ||||||
Net expenses | 22,624,287 | |||||||
Net investment income | 12,458,926 | |||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Transactions | ||||||||
Net realized gain on investment transactions | 195,084,417 | |||||||
Net change in unrealized | (707,886,491 | ) | ||||||
Net loss on investment transactions | (512,802,074 | ) | ||||||
Contribution from Adviser (see Note B) | 328,990 | |||||||
Net Decrease in Net Assets from Operations | $ | (500,014,158 | ) | |||||
See notes to financial statements.
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 15 |
Statement of Operations
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, 2007 | |||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 12,458,926 | $ | 36,450,404 | ||||
Net realized gain on investment transactions | 195,084,417 | 547,734,855 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | (707,886,491 | ) | (79,424,556 | ) | ||||
Contribution from Adviser (see Note B) | 328,990 | 36,006,972 | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | (500,014,158 | ) | 540,767,675 | |||||
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from | ||||||||
Net investment income | ||||||||
Class A | (28,331,821 | ) | (27,503,944 | ) | ||||
Class B | (1,953,187 | ) | (3,738,628 | ) | ||||
Class C | (1,101,899 | ) | (1,600,243 | ) | ||||
Advisor Class | (2,453,478 | ) | (2,800,620 | ) | ||||
Class R | (24,023 | ) | (45,093 | ) | ||||
Class K | (100,530 | ) | (10,196 | ) | ||||
Class I | (14,807 | ) | (13,131 | ) | ||||
Net realized gain on investment transactions | ||||||||
Class A | (199,840,522 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||
Class B | (77,152,713 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||
Class C | (43,526,208 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||
Advisor Class | (14,045,271 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||
Class R | (271,115 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||
Class K | (551,517 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||
Class I | (80,122 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||
Capital Stock Transactions | ||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 16,344,091 | (891,015,137 | ) | |||||
Capital Contributions | ||||||||
Proceeds from third party regulatory settlement (see Note F) | 11,479 | 111,119 | ||||||
Total decrease | (853,105,801 | ) | (385,848,198 | ) | ||||
Net Assets | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 4,158,838,064 | 4,544,686,262 | ||||||
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $11,426,447 and $32,947,266, respectively) | $ | 3,305,732,263 | $ | 4,158,838,064 | ||||
See notes to financial statements.
16 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
April 30, 2008 (unaudited)
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund offers Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K and Class I shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 4.25% for purchases not exceeding $1,000,000. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A shares redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%. Class B shares are currently sold with a contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 4% to zero depending on the period of time the shares are held. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase. Class R and Class K shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge. Advisor Class and Class I shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. All seven classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that the classes bear different distribution and transfer agency expenses. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to its distribution plan. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 17 |
Notes to Financial Statements
bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities.
2. Taxes
It is the Fund’s policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are required. The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.
3. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Fund is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold.
18 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Notes to Financial Statements
Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
4. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Fund are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Fund represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
5. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B
Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
During the six months ended April 30, 2008 and the year ended October 31, 2007, and in response to the Independent Director’s request, the Adviser made payments of $328,990 and $36,006,972, respectively, to the Fund in connection with an error made by the Adviser in processing a claim for class action settlement proceeds on behalf of the Fund.
Pursuant to the Advisory agreement, the Fund paid $41,882 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser for the six months ended April 30, 2008.
The Fund compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Fund. ABIS may make payments to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services, sub-accounting services and/or networking services. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $1,731,551 for the six months ended April 30, 2008.
For the six months ended April 30, 2008, the Fund’s expenses were reduced by $82,124 under an expense offset arrangement with ABIS.
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 19 |
Notes to Financial Statements
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, serves as the distributor of the Fund’s shares. The Distributor has advised the Fund that it has retained front-end sales charges of $12,632 from the sale of Class A shares and received $28,042, $109,649 and $11,860 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 2008.
