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: 811-02383
AB BOND 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, 2021
Date of reporting period: October 31, 2021
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
OCT 10.31.21
ANNUAL REPORT
AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically requested paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper form free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call the Fund at (800) 221 5672. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly, to all AB Mutual Funds you hold.
Investment Products Offered | • Are Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
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 AB’s website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB 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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT 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. AB publishes full portfolio holdings for the Fund monthly at www.abfunds.com.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
FROM THE PRESIDENT |
Dear Shareholder,
We’re pleased to provide this report for the AB All Market Real Return Portfolio (the “Fund”). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Fund’s investment strategy.
At AB, we’re striving to help our clients achieve better outcomes by:
+ | Fostering diverse perspectives that give us a distinctive approach to navigating global capital markets |
+ | Applying differentiated investment insights through a connected global research network |
+ | Embracing innovation to design better ways to invest and leading-edge mutual-fund solutions |
Whether you’re an individual investor or a multibillion-dollar institution, we’re putting our knowledge and experience to work for you every day.
For more information about AB’s comprehensive range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.
Thank you for your investment in AB mutual funds—and for placing your trust in our firm.
Sincerely,
Onur Erzan
President and Chief Executive Officer, AB Mutual Funds
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 1 |
ANNUAL REPORT
December 7, 2021
This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for the AB All Market Real Return Portfolio for the annual reporting period ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize real return over inflation.
NAV RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
6 Months | 12 Months | |||||||
AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | ||||||||
Class 1 Shares1 | 10.19% | 45.63% | ||||||
Class 2 Shares1 | 10.36% | 46.10% | ||||||
Class A Shares2 | 10.08% | 45.29% | ||||||
Class C Shares | 9.71% | 44.41% | ||||||
Advisor Class Shares2,3 | 10.22% | 45.63% | ||||||
Class R Shares2,3 | 9.96% | 45.04% | ||||||
Class K Shares2.3 | 10.10% | 45.40% | ||||||
Class I Shares2,3 | 10.42% | 46.17% | ||||||
Class Z Shares3 | 10.31% | 46.17% | ||||||
MSCI AC World Commodity Producers Index (net) | 7.96% | 65.36% |
1 | Class 1 shares are only available to Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts. Class 2 shares are only available to the Adviser’s institutional clients or through other limited arrangements. |
2 | The returns shown are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions and may differ from the returns shown in the Financial Highlights, which reflect adjustments made to the net asset values in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. |
3 | 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 Fund. |
Please keep in mind that high, double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The table above shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country (“MSCI AC”) World Commodity Producers Index (net), for the six- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2021.
All share classes of the Fund underperformed the benchmark for the 12-month period, but outperformed for the six-month period, before sales
2 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
charges. For the 12-month period, the strategic allocation detracted overall, relative to the benchmark, as real estate, commodity futures and inflation-sensitive equities underperformed commodity producers. Security selection within commodity equities, commodity futures, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and inflation-sensitive equities contributed. The Fund’s tactical overweight to commodity futures contributed, but this was offset by tactical underweights to REITs and inflation-sensitive equities.
During the six-month period, the strategic allocation contributed overall, relative to the benchmark, as commodity futures and inflation-sensitive equities outperformed commodity producers. Security selection within commodity equities, commodity futures, REITs and inflation-sensitive equities contributed. The Fund’s tactical overweight to commodity equities contributed, while tactical underweights to REITs and inflation-sensitive equities detracted.
The Fund utilized derivatives for hedging and investment purposes in the form of futures, inflation swaps and currency forwards, which added to absolute returns for both periods, while total return swaps and variance swaps detracted for both periods. Written options were utilized for hedging and investment purposes and had no material impact on performance for either period.
MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Global equities recorded strong double-digit returns during the 12-month period ended October 31, 2021. Accommodative monetary policy, widespread vaccination distribution and resilient company earnings growth helped quell inflation concerns and supported equity markets throughout most of the period. Bouts of volatility increased as worsening supply-chain constraints and the negative economic impact of the coronavirus delta variant were compounded by the convergence of politically divisive budget negotiations in the US and turmoil in China’s economy. The US Federal Reserve moved gradually toward tapering but signaled that current economic conditions continued to justify low rates for the next several years, which steadied equity markets. Investors also reacted favorably to positive developments in Washington, DC, after Congress reached a deal to temporarily raise the US debt ceiling and as Chinese authorities moved to calm fears around the collapse of the heavily indebted Chinese real estate developer Evergrande and a slowdown in China’s economy. Large-cap stocks underperformed small-cap stocks on a relative basis, and value-style stocks narrowly outperformed their growth-style peers.
Fixed-income market returns were mixed as longer-term treasury returns fell in most major developed markets on rising yields—particularly in Australia, Canada and the UK. Global inflation-linked bonds significantly outperformed treasuries. Relatively low interest rates set the stage for the continued outperformance of risk assets, led by the performance of high-yield corporate bonds—particularly in the US, eurozone and emerging
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 3 |
markets. Emerging-market hard-currency sovereign bonds also had strong performance, mostly from the high-yield component. Emerging- and developed-market investment-grade corporate bonds also posted positive performance, with the US outperforming the eurozone. Securitized assets outperformed, especially in commercial mortgage-backed securities. Local-currency sovereign bonds trailed, as the US dollar was mixed against emerging-market currencies and fell versus most developed-market currencies except the yen and South Korean won. Commodity prices were strong, with Brent crude oil and copper climbing from pandemic-related lows.
Inflation assets rallied over the six- and 12-month periods, with natural resource equities, commodities, REITs and inflation breakevens all posting positive returns. The global vaccine rollout kept investor sentiment elevated, as they anticipated that a speedy rollout would allow pent-up demand for goods and services to reenter the market. Early reassurance from central banks around the world that stimulus measures would remain in place further bolstered inflation expectations and benefited these assets. Commodities were the top performers over the six-month period, as coal and natural gas prices in China and Europe spiked in response to constrained supply. Factories across regions were shuttered or forced to reduce capacity in response to the energy crunch, and in turn limited output of metals, which also saw price appreciation. Energy producers also outperformed over this period, benefiting from the energy bounce. Unprecedented supply-chain challenges kept inflation expectations elevated, which benefited breakevens. REITs posted positive returns over the period as well, but lagged the broader equity market.
The Fund’s Senior Investment Management Team continues to look for sources of value via asset allocation shifts, active security selection, risk overlay strategies and currency management. The Fund uses a blend of quantitative and fundamental research in order to determine overall portfolio risk, allocate risk across major real asset classes and identify idiosyncratic opportunities.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund seeks to maximize real return. Real return is the rate of return after adjusting for inflation. The Fund pursues an aggressive investment strategy involving a variety of asset classes. The Fund invests primarily in instruments that the Adviser expects to outperform broad equity indices during periods of rising inflation. Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to invest its assets principally in the following instruments that, in the judgment of the Adviser, are affected directly or indirectly by the level and change in rate of inflation: inflation-indexed fixed-income securities, such as Treasury inflation-protected securities
(continued on next page)
4 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
(“TIPS”) and similar bonds issued by governments outside of the United States; commodities; commodity-related equity securities; real estate equity securities; inflation-sensitive equity securities, which the Fund defines as equity securities of companies that the Adviser believes have the ability to pass along increasing costs to consumers and maintain or grow margins in rising inflation environments, including equity securities of utilities and infrastructure-related companies (“inflation-sensitive equities”); securities and derivatives linked to the price of other assets (such as commodities, stock indices and real estate); and currencies. The Fund expects its investments in fixed-income securities to have a broad range of maturities and quality levels.
The Fund seeks inflation protection from investments around the globe, both in developed- and emerging-market countries. In selecting securities for purchase and sale, the Adviser utilizes its qualitative and quantitative resources to determine overall inflation sensitivity, asset allocation and security selection. The Adviser assesses the securities’ risks and inflation sensitivity as well as the securities’ impact on the overall risks and inflation sensitivity of the Fund. When its analysis indicates that changes are necessary, the Adviser intends to implement them through a combination of changes to underlying positions and the use of inflation swaps and other types of derivatives, such as interest rate swaps.
The Fund anticipates that its targeted investment mix, other than its investments in inflation-indexed fixed-income securities, will focus on commodity-related equity securities, commodities and commodity derivatives, real estate equity securities and inflation-sensitive equities to provide a balance between expected return and inflation protection. The Fund may vary its investment allocations among these asset classes, at times significantly. Its commodities investments will include significant exposure to energy commodities, but will also include agricultural products, and industrial and precious metals, such as gold. The Fund’s investments in real estate equity securities will include REITs and other real estate-related securities.
The Fund invests in both US and non-US dollar-denominated equity or fixed-income securities. The Fund may invest in currencies for hedging or investment purposes, both in the spot market and through long or short positions in currency-related derivatives. The Fund does not ordinarily expect to hedge its foreign currency exposure because it will be balanced by investments in US dollar-denominated securities, although it may hedge the exposure under certain circumstances.
The Fund may enter into derivatives, such as options, futures contracts, forwards, swaps or structured notes, to a significant extent,
(continued on next page)
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 5 |
subject to the limits of applicable law. The Fund intends to use leverage for investment purposes through the use of cash made available by derivatives transactions to make other investments in accordance with its investment policies. In determining when and to what extent to employ leverage or enter into derivatives transactions, the Adviser considers factors such as the relative risks and returns expected of potential investments and the cost of such transactions. The Adviser considers the impact of derivatives in making its assessments of the Fund’s risks. The resulting exposures to markets, sectors, issuers or specific securities will be continuously monitored by the Adviser.
The Fund may seek to gain exposure to physical commodities traded in the commodities markets through use of a variety of derivative instruments, including investments in commodity index-linked notes. The Adviser expects that the Fund will seek to gain exposure to commodities and commodity-related instruments and derivatives primarily through investments in AllianceBernstein Cayman Inflation Strategy, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is advised by the Adviser and has the same investment objective and substantially similar investment policies and restrictions as the Fund except that the Subsidiary, unlike the Fund, may invest, without limitation, in commodities and commodity-related instruments. The Fund is subject to the risks associated with the commodities, derivatives and other instruments in which the Subsidiary invests, to the extent of its investment in the Subsidiary. The Fund limits its investment in the Subsidiary to no more than 25% of its net assets. Investment in the Subsidiary is expected to provide the Fund with commodity exposure within the limitations of federal tax requirements that apply to the Fund.
The Fund is “non-diversified”, which means that it may concentrate its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.
6 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS
Benchmark Disclosure
The MSCI AC World Commodity Producers Index is unmanaged and does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The MSCI AC World Commodity Producers Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization index designed to track the performance of global listed commodity producers, including emerging markets. Commodities sectors include: energy, grains, industrial metals, petroleum, precious metals and softs. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations, and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices, any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed or produced by MSCI. Net returns include the reinvestment of dividends after deduction of non-US withholding tax. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Fund.
A Word About Risk
Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the stock, commodity and bond markets fluctuate. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security. Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations.
Interest-Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 7 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
Commodity Risk: Investing in commodities and commodity-linked derivative instruments, either directly or through the Subsidiary, may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as
forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk: To the extent the Fund uses leveraging techniques, its net asset value (“NAV”) may be more volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of changes in interest rates and any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments.
Illiquid Investments Risk: Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes and large positions. Foreign fixed-income securities may have more illiquid investments risk because secondary trading markets for these securities may be smaller and less well-developed and the securities may trade less frequently. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest-rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally go down.
Foreign (Non-US) Risk: Investments in securities of non-US issuers may involve more risk than those of US issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Currency Risk: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.
Subsidiary Risk: By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The
8 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
derivatives and other investments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and, unless otherwise noted in the Fund’s prospectus, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are managed by the Adviser, making it unlikely the Subsidiary will take actions contrary to the interests of the Fund or its shareholders.
Real Estate Risk: The Fund’s investments in real estate securities have many of the same risks as direct ownership of real estate, including the risk that the value of real estate could decline due to a variety of factors that affect the real estate market generally. Investments in REITs may have additional risks. REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in taxes.
Non-Diversification Risk: The Fund may have more risk because it is “non-diversified”, meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers. Accordingly, changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV.
Active Trading Risk: The Fund expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate may greatly exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Fund’s return. In addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in substantial short-term gains, which may have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders.
Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
An Important Note About Historical Performance
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 9 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
more or less than their original cost. Performance shown in this report 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.abfunds.com. For Class 1 shares, go to www.bernstein.com and click on “Investments”, found in the footer, then “Mutual Fund Information—Mutual Fund Performance at a Glance.”
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com. For Class 1 shares, go to www.bernstein.com, click on “Investments”, found in the footer, then “Mutual Fund Information—Prospectuses, SAIs and Shareholder Reports.” Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
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 and 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.
10 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE FUND (unaudited)
10/31/2011 TO 10/31/2021
This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AB All Market Real Return Portfolio Class A shares (from 10/31/2011 to 10/31/2021) as compared to the performance of its benchmark. The chart reflects the deduction of the maximum 4.25% sales charge from the initial $10,000 investment in the Fund and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 11 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
NAV Returns | SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | |||||||
CLASS 1 SHARES1 | ||||||||
1 Year | 45.63% | 45.63% | ||||||
5 Years | 8.21% | 8.21% | ||||||
10 Years | 1.86% | 1.86% | ||||||
CLASS 2 SHARES1 | ||||||||
1 Year | 46.10% | 46.10% | ||||||
5 Years | 8.49% | 8.49% | ||||||
10 Years | 2.12% | 2.12% | ||||||
CLASS A SHARES | ||||||||
1 Year | 45.29% | 39.12% | ||||||
5 Years | 8.00% | 7.05% | ||||||
10 Years | 1.71% | 1.27% | ||||||
CLASS C SHARES | ||||||||
1 Year | 44.41% | 43.41% | ||||||
5 Years | 7.22% | 7.22% | ||||||
10 Years2 | 0.97% | 0.97% | ||||||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES3 | ||||||||
1 Year | 45.63% | 45.63% | ||||||
5 Years | 8.27% | 8.27% | ||||||
10 Years | 1.99% | 1.99% | ||||||
CLASS R SHARES3 | ||||||||
1 Year | 45.04% | 45.04% | ||||||
5 Years | 7.72% | 7.72% | ||||||
10 Years | 1.47% | 1.47% | ||||||
CLASS K SHARES3 | ||||||||
1 Year | 45.40% | 45.40% | ||||||
5 Years | 8.01% | 8.01% | ||||||
10 Years | 1.74% | 1.74% | ||||||
CLASS I SHARES3 | ||||||||
1 Year | 46.17% | 46.17% | ||||||
5 Years | 8.49% | 8.49% | ||||||
10 Years | 2.11% | 2.11% | ||||||
CLASS Z SHARES3 | ||||||||
1 Year | 46.17% | 46.17% | ||||||
5 Years | 8.49% | 8.49% | ||||||
Since Inception4 | 2.68% | 2.68% |
(footnotes continued on next page)
12 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
The Fund’s prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total annual operating expense ratios as 1.15%, 0.88%, 1.44%, 2.19%, 1.18%, 1.64%, 1.33%, 0.91% and 0.90% for Class 1, Class 2, Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I and Class Z shares, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Fund’s annual operating expense ratios, exclusive of extraordinary expenses, interest expense, and acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, to 1.30%, 2.05%, 1.05%, 1.55% and 1.30% for Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R and Class K shares, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements may not be terminated before January 31, 2022, and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower. 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.
1 | Class 1 shares are only available to Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts. Class 2 shares are only available to the Adviser’s institutional clients or through other limited arrangements. |
2 | Assumes conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares after eight years. |
3 | These share classes are offered at NAV to eligible investors and their SEC returns are the same as their 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 Fund. |
4 | Inception date: 1/31/2014. |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 13 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 (unaudited)
SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | ||||
CLASS 1 SHARES1 | ||||
1 Year | 36.95% | |||
5 Years | 6.89% | |||
10 Years | 2.46% | |||
CLASS 2 SHARES1 | ||||
1 Year | 37.15% | |||
5 Years | 7.15% | |||
10 Years | 2.72% | |||
CLASS A SHARES | ||||
1 Year | 30.62% | |||
5 Years | 5.74% | |||
10 Years | 1.87% | |||
CLASS C SHARES | ||||
1 Year | 34.50% | |||
5 Years | 5.87% | |||
10 Years2 | 1.57% | |||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 36.95% | |||
5 Years | 6.92% | |||
10 Years | 2.58% | |||
CLASS R SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 36.34% | |||
5 Years | 6.40% | |||
10 Years | 2.08% | |||
CLASS K SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 36.79% | |||
5 Years | 6.68% | |||
10 Years | 2.35% | |||
CLASS I SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 37.21% | |||
5 Years | 7.13% | |||
10 Years | 2.71% | |||
CLASS Z SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 37.21% | |||
5 Years | 7.13% | |||
Since Inception4 | 2.11% |
(footnotes continued on next page)
14 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
1 | Class 1 shares are only available to Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts. Class 2 shares are only available to the Adviser’s institutional clients or through other limited arrangements. |
2 | Assumes conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares after eight years. |
3 | 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 Fund. |
4 | Inception date: 1/31/2014. |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 15 |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
(unaudited)
As a shareholder of a mutual fund, you may 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 in this line, 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 in the first line 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 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.