The Fund may invest in the AllianceBernstein Fixed-Income Shares, Inc.—Government STIF Portfolio an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. The Government STIF Portfolio is offered as a cash management option to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by the Adviser, and is not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The Government STIF Portfolio pays no investment management fees. For the six months ended April 30, 2008, the Fund had purchases and sales of Government STIF Portfolio in the amount of $844,623,467 and $864,143,787, respectively.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended April 30, 2008 amounted to $3,653,604, of which $28,728 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
NOTE C
Distribution Services Agreement
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Agreement, the Fund pays distribution and servicing fees to the Distributor at an annual rate of 0.30% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares, 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to both Class B and Class C shares, 0.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class K shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on the Advisor Class and Class I shares. The Directors currently limit payments under the Class A plan to 0.28% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Distributor has incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the amounts of $25,263,306, $10,124,241, $111,406 and $26,469 for Class B, Class C, Class R and Class K shares, respectively. While such costs may be recovered from the Fund in future periods so long as the Agreement is in effect, the rate of the distribution and servicing fees payable under the Agreement may not be increased without a shareholder vote. In accordance with the Agreement, there is no provision for recovery of unreimbursed distribution costs incurred by the Distributor beyond the current fiscal year for Class A shares. The Agreement also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Fund’s shares.
20 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE D
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended April 30, 2008 were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||
Investment securities (excluding | $ | 2,723,497,899 | $ | 3,031,489,984 | ||||
U.S. government securities | –0 | – | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 286,607,835 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (204,021,185 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 82,586,650 | ||
1. Option Transactions
For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Fund may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Fund writes an option, the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 21 |
Notes to Financial Statements
the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Fund. In writing an option, the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Fund could result in the Fund selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended April 30, 2008, the Fund had no transactions in written options.
2. Currency Transactions
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Fund may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Fund may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Fund and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Fund may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).
NOTE E
Securities Lending
The Fund has entered into a securities lending agreement with UBS Securities LLC (the “Lending Agent”). Under the terms of the agreement, the Lending Agent, on behalf of the Fund, administers the lending of portfolio securities to certain broker-dealers. In return, the Fund receives fee income from the lending transactions or it retains a portion of interest on the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund also continues to receive dividends or interest on the securities loaned. Under the terms of the securities lending agreement, security voting rights pass to the borrower, although the Fund can at will terminate a loan and regain the right to vote upon receipt of the security. Unrealized gain or loss on the value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan will be reflected in the accounts of the Fund. All loans are continuously secured by collateral exceeding the value of the securities loaned. All collateral consists of either cash or U.S. government securities. The Lending Agent may invest the cash collateral received in an eligible money market vehicle in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Fund. The Lending Agent will indemnify the Fund for any loss resulting from a borrower’s failure to return a loaned security when due. As of April 30, 2008, the Fund had no securities out on loan. For the six months ended April 30, 2008, the Fund earned fee income of $149,659 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.
22 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE F
Capital Stock
Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, 2007 | Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, 2007 | |||||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 18,926,828 | 42,680,692 | $ | 77,801,147 | $ | 194,897,644 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 46,916,386 | 5,478,467 | 201,740,402 | 24,269,726 | ||||||||||||||
Shares converted from Class B | 25,516,080 | 55,864,119 | 102,841,048 | 258,902,816 | ||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (64,083,630 | ) | (151,261,921 | ) | (260,750,216 | ) | (695,734,853 | ) | ||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 27,275,664 | (47,238,643 | ) | $ | 121,632,381 | $ | (217,664,667 | ) | ||||||||||
Class B | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 3,686,278 | 6,169,628 | $ | 15,056,625 | $ | 27,669,455 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 16,019,312 | 785,487 | 67,761,706 | 3,424,742 | ||||||||||||||
Shares converted to Class A | (25,980,135 | ) | (56,915,592 | ) | (102,841,048 | ) | (258,902,816 | ) | ||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (23,532,649 | ) | (67,382,518 | ) | (94,406,854 | ) | (303,052,049 | ) | ||||||||||
Net decrease | (29,807,194 | ) | (117,342,995 | ) | $ | (114,429,571 | ) | $ | (530,860,668 | ) | ||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 3,819,344 | 3,864,644 | $ | 15,848,489 | $ | 17,403,153 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 7,415,325 | 329,340 | 31,440,978 | 1,439,218 | ||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (12,721,003 | ) | (27,959,903 | ) | (50,724,412 | ) | (126,481,503 | ) | ||||||||||