16 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (continued)
Beginning Account Value May 1, 2021 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2021 | Expenses Paid During Period* | Annualized Expense Ratio* | Total Expenses Paid During Period+ | Total Annualized Expense Ratio+ | |||||||||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,100.80 | $ | 6.83 | 1.29 | % | $ | 6.99 | 1.32 | % | ||||||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,018.70 | $ | 6.56 | 1.29 | % | $ | 6.72 | 1.32 | % | ||||||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,097.10 | $ | 10.78 | 2.04 | % | $ | 10.94 | 2.07 | % | ||||||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,014.92 | $ | 10.36 | 2.04 | % | $ | 10.51 | 2.07 | % | ||||||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,102.20 | $ | 5.51 | 1.04 | % | $ | 5.67 | 1.07 | % | ||||||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,019.96 | $ | 5.30 | 1.04 | % | $ | 5.45 | 1.07 | % | ||||||||||||
Class R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,099.60 | $ | 8.15 | 1.54 | % | $ | 8.31 | 1.57 | % | ||||||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,017.44 | $ | 7.83 | 1.54 | % | $ | 7.98 | 1.57 | % | ||||||||||||
Class K | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,101.00 | $ | 6.67 | 1.26 | % | $ | 6.83 | 1.29 | % | ||||||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,018.85 | $ | 6.41 | 1.26 | % | $ | 6.56 | 1.29 | % | ||||||||||||
Class I | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,104.20 | $ | 4.40 | 0.83 | % | $ | 4.56 | 0.86 | % | ||||||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.02 | $ | 4.23 | 0.83 | % | $ | 4.38 | 0.86 | % | ||||||||||||
Class 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,101.90 | $ | 5.72 | 1.08 | % | $ | 5.88 | 1.11 | % | ||||||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,019.76 | $ | 5.50 | 1.08 | % | $ | 5.65 | 1.11 | % | ||||||||||||
Class 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,103.60 | $ | 4.29 | 0.81 | % | $ | 4.40 | 0.83 | % | ||||||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.12 | $ | 4.13 | 0.81 | % | $ | 4.23 | 0.83 | % | ||||||||||||
Class Z | �� | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,103.10 | $ | 4.40 | 0.83 | % | $ | 4.56 | 0.86 | % | ||||||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.02 | $ | 4.23 | 0.83 | % | $ | 4.38 | 0.86 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
** | Assumes 5% annual return before expenses. |
+ | In connection with the Fund’s investments in affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios, the Fund incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Fund’s total expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratio plus the Fund’s pro rata share of the weighted average expense ratio of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios in which it invests, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 17 |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $1,332.3
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The portfolio breakdown is expressed as an approximate percentage of the Fund’s net assets inclusive of derivative exposure, based on the Adviser’s internal classification guidelines. |
2 | The Fund’s security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Consolidated Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). |
18 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY (continued)
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS2
Company | U.S. $ Value | Percent of Net Assets | ||||||
Royal Dutch Shell PLC – Class B | $ | 31,068,920 | 2.3 | % | ||||
Prologis, Inc. | 26,950,674 | 2.0 | ||||||
iShares Global Energy ETF | 23,204,849 | 1.7 | ||||||
Simon Property Group, Inc. | 14,281,583 | 1.1 | ||||||
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | 13,290,758 | 1.0 | ||||||
Chevron Corp. | 12,517,421 | 0.9 | ||||||
TotalEnergies SE | 12,138,368 | 0.9 | ||||||
Welltower, Inc. | 11,610,564 | 0.9 | ||||||
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. | 11,534,805 | 0.9 | ||||||
BP PLC | 11,279,965 | 0.8 | ||||||
$ | 167,877,907 | 12.5 | % |
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Consolidated Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). “Other” country weightings represent 0.9% or less in the following: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia. |
2 | Long-term investments. |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 19 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2021
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
COMMON STOCKS – 75.4% |
| |||||||
Real Estate – 33.7% |
| |||||||
Diversified Real Estate Activities – 2.7% |
| |||||||
Ayala Land, Inc. | 2,432,200 | $ | 1,693,518 | |||||
Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd. | 19,100 | 2,368,096 | ||||||
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. | 191,600 | 2,911,742 | ||||||
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. | 504,500 | 11,534,805 | ||||||
New World Development Co., Ltd. | 1,028,750 | 4,462,130 | ||||||
Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc. | 34,400 | 838,650 | ||||||
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd. | 50,600 | 1,828,680 | ||||||
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | 597,500 | 7,921,848 | ||||||
UOL Group Ltd. | 415,500 | 2,228,504 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
35,787,973 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Diversified REITs – 2.4% |
| |||||||
Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. | 112,690 | 2,764,286 | ||||||
Broadstone Net Lease, Inc. | 80,450 | 2,139,165 | ||||||
Charter Hall Long Wale REIT | 599,370 | 2,198,855 | ||||||
Cofinimmo SA | 12,250 | 1,976,340 | ||||||
Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. | 179,230 | 5,339,262 | ||||||
Fibra Uno Administracion SA de CV | 991,230 | 986,030 | ||||||
Growthpoint Properties Ltd.(a) | 1,440,142 | 1,221,882 | ||||||
ICADE | 26,520 | 2,079,748 | ||||||
Land Securities Group PLC | 297,780 | 2,797,488 | ||||||
Merlin Properties Socimi SA | 362,400 | 3,924,675 | ||||||
Stockland | 1,819,436 | 6,271,487 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
31,699,218 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Health Care REITs – 1.6% |
| |||||||
Medical Properties Trust, Inc. | 304,350 | 6,491,785 | ||||||
Physicians Realty Trust | 178,296 | 3,389,407 | ||||||
Welltower, Inc. | 144,410 | 11,610,564 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
21,491,756 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Hotel & Resort REITs – 0.9% |
| |||||||
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. | 312,640 | 4,911,575 | ||||||
Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.(b) | 235,610 | 4,365,853 | ||||||
RLJ Lodging Trust | 207,970 | 2,998,927 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
12,276,355 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Industrial REITs – 5.3% |
| |||||||
Americold Realty Trust | 162,690 | 4,794,474 | ||||||
Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust | 1,088,200 | 2,492,447 | ||||||
Centuria Industrial REIT | 384,710 | 1,061,136 | ||||||
Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust | 331,324 | 4,537,768 | ||||||
GLP J-REIT | 1,693 | 2,761,384 | ||||||
Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corp. | 1,353 | 2,480,789 | ||||||
LondonMetric Property PLC | 676,760 | 2,420,461 | ||||||
Mitsui Fudosan Logistics Park, Inc. | 403 | 2,142,733 |
20 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Plymouth Industrial REIT, Inc. | 54,286 | $ | 1,387,550 | |||||
Prologis, Inc. | 185,918 | 26,950,674 | ||||||
Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. | 91,090 | 6,121,248 | ||||||
Segro PLC | 402,882 | 7,120,755 | ||||||
STAG Industrial, Inc. | 152,240 | 6,627,007 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
70,898,426 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Office REITs – 2.7% | ||||||||
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | 46,191 | 9,429,431 | ||||||
alstria office REIT-AG | 182,980 | 3,420,231 | ||||||
City Office REIT, Inc. | 273,270 | 5,183,932 | ||||||
Cousins Properties, Inc. | 165,835 | 6,568,724 | ||||||
Daiwa Office Investment Corp. | 284 | 1,833,190 | ||||||
Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp. | 525 | 1,925,652 | ||||||
Nippon Building Fund, Inc. | 670 | 4,352,952 | ||||||
Orix JREIT, Inc. | 130 | 215,684 | ||||||
True North Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust | 146,620 | 881,426 | ||||||
Workspace Group PLC | 174,140 | 1,958,986 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
35,770,208 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Real Estate Development – 1.6% | ||||||||
China Resources Land Ltd. | 990,000 | 3,846,613 | ||||||
CIFI Holdings Group Co., Ltd. | 8,058,000 | 4,472,820 | ||||||
Emaar Properties PJSC | 1,560,120 | 1,707,910 | ||||||
Instone Real Estate Group SE(c) | 88,019 | 2,319,899 | ||||||
Longfor Group Holdings Ltd.(c) | 437,000 | 2,114,171 | ||||||
Megaworld Corp. | 17,716,000 | 1,079,339 | ||||||
Midea Real Estate Holding Ltd.(a)(c) | 2,554,000 | 4,407,907 | ||||||
Times China Holdings Ltd. | 2,686,000 | 1,827,703 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
21,776,362 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Real Estate Operating Companies – 2.9% | ||||||||
Aroundtown SA | 584,280 | 4,060,460 | ||||||
CA Immobilien Anlagen AG | 64,239 | 2,756,431 | ||||||
Castellum AB(a) | 110,250 | 2,938,562 | ||||||
Central Pattana PCL | 820,600 | 1,465,247 | ||||||
CIFI Ever Sunshine Services Group Ltd.(c) | 560,120 | 999,526 | ||||||
CTP NV(c) | 118,359 | 2,513,467 | ||||||
Fastighets AB Balder – Class B(a)(b) | 70,280 | 5,095,860 | ||||||
Hulic Co., Ltd. | 176,200 | 1,694,250 | ||||||
LEG Immobilien SE | 35,330 | 5,255,091 | ||||||
Shurgard Self Storage SA | 36,080 | 2,210,549 | ||||||
Swire Properties Ltd. | 783,600 | 2,100,805 | ||||||
TAG Immobilien AG | 122,620 | 3,725,327 | ||||||
VGP NV | 7,460 | 1,929,400 | ||||||
Vonovia SE | 22,530 | 1,366,733 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
38,111,708 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Real Estate Services – 0.0% | ||||||||
FirstService Corp. | 2,412 | 481,075 | ||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 21 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Residential REITs – 5.6% |
| |||||||
American Campus Communities, Inc. | 98,240 | $ | 5,277,453 | |||||
American Homes 4 Rent – Class A | 158,720 | 6,444,032 | ||||||
Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. | 80,910 | 1,094,712 | ||||||
Comforia Residential REIT, Inc. | 685 | 1,995,350 | ||||||
Daiwa Securities Living Investments Corp. | 2,130 | 2,151,760 | ||||||
Equity Residential | 5,540 | 478,656 | ||||||
Essex Property Trust, Inc. | 27,260 | 9,266,492 | ||||||
Independence Realty Trust, Inc. | 277,370 | 6,554,253 | ||||||
Invitation Homes, Inc. | 162,450 | 6,701,062 | ||||||
Killam Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust | 296,860 | 5,454,587 | ||||||
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | 35,870 | 7,325,013 | ||||||
Minto Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust(c) | 135,080 | 2,501,643 | ||||||
Sun Communities, Inc. | 51,497 | 10,092,382 | ||||||
UDR, Inc. | 129,870 | 7,211,681 | ||||||
UNITE Group PLC (The) | 160,040 | 2,389,523 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
74,938,599 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Retail REITs – 3.9% |
| |||||||
AEON REIT Investment Corp. | 2,358 | 3,187,644 | ||||||
Brixmor Property Group, Inc. | 240,460 | 5,636,382 | ||||||
CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust | 2,464,760 | 3,925,020 | ||||||
Eurocommercial Properties NV | 144,615 | 3,375,262 | ||||||
Federal Realty Investment Trust | 42,430 | 5,106,451 | ||||||
Link REIT | 579,901 | 5,137,597 | ||||||
Mercialys SA | 154,538 | 1,678,775 | ||||||
NETSTREIT Corp. | 185,876 | 4,505,634 | ||||||
Simon Property Group, Inc. | 97,432 | 14,281,583 | ||||||
SITE Centers Corp. | 282,270 | 4,485,270 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
51,319,618 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Specialized REITs – 4.1% |
| |||||||
American Tower Corp. | 12,898 | 3,636,849 | ||||||
Crown Castle International Corp. | 11,850 | 2,136,555 | ||||||
CubeSmart | 117,980 | 6,490,080 | ||||||
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | 84,220 | 13,290,758 | ||||||
EPR Properties | 84,920 | 4,263,833 | ||||||
Equinix, Inc. | 7,380 | 6,177,577 | ||||||
Iron Mountain, Inc. | 24,108 | 1,100,289 | ||||||
National Storage Affiliates Trust | 59,890 | 3,740,730 | ||||||
Public Storage | 19,490 | 6,474,188 | ||||||
Safestore Holdings PLC | 247,540 | 4,072,028 | ||||||
SBA Communications Corp. | 3,004 | 1,037,371 | ||||||
VICI Properties, Inc.(a) | 31,384 | 921,120 | ||||||
Weyerhaeuser Co. | 39,071 | 1,395,616 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
54,736,994 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
449,288,292 | ||||||||
|
|
22 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Energy – 9.8% |
| |||||||
Integrated Oil & Gas – 7.3% | ||||||||
BP PLC | 2,354,456 | $ | 11,279,965 | |||||
Chevron Corp. | 109,332 | 12,517,421 | ||||||
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 127,375 | 8,211,866 | ||||||
Gazprom PJSC (Sponsored ADR) | 392,220 | 3,863,367 | ||||||
LUKOIL PJSC (Sponsored ADR) | 19,679 | 2,007,848 | ||||||
OMV AG | 30,138 | 1,824,655 | ||||||
PetroChina Co., Ltd. – Class H | 13,632,000 | 6,572,634 | ||||||
Repsol SA | 509,184 | 6,521,899 | ||||||
Royal Dutch Shell PLC – Class A | 29,773 | 682,066 | ||||||
Royal Dutch Shell PLC – Class B | 1,353,841 | 31,068,920 | ||||||
TotalEnergies SE | 242,404 | 12,138,368 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
96,689,009 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services – 0.2% | ||||||||
Subsea 7 SA | 366,830 | 3,292,850 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production – 1.3% | ||||||||
Aker BP ASA | 137,490 | 5,275,753 | ||||||
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | 25,521 | 1,084,684 | ||||||
EOG Resources, Inc. | 98,232 | 9,082,531 | ||||||
Pioneer Natural Resources Co. | 3,684 | 688,834 | ||||||
Williams Cos., Inc. (The) | 33,310 | 935,678 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
17,067,480 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing – 0.4% | ||||||||
ENEOS Holdings, Inc. | 860,500 | 3,469,751 | ||||||
Gevo, Inc.(a)(b) | 33,479 | 242,053 | ||||||
Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. | 16,000 | 436,997 | ||||||
Neste Oyj | 2,377 | 132,332 | ||||||
Renewable Energy Group, Inc.(b) | 8,841 | 565,824 | ||||||
VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG | 3,118 | 247,915 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,094,872 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation – 0.6% | ||||||||
Antero Midstream Corp. | 8,901 | 94,707 | ||||||
Cheniere Energy, Inc.(b) | 6,466 | 668,584 | ||||||
Enbridge, Inc. | 68,600 | 2,873,484 | ||||||
EnLink Midstream LLC(b) | 7,120 | 55,892 | ||||||
Gibson Energy, Inc.(a) | 4,015 | 80,910 | ||||||
Keyera Corp.(a) | 6,059 | 155,294 | ||||||
Kinder Morgan, Inc. | 53,441 | 895,137 | ||||||
Koninklijke Vopak NV(a) | 1,792 | 71,318 | ||||||
ONEOK, Inc. | 12,218 | 777,309 | ||||||
Pembina Pipeline Corp.(a) | 15,080 | 499,214 | ||||||
Targa Resources Corp. | 6,269 | 342,726 | ||||||
TC Energy Corp. | 26,846 | 1,452,278 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
7,966,853 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
130,111,064 | ||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 23 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Materials – 7.9% |
| |||||||
Aluminum – 0.4% | ||||||||
Alcoa Corp. | 77,671 | $ | 3,568,983 | |||||
Norsk Hydro ASA | 164,613 | 1,209,159 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
4,778,142 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Commodity Chemicals – 0.4% | ||||||||
Beijing Sanju Environmental Protection and New Material Co., Ltd.(b) | 689,885 | 656,598 | ||||||
Corteva, Inc. | 75,330 | 3,250,490 | ||||||
Ecopro Co., Ltd. | 4,315 | 371,012 | ||||||
Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd. | 15,240 | 392,196 | ||||||
Kuraray Co., Ltd. | 32,400 | 293,189 | ||||||
LG Chem Ltd. | 404 | 289,892 | ||||||
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. | 64,200 | 531,411 | ||||||
W-Scope Corp.(a)(b) | 36,600 | 292,930 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,077,718 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Construction Materials – 0.3% | ||||||||
CSR Ltd. | 454,731 | 2,041,377 | ||||||
GCC SAB de CV | 210,117 | 1,550,261 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,591,638 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Copper – 0.4% | ||||||||
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. | 128,343 | 3,038,502 | ||||||
Lundin Mining Corp. | 198,211 | 1,724,897 | ||||||
OZ Minerals Ltd. | 59,404 | 1,129,974 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,893,373 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Diversified Chemicals – 0.2% | ||||||||
Daicel Corp. | 46,400 | 347,409 | ||||||
Kemira Oyj(a) | 21,483 | 329,933 | ||||||
LANXESS AG | 3,639 | 245,205 | ||||||
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. | 370,100 | 1,823,229 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,745,776 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Diversified Metals & Mining – 2.2% | ||||||||
Anglo American PLC | 229,732 | 8,739,700 | ||||||
China Molybdenum Co., Ltd.(a) | 825,000 | 510,017 | ||||||
Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. | 11,600 | 303,714 | ||||||
GEM Co., Ltd. | 163,600 | 278,263 | ||||||
Glencore PLC(b) | 1,751,964 | 8,760,837 | ||||||
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC (ADR) | 63,294 | 1,976,241 | ||||||
Nanjing Hanrui Cobalt Co., Ltd. | 24,200 | 298,908 | ||||||
Orocobre Ltd.(a)(b) | 164,922 | 1,113,784 | ||||||
Rio Tinto Ltd. | 10,788 | 739,115 | ||||||
Rio Tinto PLC | 98,024 | 6,111,940 | ||||||
Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd. | 18,600 | 322,594 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
29,155,113 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals – 0.2% | ||||||||
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | 39,470 | 2,241,896 | ||||||
|
|
24 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Gold – 1.1% |
| |||||||
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. | 113,374 | $ | 6,017,726 | |||||
AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. | 193,632 | 3,572,266 | ||||||
Barrick Gold Corp. | 138,320 | 2,540,938 | ||||||
Northern Star Resources Ltd. | 115,284 | 798,092 | ||||||
Regis Resources Ltd. | 484,394 | 726,421 | ||||||
St. Barbara Ltd. | 588,647 | 647,276 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
14,302,719 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Industrial Gases – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Air Liquide SA | 3,162 | 527,920 | ||||||
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. | 1,861 | 557,946 | ||||||
Linde PLC | 1,884 | 601,373 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,687,239 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Paper Packaging – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Sealed Air Corp. | 12,212 | 724,416 | ||||||
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC | 8,472 | 444,073 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,168,489 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Paper Products – 0.4% |
| |||||||
Stora Enso Oyj – Class R | 205,540 | 3,420,086 | ||||||
Suzano SA(b) | 226,500 | 1,975,725 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,395,811 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Precious Metals & Minerals – 0.0% |
| |||||||
Industrias Penoles SAB de CV(b) | 47,462 | 605,885 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Specialty Chemicals – 0.5% |
| |||||||
Albemarle Corp. | 1,742 | 436,319 | ||||||
Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co., Ltd. | 26,500 | 366,828 | ||||||
Chr Hansen Holding A/S | 1,373 | 109,242 | ||||||
Danimer Scientific, Inc.(a)(b) | 23,998 | 354,210 | ||||||
Ecolab, Inc. | 2,270 | 504,439 | ||||||
Evonik Industries AG | 12,030 | 389,782 | ||||||
IMCD NV | 1,814 | 402,789 | ||||||
Johnson Matthey PLC | 10,190 | 380,857 | ||||||
Koninklijke DSM NV | 2,601 | 568,262 | ||||||
Livent Corp.(b) | 12,480 | 352,186 | ||||||
Novozymes A/S – Class B | 3,794 | 279,082 | ||||||
Shanghai Putailai New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. | 11,260 | 313,054 | ||||||
Shenzhen Capchem Technology Co., Ltd. | 15,000 | 336,322 | ||||||
Sika AG | 1,915 | 648,763 | ||||||
Symrise AG | 1,138 | 157,410 | ||||||
Umicore SA(a) | 18,619 | 1,067,548 | ||||||
Wacker Chemie AG | 2,572 | 464,778 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
7,131,871 | ||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 25 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Steel – 1.6% |
| |||||||
APERAM SA | 79,411 | $ | 4,734,771 | |||||
ArcelorMittal SA | 254,432 | 8,604,924 | ||||||
Commercial Metals Co. | 21,118 | 679,577 | ||||||
Evraz PLC | 190,089 | 1,614,616 | ||||||
Steel Dynamics, Inc. | 21,346 | 1,410,544 | ||||||
Vale SA (Sponsored ADR) – Class B | 303,110 | 3,858,590 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
20,903,022 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
105,678,692 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Capital Goods – 4.0% |
| |||||||
Aerospace & Defense – 0.0% |
| |||||||
Hexcel Corp.(b) | 9,342 | 530,065 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Agricultural & Farm Machinery – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Lindsay Corp. | 3,157 | 459,880 | ||||||
Toro Co. (The) | 2,984 | 284,883 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
744,763 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Building Products – 0.8% |
| |||||||
A O Smith Corp. | 9,429 | 688,977 | ||||||
Carrier Global Corp. | 26,585 | 1,388,535 | ||||||
Cie de Saint-Gobain | 20,068 | 1,384,944 | ||||||
Fletcher Building Ltd. | 350,720 | 1,803,863 | ||||||
Johnson Controls International PLC | 4,652 | 341,317 | ||||||
Kingspan Group PLC | 2,980 | 343,072 | ||||||
Lennox International, Inc. | 1,674 | 500,995 | ||||||
Nibe Industrier AB | 31,588 | 469,829 | ||||||
Owens Corning | 23,487 | 2,193,921 | ||||||
ROCKWOOL International A/S | 778 | 355,791 | ||||||
Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd. | 128,000 | 360,697 | ||||||
Zurn Water Solutions Corp. | 19,008 | 689,610 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
10,521,551 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Construction & Engineering – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Arcosa, Inc. | 16,172 | 836,577 | ||||||
Ferrovial SA(a) | 13,768 | 434,629 | ||||||
Vinci SA | 14,256 | 1,524,112 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,795,318 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks – 0.0% | ||||||||
Cummins, Inc. | 1,456 | 349,207 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Electrical Components & Equipment – 1.4% | ||||||||
ABB Ltd. | 11,759 | 389,026 | ||||||
Acuity Brands, Inc. | 8,773 | 1,802,237 | ||||||
Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc.(a)(b) | 56,712 | 543,868 | ||||||
AFC Energy PLC(b) | 301,665 | 248,864 | ||||||
Amara Raja Batteries Ltd. | 27,760 | 253,314 | ||||||
Ballard Power Systems, Inc.(a)(b) | 36,133 | 654,867 | ||||||
Blink Charging Co.(a)(b) | 11,843 | 376,607 |
26 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Camel Group Co., Ltd. | 281,700 | $ | 576,129 | |||||
Ceres Power Holdings PLC(b) | 14,001 | 238,633 | ||||||
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. | 3,300 | 330,568 | ||||||
EnerSys | 6,595 | 527,864 | ||||||
Eve Energy Co., Ltd. | 21,200 | 375,785 | ||||||
First Solar, Inc.(b) | 7,065 | 844,903 | ||||||
FuelCell Energy, Inc.(a)(b) | 54,794 | 437,804 | ||||||
Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd.(b) | 40,500 | 372,976 | ||||||
GS Yuasa Corp. | 13,500 | 293,890 | ||||||
Hubbell, Inc. | 3,509 | 699,589 | ||||||
Legrand SA | 3,523 | 384,324 | ||||||
Nexans SA | 2,646 | 265,483 | ||||||
nVent Electric PLC | 25,762 | 913,263 | ||||||
Plug Power, Inc.(b) | 12,000 | 459,240 | ||||||
PowerCell Sweden AB(a)(b) | 11,096 | 247,991 | ||||||
Prysmian SpA | 36,230 | 1,369,823 | ||||||
Rockwell Automation, Inc. | 6,271 | 2,002,957 | ||||||
Schneider Electric SE | 2,732 | 471,046 | ||||||
Signify NV(c) | 11,990 | 580,992 | ||||||
SMA Solar Technology AG | 8,964 | 473,952 | ||||||
Sunrun, Inc.(a)(b) | 12,799 | 738,246 | ||||||
Vertiv Holdings Co. | 57,410 | 1,474,289 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
18,348,530 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Heavy Electrical Equipment – 0.4% |
| |||||||
Bloom Energy Corp.(b) | 14,667 | 458,490 | ||||||
CS Wind Corp. | 5,270 | 314,617 | ||||||
ITM Power PLC(a)(b) | 49,114 | 328,440 | ||||||
Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd. | 104,319 | 504,922 | ||||||
NARI Technology Co., Ltd. | 62,560 | 380,923 | ||||||
NEL ASA(b) | 164,208 | 347,672 | ||||||
Nordex SE(b) | 22,766 | 418,378 | ||||||
Siemens Energy AG(b) | 22,603 | 648,719 | ||||||
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA(a)(b) | 14,778 | 401,010 | ||||||
TPI Composites, Inc.(b) | 11,283 | 379,447 | ||||||
Unison Co., Ltd./South Korea(b) | 117,462 | 347,216 | ||||||
Vestas Wind Systems A/S | 6,247 | 270,055 | ||||||
Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd. – Class H | 218,000 | 487,512 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,287,401 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Industrial Conglomerates – 0.1% | ||||||||
General Electric Co. | 4,926 | 516,590 | ||||||
Honeywell International, Inc. | 2,617 | 572,128 | ||||||
Roper Technologies, Inc. | 1,074 | 523,972 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,612,690 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Industrial Machinery – 0.9% | ||||||||
Chart Industries, Inc.(b) | 2,449 | 434,746 |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 27 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd. | 79,500 | $ | 386,318 | |||||
Energy Recovery, Inc.(b) | 25,821 | 524,683 | ||||||
Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.(b) | 13,199 | 552,114 | ||||||
GEA Group AG | 6,521 | 321,167 | ||||||
John Bean Technologies Corp. | 3,342 | 493,781 | ||||||
Kurita Water Industries Ltd. | 3,600 | 177,810 | ||||||
McPhy Energy SA(b) | 10,858 | 294,620 | ||||||
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. | 68,000 | 1,738,954 | ||||||
Mueller Industries, Inc. | 12,117 | 637,839 | ||||||
NGK Insulators Ltd. | 21,800 | 362,995 | ||||||
Pentair PLC | 8,506 | 629,189 | ||||||
Snap-on, Inc. | 7,402 | 1,504,308 | ||||||
SPX Corp.(b) | 9,623 | 559,000 | ||||||
Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. | 91,000 | 1,869,618 | ||||||
Trane Technologies PLC | 1,599 | 289,307 | ||||||
Watts Water Technologies, Inc. | 1,871 | 355,527 | ||||||
Xylem, Inc./NY | 4,288 | 559,970 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
11,691,946 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.1% | ||||||||
WW Grainger, Inc. | 3,997 | 1,851,051 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
53,732,522 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Utilities – 3.6% | ||||||||
Electric Utilities – 1.1% | ||||||||
Acciona SA | 1,777 | 341,260 | ||||||
AusNet Services Ltd. | 52,502 | 97,635 | ||||||
Avangrid, Inc. | 14,135 | 744,915 | ||||||
Contact Energy Ltd. | 20,730 | 121,640 | ||||||
Edison International | 10,410 | 655,101 | ||||||
Elia Group SA/NV(a) | 922 | 107,564 | ||||||
Enel SpA | 585,486 | 4,901,561 | ||||||
Eversource Energy | 9,422 | 799,928 | ||||||
Exelon Corp. | 13,834 | 735,831 | ||||||
Fjordkraft Holding ASA(c) | 2,632 | 15,670 | ||||||
Fortis, Inc./Canada | 12,919 | 575,071 | ||||||
Hydro One Ltd.(c) | 8,364 | 199,841 | ||||||
Iberdrola SA | 45,224 | 534,029 | ||||||
Infratil Ltd. | 16,493 | 97,860 | ||||||
NextEra Energy, Inc. | 5,340 | 455,662 | ||||||
NRG Energy, Inc. | 40,668 | 1,622,247 | ||||||
Orsted AS(c) | 1,665 | 235,169 | ||||||
PG&E Corp.(b) | 41,366 | 479,846 | ||||||
Red Electrica Corp. SA | 23,367 | 486,542 | ||||||
Spark Infrastructure Group | 48,115 | 102,009 | ||||||
SSE PLC | 9,148 | 206,009 | ||||||
Terna – Rete Elettrica Nazionale | 70,453 | 524,930 | ||||||
Verbund AG(a) | 2,666 | 277,910 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
14,318,230 | ||||||||
|
|
28 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Gas Utilities – 0.4% | ||||||||
APA Group(a) | 32,348 | $ | 200,708 | |||||
Atmos Energy Corp. | 3,586 | 330,342 | ||||||
Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd. | 13,148 | 50,539 | ||||||
Chesapeake Utilities Corp. | 482 | 63,176 | ||||||
China Gas Holdings Ltd. | 67,353 | 168,114 | ||||||
China Resources Gas Group Ltd. | 24,742 | 132,924 | ||||||
Enagas SA | 6,823 | 153,104 | ||||||
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. | 20,754 | 357,560 | ||||||
Hong Kong & China Gas Co., Ltd. | 296,724 | 460,970 | ||||||
Italgas SpA | 13,310 | 84,565 | ||||||
Kunlun Energy Co., Ltd. | 109,202 | 99,459 | ||||||
National Fuel Gas Co. | 2,500 | 143,575 | ||||||
Naturgy Energy Group SA | 9,038 | 237,481 | ||||||
New Jersey Resources Corp. | 2,643 | 99,932 | ||||||
Northwest Natural Holding Co. | 841 | 37,921 | ||||||
ONE Gas, Inc. | 1,467 | 98,729 | ||||||
Snam SpA | 56,207 | 318,345 | ||||||
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. | 1,620 | 112,185 | ||||||
Spire, Inc. | 1,417 | 88,931 | ||||||
Toho Gas Co., Ltd. | 2,721 | 80,603 | ||||||
Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. | 11,244 | 195,116 | ||||||
Towngas China Co., Ltd. | 26,698 | 18,329 | ||||||
UGI Corp. | 37,546 | 1,629,872 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,162,480 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.9% | ||||||||
Albioma SA | 14,005 | 550,943 | ||||||
Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC(a) | 16,858 | 663,362 | ||||||
Azure Power Global Ltd.(a)(b) | 19,907 | 473,588 | ||||||
Boralex, Inc. | 19,602 | 606,623 | ||||||
Brookfield Renewable Corp. | 12,557 | 520,097 | ||||||
China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd. | 180,000 | 421,027 | ||||||
EDP Renovaveis SA | 110,007 | 3,064,751 | ||||||
Energix-Renewable Energies Ltd. | 75,069 | 353,318 | ||||||
Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd.(b) | 149,790 | 369,281 | ||||||
Falck Renewables SpA(a) | 35,245 | 355,461 | ||||||
Innergex Renewable Energy, Inc.(a) | 36,920 | 614,538 | ||||||
Meridian Energy Ltd. | 41,937 | 150,231 | ||||||
Neoen SA(b)(c) | 5,486 | 252,589 | ||||||
NextEra Energy Partners LP | 8,157 | 703,949 | ||||||
Omega Geracao SA(b) | 44,100 | 255,748 | ||||||
Ormat Technologies, Inc.(a)(b) | 8,140 | 588,766 | ||||||
RENOVA, Inc.(b) | 7,500 | 329,932 | ||||||
Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente SA(b) | 17,349 | 347,192 | ||||||
Terna Energy SA | 20,726 | 280,323 | ||||||
TransAlta Renewables, Inc. | 43,427 | 642,843 | ||||||
Xinyi Energy Holdings Ltd. | 546,000 | 321,943 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
11,866,505 | ||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 29 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders – 0.2% | ||||||||
AES Corp. (The) | 24,013 | $ | 603,447 | |||||
Cia Energetica de Sao Paulo (Preference Shares) | 93,200 | 421,099 | ||||||
Clearway Energy, Inc. | 18,012 | 594,216 | ||||||
Drax Group PLC | 62,232 | 452,602 | ||||||
ERG SpA | 11,773 | 425,287 | ||||||
Guangxi Guiguan Electric Power Co., Ltd. | 299,800 | 271,255 | ||||||
Northland Power, Inc. | 19,571 | 629,226 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,397,132 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Multi-Utilities – 0.5% | ||||||||
ACEA SpA | 1,167 | 25,308 | ||||||
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.(a) | 42,489 | 612,479 | ||||||
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | 16,255 | 423,280 | ||||||
Consolidated Edison, Inc. | 9,689 | 730,551 | ||||||
E.ON SE | 49,460 | 627,143 | ||||||
National Grid PLC | 133,115 | 1,704,345 | ||||||
NiSource, Inc. | 10,758 | 265,400 | ||||||
NorthWestern Corp. | 1,413 | 80,343 | ||||||
RWE AG | 17,752 | 683,304 | ||||||
Sempra Energy | 8,755 | 1,117,401 | ||||||
Suez SA | 5,247 | 119,400 | ||||||
United Utilities Group PLC | 35,594 | 505,903 | ||||||
Unitil Corp. | 434 | 18,119 | ||||||
Veolia Environnement SA | 8,791 | 287,105 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
7,200,081 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Water Utilities – 0.5% | ||||||||
Aguas Andinas SA | 1,812,279 | 345,302 | ||||||
American States Water Co. | 6,475 | 588,189 | ||||||
American Water Works Co., Inc. | 7,664 | 1,334,916 | ||||||
Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd. | 1,214,417 | 464,192 | ||||||
California Water Service Group | 10,654 | 648,615 | ||||||
China Water Affairs Group Ltd. | 23,271 | 23,917 | ||||||
Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo | 63,500 | 396,045 | ||||||
Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo (ADR)(a) | 9,369 | 58,837 | ||||||
Essential Utilities, Inc. | 6,131 | 288,586 | ||||||
Guangdong Investment Ltd. | 176,000 | 221,296 | ||||||
Middlesex Water Co. | 3,792 | 417,575 | ||||||
Pennon Group PLC | 28,993 | 462,454 | ||||||
Severn Trent PLC | 10,683 | 400,103 | ||||||
SJW Group | 10,349 | 682,206 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,332,233 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
48,276,661 | ||||||||
|
|
30 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Software & Services – 2.1% | ||||||||
Application Software – 0.5% | ||||||||
Adobe, Inc.(b) | 3,712 | $ | 2,414,136 | |||||
Autodesk, Inc.(b) | 375 | 119,104 | ||||||
Bentley Systems, Inc. | 3,515 | 207,912 | ||||||
Constellation Software, Inc./Canada | 664 | 1,166,931 | ||||||
Dropbox, Inc. – Class A(b) | 33,466 | 1,020,378 | ||||||
Fair Isaac Corp.(b) | 1,197 | 476,645 | ||||||
Intuit, Inc. | 1,815 | 1,136,172 | ||||||
RingCentral, Inc. – Class A(b) | 1,951 | 475,615 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
7,016,893 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Data Processing & Outsourced Services – 0.1% | ||||||||
Western Union Co. (The) – Class W | 46,591 | 848,888 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Internet Services & Infrastructure – 0.1% | ||||||||
GDS Holdings Ltd. (ADR)(b) | 14,210 | 844,074 | ||||||
Vnet Group, Inc. (ADR)(b) | 49,290 | 772,867 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,616,941 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
IT Consulting & Other Services – 0.4% | ||||||||
Accenture PLC – Class A | 4,144 | 1,486,826 | ||||||
EPAM Systems, Inc.(b) | 2,392 | 1,610,390 | ||||||
Gartner, Inc.(b) | 5,042 | 1,673,490 | ||||||
International Business Machines Corp. | 3,640 | 455,364 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,226,070 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Systems Software – 1.0% | ||||||||
Fortinet, Inc.(b) | 3,030 | 1,019,110 | ||||||
Microsoft Corp. | 25,446 | 8,438,402 | ||||||
Oracle Corp. | 8,968 | 860,390 | ||||||
ServiceNow, Inc.(b) | 3,001 | 2,093,978 | ||||||
Trend Micro, Inc./Japan | 15,200 | 859,110 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
13,270,990 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
27,979,782 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology – 1.5% | ||||||||
Biotechnology – 0.2% | ||||||||
AbbVie, Inc. | 15,841 | 1,816,487 | ||||||
Amgen, Inc. | 1,804 | 373,374 | ||||||
Horizon Therapeutics PLC(b) | 2,038 | 244,377 | ||||||
Jinyu Bio-Technology Co., Ltd. | 72,000 | 179,194 | ||||||
Moderna, Inc.(b) | 219 | 75,601 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,689,033 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Life Sciences Tools & Services – 0.6% | ||||||||
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. – Class A(b) | 2,442 | 1,940,609 | ||||||
Eurofins Scientific SE | 3,012 | 355,461 | ||||||
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(b) | 1,188 | 1,759,285 | ||||||
Sartorius Stedim Biotech | 2,204 | 1,214,780 |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 31 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Waters Corp.(b) | 6,325 | $ | 2,324,754 | |||||
|
| |||||||
7,594,889 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Pharmaceuticals – 0.7% | ||||||||
Bayer AG | 9,674 | 545,204 | ||||||
Elanco Animal Health, Inc.(b) | 22,514 | 740,260 | ||||||
Eli Lilly & Co. | 9,710 | 2,473,720 | ||||||
Novo Nordisk A/S – Class B | 23,845 | 2,614,720 | ||||||
Pfizer, Inc. | 44,957 | 1,966,419 | ||||||
Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.(a) | 4,800 | 67,880 | ||||||
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | 35,800 | 1,004,756 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
9,412,959 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
19,696,881 | ||||||||
| �� | |||||||
Food Beverage & Tobacco – 1.4% | ||||||||
Agricultural Products – 0.3% | ||||||||
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. | 11,555 | 742,293 | ||||||
Bunge Ltd. | 20,333 | 1,883,649 | ||||||
Darling Ingredients, Inc.(b) | 8,698 | 735,155 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,361,097 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Brewers – 0.0% | ||||||||
Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd. | 37,800 | 657,941 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Packaged Foods & Meats – 0.9% | ||||||||
a2 Milk Co., Ltd. (The)(a)(b) | 40,890 | 192,610 | ||||||
Beyond Meat, Inc.(a)(b) | 3,563 | 352,666 | ||||||
Danone SA | 5,276 | 343,920 | ||||||
Glanbia PLC | 21,445 | 350,220 | ||||||
Hershey Co. (The) | 6,707 | 1,176,073 | ||||||
Hormel Foods Corp. | 13,743 | 581,604 | ||||||
JBS SA | 66,700 | 461,504 | ||||||
Kellogg Co. | 6,559 | 402,067 | ||||||
Kerry Group PLC – Class A | 2,160 | 289,897 | ||||||
Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. | 65,160 | 1,420,505 | ||||||
Marfrig Global Foods SA | 85,100 | 399,580 | ||||||
Minerva SA/Brazil | 145,700 | 251,447 | ||||||
Mowi ASA | 136,532 | 3,959,041 | ||||||
Nestle SA | 1,157 | 152,617 | ||||||
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.(b) | 24,289 | 683,978 | ||||||
Sao Martinho SA | 31,900 | 216,480 | ||||||
Tyson Foods, Inc. – Class A | 9,628 | 769,951 | ||||||
WH Group Ltd.(c) | 392,500 | 275,148 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
12,279,308 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Tobacco – 0.2% | ||||||||
Altria Group, Inc. | 7,407 | 326,723 | ||||||
Philip Morris International, Inc. | 18,721 | 1,769,883 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,096,606 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
18,394,952 | ||||||||
|
|
32 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 1.3% | ||||||||
Semiconductor Equipment – 0.6% | ||||||||
Applied Materials, Inc. | 15,640 | $ | 2,137,206 | |||||
ASML Holding NV | 3,682 | 2,993,096 | ||||||
Enphase Energy, Inc.(b) | 2,418 | 560,082 | ||||||
GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd.(b)(d)(e) | 208,000 | 31,194 | ||||||
KLA Corp. | 495 | 184,516 | ||||||
Lam Research Corp. | 594 | 334,761 | ||||||
Meyer Burger Technology AG(a)(b) | 381,744 | 182,179 | ||||||
Sino-American Silicon Products, Inc. | 61,000 | 417,829 | ||||||
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.(b) | 1,529 | 542,306 | ||||||
Teradyne, Inc. | 3,500 | 483,840 | ||||||
Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd. | 140,000 | 290,816 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
8,157,825 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Semiconductors – 0.7% | ||||||||
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(b) | 10,505 | 1,263,016 | ||||||
Broadcom, Inc. | 2,114 | 1,123,950 | ||||||
Canadian Solar, Inc.(a)(b) | 13,969 | 580,412 | ||||||
Flat Glass Group Co., Ltd.(a) | 84,421 | 452,553 | ||||||
LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. – Class A | 20,780 | 316,832 | ||||||
NVIDIA Corp. | 5,019 | 1,283,208 | ||||||
QUALCOMM, Inc. | 10,837 | 1,441,755 | ||||||
STMicroelectronics NV | 22,117 | 1,050,088 | ||||||
SunPower Corp.(a)(b) | 16,094 | 541,724 | ||||||
Wolfspeed, Inc.(a)(b) | 4,771 | 573,045 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
8,626,583 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
16,784,408 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Banks – 1.1% | ||||||||
Diversified Banks – 0.9% | ||||||||
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA | 107,180 | 750,059 | ||||||
Bank of America Corp. | 30,760 | 1,469,713 | ||||||
BNP Paribas SA | 7,784 | 521,039 | ||||||
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | 13,972 | 1,107,451 | ||||||
Danske Bank A/S | 11,518 | 194,903 | ||||||
ING Groep NV | 101,862 | 1,545,135 | ||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 14,992 | 2,546,991 | ||||||
National Bank of Canada | 23,543 | 1,949,108 | ||||||
Raiffeisen Bank International AG | 21,156 | 618,177 | ||||||
Societe Generale SA | 59,118 | 1,974,773 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
12,677,349 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Regional Banks – 0.2% | ||||||||
Fifth Third Bancorp | 12,388 | 539,250 | ||||||
Mebuki Financial Group, Inc. | 289,600 | 592,960 | ||||||
SVB Financial Group(b) | 1,527 | 1,095,470 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,227,680 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
14,905,029 | ||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 33 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Technology Hardware & Equipment – 0.9% | ||||||||
Electronic Components – 0.0% | ||||||||
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. | 294 | $ | 185,493 | |||||
|
| |||||||
Electronic Equipment & Instruments – 0.1% | ||||||||
Itron, Inc.(b) | 8,493 | 660,501 | ||||||
Landis+Gyr Group AG(b) | 8,090 | 556,168 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,216,669 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Technology Distributors – 0.2% | ||||||||
Arrow Electronics, Inc.(b) | 14,757 | 1,708,122 | ||||||
CDW Corp./DE | 5,232 | 976,553 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,684,675 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 0.6% | ||||||||
Apple, Inc. | 56,995 | 8,537,851 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
12,624,688 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Media & Entertainment – 0.9% |
| |||||||
Broadcasting – 0.0% |
| |||||||
RAI Way SpA(c) | 2,610 | 15,810 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Cable & Satellite – 0.0% |
| |||||||
SES SA | 10,513 | 94,419 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Interactive Home Entertainment – 0.2% | ||||||||
Electronic Arts, Inc. | 14,249 | 1,998,423 | ||||||
Sea Ltd. (ADR)(b) | 860 | 295,470 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,293,893 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Interactive Media & Services – 0.7% |
| |||||||
Alphabet, Inc. – Class A(b) | 1,001 | 2,963,881 | ||||||
Alphabet, Inc. – Class C(b) | 1,054 | 3,125,542 | ||||||
Meta Platforms, Inc. – Class A(b) | 11,929 | 3,859,867 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
9,949,290 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Movies & Entertainment – 0.0% |
| |||||||
Bollore SA | 11,038 | 64,155 | ||||||
Universal Music Group NV | 2,592 | 75,253 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
139,408 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
12,492,820 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Retailing – 0.9% |
| |||||||
Computer & Electronics Retail – 0.0% |
| |||||||
Best Buy Co., Inc. | 4,470 | 546,413 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Department Stores – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Next PLC | 10,971 | 1,195,723 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
General Merchandise Stores – 0.0% |
| |||||||
Target Corp. | 1,863 | 483,672 | ||||||
|
|
34 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Home Improvement Retail – 0.3% |
| |||||||
Home Depot, Inc. (The) | 8,893 | $ | 3,305,884 | |||||
Lowe’s Cos., Inc. | 375 | 87,682 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,393,566 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail – 0.5% | ||||||||
Amazon.com, Inc.(b) | 1,531 | 5,163,190 | ||||||
HelloFresh SE(b) | 19,184 | 1,554,650 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,717,840 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