Net decrease | (1,486,334 | ) | (23,765,919 | ) | $ | (3,434,945 | ) | $ | (107,639,132 | ) | ||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 4,493,473 | 8,735,244 | $ | 17,814,025 | $ | 39,946,642 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 3,237,472 | 600,460 | 13,985,878 | 2,672,048 | ||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (5,350,090 | ) | (17,883,949 | ) | (22,173,353 | ) | (82,876,191 | ) | ||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 2,380,855 | (8,548,245 | ) | $ | 9,626,550 | $ | (40,257,501 | ) | ||||||||||
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 23 |
Notes to Financial Statements
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, 2007 | Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, 2007 | |||||||||||||||
Class R | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 229,510 | 278,325 | $ | 1,004,566 | $ | 1,265,329 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 52,732 | 10,272 | 224,639 | 45,093 | ||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (121,052 | ) | (584,203 | ) | (479,483 | ) | (2,688,701 | ) | ||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 161,190 | (295,606 | ) | $ | 749,722 | $ | (1,378,279 | ) | ||||||||||
Class K | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 158,727 | 1,400,058 | $ | 690,128 | $ | 6,639,120 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 152,060 | 2,271 | 650,815 | 10,016 | ||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (193,049 | ) | (33,812 | ) | (810,111 | ) | (158,227 | ) | ||||||||||
Net increase | 117,738 | 1,368,517 | $ | 530,832 | $ | 6,490,909 | ||||||||||||
Class I | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 393,147 | 76,585 | $ | 1,608,203 | $ | 341,177 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 22,128 | 2,971 | 94,929 | 13,131 | ||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (9,133 | ) | (13,404 | ) | (34,010 | ) | (60,107 | ) | ||||||||||
Net increase | 406,142 | 66,152 | $ | 1,669,122 | $ | 294,201 | ||||||||||||
During the six months ended April 30, 2008 and the year ended October 31, 2007, the Fund received $11,479 and $111,119, respectively, related to a third-party’s settlement of regulatory proceedings involving allegations of improper trading. These amounts are presented in the Fund’s statement of changes in net assets. Neither the Fund nor its affiliates were involved in the proceedings or the calculation of the payments.
NOTE G
Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund
Foreign Securities Risk — Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
24 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Notes to Financial Statements
Currency Risk — This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce the returns of the Fund. For example, the value of the Fund’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.
Indemnification Risk — In the ordinary course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE H
Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Fund did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended April 30, 2008.
NOTE I
Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending October 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2007 and October 31, 2006 were as follows:
2007 | 2006 | |||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 35,711,855 | $ | 32,567,480 | ||
Total taxable distributions | $ | 35,711,855 | $ | 32,567,480 | ||
As of October 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income | $ | 32,947,267 | ||
Undistributed long-term capital gains | 334,420,649 | (a) | ||
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | 780,134,550 | (b) | ||
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | $ | 1,147,502,466 | ||
(a) | During the fiscal year, the Fund utilized capital loss carryforward of $209,013,993. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 25 |
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE J
Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments
26 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Notes to Financial Statements
held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
NOTE K
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On April 30, 2008, the Fund implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended October 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and believes the adoption of FAS 157 will have no material impact on its financial statements.
On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 27 |
Notes to Financial Statements
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 4.82 | $ 4.31 | $ 3.73 | $ 3.48 | $ 3.15 | $ 2.60 | ||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) | .02 | .05 | .04 | .04 | .03 | (b) | .03 | |||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | (.55 | ) | .47 | .57 | .23 | .34 | .56 | |||||||||||
Contribution from Adviser | .00 | (c) | .04 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | (.53 | ) | .56 | .61 | .27 | .37 | .59 | |||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.06 | ) | (.05 | ) | (.03 | ) | (.02 | ) | (.03 | ) | (.02 | ) | ||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.40 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||
Tax return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.02 | ) | ||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.46 | ) | (.05 | ) | (.03 | ) | (.02 | ) | (.04 | ) | (.04 | ) | ||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 3.83 | $ 4.82 | $ 4.31 | $ 3.73 | $ 3.48 | $ 3.15 | ||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | (12.21 | )%* | 13.10 | %* | 16.47 | % | 7.77 | % | 11.77 | % | 22.89 | % | ||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $2,066,013 | $2,470,801 | $2,411,515 | $2,553,632 | $2,893,373 | $3,003,001 | ||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.01 | %(e) | .95 | %(f) | 1.00 | %(f) | 1.06 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.22 | % | ||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | 1.01 | %(e) | .95 | %(f) | 1.00 | %(f) | 1.06 | % | 1.13 | % | 1.22 | % | ||||||
Net investment income | .94 | %(e) | 1.11 | %(f) | .99 | %(f) | 1.19 | % | .85 | %(b) | .94 | % | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 75 | % | 59 | % | 56 | % | 63 | % | 48 | % | 43 | % |
See footnote summary on page 34.