12,337,214 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Diversified Financials – 0.9% |
| |||||||
Asset Management & Custody Banks – 0.2% | ||||||||
Brookfield Infrastructure Corp. | 961 | 58,275 | ||||||
Carlyle Group, Inc. (The) | 36,703 | 2,060,874 | ||||||
Hicl Infrastructure PLC | 53,101 | 122,308 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,241,457 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Consumer Finance – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Ally Financial, Inc. | 32,052 | 1,530,163 | ||||||
Capital One Financial Corp. | 6,077 | 917,809 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,447,972 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Financial Exchanges & Data – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Moody’s Corp. | 2,736 | 1,105,754 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Investment Banking & Brokerage – 0.2% | ||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) | 3,757 | 1,552,956 | ||||||
Raymond James Financial, Inc. | 11,392 | 1,123,137 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,676,093 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Mortgage REITs – 0.0% |
| |||||||
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc.(a) | 6,007 | 362,823 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Multi-Sector Holdings – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Industrivarden AB | 10,906 | 359,769 | ||||||
Investor AB(a) | 35,208 | 812,387 | ||||||
Kinnevik AB(b) | 30,533 | 1,198,445 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,370,601 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Other Diversified Financial Services – 0.0% | ||||||||
Voya Financial, Inc. | 2,522 | 175,960 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
11,380,660 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Health Care Equipment & Services – 0.8% | ||||||||
Health Care Distributors – 0.1% |
| |||||||
AmerisourceBergen Corp. – Class A | 9,365 | 1,142,717 | ||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 35 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Health Care Equipment – 0.3% |
| |||||||
ABIOMED, Inc.(b) | 809 | $ | 268,620 | |||||
Danaher Corp. | 2,250 | 701,483 | ||||||
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(b) | 3,934 | 2,620,595 | ||||||
ResMed, Inc. | 1,956 | 514,252 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
4,104,950 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Health Care Facilities – 0.0% |
| |||||||
Universal Health Services, Inc. – Class B | 942 | 116,902 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Health Care Supplies – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Align Technology, Inc.(b) | 1,197 | 747,371 | ||||||
Cooper Cos., Inc. (The) | 2,204 | 918,892 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,666,263 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Health Care Technology – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Cerner Corp. | 26,630 | 1,978,343 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Managed Health Care – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Humana, Inc. | 477 | 220,927 | ||||||
Molina Healthcare, Inc.(b) | 6,767 | 2,001,137 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,222,064 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
11,231,239 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Transportation – 0.7% |
| |||||||
Air Freight & Logistics – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Kuehne & Nagel International AG | 5,012 | 1,578,532 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Airport Services – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Aena SME SA(b)(c) | 2,015 | 330,937 | ||||||
Aeroports de Paris(b) | 706 | 94,198 | ||||||
Auckland International Airport Ltd.(b) | 33,107 | 189,765 | ||||||
Beijing Capital International Airport Co., Ltd.(b) | 44,827 | 29,149 | ||||||
Flughafen Zurich AG(b) | 522 | 94,266 | ||||||
Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide(b) | 1,014 | 72,573 | ||||||
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV (ADR)(b) | 943 | 45,632 | ||||||
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV (ADR)(a) | 957 | 120,850 | ||||||
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV (ADR) | 540 | 108,891 | ||||||
Hainan Meilan International Airport Co., Ltd.(b) | 3,670 | 14,851 | ||||||
Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd.(b) | 2,553 | 126,648 | ||||||
Sydney Airport(a)(b) | 36,254 | 224,827 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,452,587 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Highways & Railtracks – 0.5% |
| |||||||
Atlantia SpA(b) | 13,810 | 266,925 | ||||||
Atlas Arteria Ltd. | 26,293 | 123,568 |
36 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Getlink SE | 11,912 | $ | 183,339 | |||||
Jiangsu Expressway Co., Ltd. – Class H | 33,503 | 31,768 | ||||||
Shenzhen Expressway Co., Ltd. – Class H | 19,059 | 17,963 | ||||||
Transurban Group(a) | 521,449 | 5,313,123 | ||||||
Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Ltd. | 25,688 | 16,442 | ||||||
Zhejiang Expressway Co., Ltd. – Class H | 39,311 | 34,913 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,988,041 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Marine – 0.0% |
| |||||||
AP Moller – Maersk A/S – Class B | 36 | 104,326 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Marine Ports & Services – 0.0% |
| |||||||
China Merchants Holdings International Co., Ltd. | 36,945 | 61,594 | ||||||
COSCO SHIPPING Ports Ltd. | 45,447 | 37,829 | ||||||
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG | 639 | 14,323 | ||||||
Hutchison Port Holdings Trust | 138,521 | 29,839 | ||||||
Westshore Terminals Investment Corp.(a) | 1,075 | 23,253 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
166,838 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
9,290,324 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Consumer Services – 0.7% |
| |||||||
Casinos & Gaming – 0.0% |
| |||||||
La Francaise des Jeux SAEM(c) | 7,430 | 385,806 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Hilton Grand Vacations, Inc.(b) | 47,290 | 2,377,741 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Leisure Facilities – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Planet Fitness, Inc.(b) | 13,700 | 1,089,835 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Restaurants – 0.3% |
| |||||||
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. – Class A(b) | 711 | 1,264,890 | ||||||
Darden Restaurants, Inc. | 410 | 59,097 | ||||||
Dine Brands Global, Inc.(b) | 13,990 | 1,182,295 | ||||||
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd. | 17,830 | 1,828,967 | ||||||
Domino’s Pizza, Inc. | 476 | 232,750 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
4,567,999 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Specialized Consumer Services – 0.1% |
| |||||||
WW International, Inc.(b) | 35,673 | 619,283 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
9,040,664 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Consumer Durables & Apparel – 0.7% |
| |||||||
Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods – 0.2% | ||||||||
Lululemon Athletica, Inc.(b) | 170 | 79,222 | ||||||
Pandora A/S | 13,715 | 1,919,216 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,998,438 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Consumer Electronics – 0.0% |
| |||||||
Panasonic Corp. | 20,600 | 254,740 | ||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 37 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Homebuilding – 0.4% |
| |||||||
Construtora Tenda SA | 304,500 | $ | 920,438 | |||||
Corp. GEO SAB de CV Series B(b)(d)(e) | 1,321 | – 0 | – | |||||
Desarrolladora Homex SAB de CV(b) | 1,590 | 4 | ||||||
Installed Building Products, Inc. | 3,496 | 444,167 | ||||||
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | 203,700 | 366,341 | ||||||
PulteGroup, Inc. | 60,220 | 2,895,377 | ||||||
Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SAB de CV(b) | 9 | 4 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
4,626,331 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Household Appliances – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Electrolux AB(a) | 63,682 | 1,445,229 | ||||||
Whirlpool Corp. | 1,505 | 317,299 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,762,528 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
8,642,037 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Commercial & Professional Services – 0.5% | ||||||||
Environmental & Facilities Services – 0.3% | ||||||||
Aker Carbon Capture AS(b) | 71,394 | 258,710 | ||||||
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. – Class A(b) | 6,406 | 555,528 | ||||||
Clean Harbors, Inc.(b) | 6,125 | 689,308 | ||||||
Ecopro HN Co., Ltd.(b) | 3,521 | 330,240 | ||||||
Republic Services, Inc. – Class A | 5,130 | 690,498 | ||||||
Tetra Tech, Inc. | 3,576 | 628,160 | ||||||
Waste Management, Inc. | 3,711 | 594,614 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,747,058 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Human Resource & Employment Services – 0.1% | ||||||||
Robert Half International, Inc. | 17,487 | 1,977,255 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Research & Consulting Services – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. | 8,885 | 771,751 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,496,064 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Insurance – 0.5% |
| |||||||
Life & Health Insurance – 0.5% |
| |||||||
iA Financial Corp., Inc. | 13,895 | 821,956 | ||||||
Japan Post Insurance Co., Ltd. | 65,500 | 1,062,717 | ||||||
Manulife Financial Corp. | 18,434 | 359,117 | ||||||
MetLife, Inc. | 26,688 | 1,676,006 | ||||||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | 17,970 | 1,977,599 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,897,395 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Multi-line Insurance – 0.0% |
| |||||||
Aviva PLC | 39,442 | 212,826 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,110,221 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Automobiles & Components – 0.5% |
| |||||||
Auto Parts & Equipment – 0.3% |
| |||||||
Aisin Corp. | 39,500 | 1,445,414 |
38 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
BorgWarner, Inc. | 7,709 | $ | 347,445 | |||||
Exide Industries Ltd. | 111,362 | 257,566 | ||||||
Lear Corp. | 2,121 | 364,494 | ||||||
Magna International, Inc. – Class A (Canada) | 8,374 | 681,166 | ||||||
Tianneng Power International Ltd.(a) | 446,000 | 509,284 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,605,369 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Automobile Manufacturers – 0.2% | ||||||||
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.(b) | 162,300 | 826,084 | ||||||
Tesla, Inc.(b) | 1,462 | 1,628,668 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,454,752 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
6,060,121 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Telecommunication Services – 0.4% | ||||||||
Integrated Telecommunication Services – 0.4% | ||||||||
Cellnex Telecom SA(a)(c) | 15,645 | 962,162 | ||||||
China Tower Corp. Ltd.(c) | 1,189,818 | 154,199 | ||||||
Eutelsat Communications SA | 4,550 | 64,670 | ||||||
Helios Towers PLC(a)(b) | 12,067 | 25,498 | ||||||
Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane SpA(a)(c) | 208,630 | 2,304,966 | ||||||
Telefonica SA | 282,470 | 1,226,953 | ||||||
Telenor ASA | 15,611 | 246,662 | ||||||
Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co., Ltd. | 6,458 | 159,039 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,144,149 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.0% | ||||||||
Softbank Corp. | 33,400 | 455,899 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,600,048 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Food & Staples Retailing – 0.2% | ||||||||
Food Retail – 0.1% | ||||||||
George Weston Ltd.(a) | 1,126 | 121,662 | ||||||
J Sainsbury PLC | 70,879 | 290,310 | ||||||
Kroger Co. (The) | 36,154 | 1,446,883 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,858,855 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Hypermarkets & Super Centers – 0.1% | ||||||||
Costco Wholesale Corp. | 2,300 | 1,130,542 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,989,397 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Industrials – 0.2% | ||||||||
Machinery – 0.2% | ||||||||
AGCO Corp. | 2,876 | 351,476 | ||||||
CNH Industrial NV | 37,380 | 643,892 | ||||||
Deere & Co. | 3,024 | 1,035,145 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,030,513 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Information Technology – 0.1% | ||||||||
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 0.1% | ||||||||
NetApp, Inc. | 20,815 | 1,858,779 | ||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 39 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||
| ||||||||
Household & Personal Products – 0.1% | ||||||||
Personal Products – 0.1% | ||||||||
BellRing Brands, Inc.(b) | 22,864 | $ | 613,212 | |||||
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The) – Class A | 1,732 | 561,740 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,174,952 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Common Stocks | 1,004,208,024 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 3.2% | ||||||||
Funds and Investment Trusts – 3.2%(f) | ||||||||
3i Infrastructure PLC | 17,108 | 77,479 | ||||||
iShares Global Energy ETF | 798,790 | 23,204,849 | ||||||
iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF(a) | 92,136 | 3,908,870 | ||||||
JPMorgan Alerian MLP Index ETN(a) | 213,230 | 4,042,841 | ||||||
VanEck Vectors Agribusiness ETF | 54,379 | 5,203,527 | ||||||
VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF | 215,430 | 6,831,285 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Investment Companies | 43,268,851 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 17.6% | ||||||||
Investment Companies – 17.6% | ||||||||
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. – Government Money Market Portfolio – Class AB, 0.01%(f)(g)(h) | 233,996,687 | 233,996,687 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned – 96.2% | 1,281,473,562 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED – 1.5% | ||||||||
Investment Companies – 1.5% | ||||||||
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. – Government Money Market Portfolio – Class AB, 0.01%(f)(g)(h) | 20,370,388 | 20,370,388 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Investments – 97.7% | 1,301,843,950 | |||||||
Other assets less liabilities – 2.3% | 30,496,152 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $ | 1,332,340,102 | ||||||
|
|
40 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
FUTURES (see Note D)
Description | Number of Contracts | Expiration Month | Current Notional | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
Purchased Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||
Copper Futures | 134 | December 2021 | $ | 14,632,800 | $ | (485,786 | ) | |||||||||
LME Nickel Futures | 165 | November 2021 | 19,330,740 | 810,409 | ||||||||||||
LME Primary Aluminum Futures | 366 | November 2021 | 24,817,088 | 2,229,494 | ||||||||||||
LME Zinc Futures | 248 | November 2021 | 21,341,950 | 2,714,498 | ||||||||||||
Gold 100 OZ Futures | 214 | December 2021 | 38,175,460 | (726,276 | ) | |||||||||||
Natural Gas Futures | 154 | December 2021 | 8,514,660 | (503,317 | ) | |||||||||||
WTI Crude Futures | 482 | December 2021 | 39,417,960 | 294,654 | ||||||||||||
Gasoline RBOB Futures | 87 | December 2021 | 8,470,703 | 1,137,023 | ||||||||||||
NY Harbor ULSD Futures | 100 | December 2021 | 10,340,820 | 1,494,967 | ||||||||||||
Brent Crude Futures | 457 | January 2022 | 37,213,510 | 2,581,215 | ||||||||||||
Silver Futures | 75 | December 2021 | 8,980,875 | 36,771 | ||||||||||||
Low Sulphur Gasoil Futures | 125 | March 2022 | 8,643,750 | 1,334,148 | ||||||||||||
S&P 500 E-Mini Futures | 68 | December 2021 | 15,629,800 | 318,463 | ||||||||||||
Platinum Futures | 88 | January 2022 | 4,491,080 | 290,982 | ||||||||||||
Cattle Feeder Futures | 94 | November 2021 | 7,359,025 | (47,278 | ) | |||||||||||
Bcom Comdty Index Futures | 1,265 | December 2021 | 13,080,100 | 416,071 | ||||||||||||
Coffee ‘C’ Futures | 102 | May 2022 | 7,925,400 | 161,242 | ||||||||||||
LME Nickel Futures | 107 | January 2022 | 12,493,962 | 59,999 | ||||||||||||
Natural Gas Futures | 785 | February 2022 | 40,388,250 | (511,066 | ) | |||||||||||
LME Primary Aluminum Futures | 307 | January 2022 | 20,860,650 | 123,718 | ||||||||||||
LME Zinc Futures | 132 | January 2022 | 11,171,325 | 58,970 | ||||||||||||
Sugar 11 (World) Futures | 479 | April 2022 | 10,166,296 | (18,626 | ) | |||||||||||
Corn Futures | 494 | May 2022 | 14,319,825 | 122,585 | ||||||||||||
Wheat Futures (CBT) | 279 | May 2022 | 10,992,600 | (3,517 | ) | |||||||||||
Live Cattle Futures | 128 | April 2022 | 7,025,920 | (21,034 | ) | |||||||||||
Cotton No.2 Futures | 122 | May 2022 | 6,689,870 | (43,916 | ) | |||||||||||
Soybean Meal Futures | 297 | May 2022 | 9,943,560 | 16,807 | ||||||||||||
Soybean Oil Futures | 299 | May 2022 | 10,711,974 | 41,450 | ||||||||||||
Lean Hogs Futures | 124 | April 2022 | 4,069,680 | 54,380 | ||||||||||||
KC HRW Wheat Futures | 265 | May 2022 | 10,444,313 | (38,683 | ) | |||||||||||
Cocoa Futures | 139 | May 2022 | 3,608,440 | (2,369 | ) | |||||||||||
Coffee Robusta Futures | 287 | January 2022 | 6,354,180 | 258,964 | ||||||||||||
Soybean Futures | 262 | May 2022 | 16,614,075 | 33,848 | ||||||||||||
Sold Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||
LME Primary Aluminum Futures | 366 | November 2021 | 24,817,088 | (171,781 | ) | |||||||||||
LME Zinc Futures | 248 | November 2021 | 21,341,950 | (1,328,140 | ) | |||||||||||
LME Nickel Futures | 165 | November 2021 | 19,330,740 | (462,890 | ) | |||||||||||
MSCI Emerging Markets Futures | 48 | December 2021 | 3,028,800 | 98,641 | ||||||||||||
MSCI EAFE Futures | 51 | December 2021 | 5,965,980 | (59,169 | ) | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | 10,265,451 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 41 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | AUD | 6,449 | USD | 4,836 | 11/09/2021 | $ | (15,311 | ) | ||||||||
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | USD | 4,832 | AUD | 6,449 | 11/09/2021 | 18,961 | ||||||||||
Bank of America, NA | EUR | 4,785 | USD | 5,685 | 11/08/2021 | 152,568 | ||||||||||
Bank of America, NA | SGD | 1,591 | USD | 1,166 | 11/10/2021 | (13,467 | ) | |||||||||
Bank of America, NA | PEN | 33,369 | USD | 8,131 | 11/12/2021 | (228,659 | ) | |||||||||
Bank of America, NA | PEN | 32,003 | USD | 8,040 | 11/12/2021 | 22,817 | ||||||||||
Bank of America, NA | SEK | 22,984 | USD | 2,654 | 11/17/2021 | (22,833 | ) | |||||||||
Bank of America, NA | USD | 9,273 | JPY | 1,056,208 | 11/17/2021 | (4,899 | ) | |||||||||
Bank of America, NA | CNH | 21,721 | USD | 3,352 | 12/09/2021 | (26,513 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | EUR | 2,613 | USD | 3,023 | 11/08/2021 | 2,265 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | GBP | 4,428 | USD | 5,953 | 11/10/2021 | (106,648 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 6,132 | GBP | 4,428 | 11/10/2021 | (72,314 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 4,659 | GBP | 3,405 | 11/10/2021 | 934 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 5,478 | SGD | 7,463 | 11/10/2021 | 55,930 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | CLP | 2,346,092 | USD | 2,966 | 11/12/2021 | 85,339 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | COP | 39,093,273 | USD | 10,161 | 11/12/2021 | (213,473 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | AUD | 3,965 | USD | 2,979 | 11/17/2021 | (3,814 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | EUR | 24,806 | USD | 28,914 | 11/17/2021 | 230,169 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 9,044 | SEK | 77,680 | 11/17/2021 | 2,320 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | CAD | 5,836 | USD | 4,715 | 11/19/2021 | (134 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 4,801 | CAD | 5,922 | 11/19/2021 | (15,686 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | CZK | 46,665 | USD | 2,129 | 12/07/2021 | 30,187 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 1,133 | MYR | 4,704 | 12/22/2021 | (409 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 8,354 | MYR | 35,061 | 12/22/2021 | 84,383 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | INR | 833,740 | USD | 11,055 | 01/07/2022 | 22,364 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | KRW | 3,613,044 | USD | 3,080 | 01/20/2022 | 9,263 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 1,668 | KRW | 1,950,140 | 01/20/2022 | (10,146 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | IDR | 48,279,039 | USD | 3,359 | 01/27/2022 | (3,884 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | IDR | 8,318,884 | USD | 581 | 01/27/2022 | 1,595 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | PHP | 894,584 | USD | 17,446 | 01/27/2022 | (159,678 | ) | |||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 4,527 | IDR | 65,617,750 | 01/27/2022 | 44,047 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 35,984 | PHP | 1,846,819 | 01/27/2022 | 362,202 | ||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | USD | 4,541 | AUD | 6,226 | 11/09/2021 | 142,488 | ||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | CHF | 48,024 | USD | 52,011 | 11/17/2021 | (460,893 | ) | |||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | HUF | 2,824,060 | USD | 9,535 | 12/07/2021 | 476,867 | ||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | USD | 1,597 | HUF | 473,121 | 12/07/2021 | (79,891 | ) | |||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | MXN | 95,656 | USD | 4,684 | 01/13/2022 | 89,425 | ||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | DKK | 14,922 | USD | 2,325 | 01/20/2022 | 797 | ||||||||||
Citibank, NA | AUD | 1,937 | USD | 1,396 | 11/09/2021 | (61,256 | ) | |||||||||
Citibank, NA | JPY | 150,214 | USD | 1,372 | 11/17/2021 | 53,729 | ||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 1,330 | JPY | 145,602 | 11/17/2021 | (52,079 | ) | |||||||||
Citibank, NA | HUF | 473,121 | USD | 1,515 | 12/07/2021 | (2,832 | ) | |||||||||
Citibank, NA | CNH | 29,710 | USD | 4,569 | 12/09/2021 | (52,325 | ) | |||||||||
Citibank, NA | NOK | 10,585 | USD | 1,268 | 01/20/2022 | 15,828 | ||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | ZAR | 106,024 | USD | 7,044 | 11/24/2021 | 121,784 | ||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | USD | 5,979 | HUF | 1,871,151 | 12/07/2021 | 22,550 | ||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | USD | 3,677 | CNH | 23,556 | 12/09/2021 | (12,299 | ) | |||||||||
Credit Suisse International | USD | 12,247 | CNH | 79,322 | 12/09/2021 | 91,755 |
42 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | USD | 6,095 | ILS | 19,679 | 12/09/2021 | $ | 124,843 | |||||||||
Credit Suisse International | USD | 1,285 | MXN | 26,432 | 01/13/2022 | (15,487 | ) | |||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | BRL | 97,157 | USD | 17,380 | 11/03/2021 | 165,077 | ||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | USD | 17,810 | BRL | 97,157 | 11/03/2021 | (595,049 | ) | |||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | USD | 4,811 | CLP | 3,921,778 | 11/12/2021 | 4,565 | ||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | GBP | 697 | USD | 957 | 11/17/2021 | 3,194 | ||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | NZD | 35,950 | USD | 25,411 | 11/17/2021 | (346,178 | ) | |||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | USD | 23,794 | JPY | 2,717,885 | 11/17/2021 | 54,512 | ||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | USD | 25,718 | NOK | 216,766 | 11/17/2021 | (60,929 | ) | |||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | USD | 649 | PLN | 2,566 | 12/07/2021 | (6,213 | ) | |||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | USD | 24,365 | RUB | 1,795,453 | 12/15/2021 | 726,728 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | BRL | 57,547 | USD | 10,198 | 11/03/2021 | 1,446 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 10,338 | BRL | 57,547 | 11/03/2021 | (141,967 | ) | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | AUD | 4,223 | USD | 3,071 | 11/09/2021 | (105,180 | ) | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | GBP | 655 | USD | 900 | 11/10/2021 | 3,226 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | COP | 32,491,316 | USD | 8,505 | 11/12/2021 | (116,981 | ) | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | AUD | 31,605 | USD | 23,412 | 11/17/2021 | (364,300 | ) | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | JPY | 260,270 | USD | 2,280 | 11/17/2021 | (4,222 | ) | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 8,453 | CAD | 10,412 | 11/17/2021 | (40,204 | ) | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 5,451 | CHF | 5,007 | 11/17/2021 | 19,361 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 52,948 | EUR | 45,605 | 11/17/2021 | (213,355 | ) | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 1,258 | JPY | 140,792 | 11/17/2021 | (22,971 | ) | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 6,828 | ZAR | 103,361 | 11/24/2021 | (78,901 | ) | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | BRL | 5,353 | USD | 948 | 12/02/2021 | 4,578 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | ILS | 19,679 | USD | 6,149 | 12/09/2021 | (71,361 | ) | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | RUB | 238,018 | USD | 3,362 | 12/15/2021 | 36,024 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 5,716 | RUB | 418,242 | 12/15/2021 | 128,965 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 13,909 | MYR | 57,832 | 12/22/2021 | 9,373 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 3,459 | CHF | 3,174 | 01/13/2022 | 14,951 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | EUR | 2,086 | USD | 2,415 | 11/08/2021 | 3,588 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 3,008 | SGD | 4,098 | 11/10/2021 | 30,690 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | CLP | 7,074,081 | USD | 8,898 | 11/12/2021 | 210,968 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | COP | 29,544,703 | USD | 7,880 | 11/12/2021 | 39,865 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 5,153 | CLP | 4,119,483 | 11/12/2021 | (94,516 | ) | |||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 10,348 | CLP | 8,537,420 | 11/12/2021 | 135,626 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 12,538 | CAD | 15,505 | 11/17/2021 | (10,246 | ) | |||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | PLN | 25,421 | USD | 6,591 | 12/07/2021 | 224,188 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 1,547 | PLN | 5,966 | 12/07/2021 | (52,617 | ) | |||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 1,229 | CNH | 7,948 | 12/09/2021 | 7,119 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | INR | 718,072 | USD | 9,423 | 01/07/2022 | (79,033 | ) | |||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 20,618 | INR | 1,551,812 | 01/07/2022 | (83,261 | ) | |||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | KRW | 11,925,312 | USD | 10,111 | 01/20/2022 | (25,107 | ) | |||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | SEK | 20,123 | USD | 2,306 | 01/20/2022 | (40,318 | ) | |||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 3,063 | KRW | 3,613,044 | 01/20/2022 | 7,607 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 4,663 | NOK | 39,878 | 01/20/2022 | 53,991 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 11,242 | TWD | 315,335 | 01/20/2022 | 139,979 | ||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | IDR | 415,354 | USD | 29 | 01/27/2022 | (66 | ) | |||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 4,517 | EUR | 3,825 | 11/08/2021 | (95,113 | ) | |||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | HKD | 127,340 | USD | 16,346 | 11/10/2021 | (20,719 | ) |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 43 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | JPY | 175,259 | USD | 1,580 | 11/17/2021 | $ | 42,371 | |||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | U | SD1,029 | JPY | 114,639 | 11/17/2021 | (22,850 | ) | |||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 2,097 | NOK | 17,952 | 01/20/2022 | 26,075 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | BRL | 99,872 | USD | 17,889 | 11/03/2021 | 192,712 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | USD | 17,698 | BRL | 99,872 | 11/03/2021 | (2,509 | ) | |||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | EUR | 2,614 | USD | 3,030 | 11/08/2021 | 8,761 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | USD | 7,915 | EUR | 6,717 | 11/08/2021 | (149,660 | ) | |||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | AUD | 8,302 | USD | 5,990 | 11/09/2021 | (255,050 | ) | |||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | USD | 1,248 | AUD | 1,719 | 11/09/2021 | 45,335 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | USD | 3,697 | GBP | 2,695 | 11/10/2021 | (8,964 | ) | |||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | JPY | 818,405 | USD | 7,430 | 11/17/2021 | 248,743 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | CAD | 11,275 | USD | 8,810 | 11/19/2021 | (300,150 | ) | |||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | USD | 4,545 | CAD | 5,747 | 11/19/2021 | 98,435 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | USD | 17,784 | BRL | 99,872 | 12/02/2021 | (190,395 | ) | |||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | CZK | 29,563 | USD | 1,343 | 12/07/2021 | 13,596 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | PLN | 5,966 | USD | 1,526 | 12/07/2021 | 31,413 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | CHF | 2,272 | USD | 2,475 | 01/13/2022 | (11,759 | ) | |||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | USD | 2,655 | CHF | 2,437 | 01/13/2022 | 12,613 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | TWD | 756,282 | USD | 27,020 | 01/20/2022 | (277,923 | ) | |||||||||
Natwest Markets PLC | JPY | 342,583 | USD | 3,070 | 11/17/2021 | 63,818 | ||||||||||
Natwest Markets PLC | NOK | 39,878 | USD | 4,775 | 01/20/2022 | 58,107 | ||||||||||
Societe Generale | USD | 1,411 | AUD | 1,937 | 11/09/2021 | 45,840 | ||||||||||
Standard Chartered Bank | GBP | 1,167 | USD | 1,587 | 11/10/2021 | (9,698 | ) | |||||||||
Standard Chartered Bank | USD | 1,180 | SGD | 1,602 | 11/10/2021 | 8,441 | ||||||||||
Standard Chartered Bank | ZAR | 132,120 | USD | 9,159 | 11/24/2021 | 532,629 | ||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | EUR | 19,712 | USD | 23,373 | 11/08/2021 | 582,785 | ||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | USD | 1,426 | EUR | 1,214 | 11/08/2021 | (21,876 | ) | |||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | GBP | 692 | USD | 957 | 11/10/2021 | 9,837 | ||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | USD | 177 | HKD | 1,380 | 11/10/2021 | 206 | ||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | USD | 153 | JPY | 17,039 | 11/17/2021 | (3,497 | ) | |||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | USD | 341 | CAD | 437 | 11/19/2021 | 11,677 | ||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | CZK | 31,511 | USD | 1,468 | 12/07/2021 | 51,568 | ||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | USD | 2,977 | CZK | 63,876 | 12/07/2021 | (104,535 | ) | |||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | CNH | 33,863 | USD | 5,219 | 12/09/2021 | (48,669 | ) |
44 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | THB | 768,737 | USD | 22,688 | 12/09/2021 | $ | (471,731 | ) | ||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | USD | 11,310 | THB | 375,781 | 12/09/2021 | 10,817 | ||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | NZD | 174 | USD | 121 | 01/20/2022 | (3,818 | ) | |||||||||
UBS AG | USD | 3,089 | AUD | 4,223 | 11/09/2021 | 88,048 | ||||||||||
UBS AG | GBP | 3,405 | USD | 4,637 | 11/10/2021 | (22,383 | ) | |||||||||
UBS AG | JPY | 273,509 | USD | 2,406 | 11/17/2021 | 5,896 | ||||||||||
UBS AG | USD | 4,626 | JPY | 505,392 | 11/17/2021 | (191,039 | ) | |||||||||
UBS AG | USD | 7,778 | CAD | 9,782 | 11/19/2021 | 125,993 | ||||||||||
UBS AG | USD | 3,176 | SEK | 27,711 | 01/20/2022 | 54,919 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | 261,423 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
INFLATION (CPI) SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swap Counterparty | Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD 57,870 | 03/18/2031 | 2.378% | CPI# | Maturity | $ | 351,769 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 351,769 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | USD 133,680 | 04/26/2027 | 1.705% | CPI# | Maturity | 7,979,878 | – 0 | – | 7,979,878 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | USD 69,760 | 04/26/2027 | 2.175% | CPI# | Maturity | 2,494,257 | – 0 | – | 2,494,257 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | USD 110,190 | 04/25/2030 | 1.900% | CPI# | Maturity | 3,624,732 | – 0 | – | 3,624,732 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | USD 58,060 | 03/16/2031 | 2.289% | CPI# | Maturity | 609,913 | – 0 | – | 609,913 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 15,060,549 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 15,060,549 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
# | Variable interest rate based on the rate of inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). |
TOTAL RETURN SWAPS (see Note D)
Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Rate Paid/ Received | Payment Frequency | Current Notional (000) | Maturity Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
Receive Total Return on Reference Obligation |
| |||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | ||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan JMABRF34 Index(1) | 0.60% | Annual | USD | 36,679 | 12/15/2021 | $ | (991,234 | ) | ||||||||||||
Pay Total Return on Reference Obligation |
| |||||||||||||||||||
UBS AG | ||||||||||||||||||||
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index | 3 Month LIBOR Plus 0.23% | Quarterly | USD | 41,604 | 04/15/2022 | (568,336 | ) | |||||||||||||
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index | 3 Month LIBOR Plus 0.19% | Quarterly | USD | 2,563 | 09/15/2022 | (39,384 | ) | |||||||||||||
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index | 3 Month LIBOR Plus 0.26% | Quarterly | USD | 55,311 | 09/15/2022 | (846,391 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
$ | (2,445,345 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 45 |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
VARIANCE SWAPS (see Note D)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Volatility Strike Rate | Payment Frequency | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums (Paid)/ Received | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Buy Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
USD/JPY 04/19/2022* | 6.85 | % | Maturity | USD | 1,445 | $ | (187,124 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (187,124 | ) |
* | Termination date |
(a) | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(b) | Non-income producing security. |
(c) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration. At October 31, 2021, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $20,569,902 or 1.5% of net assets. |
(d) | Security in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. |
(e) | Fair valued by the Adviser. |
(f) | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Additionally, shareholder reports for AB funds can be obtained by calling AB at (800) 227-4618. |
(g) | Affiliated investments. |
(h) | The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD – Australian Dollar
BRL – Brazilian Real
CAD – Canadian Dollar
CHF – Swiss Franc
CLP – Chilean Peso
CNH – Chinese Yuan Renminbi (Offshore)
COP – Colombian Peso
CZK – Czech Koruna
DKK – Danish Krone
EUR – Euro
GBP – Great British Pound
HKD – Hong Kong Dollar
HUF – Hungarian Forint
IDR – Indonesian Rupiah
ILS – Israeli Shekel
INR – Indian Rupee
JPY – Japanese Yen
KRW – South Korean Won
MXN – Mexican Peso
MYR – Malaysian Ringgit
NOK – Norwegian Krone
NZD – New Zealand Dollar
PEN – Peruvian Sol
PHP – Philippine Peso
PLN – Polish Zloty
RUB – Russian Ruble
SEK – Swedish Krona
SGD – Singapore Dollar
THB – Thailand Baht
TWD – New Taiwan Dollar
USD – United States Dollar
ZAR – South African Rand
Glossary:
ADR – American Depositary Receipt
CBT – Chicago Board of Trade
CPI – Consumer Price Index
EAFE – Europe, Australia, and Far East
EPRA – European Public Real Estate Association
ETF – Exchange Traded Fund
ETN – Exchange Traded Note
FTSE – Financial Times Stock Exchange
KC HRW – Kansas City Hard Red Winter
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
LME – London Metal Exchange
MSCI – Morgan Stanley Capital International
NAREIT – National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts
PJSC – Public Joint Stock Company
RBOB – Reformulated Gasoline Blend-Stock for Oxygen Blending (Unleaded Gas)
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
ULSD – Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel
WTI – West Texas Intermediate
46 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
(1) | The following table represents the (long/(short)) basket holdings underlying the total return swap with JPMorgan JMABRF34 Index as of October 31, 2021. |
Security Description | Current Notional | Percent of Basket’s Value | ||||||
LME Zinc Futures 01/2022 | USD (8,380,133 | ) | (22.8 | )% | ||||
LME Zinc Futures 05/2022 | 8,252,020 | 22.5 | % | |||||
Cotton No.2 Futures 12/2021 | (8,093,376 | ) | (22.1 | )% | ||||
WTI Crude Futures 01/2022 | (8,064,270 | ) | (22.0 | )% | ||||
Cotton No.2 Futures 05/2022 | 8,036,726 | 21.9 | % | |||||
LME Zinc Futures 01/2022 | (7,981,424 | ) | (21.8 | )% | ||||
LME Zinc Futures 05/2022 | 7,954,816 | 21.7 | % | |||||
Brent Crude Futures 01/2022 | (7,852,962 | ) | (21.4 | )% | ||||
Gasoline RBOB Futures 01/2022 | (7,842,139 | ) | (21.4 | )% | ||||
WTI Crude Futures 05/2022 | 7,771,494 | 21.2 | % | |||||
Gasoline RBOB Futures 05/2022 | 7,745,116 | 21.1 | % | |||||
Brent Crude Futures 05/2022 | 7,730,177 | 21.1 | % | |||||
Corn Futures 12/2021 | (7,730,030 | ) | (21.1 | )% | ||||
Corn Futures 05/2022 | 7,711,311 | 21.0 | % | |||||
Copper Futures 05/2022 | 7,684,718 | 21.0 | % | |||||
Copper Futures 12/2021 | (7,681,820 | ) | (20.9 | )% | ||||
NY Harbor ULSD Futures 01/2022 | (7,678,915 | ) | (20.9 | )% | ||||
Soybean Oil Futures 05/2022 | 7,657,599 | 20.9 | % | |||||
Soybean Oil Futures 01/2022 | (7,652,388 | ) | (20.9 | )% | ||||
KC HRW Wheat Futures 12/2021 | (7,620,735 | ) | (20.8 | )% | ||||
NY Harbor ULSD Futures 05/2022 | 7,607,698 | 20.7 | % | |||||
Live Cattle Futures 12/2021 | (7,605,890 | ) | (20.7 | )% | ||||
KC HRW Wheat Futures 05/2022 | 7,561,606 | 20.6 | % | |||||
Live Cattle Futures 04/2021 | 7,560,369 | 20.6 | % | |||||
Wheat Futures (CBT) 05/2022 | 7,544,702 | 20.6 | % | |||||
Wheat Futures (CBT) 12/2021 | (7,536,822 | ) | (20.5 | )% | ||||
Soybean Meal Futures 01/2022 | (7,394,930 | ) | (20.2 | )% | ||||
Soybean Meal Futures 05/2022 | 7,373,123 | 20.1 | % | |||||
Coffee ‘C’ Futures 12/2021 | (7,362,530 | ) | (20.1 | )% | ||||
Coffee ‘C’ Futures 05/2022 | 7,344,320 | 20.0 | % | |||||
Soybean Futures 05/2022 | 7,334,415 | 20.0 | % | |||||
Soybean Futures 01/2022 | (7,316,520 | ) | (19.9 | )% | ||||
Sugar #11 (World) Futures 03/2022 | (7,076,047 | ) | (19.3 | )% | ||||
Natural Gas Futures 03/2022 | 7,061,452 | 19.3 | % | |||||
LME Primary Aluminum Futures 05/2022 | 7,053,939 | 19.2 | % | |||||
Sugar #11 (World) Futures 05/2022 | 7,053,589 | 19.2 | % | |||||
LME Primary Aluminum Futures 01/2022 | (7,020,988 | ) | (19.1 | )% | ||||
Natural Gas Futures 01/2022 | (6,936,113 | ) | (18.9 | )% | ||||
Lean Hogs Futures 04/2022 | 6,754,865 | 18.4 | % | |||||
Lean Hogs Futures 12/2021 | (6,579,152 | ) | (17.9 | )% |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 47 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
October 31, 2021
Assets |
| |||
Investments in securities, at value |
| |||
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $879,795,963) | $ | 1,047,476,875 | (a) | |
Affiliated issuers (cost $254,367,075—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $20,370,388) | 254,367,075 | |||
Cash collateral due from broker | 54,197,552 | |||
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $4,578,121) | 4,543,560 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on inflation swaps | 15,060,549 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 6,661,666 | |||
Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions | 5,731,093 | |||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 1,397,774 | |||
Unaffiliated dividends and interest receivable | 1,340,959 | |||
Affiliated dividends receivable | 1,616 | |||
|
| |||
Total assets | 1,390,778,719 | |||
|
| |||
Liabilities |
| |||
Due to custodian | 1,169,924 | |||
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | 20,370,388 | |||
Cash collateral due to broker | 17,150,000 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 6,400,243 | |||
Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions | 6,049,814 | |||
Payable for variation margin on futures | 2,551,431 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on total return swaps | 2,445,345 | |||
Advisory fee payable | 821,490 | |||
Payable for capital stock redeemed | 647,137 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on variance swaps | 187,124 | |||
Distribution fee payable | 143,514 | |||
Administrative fee payable | 32,636 | |||
Transfer Agent fee payable | 21,581 | |||
Foreign capital gains tax payable | 4,032 | |||
Directors’ fees payable | 2,806 | |||
Accrued expenses | 441,152 | |||
|
| |||
Total liabilities | 58,438,617 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 1,332,340,102 | ||
|
| |||
Composition of Net Assets |
| |||
Capital stock, at par | $ | 125,021 | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,235,190,177 | |||
Distributable earnings | 97,024,904 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 1,332,340,102 | ||
|
|
(a) | Includes securities on loan with a value of $29,958,266 (see Note E). |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
48 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES (continued)
Net Asset Value Per Share—33 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
Class | Net Assets | Shares Outstanding | Net Asset Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||||
A | $ | 5,305,858 | 490,660 | $ | 10.81 | * | ||||||
| ||||||||||||
C | $ | 199,444 | 18,370 | $ | 10.86 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Advisor | $ | 18,096,491 | 1,677,451 | $ | 10.79 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
R | $ | 66,525 | 6,144 | $ | 10.83 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
K | $ | 1,157,324 | 108,313 | $ | 10.68 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
I | $ | 27,012,700 | 2,524,619 | $ | 10.70 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
1 | $ | 678,946,029 | 63,999,000 | $ | 10.61 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
2 | $ | 10,875 | 1,000 | $ | 10.88 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Z | $ | 601,544,856 | 56,195,231 | $ | 10.70 | |||||||
|
* | The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $11.29 which reflects a sales charge of 4.25%. |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 49 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended October 31, 2021
Investment Income |
| |||||||
Dividends |
| |||||||
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $1,408,147) | $ | 27,454,777 | ||||||
Affiliated issuers | 34,351 | |||||||
Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld | (159,765 | ) | ||||||
Securities lending income | 249,929 | $ | 27,579,292 | |||||
|
| |||||||
Expenses |
| |||||||
Advisory fee (see Note B) | 8,828,846 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class A | 9,970 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class C | 3,683 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class R | 324 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class K | 2,932 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class 1 | 1,489,545 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class A | 12,503 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class C | 1,366 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Advisor Class | 54,198 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class R | 159 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class K | 2,357 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class I | 6,380 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class 1 | 122,583 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class 2 | 3 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class Z | 112,417 | |||||||