28 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Financial Highlights
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class B | ||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 4.71 | $ 4.21 | $ 3.65 | $ 3.42 | $ 3.11 | $ 2.56 | ||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) | .00 | (c) | .02 | .01 | .02 | – 0 | –(b)(c) | .01 | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | (.54 | ) | .45 | .56 | .22 | .33 | .56 | |||||||||||
Contribution from Adviser | .00 | (c) | .04 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||
Net increase | (.54 | ) | .51 | .57 | .24 | .33 | .57 | |||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | ||||||
Distributions from | (.40 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||
Tax return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | ||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.41 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.02 | ) | (.02 | ) | ||||||
Net asset value, | $ 3.76 | $ 4.71 | $ 4.21 | $ 3.65 | $ 3.42 | $ 3.11 | ||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||
Total investment | (12.53 | )%* | 12.18 | %* | 15.73 | % | 6.96 | % | 10.49 | % | 22.19 | % | ||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $658,708 | $966,408 | $1,356,534 | $1,728,375 | $2,218,606 | $2,555,235 | ||||||||||||
Ratio to average | ||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.78 | %(e) | 1.71 | %(f) | 1.76 | %(f) | 1.80 | % | 1.77 | % | 1.97 | % | ||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | 1.78 | %(e) | 1.71 | %(f) | 1.76 | %(f) | 1.80 | % | 1.88 | % | 1.97 | % | ||||||
Net investment income | .19 | %(e) | .37 | %(f) | .24 | %(f) | .47 | % | .10 | %(b) | .19 | % | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 75 | % | 59 | % | 56 | % | 63 | % | 48 | % | 43 | % |
See footnote summary on page 34.
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 29 |
Financial Highlights
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 4.72 | $ 4.22 | $ 3.66 | $ 3.43 | $ 3.11 | $ 2.57 | ||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) | .00 | (c) | .02 | .01 | .02 | – 0 | –(b)(c) | .01 | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | (.54 | ) | .45 | .56 | .22 | .34 | .55 | |||||||||||
Contribution from Adviser | .00 | (c) | .04 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | (.54 | ) | .51 | .57 | .24 | .34 | .56 | |||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | ||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.40 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||
Tax return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | ||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.41 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.02 | ) | (.02 | ) | ||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 3.77 | $ 4.72 | $ 4.22 | $ 3.66 | $ 3.43 | $ 3.11 | ||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | (12.50 | )%* | 12.16 | %* | 15.69 | % | 6.94 | % | 10.82 | % | 21.71 | % | ||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $419,299 | $532,597 | $575,678 | $675,089 | $835,755 | $975,038 | ||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.75 | %(e) | 1.69 | %(f) | 1.74 | %(f) | 1.79 | % | 1.75 | % | 1.95 | % | ||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | 1.75 | %(e) | 1.69 | %(f) | 1.74 | %(f) | 1.79 | % | 1.86 | % | 1.95 | % | ||||||
Net investment income | .21 | %(e) | .38 | %(f) | .26 | %(f) | .48 | % | .12 | %(b) | .21 | % | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 75 | % | 59 | % | 56 | % | 63 | % | 48 | % | 43 | % |
See footnote summary on page 34.
30 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Financial Highlights
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 4.85 | $ 4.33 | $ 3.75 | $ 3.49 | $ 3.16 | $ 2.61 | ||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) | .02 | .06 | .05 | .06 | .04 | (b) | .04 | |||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | (.55 | ) | .48 | .57 | .22 | .34 | .56 | |||||||||||
Contribution from Adviser | .00 | (c) | .04 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | (.53 | ) | .58 | .62 | .28 | .38 | .60 | |||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.07 | ) | (.06 | ) | (.04 | ) | (.02 | ) | (.04 | ) | (.03 | ) | ||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.40 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||
Tax return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.02 | ) | ||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.47 | ) | (.06 | ) | (.04 | ) | (.02 | ) | (.05 | ) | (.05 | ) | ||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 3.85 | $ 4.85 | $ 4.33 | $ 3.75 | $ 3.49 | $ 3.16 | ||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | (12.09 | )%* | 13.54 | %* | 16.59 | % | 8.15 | % | 12.00 | % | 23.15 | % | ||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $150,886 | $178,669 | $196,601 | $385,823 | $1,067,879 | $994,254 | ||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | .73 | %(e) | .67 | %(f) | .74 | %(f) | .75 | % | .73 | % | .94 | % | ||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | .73 | %(e) | .67 | %(f) | .74 | %(f) | .75 | % | .84 | % | .94 | % | ||||||
Net investment income | 1.22 | %(e) | 1.39 | %(f) | 1.28 | %(f) | 1.53 | % | 1.13 | %(d) | 1.22 | % | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 75 | % | 59 | % | 56 | % | 63 | % | 48 | % | 43 | % |
See footnote summary on page 34.
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 31 |
Financial Highlights
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class R | |||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, | November 3, 2003(g) to October 31, 2004 | |||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | |||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 4.77 | $ 4.27 | $ 3.72 | $ 3.48 | $ 3.17 | ||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | |||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) | .02 | .04 | .03 | .01 | .02 | (b) | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | (.55 | ) | .47 | .56 | .25 | .32 | |||||||||
Contribution from Adviser | .00 | (c) | .04 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | (.53 | ) | .55 | .59 | .26 | .34 | |||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | |||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.04 | ) | (.05 | ) | (.04 | ) | (.02 | ) | (.02 | ) | |||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.40 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | |||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.44 | ) | (.05 | ) | (.04 | ) | (.02 | ) | (.03 | ) | |||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 3.80 | $ 4.77 | $ 4.27 | $ 3.72 | $ 3.48 | ||||||||||
Total Return | |||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | (12.29 | )%* | 12.98 | %* | 16.03 | % | 7.36 | % | 10.81 | % | |||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $2,759 | $2,696 | $3,682 | $1,625 | $147 | ||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | |||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.15 | %(e) | 1.27 | %(f) | 1.29 | %(f) | 1.42 | % | 1.16 | %(e) | |||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | 1.15 | %(e) | 1.27 | %(f) | 1.29 | %(f) | 1.42 | % | 1.27 | %(e) | |||||
Net investment income | .80 | %(e) | .80 | %(f) | .68 | %(f) | .56 | % | .67 | %(b)(e) | |||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 75 | % | 59 | % | 56 | % | 63 | % | 48 | % |
See footnote summary on page 34.
32 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Financial Highlights
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class K | ||||||||||||
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, | March 1, 2005(g) to October 31, 2005 | ||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | |||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 4.82 | $ 4.31 | $ 3.74 | $ 3.79 | ||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) | .02 | .04 | .04 | .03 | ||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | (.56 | ) | .50 | .57 | (.07 | ) | ||||||
Contribution from Adviser | .00 | (c) | .04 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | (.54 | ) | .58 | .61 | (.04 | ) | ||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.07 | ) | (.07 | ) | (.04 | ) | (.01 | ) | ||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.40 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.47 | ) | (.07 | ) | (.04 | ) | (.01 | ) | ||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 3.81 | $ 4.82 | $ 4.31 | $ 3.74 | ||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | (12.33 | )%* | 13.56 | %* | 16.28 | % | (1.02 | )% | ||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $5,751 | $6,705 | $102 | $10 | ||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||
Expenses | 1.00 | %(e) | .88 | %(f) | .96 | %(f) | 1.03 | %(e) | ||||
Net investment income | .93 | %(e) | .91 | %(f) | 1.02 | %(f) | .79 | %(e) | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 75 | % | 59 | % | 56 | % | 63 | % |
See footnote summary on page 34.