Custody and accounting | 333,424 | |||||||
Audit and tax | 153,666 | |||||||
Registration fees | 150,690 | |||||||
Administrative | 93,486 | |||||||
Legal | 46,024 | |||||||
Directors’ fees | 33,340 | |||||||
Printing | 31,873 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 50,252 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses | 11,540,021 | |||||||
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Notes B & E) | (163,285 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net expenses | 11,376,736 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net investment income | 16,202,556 | |||||||
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
50 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (continued)
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment and Foreign Currency Transactions | ||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
Investment transactions(b) | $ | 56,124,035 | ||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | 2,737,603 | |||||||
Futures | 130,052,916 | |||||||
Swaps | (11,640,193 | ) | ||||||
Foreign currency transactions | 4,719,024 | |||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | ||||||||
Investments | 216,361,647 | |||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | (1,797,406 | ) | ||||||
Futures | 187,084 | |||||||
Swaps | 6,355,811 | |||||||
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | (46,515 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | 403,054,006 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations | $ | 419,256,562 | ||||||
|
|
(a) | The negative interest income reflects coupon income adjusted for fluctuations in the inflation index related to inflation-indexed bonds and the amortization of premiums. |
(b) | Net of foreign realized capital gains taxes of $7,548. |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 51 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 16,202,556 | $ | 13,891,611 | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 181,993,385 | (66,470,870 | ) | |||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | 221,060,621 | (63,456,198 | ) | |||||
Contributions from Affiliates (see Note B) | – 0 | – | 9,171 | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | 419,256,562 | (116,026,286 | ) | |||||
Distributions to Shareholders | ||||||||
Class A | (221,879 | ) | (167,388 | ) | ||||
Class C | (9,571 | ) | (4,157 | ) | ||||
Advisor Class | (412,387 | ) | (343,095 | ) | ||||
Class R | (652 | ) | (3,960 | ) | ||||
Class K | (32,508 | ) | (34,127 | ) | ||||
Class I | (808,887 | ) | (500,083 | ) | ||||
Class 1 | (16,708,336 | ) | (11,399,122 | ) | ||||
Class 2 | (293 | ) | (184 | ) | ||||
Class Z | (15,915,046 | ) | (10,352,467 | ) | ||||
Capital Stock Transactions | ||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 18,064,568 | (83,740,442 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total increase (decrease) | 403,211,571 | (222,571,311 | ) | |||||
Net Assets | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 929,128,531 | 1,151,699,842 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
End of period | $ | 1,332,340,102 | $ | 929,128,531 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
52 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2021
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Company, which is a Maryland corporation, operates as a series company comprised of 10 portfolios currently in operation. Each portfolio is considered to be a separate entity for financial reporting and tax purposes. This report relates only to the AB All Market Real Return Portfolio (the “Fund”), a non-diversified portfolio. As part of the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund seeks to gain exposure to commodities and commodities-related instruments and derivatives primarily through investments in AllianceBernstein Cayman Inflation Strategy, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary and it is intended that the Fund will remain the sole shareholder and will continue to control the Subsidiary. Under the Articles of Association of the Subsidiary, shares issued by the Subsidiary confer upon a shareholder the right to receive notice of, to attend and to vote at general meetings of the Subsidiary and shall confer upon the shareholder rights in a winding-up or repayment of capital and the right to participate in the profits or assets of the Subsidiary. As of October 31, 2021, consolidated net assets of the Fund were $1,332,340,102, of which $247,566,047, or 19%, represented the Fund’s ownership of all issued shares and voting rights of the Subsidiary. This report presents the consolidated financial statements of the Fund and the Subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Fund has authorized the issuance of Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class 1, Class 2, Class Z, and Class T shares. Class B and Class T shares have not been issued. Class 1 shares are sold only to the private clients of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC by its registered representatives. As of October 31, 2021, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”), was the sole shareholder of Class 2 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 C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase, and 0% after the first year of purchase. Effective May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Prior to May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Class R, Class K, Class 1, and Class Z shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge. Advisor Class, Class I, and Class 2 shares are sold
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 53 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. All eleven 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 consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. 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 Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
In general, the market values 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, the Adviser will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures 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; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that
54 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. 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, 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. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. 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. To account for this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 55 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
• | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
• | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
• | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3.
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a
56 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of October 31, 2021:
Investments in | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Common Stocks: | ||||||||||||||||
Real Estate | $ | 294,794,006 | $ | 154,494,286 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 449,288,292 | |||||||
Energy | 47,095,641 | 83,015,423 | – 0 | – | 130,111,064 | |||||||||||
Materials | 38,080,386 | 67,598,306 | – 0 | – | 105,678,692 | |||||||||||
Capital Goods | 30,581,843 | 23,150,679 | – 0 | – | 53,732,522 | |||||||||||
Utilities | 28,961,782 | 19,314,879 | – 0 | – | 48,276,661 | |||||||||||
Software & Services | 27,120,672 | 859,110 | – 0 | – | 27,979,782 | |||||||||||
Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 13,714,886 | 5,981,995 | – 0 | – | 19,696,881 | |||||||||||
Food Beverage & Tobacco | 12,463,455 | 5,931,497 | – 0 | – | 18,394,952 | |||||||||||
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | 11,049,821 | 5,703,393 | 31,194 | 16,784,408 | ||||||||||||
Banks | 7,600,532 | 7,304,497 | – 0 | – | 14,905,029 | |||||||||||
Technology Hardware & Equipment | 11,883,027 | 741,661 | – 0 | – | 12,624,688 | |||||||||||
Media & Entertainment | 12,334,246 | 158,574 | – 0 | – | 12,492,820 | |||||||||||
Retailing | 9,586,841 | 2,750,373 | – 0 | – | 12,337,214 | |||||||||||
Diversified Financials | 8,887,751 | 2,492,909 | – 0 | – | 11,380,660 | |||||||||||
Health Care Equipment & Services | 11,231,239 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 11,231,239 | ||||||||||
Transportation | 364,304 | 8,926,020 | – 0 | – | 9,290,324 | |||||||||||
Consumer Services | 6,825,891 | 2,214,773 | – 0 | – | 9,040,664 | |||||||||||
Consumer Durables & Apparel | 6,468,081 | 2,173,956 | 0 | (a) | 8,642,037 | |||||||||||
Commercial & Professional Services | 6,237,354 | 258,710 | – 0 | – | 6,496,064 | |||||||||||
Insurance | 4,834,678 | 1,275,543 | – 0 | – | 6,110,221 | |||||||||||
Automobiles & Components | 3,021,773 | 3,038,348 | – 0 | – | 6,060,121 | |||||||||||
Telecommunication Services | 25,498 | 5,574,550 | – 0 | – | 5,600,048 | |||||||||||
Food & Staples Retailing | 2,699,087 | 290,310 | – 0 | – | 2,989,397 | |||||||||||
Industrials | 1,386,621 | 643,892 | – 0 | – | 2,030,513 |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 57 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Investments in | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Information Technology | $ | 1,858,779 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1,858,779 | ||||||
Household & Personal Products | 1,174,952 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 1,174,952 | ||||||||||
Investment Companies | 43,191,372 | 77,479 | – 0 | – | 43,268,851 | |||||||||||
Short-Term Investments | 233,996,687 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 233,996,687 | ||||||||||
Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund | 20,370,388 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 20,370,388 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total Investments in Securities | 897,841,593 | 403,971,163 | (b) | 31,194 | 1,301,843,950 | |||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments(c): | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Futures | 14,689,299 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 14,689,299 | (d) | |||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | 6,661,666 | – 0 | – | 6,661,666 | ||||||||||
Inflation (CPI) Swaps | – 0 | – | 15,060,549 | – 0 | – | 15,060,549 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Futures | (4,423,848 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (4,423,848 | )(d) | ||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | (6,400,243 | ) | – 0 | – | (6,400,243 | ) | ||||||||
Total Return Swaps | – 0 | – | (2,445,345 | ) | – 0 | – | (2,445,345 | ) | ||||||||
Variance Swaps | – 0 | – | (187,124 | ) | – 0 | – | (187,124 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 908,107,044 | $ | 416,660,666 | $ | 31,194 | $ | 1,324,798,904 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | The Fund held securities with zero market value at period end. |
(b) | A significant portion of the Fund’s foreign equity investments are categorized as Level 2 investments since they are valued using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available. |
(c) | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(d) | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the consolidated portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
58 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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.
If, during a taxable year, the Subsidiary’s taxable losses (and other deductible items) exceed its income and gains, the net loss will not pass through to the Fund as a deductible amount for Federal income tax purposes. Note that the loss from the Subsidiary’s contemplated activities also cannot be carried forward to reduce future Subsidiary’s income in subsequent years. However, if the Subsidiary’s taxable gains exceed its losses and other deductible items during a taxable year, the net gain will pass through to the Fund as income for Federal income tax purposes.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements.
5. 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. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income. The Fund accounts for distributions received from REIT
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 59 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
investments or from regulated investment companies as dividend income, realized gain, or return of capital based on information provided by the REIT or the investment company.
6. 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. Expenses of the Company are charged proportionately to each fund or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. 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. GAAP. 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 .75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses (excluding extraordinary expenses, interest expense, and acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB Mutual Funds in which the Fund may invest) on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to 1.30%, 2.05%, 1.05%, 1.55%, 1.30%, 1.05%, 1.30%, 1.05% and 1.05% of daily average net assets for Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class 1, Class 2 and Class Z shares, respectively. This fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement agreement will remain in effect until January 31, 2022. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such reimbursement amounted to $23,383.
The Subsidiary has entered into a separate agreement with the Adviser for the management of the Subsidiary’s portfolio. The Adviser receives no compensation from the Subsidiary for its services under the agreement.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $93,486.
60 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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 $237,310 for the year ended October 31, 2021.
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 $28 from the sale of Class A shares and received $5 and $4 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of ..20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2022. In connection with the investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such waiver amounted to $139,397.
A summary of the Fund’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021 is as follows:
Fund | Market Value 10/31/20 (000) | Purchases at Cost (000) | Sales Proceeds (000) | Market Value 10/31/21 (000) | Dividend Income (000) | |||||||||||||||
Government Money Market Portfolio | $ | 229,370 | $ | 1,028,539 | $ | 1,023,912 | $ | 233,997 | $ | 34 | ||||||||||
Government Money Market Portfolio* | 6,911 | 328,739 | 315,280 | 20,370 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 254,367 | $ | 36 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Investments of cash collateral for securities lending transactions (see Note E). |
During the year ended October 31, 2020, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund $9,171 for trading losses incurred due to a trade entry error.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 61 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”) at an annual rate of up to .30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares, 1% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares, .50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares, .25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class K shares and .25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class 1 shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on the Advisor Class, Class I, Class 2 and Class Z shares. Payments under the Plan in respect of Class A shares are currently limited to an annual rate of .25% of Class A shares’ average daily net assets. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. Since the commencement of the Fund’s operations, the Distributor has incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the amounts of $159,628, $16,755, $19,733 and $1,946,964 for Class C, Class R, Class K and Class 1 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.
NOTE D
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended October 31, 2021 were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | $ | 696,290,009 | $ | 574,337,449 | ||||
U.S. government securities | – 0 | – | – 0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
Cost | $ | 1,512,463,120 | ||
|
| |||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 229,936,519 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (381,219,652 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized depreciation | $ | (151,283,133 | ) | |
|
|
62 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
• | Futures |
The Fund may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Fund bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Fund may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
At the time the Fund enters into futures, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Use of long futures subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 63 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held futures for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Fund may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Fund. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Swaps |
The Fund may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk, equity markets or currencies. The Fund may also enter into swaps for non-hedging purposes as a means of gaining market exposures, making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” or in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset described below under “Total Return Swaps”. A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Fund in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Fund or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be
64 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Fund accrues for the interim payments on swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the consolidated statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for swaps are recognized as cost or proceeds on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the consolidated statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the consolidated statement of operations.
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Fund enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for centrally cleared swaps is generally less than non-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 65 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Inflation (CPI) Swaps:
Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index (the Consumer Price Index with respect to CPI swaps) over the term of the swap (with some lag on the inflation index), and the other pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swaps may be used to protect the net asset value, or NAV, of a Fund against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index since the value of these agreements is expected to increase if there are unexpected inflation increases.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held inflation (CPI) swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Total Return Swaps:
The Fund may enter into total return swaps in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Fund is subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held total return swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Variance Swaps:
The Fund may enter into variance swaps to hedge equity market risk or adjust exposure to the equity markets. Variance swaps are contracts in which two parties agree to exchange cash payments based on the difference between the stated level of variance and the actual variance realized on underlying asset(s) or index(es). Actual “variance” as used here is defined as the sum of the square of the returns on the reference asset(s) or index(es) (which in effect is a measure of its “volatility”) over the length of the contract term. So the parties to a variance swap can be said to exchange actual volatility for a contractually stated rate of volatility.
66 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held variance swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Fund’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Fund decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty table below for additional details.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund had entered into the following derivatives:
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative | Consolidated | Fair Value | Consolidated | Fair Value | ||||||||
Equity contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 417,104 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 59,169 | * | ||||
Commodity contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures |
| 14,272,195 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures |
| 4,364,679 | * | ||||
Foreign currency contracts | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
| 6,661,666 |
| Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
| 6,400,243 |
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 67 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative | Consolidated | Fair Value | Consolidated | Fair Value | ||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Unrealized appreciation on inflation swaps | $ | 15,060,549 |
| ||||||||
Commodity contracts | Unrealized depreciation on total return swaps | $ | 962,153 |
| ||||||||
Equity contracts | Unrealized depreciation on total return swaps |
| 1,483,192 |
| ||||||||
Foreign currency contracts | Unrealized depreciation on variance swaps |
| 187,124 |
| ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 36,411,514 | $ | 13,456,560 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities. |
This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the consolidated portfolio of investments.