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 33 |
Financial Highlights
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class I | ||||||||||||
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited) | Year Ended October 31, | March 1, 2005(g) to October 31, 2005 | ||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | |||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 4.83 | $ 4.32 | $ 3.74 | $ 3.79 | ||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) | .02 | .06 | .05 | .04 | ||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | (.55 | ) | .48 | .58 | (.08 | ) | ||||||
Contribution from Adviser | .00 | (c) | .04 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | (.53 | ) | .58 | .63 | (.04 | ) | ||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.07 | ) | (.07 | ) | (.05 | ) | (.01 | ) | ||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.40 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.47 | ) | (.07 | ) | (.05 | ) | (.01 | ) | ||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 3.83 | $ 4.83 | $ 4.32 | $ 3.74 | ||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | (12.05 | )%* | 13.58 | %* | 16.84 | % | (.97 | )% | ||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $2,316 | $962 | $574 | $10 | ||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||
Expenses | .64 | %(e) | .62 | %(f) | .67 | %(f) | .74 | %(e) | ||||
Net investment income | 1.17 | %(e) | 1.41 | %(f) | 1.27 | %(f) | 1.08 | %(e) | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 75 | % | 59 | % | 56 | % | 63 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses waived by the Adviser and the Transfer Agent. |
(c) | Amount is less than $.005. |
(d) | Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charges or contingent deferred sales charges are not reflected in the calculation of total investment return. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
(e) | Annualized. |
(f) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
(g) | Commencement of distributions. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Fund resulting from the Dynergy class action settlement, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the six months ended April 30, 2008 and the year ended October 31, 2007 by .01% and .78%, respectively. |
34 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Financial Highlights
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer David H. Dievler(1),(2) John H. Dobkin(1) Michael J. Downey(1) | D. James Guzy(1) Nancy P. Jacklin(1) Garry L. Moody(1) Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1) Earl D. Weiner (1) |
OFFICERS
Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President Frank V. Caruso(3), Senior Vice President Craig Ayers, Vice President | Aryeh Glatter, Vice President Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Vincent S. Noto, Controller` |
Custodian and Accounting Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111
Principal Underwriter AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105
Legal Counsel Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 | Transfer Agent AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278-6003 Toll-Free (800) 221-5672
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm KPMG LLP 345 Park Avenue, 23rd Floor New York, NY 10154 |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee, Governance and Nominating Committee and Independent Directors Committee. Mr. Foulk is the sole member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee. |
(2) | Retiring effective June 30, 2008. |
(3) | The day-to-day management of and investment decisions for the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Relative Value Investment Team. Mr. Caruso is the investment professional with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. |
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 35 |
Board of Directors
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Fund which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
5. | Possible economies of scale as the Fund grows larger; and |
6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Fund. |
FUND ADVISORY FEES, REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Fund pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008. |
2 | Future references to the Fund do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Fund. |
36 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
Category | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | Net Assets 02/29/08 ($MIL) | Fund | |||
Value | 55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 45 bp on next $2.5 billion 40 bp on the balance | $3,397.7 | Growth & Income Fund, Inc. |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Fund. During the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $80,981 (0.002% of the Fund’s average daily net assets) for such services.
Set forth below are the Fund’s total expense ratios, for the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year:
Fund | Total Expense Ratio4 | Fiscal Year | |||||
Growth & Income Fund, Inc. | Advisor | 0.67 | % | October 31 | |||
Class A Class B Class C Class R Class K Class I | 0.95 1.71 1.69 1.27 0.88 0.62 | % % % % % % |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Fund that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Fund’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Fund are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of
3 | Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
4 | Annualized. |
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 37 |
these expenses are reimbursed by the Fund to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Fund’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Fund.5 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Fund had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Fund versus the Fund’s advisory fees based on February 29, 2008 net assets:
Fund | Net Assets 02/29/08 ($MIL) | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Fee Schedule | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee | Fund Advisory | ||||
Growth & Income Fund, Inc. | $3,397.7 | Relative Value 65 bp on 1st $25 million 25 bp on the balance Minimum account size: $25m | 0.258% | 0.524% |
The AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (“AVPS”), which is managed by the Adviser and is available through variable annuity and variable
5 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
38 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
life contracts offered by other financial institutions, offers investors the option to invest in a portfolio with a substantially similar investment style as the Fund. The following table shows the fee schedule of the AVPS portfolio that has a substantially similar investment style as the Fund.6 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Fund had the AVPS fee schedule been applicable to the Fund:
Fund | AVPS Portfolio | Fee Schedule | Effective Adv. Fee | Fund Advisory Fee | ||||
Growth & Income Fund, Inc. | Growth & Income Portfolio | 0.55% on first $2.5 billion 0.45% on next $2.5 billion 0.40% on the balance | 0.524% | 0.524% |
The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for American Value Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Fund. It should be noted that Class A shares of the fund are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for investment advisory services only.
Fund | Fee | ||
American Value Portfolio | |||
Class A | 1.50 | % | |
Class I (Institutional) | 0.70 | % |
The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Funds had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to those Funds based on February 29, 2008 net assets and the Funds’ advisory fees:
Fund | Fee Schedule | Effective Sub-Adv. Fee | Fund Advisory Fee | |||||
Growth & Income Fund, Inc. | Client #1 | 0.30% on 1st $1 billion 0.25% on next $500 million 0.20% thereafter | 0.237% | 0.524% | ||||
Client #27 | 0.30% | 0.300% | 0.524% |
6 | It should be noted that the AVPS portfolio was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Fund has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AVPS portfolio. |
7 | This is the fee schedule of a fund managed by an affiliate of the Adviser. |
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 39 |
It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.
II. | MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES. |
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Fund with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Fund’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Fund’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)8 at the approximate current asset level of the Fund.9
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
Fund | Contractual Management Fee10 | Lipper Expense Group Median | Rank | |||
Growth & Income Fund, Inc. | 0.513 | 0.607 | 4/14 |
Lipper also analyzed the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Fund’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU11 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Fund.
8 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
9 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Fund’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Fund, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Fund had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
10 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Fund to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. |
11 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
40 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
Fund | Expense Ratio (%)12 | Lipper Expense Group Median (%) | Lipper Group Rank | Lipper Expense Universe Median (%) | Lipper Universe Rank | |||||
Growth & Income Fund, Inc. | 0.950 | 1.044 | 5/14 | 1.173 | 17/89 |
Based on this analysis, the Fund has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than on a total expense ratio basis.
III. | COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT. |
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Fund. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. | PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES. |
The Fund’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Fund decreased during calendar year 2007, relative to 2006.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Fund, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Fund and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Fund. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Fund and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Fund and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, front-end sales loads, contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, is the Fund’s principal underwriter. ABI and the Adviser have disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus that they may make revenue sharing payments from their own
12 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 41 |
resources, in addition to resources derived from sales loads and Rule 12b-1 fees, to firms that sell shares of the Fund. In 2006, ABI paid approximately 0.04% of the average monthly assets of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds or approximately $24 million for distribution services and educational support (revenue sharing payments). For 2008, it is anticipated, ABI will pay approximately 0.04% of the average monthly assets of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds or approximately $28 million.13 During the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, ABI received from the Fund $38,576, $24,494,406 and $443,214 in front-end sales charges, Rule 12b-1 and CDSC fees, respectively.
Fees and reimbursements for out of pocket expenses charged by AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), the affiliated transfer agent for the Fund, are charged on a per account basis, based on the level of service provided and the class of share held by the account. ABIS also receives a fee per shareholder sub-account for each account maintained by an intermediary on an omnibus basis. ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2007 in comparison to 2006. During the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received $3,610,661 in fees from the Fund.14
The Fund effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolios’ most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Fund is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Fund. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Fund and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
V. | POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE |
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,15 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based
13 | ABI currently inserts the “Advance” in quarterly account statements and pays the incremental costs associated with the mailing. The incremental cost is less than what an “independent mailing” would cost. |
14 | The fees disclosed are net of any expense offsets with ABIS. An expense offset is created by the interest earned on the positive cash balance that occurs within the transfer agent account as there is a one day lag with regards to money movement from the shareholder’s account to the transfer agent’s account and then the transfer agent’s account to the Fund’s account. During the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, the fees paid by the Fund to ABIS were reduced by $383,293 under the offset agreement between the Fund and ABIS. |
15 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
42 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli16 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were within the 25th–75th percentile of their comparable peers.17 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.
The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.
VI. | NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND |
With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Fund.