Derivative Type | Location of Gain or Within Consolidated Statement of | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | $ | (24,187 | ) | $ | 11,047 | ||||
Equity contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | 11,452,075 | 2,380,110 | |||||||
Commodity contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | 118,625,028 | (2,204,073 | ) |
68 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Derivative Type | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Within Consolidated Statement of | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Foreign currency contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | $ | 2,737,603 | $ | (1,797,406 | ) | ||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | 5,380,360 | 11,158,402 | |||||||
Commodity contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | 10,057,954 | 1,651,937 | |||||||
Foreign exchange contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | (138,080 | ) | (83,956 | ) | |||||
Equity contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | (26,940,427 | ) | (6,370,572 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | 121,150,326 | $ | 4,745,489 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Fund’s derivative transactions during the year ended October 31, 2021:
Futures: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 392,099,553 | ||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 42,073,958 | ||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | ||||
Average principal amount of buy contracts | $ | 466,539,968 | ||
Average principal amount of sale contracts | $ | 520,219,414 | ||
Inflation Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 460,372,308 | ||
Total Return Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 159,680,472 | ||
Variance Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 2,949,047 |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 69 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Received* | Security Collateral Received* | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |||||||||||||||
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | $ | 18,961 | $ | (15,311 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 3,650 | |||||||
Bank of America, NA | 175,385 | (175,385 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | 930,998 | (586,186 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 344,812 | ||||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | 709,577 | (540,784 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 168,793 | ||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | 421,326 | (355,616 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 65,710 | ||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | 360,932 | (27,786 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 333,146 | ||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 954,076 | (954,076 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 14,926,704 | (1,159,442 | ) | (13,767,262 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | 853,621 | (385,164 | ) | (300,000 | ) | – 0 | – | 168,457 | ||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | 68,446 | (68,446 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | 651,608 | (651,608 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Natwest Markets PLC | 121,925 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 121,925 | ||||||||||||
Societe Generale | 45,840 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 45,840 | ||||||||||||
Standard Chartered Bank | 541,070 | (9,698 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 531,372 | ||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | 666,890 | (654,126 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 12,764 | ||||||||||||
UBS AG | 274,856 | (274,856 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 21,722,215 | $ | (5,858,484 | ) | $ | (14,067,262 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1,796,469 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Security Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | $ | 15,311 | $ | (15,311 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | ||||||
Bank of America, NA | 296,371 | (175,385 | ) | (120,986 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | 586,186 | (586,186 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | 540,784 | (540,784 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Citibank, NA | 355,616 | (355,616 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | 27,786 | (27,786 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 1,008,369 | (954,076 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 54,293 | ||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 1,159,442 | (1,159,442 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | 385,164 | (385,164 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | 138,682 | (68,446 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 70,236 | ||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | 1,196,410 | (651,608 | ) | (260,000 | ) | – 0 | – | 284,802 | ||||||||||||
Standard Chartered Bank | 9,698 | (9,698 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | 654,126 | (654,126 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
UBS AG | 1,667,533 | (274,856 | ) | (1,392,677 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 8,041,478 | $ | (5,858,484 | ) | $ | (1,773,663 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 409,331 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
AllianceBernstein Cayman Inflation Strategy, Ltd.
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Security Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | $ | 991,234 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (730,000 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 261,234 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 991,234 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (730,000 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 261,234 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
2. Currency Transactions
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 71 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and other 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 may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Fund’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund cannot sell or repledge any non-cash collateral, such collateral will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Fund will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Fund in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. If the Fund receives non-cash collateral, the Fund will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Fund will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Fund amounts equal to any dividend income or other distributions from the securities; however, these distributions will not be afforded the same preferential tax treatment as qualified dividends. The Fund will not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Fund, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted
72 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the consolidated statement of operations. When the Fund earns net securities lending income from Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the Fund’s share of the advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Fund lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Fund in the case of default of any securities borrower.
A summary of the Fund’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the year ended October 31, 2021 is as follows:
Market Value on Loan* | Cash Collateral* | Market Value of Non-Cash Collateral* | Income from Borrowers | Government Money Market Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||
Income Earned | Advisory Fee Waived | |||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 29,958,266 | $ | 20,370,388 | $ | 11,364,448 | $ | 248,064 | $ | 1,865 | $ | 505 |
* | As of October 31, 2021. |
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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 317,223 | 106,944 | $ | 3,288,034 | $ | 878,328 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 25,555 | 18,577 | 214,154 | 159,388 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted from Class C | 47,783 | 5,054 | 457,252 | 40,141 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (804,855 | ) | (454,169 | ) | (7,247,828 | ) | (3,812,340 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (414,294 | ) | (323,594 | ) | $ | (3,288,388 | ) | $ | (2,734,483 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 73 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 64 | 5,106 | $ | 591 | $ | 41,696 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 1,081 | 428 | 9,141 | 3,697 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted to Class A | (47,515 | ) | (5,044 | ) | (457,252 | ) | (40,141 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (1,542 | ) | (21,492 | ) | (14,427 | ) | (175,527 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (47,912 | ) | (21,002 | ) | $ | (461,947 | ) | $ | (170,275 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 543,513 | 266,300 | $ | 5,271,583 | $ | 2,062,690 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 35,548 | 30,646 | 296,466 | 261,410 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (442,417 | ) | (911,996 | ) | (4,262,588 | ) | (6,219,619 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 136,644 | (615,050 | ) | $ | 1,305,461 | $ | (3,895,519 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 873 | 5,559 | $ | 8,390 | $ | 43,032 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 77 | 467 | 652 | 3,960 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (1,930 | ) | (30,671 | ) | (18,669 | ) | (234,057 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (980 | ) | (24,645 | ) | $ | (9,627 | ) | $ | (187,065 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class K | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 70,470 | 111,348 | $ | 687,598 | $ | 803,021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 3,926 | 4,034 | 32,508 | 34,127 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (158,429 | ) | (165,165 | ) | (1,448,034 | ) | (1,162,309 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (84,033 | ) | (49,783 | ) | $ | (727,928 | ) | $ | (325,161 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class I | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 286,467 | 275,947 | $ | 2,889,024 | $ | 1,888,924 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 97,928 | 59,111 | 808,887 | 500,083 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (738,310 | ) | (200,636 | ) | (6,968,310 | ) | (1,540,739 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | (353,915 | ) | 134,422 | $ | (3,270,399 | ) | $ | 848,268 | ||||||||||||||||
|
74 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 13,434,001 | 7,351,843 | $ | 126,050,237 | $ | 57,260,027 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 1,712,373 | 1,079,630 | 14,041,460 | 9,079,689 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (13,764,673 | ) | (17,336,540 | ) | (126,361,702 | ) | (130,350,693 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 1,381,701 | (8,905,067 | ) | $ | 13,729,995 | $ | (64,010,977 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Z | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 249,298 | 669,090 | $ | 2,315,447 | $ | 4,754,066 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 1,926,761 | 1,223,696 | 15,915,046 | 10,352,467 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (844,383 | ) | (3,826,335 | ) | (7,443,092 | ) | (28,371,763 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 1,331,676 | (1,933,549 | ) | $ | 10,787,401 | $ | (13,265,230 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
There were no transactions in capital shares for Class 2 for the year ended October 31, 2021 and the year ended October 31, 2020.
At October 31, 2021, certain AB mutual funds owned approximately 40% of the Fund’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholder, if any, may impact the Fund’s performance.
NOTE G
Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund
Market Risk—The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the stock, commodity and bond markets fluctuate. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security. Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 75 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Interest-Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Commodity Risk—Investing in commodities and commodity-linked derivative instruments, either directly or through the Subsidiary, may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.
Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk—When the Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Illiquid Investments Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes and large positions. Foreign fixed-income securities may have more illiquid investments risk because secondary trading markets for these securities may be smaller and less well developed
76 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
and the securities may trade less frequently. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally go down.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.
Subsidiary Risk—By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The derivatives and other investments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and, unless otherwise noted in the Fund’s Prospectus, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are managed by the Adviser, making it unlikely the Subsidiary will take actions contrary to the interests of the Fund or its shareholders.
Real Estate Risk—The Fund’s investments in the real estate securities have many of the same risks as direct ownership of real estate, including the risk that the value of real estate could decline due to a variety of factors that affect the real estate market generally. Investments in REITs, may have additional risks. REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in taxes.
Non-Diversification Risk—The Fund may have more risk because it is “non-diversified”, meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers. Accordingly, changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV.
Active Trading Risk—The Fund expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate may greatly exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Fund’s return. In addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in substantial short-term gains, which may have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 77 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
LIBOR Transition and Associated Risk — A Fund may be exposed to debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various interest rate calculations. In 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The FCA and LIBOR’s administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration, have since announced that most LIBOR settings (which reflect LIBOR rates quoted in different currencies over various time periods) will no longer be published after the end of 2021 but that the most widely used U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published until June 30, 2023. However, banks were strongly encouraged to cease entering into agreements with counterparties referencing LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is possible that a subset of LIBOR settings will be published after these dates on a “synthetic” basis, but any such publications would be considered non-representative of the underlying market. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (referred to as SOFR), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates.
The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related investments or investments in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of hedging strategies, potentially adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. The potential effects of a phase out of LIBOR on LIBOR-based investments are currently unknown.
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
78 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
Management Risk—The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively-managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
NOTE H
Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing related to redemptions and other short term liquidity requirements, subject to certain restrictions. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. The Fund did not utilize the Facility during the year ended October 31, 2021.
NOTE I
Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020 were as follows:
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 34,109,559 | $ | 22,804,583 | ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total distributions paid | $ | 34,109,559 | $ | 22,804,583 | ||||
|
|
|
|
As of October 31, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income | $ | 117,458,659 | ||
Accumulated capital and other losses | (61,812,103 | )(a) | ||
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | (151,358,647 | )(b) | ||
|
| |||
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | $ | (95,712,091 | )(c) | |
|
|
(a) | As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $61,812,103. During the fiscal year, the Fund utilized $68,312,672 of capital loss carry forwards to offset current year net realized gains. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), the tax treatment of earnings from the Subsidiary, the tax treatment of swaps, and the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
(c) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) is attributable primarily to the accrual of foreign capital gains tax. |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 79 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had a net short-term capital loss carryforward of $61,812,103, which may be carried forward for an indefinite period.
During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to book/tax differences associated with the treatment of earnings from the Subsidiary resulted in a net decrease in distributable earnings and a net increase in additional paid-in capital. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets.
NOTE J
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU 2020-04.
NOTE K
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements through the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements through this date.
80 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.65 | $ 8.66 | $ 8.53 | $ 8.90 | $ 8.24 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .27 | .09 | .12 | .14 | .09 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 3.14 | (.96 | ) | .13 | (.23 | ) | .76 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | 3.41 | (.87 | ) | .25 | (.09 | ) | .85 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.25 | ) | (.14 | ) | (.12 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.19 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.81 | $ 7.65 | $ 8.66 | $ 8.53 | $ 8.90 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d)* | 45.48 | %(g) | (10.11 | )% | 2.97 | % | (1.11 | )% | 10.45 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $5,306 | $6,926 | $10,634 | $11,478 | $11,819 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 1.29 | % | 1.29 | % | 1.30 | % | 1.26 | % | 1.27 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 1.39 | % | 1.40 | % | 1.32 | % | 1.27 | % | 1.28 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 2.86 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.42 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.05 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 65 | % | 88 | % | 100 | % | 141 | % | 123 | % | ||||||||||
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||||||||||
portfolios | .03 | % | .04 | % | .02 | % | .03 | % | .04 | % |
See footnote summary on page 90.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 81 |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.66 | $ 8.63 | $ 8.49 | $ 8.83 | $ 8.17 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss)(a)(b) | (.49 | ) | .03 | .06 | .07 | .02 | ||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 3.86 | (.95 | ) | .11 | (.23 | ) | .76 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | 3.37 | (.92 | ) | .17 | (.16 | ) | .78 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.17 | ) | (.05 | ) | (.03 | ) | (.18 | ) | (.12 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.86 | $ 7.66 | $ 8.63 | $ 8.49 | $ 8.83 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d)* | 44.41 | % | (10.74 | )%(g) | 2.05 | %(g) | (1.82 | )% | 9.73 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $199 | $508 | $754 | $1,225 | $1,801 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 2.04 | % | 2.04 | % | 2.05 | % | 2.01 | % | 2.02 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 2.19 | % | 2.15 | % | 2.07 | % | 2.02 | % | 2.03 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income (loss)(b) | (5.20 | )% | .34 | % | .66 | % | .78 | % | .27 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 65 | % | 88 | % | 100 | % | 141 | % | 123 | % | ||||||||||
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||||||||||
portfolios | .03 | % | .04 | % | .02 | % | .03 | % | .04 | % |
See footnote summary on page 90.
82 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.63 | $ 8.63 | $ 8.51 | $ 8.89 | $ 8.22 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .16 | .11 | .14 | .16 | .11 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 3.27 | (.95 | ) | .12 | (.24 | ) | .77 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | 3.43 | (.84 | ) | .26 | (.08 | ) | .88 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.27 | ) | (.16 | ) | (.14 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.21 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.79 | $ 7.63 | $ 8.63 | $ 8.51 | $ 8.89 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d)* | 45.82 | %(g) | (9.79 | )% | 3.15 | % | (.96 | )% | 10.87 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $18,096 | $11,761 | $18,611 | $26,030 | $27,670 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 1.04 | % | 1.04 | % | 1.05 | % | 1.01 | % | 1.02 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 1.17 | % | 1.14 | % | 1.07 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.02 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.60 | % | 1.33 | % | 1.66 | % | 1.77 | % | 1.31 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 65 | % | 88 | % | 100 | % | 141 | % | 123 | % | ||||||||||
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||||||||||
portfolios | .03 | % | .04 | % | .02 | % | .03 | % | .04 | % |
See footnote summary on page 90.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 83 |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class R | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.53 | $ 8.53 | $ 8.40 | $ 8.79 | $ 8.14 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss)(a)(b) | (.02 | ) | .07 | .10 | .11 | .07 | ||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 3.41 | (.95 | ) | .11 | (.23 | ) | .76 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | 3.39 | (.88 | ) | .21 | (.12 | ) | .83 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.09 | ) | (.12 | ) | (.08 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.18 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.83 | $ 7.53 | $ 8.53 | $ 8.40 | $ 8.79 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d)* | 45.23 | %(g) | (10.32 | )% | 2.62 | % | (1.47 | )% | 10.29 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $67 | $54 | $271 | $271 | $239 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 1.54 | % | 1.54 | % | 1.55 | % | 1.55 | % | 1.54 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 1.57 | % | 1.60 | % | 1.57 | % | 1.58 | % | 1.60 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income (loss)(b) | (.19 | )% | .92 | % | 1.16 | % | 1.24 | % | .81 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 65 | % | 88 | % | 100 | % | 141 | % | 123 | % | ||||||||||
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||||||||||
portfolios | .03 | % | .04 | % | .02 | % | .03 | % | .04 | % |
See footnote summary on page 90.
84 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class K | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.55 | $ 8.55 | $ 8.42 | $ 8.80 | $ 8.15 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss)(a)(b) | (.02 | ) | .08 | .12 | .13 | .09 | ||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 3.39 | (.94 | ) | .13 | (.23 | ) | .75 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | 3.37 | (.86 | ) | .25 | (.10 | ) | .84 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.24 | ) | (.14 | ) | (.12 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.19 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.68 | $ 7.55 | $ 8.55 | $ 8.42 | $ 8.80 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d)* | 45.60 | %(g) | (10.10 | )% | 3.03 | % | (1.20 | )% | 10.48 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $1,157 | $1,453 | $2,069 | $2,604 | $2,265 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 1.26 | % | 1.28 | % | 1.27 | % | 1.26 | % | 1.28 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 1.28 | % | 1.29 | % | 1.28 | % | 1.27 | % | 1.29 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income (loss)(b) | (.18 | )% | 1.08 | % | 1.44 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.05 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 65 | % | 88 | % | 100 | % | 141 | % | 123 | % | ||||||||||
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||||||||||
portfolios | .03 | % | .04 | % | .02 | % | .03 | % | .04 | % |
See footnote summary on page 90.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 85 |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class I | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.58 | $ 8.58 | $ 8.46 | $ 8.83 | $ 8.17 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .09 | .12 | .15 | .17 | .12 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 3.32 | (.94 | ) | .13 | (.22 | ) | .77 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | 3.41 | (.82 | ) | .28 | (.05 | ) | .89 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.29 | ) | (.18 | ) | (.16 | ) | (.32 | ) | (.23 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.70 | $ 7.58 | $ 8.58 | $ 8.46 | $ 8.83 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d)* | 46.03 | %(g) | (9.76 | )% | 3.39 | % | (.69 | )% | 10.98 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $27,013 | $21,817 | $23,541 | $12,213 | $16,753 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | .84 | % | .86 | % | .85 | % | .83 | % | .85 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | .85 | % | .87 | % | .86 | % | .84 | % | .86 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | .88 | % | 1.49 | % | 1.79 | % | 1.96 | % | 1.48 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 65 | % | 88 | % | 100 | % | 141 | % | 123 | % | ||||||||||
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||||||||||
portfolios | .03 | % | .04 | % | .02 | % | .03 | % | .04 | % |
See footnote summary on page 90.
86 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.52 | $ 8.51 | $ 8.39 | $ 8.76 | $ 8.11 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .13 | .10 | .13 | .15 | .10 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 3.23 | (.93 | ) | .12 | (.22 | ) | .76 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | 3.36 | (.83 | ) | .25 | (.07 | ) | .86 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.27 | ) | (.16 | ) | (.13 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.21 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.61 | $ 7.52 | $ 8.51 | $ 8.39 | $ 8.76 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d)* | 45.63 | % | (9.94 | )% | 3.14 | % | (.92 | )% | 10.69 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $678,946 | $470,635 | $608,485 | $641,891 | $649,421 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 1.08 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.09 | % | 1.08 | % | 1.09 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | 1.10 | % | 1.11 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.08 | % | 1.10 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.33 | % | 1.26 | % | 1.62 | % | 1.71 | % | 1.24 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 65 | % | 88 | % | 100 | % | 141 | % | 123 | % | ||||||||||
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||||||||||
portfolios | .03 | % | .04 | % | .02 | % | .03 | % | .04 | % |
See footnote summary on page 90.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 87 |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.70 | $ 8.71 | $ 8.58 | $ 8.96 | $ 8.29 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .14 | .12 | .16 | .18 | .13 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 3.33 | (.95 | ) | .13 | (.24 | ) | .77 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | 3.47 | (.83 | ) | .29 | (.06 | ) | .90 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.29 | ) | (.18 | ) | (.16 | ) | (.32 | ) | (.23 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.88 | $ 7.70 | $ 8.71 | $ 8.58 | $ 8.96 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d)* | 46.10 | % | (9.70 | )% | 3.46 | % | (.77 | )% | 10.96 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $11 | $8 | $9 | $9 | $9 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | .83 | % | .82 | % | .81 | % | .82 | % | .82 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | .84 | % | .84 | % | .81 | % | .82 | % | .83 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.45 | % | 1.53 | % | 1.90 | % | 1.95 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 65 | % | 88 | % | 100 | % | 141 | % | 123 | % | ||||||||||
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||||||||||
portfolios | .03 | % | .04 | % | .02 | % | .03 | % | .04 | % |
See footnote summary on page 90.