16 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
17 | The two dimensional analysis also showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 43 |
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5, and 10 year performance rankings of the Fund18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended January 31, 2008.20
Fund Return (%) | PG Median (%) | PU Median (%) | PG Rank | PU Rank | ||||||
1 year | -2.50 | -3.64 | -3.73 | 6/14 | 40/99 | |||||
3 year | 6.61 | 7.56 | 7.55 | 10/13 | 60/89 | |||||
5 year | 12.47 | 13.03 | 12.56 | 10/13 | 43/81 | |||||
10 year | 6.97 | 6.05 | 5.72 | 4/12 | 12/44 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Fund (in bold)21 versus its benchmark.22 Fund and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.23
Periods Ending January 31, 2008 Annualized Performance | ||||||||||||||||
Annualized | ||||||||||||||||
1 Year (%) | 3 Year (%) | 5 Year (%) | 10 Year (%) | Since Inception (%) | Volatility (%) | Sharpe (%) | Risk Period (Year) | |||||||||
Growth & Income Fund, Inc. | -2.50 | 6.61 | 12.47 | 6.97 | 10.43 | 15.73 | 0.27 | 10 | ||||||||
Russell 1000 Value Index | -5.38 | 8.48 | 14.25 | 7.40 | N/A | 13.93 | 0.32 | 10 | ||||||||
Inception Date: July 1, 1932 |
18 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Fund. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Fund shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Fund’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Fund returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Fund returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Fund, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
19 | The Fund’s PG is identical to the Fund’s EG. The Fund’s PU is not identical to the Fund’s EU as the criteria for including or excluding a fund in a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
20 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
21 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Fund. |
22 | The Adviser provided Fund and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2008. |
23 | Fund and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a fund’s return in excess of the riskless return by the fund’s standard deviation. A fund with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a fund with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky fund. A fund with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a fund with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
44 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Fund is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Fund is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 5, 2008
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 45 |
THIS PAGE IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN FAMILY OF FUNDS
Wealth Strategies Funds
Balanced Wealth Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Preservation Strategy
Tax-Managed Balanced Wealth Strategy
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Tax-Managed Wealth Preservation Strategy
Blended Style Funds
U.S. Large Cap Portfolio
International Portfolio
Tax-Managed International Portfolio
Growth Funds
Domestic
Growth Fund
Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
Global & International
Global Health Care Fund
Global Research Growth Fund
Global Technology Fund
Greater China ‘97 Fund
International Growth Fund
International Research Growth Fund
Value Funds
Domestic
Balanced Shares
Focused Growth & Income Fund
Growth & Income Fund
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund
Utility Income Fund
Value Fund
Global & International
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Global Value Fund
International Value Fund
Taxable Bond Funds
Diversified Yield Fund*
Global Bond Fund*
High Income Fund*
Intermediate Bond Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Municipal Bond Funds
National | Michigan |
Intermediate Municipal Bond Funds
Intermediate California
Intermediate Diversified
Intermediate New York
Closed-End Funds
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund*
ACM Managed Dollar Income Fund
California Municipal Income Fund
New York Municipal Income Fund
The Spain Fund
Retirement Strategies Funds
2000 Retirement Strategy | 2020 Retirement Strategy | 2040 Retirement Strategy | ||
2005 Retirement Strategy | 2025 Retirement Strategy | 2045 Retirement Strategy | ||
2010 Retirement Strategy | 2030 Retirement Strategy | 2050 Retirement Strategy | ||
2015 Retirement Strategy | 2035 Retirement Strategy | 2055 Retirement Strategy |
We also offer Exchange Reserves,** which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AllianceBernstein mutual funds.
You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of any AllianceBernstein fund/portfolio carefully before investing. For free copies of our prospectuses, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.alliancebernstein.com or contact your financial advisor. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
* | Prior to May 18, 2007, AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund was named National Municipal Income Fund. Prior to November 5, 2007, Diversified Yield Fund was named Global Strategic Income Trust and Global Bond Fund was named Global Government Income Trust. Prior to January 28, 2008, High Income Fund was named Emerging Market Debt Fund. |
** | An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. |
46 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
AllianceBernstein Family of Funds
NOTES
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 47 |
NOTES
48 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
NOTES
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 49 |
NOTES
50 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
NOTES
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND • | 51 |
NOTES
52 | • ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND |
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800.221.5672
GI-0152-0408 |
ITEM 2. | CODE OF ETHICS. |
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. |
Please see Schedule of Investments contained in the Report to Shareholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
ITEM 7. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 8. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 10. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board of Directors since the Fund last provided disclosure in response to this item.
ITEM 11. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective at the reasonable assurance level based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.
(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. | EXHIBITS. |
The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:
EXHIBIT NO. | DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT | |
12 (b) (1) | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
12 (b) (2) | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
12 (c) | Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant): AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
By: | /s/ Marc O. Mayer | |
Marc O. Mayer | ||
President |
Date: June 30, 2008
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: | /s/ Marc O. Mayer | |
Marc O. Mayer | ||
President |
Date: June 30, 2008
By: | /s/ Joseph J. Mantineo | |
Joseph J. Mantineo | ||
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
Date: June 30, 2008