88 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class Z | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.58 | $ 8.58 | $ 8.46 | $ 8.83 | $ 8.17 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .14 | .12 | .16 | .17 | .13 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 3.27 | (.94 | ) | .12 | (.22 | ) | .76 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | 3.41 | (.82 | ) | .28 | (.05 | ) | .89 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.29 | ) | (.18 | ) | (.16 | ) | (.32 | ) | (.23 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.70 | $ 7.58 | $ 8.58 | $ 8.46 | $ 8.83 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d)* | 46.17 | % | (9.75 | )% | 3.37 | % | (.68 | )% | 10.98 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $601,545 | $415,967 | $487,326 | $1,013,733 | $692,895 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | .84 | % | .85 | % | .84 | % | .83 | % | .82 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f)‡ | .85 | % | .86 | % | .85 | % | .84 | % | .83 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.44 | % | 1.51 | % | 1.89 | % | 1.86 | % | 1.60 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 65 | % | 88 | % | 100 | % | 141 | % | 123 | % | ||||||||||
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||||||||||
portfolios | .03 | % | .04 | % | .02 | % | .03 | % | .04 | % |
See footnote summary on page 90.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 89 |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(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) | In connection with the Fund’s investments in affiliated underlying portfolios, the Fund incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses, and for the years ended October 31, 2021, October 31, 2020, October 31, 2019, October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017, such waiver amounted to .01%, ..01%, .01%, .01% and .01%, respectively. |
(f) | The expense ratios presented below exclude interest/bank overdraft expense: |
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.29% | 1.29 | % | 1.29% | 1.26% | 1.27% | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.39% | 1.40 | % | 1.32% | 1.27% | 1.28% | ||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 2.04% | 2.04 | % | 2.04% | 2.01% | 2.02% | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 2.19% | 2.15 | % | 2.07% | 2.02% | 2.03% | ||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.04% | 1.04 | % | 1.04% | 1.01% | 1.02% | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.17% | 1.14 | % | 1.06% | 1.02% | 1.02% | ||||||
Class R | ||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.54% | 1.54 | % | 1.54% | 1.55% | 1.54% | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.57% | 1.60 | % | 1.57% | 1.58% | 1.60% | ||||||
Class K | ||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.26% | 1.28 | % | 1.27% | 1.26% | 1.28% | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.28% | 1.29 | % | 1.28% | 1.27% | 1.29% | ||||||
Class I | ||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .84% | .86 | % | .84% | .83% | .85% | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .85% | .87 | % | .85% | .84% | .86% | ||||||
Class 1 | ||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.08% | 1.10 | % | 1.09% | 1.08% | 1.09% | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.10% | 1.11 | % | 1.09% | 1.08% | 1.10% | ||||||
Class 2 | ||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .83% | .82 | % | .81% | .82% | .82% | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .84% | .84 | % | .81% | .82% | .83% | ||||||
Class Z | ||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .84% | .85 | % | .83% | .83% | .82% | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .85% | .86 | % | .84% | .84% | .83% |
(g) | The net asset value and total return include adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for financial reporting purposes. As such, the net asset value and total return for shareholder transactions may differ from financial statements. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Fund resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Fund’s performance for the years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 by .02% and .07%, respectively. |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
90 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
AB All Market Real Return Portfolio
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of AB All Market Real Return Portfolio (the “Fund”) (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)), including the consolidated portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2021, and the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Fund (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc.) at October 31, 2021, the consolidated results of its operations for the year then ended, the consolidated changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud,
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 91 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)
and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more of the AB investment companies since 1968.
New York, New York
December 23, 2021
92 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
2021 FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
(unaudited)
For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during the taxable year ended October 31, 2021. For individual shareholders, the Fund designates 37.01% of dividends paid as qualified dividend income. For corporate shareholders, 7.21% of dividends paid qualify for the dividends received deduction.
Shareholders should not use the above information to prepare their income tax returns. The information necessary to complete your income tax returns will be included with your Form 1099-DIV which will be sent to you separately in January 2022.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 93 |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1), Chairman Jorge A. Bermudez(1) Michael J. Downey(1) Onur Erzan, President and Chief Executive Officer | Nancy P. Jacklin(1) Jeanette W. Loeb(1) Carol C. McMullen(1) Garry L. Moody(1) Earl D. Weiner(1)* |
OFFICERS
Vinod Chathlani(2), Vice President Daniel J. Loewy(2), Vice President Leon Zhu(2), Vice President Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary Michael B. Reyes, Senior Analyst | Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Phyllis J. Clarke, Controller Vincent S. Noto, Chief Compliance Officer |
Custodian and Accounting Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company State Street Corporation CCB/5 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02210
Principal Underwriter AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. 501 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203
Transfer Agent AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278 Toll-Free (800) 221-5672 | Independent Registered Public Ernst & Young LLP One Manhattan West New York, NY 10001
Legal Counsel Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 |
1 | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, and the Independent Directors Committee. |
2 | The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s All Market Real Return Portfolio Team. Messrs. Chathlani, Loewy and Zhu are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. |
* | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
94 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Directors Information
The business and affairs of the Portfolio are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Portfolio’s Directors is set forth below.
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY | |||||
INTERESTED DIRECTOR | ||||||||
Onur Erzan,# 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105 45 (2021) | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and Head of the Global Client Group overseeing AB’s institutional and retail businesses, where he is responsible for all client services, sales and marketing, as well as product strategy, management and development worldwide. Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AB Mutual Funds as of April 1, 2021. Prior to joining the firm in January 2021, he spent 20 years with McKinsey (management consulting firm), most recently as a senior partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice. In addition, he co-led McKinsey’s Banking & Securities Solutions (a portfolio of data, analytics, and digital assets and capabilities) globally. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 95 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS | ||||||||
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,## 80 (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Former Chairman and CEO of Dupont Photomasks, Inc. (components of semi-conductor manufacturing). He was a Director of Xilinx, Inc. (programmable logic semi-conductors and adaptable, intelligent computing) from 2007 through August 2020, and is a former director of 33 other companies and organizations. He has extensive operating leadership and venture capital investing experience, including five interim or full-time CEO roles, and prior service as general partner of institutional venture capital partnerships. He also has extensive non-profit board leadership experience, and currently serves on the boards of two education and science-related non-profit organizations. He has served as a director of one AB Fund since 1992, and director or trustee of all AB Funds since 2005. He has been Chairman of the AB Funds since January 2014, and the Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of such AB Funds since February 2014. | 74 | None |
96 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Jorge A. Bermudez,## 70 (2020) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, from November 2007 to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s Commercial Business Group in North America and Citibank Texas from 2005 to 2007, and a variety of other executive and leadership roles at various businesses within Citigroup prior to then; Chairman (2018) of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees (Trustee since 2013) and Chairman of the Smart Grid Center Board at Texas A&M University since 2012; director of, among others, Citibank N.A. from 2005 to 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch from 2009 to 2011, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2011 to 2017, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas from 2010 to 2016. He has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since January 2020. | 74 | Moody’s Corporation since April 2011 | |||||
Michael J. Downey,## 77 (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chairman of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (registered investment company) since prior to 2016 until January 2019. From 1987 until 1993, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management, director of the Prudential mutual funds, and member of the Executive Committee of Prudential Securities, Inc. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2005. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 97 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Nancy P. Jacklin,## 73 (2006) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Professorial Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (2008-2015). U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (which is responsible for ensuring the stability of the international monetary system), (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2006 and has been Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds since August 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
Jeanette W. Loeb,## 69 (2020) | Chief Executive Officer of PetCareRx (e-commerce pet pharmacy) from 2002 to 2011 and 2015 to present. Director of New York City Center since 2005. She was a director of AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund, Inc. (fund of hedge funds) from 2012 to 2018. Formerly, affiliated with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (financial services) from 1977 to 1994, including as a partner thereof from 1986 to 1994. She has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since April 2020. | 74 | Apollo Investment Corp. (business development company) since August 2011 |
98 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Carol C. McMullen,## 66 (2016) | Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) since 2014, private investor and a member of the Advisory Board of Butcher Box (since 2018). Formerly, member, Partners Healthcare Investment Committee (2010-2019); Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011 until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016; and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 until 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Chief Investment Officer, Core and Growth and Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards, and as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since June 2016. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 99 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Garry L. Moody,## 69 (2008) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995), where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975-1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax department. He is a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of BoardIQ, a biweekly publication focused on issues and news affecting directors of mutual funds. He is also a member of the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and the Independent Directors Council’s Governing Council. He has served as a director or trustee, and as Chairman of the Audit Committees, of the AB Funds since 2008. | 74 | None | |||||
100 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Earl D. Weiner,## ^ 82 (2007) | Senior Counsel since 2017, Of Counsel from 2007 to 2016, and Partner prior to then, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. He is a former member of the ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force to draft editions of the Fund Director’s Guidebook. He also serves as a director or trustee of various non-profit organizations and has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of a number of them. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2007 and served as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds from 2007 until August 2014. | 72 | None |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention: Legal and Compliance Department—Mutual Fund Legal, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors. |
*** | The information above includes each Director’s principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes and skills relevant to each Director’s qualifications to serve as a Director, which led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director for the Fund. |
# | Mr. Erzan is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the “40 Act”, due to his position as a Senior Vice President of the Adviser. |
## | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, and the Independent Directors Committee. |
^ | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 101 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
Officer Information
Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE | PRINCIPAL POSITION(S) HELD WITH FUND | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST 5 YEARS | ||
Onur Erzan 45 | President and Chief Executive Officer | See biography above. | ||
Vinod Chathlani 39 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Daniel J. Loewy 47 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also Chief Investment Officer and Head of Multi-Asset Solutions and Chief Investment Officer of Dynamic Asset Allocation. | ||
Leon Zhu 54 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Emilie D. Wrapp 66 | Secretary | Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Michael B. Reyes 45 | Senior Analyst | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Joseph J. Mantineo 62 | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc, (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Phyllis J. Clarke 60 | Controller | Vice President of ABIS**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Vincent S. Noto 57 | Chief Compliance Officer | Senior Vice President and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser** since prior to 2016. |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Strategy. |
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AB at (800) 227-4618, or visit www.abfunds.com, for a free prospectus or SAI.
102 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
Operation and Effectiveness of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program:
In October 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the open-end fund liquidity rule (the “Liquidity Rule”). In June 2018 the SEC adopted a requirement that funds disclose information about the operation and effectiveness of their Liquidity Risk Management Program (“LRMP”) in their reports to shareholders.
One of the requirements of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund to designate an Administrator of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The Administrator of the Fund’s LRMP is AllianceBernstein L.P., the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser has delegated the responsibility to its Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).
Another requirement of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Fund Board”) to receive an annual written report from the Administrator of the LRMP, which addresses the operation of the Fund’s LRMP and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness. The Adviser provided the Fund Board with such annual report during the first quarter of 2021, which covered the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the “Program Reporting Period”).
The LRMP’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner.
Pursuant to the LRMP, the Fund classifies the liquidity of its portfolio investments into one of the four categories defined by the SEC: Highly Liquid, Moderately Liquid, Less Liquid, and Illiquid. These classifications are reported to the SEC on Form N-PORT.
During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end structure, incorporating any holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. If the Fund participated in derivative transactions, the exposure from such transactions were considered in the LRMP.
The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether the Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”). The Committee also incorporated the following information when determining the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size for purposes of liquidity monitoring: historical net redemption activity, a Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, investment performance, total net assets, and distribution channels.
The Adviser informed the Fund Board that the Committee believes the Fund’s LRMP is adequately designed, has been implemented as intended,
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 103 |
and has operated effectively since its inception. No material exceptions have been noted since the implementation of the LRMP. During the Program Reporting Period, beginning in March 2020, all financial markets experienced extreme levels of price volatility and relative illiquidity resulting from the COVID-19 impacts on the global economy. This extreme relative illiquidity resulted in significantly wider bid-ask spreads to transact in securities, including many of those securities held by the Fund, and in a diminished depth of liquidity in most markets, to varying degrees. Nonetheless, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions during the Program Reporting Period.
104 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB All Market Real Return Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held by video conference on August 3-4, 2021 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests a portion of its assets.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 105 |
research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2019 and 2020 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the money market fund advised
106 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for their clients); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of certain classes of the Fund’s shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods ended May 31, 2021 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Fund’s underperformance in the periods reviewed, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees payable by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual advisory fee rate with a peer group median and took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand,
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 107 |
and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The directors noted that the Fund invests in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued, and rules adopted, by the SEC. The directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts, and that the Adviser had provided, and they had reviewed, information about the expense ratios of the relevant ETFs. The directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Fund is for services that are in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in
108 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. The directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was above the medians. After reviewing and discussing the Adviser’s explanations of the reasons for this, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund does not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. The directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the Fund’s asset level (which was well below the level at which they would anticipate adding an initial breakpoint) and its profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warranted doing so.
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 109 |
This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.
AB FAMILY OF FUNDS
US EQUITY
CORE
Core Opportunities Fund
Select US Equity Portfolio
Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio1
GROWTH
Concentrated Growth Fund
Discovery Growth Fund
Growth Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
VALUE
Discovery Value Fund
Equity Income Fund
Relative Value Fund
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value Fund
INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY
CORE
Global Core Equity Portfolio
International Strategic Core Portfolio
Sustainable Global Thematic Fund
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
GROWTH
Concentrated International Growth Portfolio
Sustainable International Thematic Fund
VALUE
All China Equity Portfolio
International Value Fund
FIXED INCOME
MUNICIPAL
High Income Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio
Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
National Portfolio
Arizona Portfolio
California Portfolio
Massachusetts Portfolio
Minnesota Portfolio
New Jersey Portfolio
New York Portfolio
Ohio Portfolio
Pennsylvania Portfolio
Virginia Portfolio
TAXABLE
Bond Inflation Strategy
Global Bond Fund
High Income Fund
High Yield Portfolio1
Income Fund
Intermediate Duration Portfolio
Limited Duration High Income Portfolio
Short Duration Income Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Total Return Bond Portfolio
ALTERNATIVES
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Select US Long/Short Portfolio
MULTI-ASSET
All Market Income Portfolio
All Market Total Return Portfolio
Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio
Global Risk Allocation Fund
Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio1
Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio
CLOSED-END FUNDS
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund
We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB mutual funds. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
1 | Prior to December 1, 2021, Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio was named Conservative Wealth Strategy. Prior to August 23, 2021, Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio was named FlexFee™ US Thematic Portfolio. Prior to April 30, 2021, High Yield Portfolio was named FlexFee™ High Yield Portfolio. |
110 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES
abfunds.com | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | 111 |
NOTES
112 | AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
AB ALL MARKET REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800 221 5672
AMRR-0151-1021
OCT 10.31.21
ANNUAL REPORT
AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically requested paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper form free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call the Fund at (800) 221 5672. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly, to all AB Mutual Funds you hold.
Investment Products Offered | • Are Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
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 AB’s website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB 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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT 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. AB publishes full portfolio holdings for the Fund monthly at www.abfunds.com.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
FROM THE PRESIDENT |
Dear Shareholder,
We’re pleased to provide this report for the AB Bond Inflation Strategy (the “Fund”). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Fund’s investment strategy.
At AB, we’re striving to help our clients achieve better outcomes by:
+ | Fostering diverse perspectives that give us a distinctive approach to navigating global capital markets |
+ | Applying differentiated investment insights through a connected global research network |
+ | Embracing innovation to design better ways to invest and leading-edge mutual-fund solutions |
Whether you’re an individual investor or a multibillion-dollar institution, we’re putting our knowledge and experience to work for you every day.
For more information about AB’s comprehensive range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.
Thank you for your investment in AB mutual funds—and for placing your trust in our firm.
Sincerely,
Onur Erzan
President and Chief Executive Officer, AB Mutual Funds
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 1 |
ANNUAL REPORT
December 8, 2021
This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for the AB Bond Inflation Strategy for the annual reporting period ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize real return without assuming what the Adviser considers to be undue risk.
NAV RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
6 Months | 12 Months | |||||||
AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | ||||||||
Class 1 Shares1 | 3.31% | 7.77% | ||||||
Class 2 Shares1 | 3.46% | 7.98% | ||||||
Class A Shares | 3.20% | 7.63% | ||||||
Class C Shares | 2.89% | 6.87% | ||||||
Advisor Class Shares2 | 3.43% | 7.98% | ||||||
Class R Shares2 | 3.20% | 7.44% | ||||||
Class K Shares2 | 3.31% | 7.64% | ||||||
Class I Shares2 | 3.37% | 7.88% | ||||||
Class Z Shares2 | 3.44% | 7.94% | ||||||
Bloomberg 1-10 Year TIPS Index | 3.55% | 7.05% |
1 | Class 1 shares are only available to Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts. Class 2 shares are only available to large Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts and the Adviser’s institutional clients or through other limited arrangements. |
2 | 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 Fund. |
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The table above shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg 1-10 Year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”) Index, for the six- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2021.
During the 12-month period, all share classes except Class C outperformed the benchmark, before sales charges. Off-benchmark sector allocation was the main contributor to outperformance, relative to the benchmark, mostly from allocations to investment-grade corporate bonds, Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) swaps, credit risk-transfer securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and emerging-market corporate bonds, while interest rate swaps and investment-grade credit default
2 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
swaps detracted. Currency decisions detracted, primarily from losses due to exposures to the Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and New Zealand dollar that were greater than gains in the euro and Russian ruble.
During the six-month period, all share classes underperformed the benchmark, before sales charges. The Fund’s holdings of agency mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and credit protection via credit default swaps were the primary detractors. Off-benchmark sector allocation contributed, with gains from CPI swaps, investment-grade corporate bonds and emerging-market corporate bonds. Currency decisions also contributed, due to beneficial exposures to the Russian ruble, Australian dollar and Swedish krona that exceeded a loss in the Canadian dollar.
During both periods, the Fund utilized currency forwards to hedge currency risk and actively manage currency positions. Treasury futures and interest rate swaps were utilized to manage duration, country exposure and yield-curve positioning. CPI swaps were used to hedge inflation and for investment purposes, which added to absolute returns for both periods. Credit default swaps were utilized in the corporate and commercial mortgage-backed securities sectors for hedging and investment purposes. Total return swaps were used in the corporate sector for hedging and investment purposes. Written swaptions were used for hedging and investment purposes, which had an immaterial impact on returns for both periods. During the 12-month period, written options were used in the corporate sector for hedging and investment purposes.
MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Fixed-income market returns were mixed for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2021. Longer-term treasury returns fell in most major developed markets on rising yields—particularly in Australia, Canada, and the UK. Global inflation-linked bonds outperformed US Treasuries. Relatively low interest rates set the stage for the continued outperformance of risk assets, led by the performance of high-yield corporate bonds—particularly in the US, eurozone, and emerging markets. Emerging-market hard-currency sovereign bonds also had strong performance, mostly from the high-yield component. Emerging- and developed-market investment-grade corporate bonds also posted positive performance, with the US outperforming the eurozone. Securitized assets outperformed, especially commercial mortgage-backed securities. Local-currency sovereign bonds trailed, as the US dollar was mixed against emerging-market currencies and fell versus most developed-market currencies except the yen and South Korean won. Commodity prices were strong, with Brent crude oil and copper climbing from pandemic-related lows.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 3 |
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund seeks real return. Real return is the rate of return after adjusting for inflation. The Fund pursues its objective by investing principally in inflation-indexed securities (such as TIPS or inflation-indexed securities from issuers other than the US Treasury) or by gaining inflation protection through derivatives transactions, such as inflation (CPI) swaps or total return swaps linked to TIPS. In deciding whether to purchase inflation-indexed securities or use inflation-linked derivatives transactions, the Adviser considers the relative costs and efficiency of each method. In addition, in seeking to maximize real return, the Fund may also invest in other fixed-income investments, such as US and non-US government securities, corporate fixed-income securities and mortgage-related securities, as well as derivatives linked to such securities.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in fixed-income securities. While the Fund expects to invest principally in investment-grade securities, it may invest up to 15% of its total assets in fixed-income securities rated BB or B or the equivalent by at least one national rating agency (or deemed by the Adviser to be of comparable credit quality), which are not investment-grade (“junk bonds”).
Inflation-indexed securities are fixed-income securities structured to provide protection against inflation. Their principal value and/or the interest paid on them are adjusted to reflect official inflation measures. The inflation measure for TIPS is the CPI for Urban Consumers. The Fund may also invest in other inflation-indexed securities, issued by both US and non-US issuers, and in derivative instruments linked to these securities.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as options, futures contracts, forwards or swaps. The Fund intends to use leverage for investment purposes. To do this, the Fund expects to enter into (i) reverse repurchase agreement transactions and use the cash made available from these transactions to make additional investments in fixed-income securities in accordance with the Fund’s investment policies and (ii) total return swaps. In determining when and to what extent to employ leverage or enter into derivatives transactions, the Adviser considers factors such as the relative risks and returns expected of potential investments and the costs of such transactions. The Adviser considers the impact of reverse repurchase agreements, swaps and other derivatives in making its assessments of the Fund’s risks. The resulting exposures to markets, sectors, issuers or specific securities will be continuously monitored by the Adviser.
(continued on next page)
4 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
The Adviser selects securities for purchase or sale based on its assessment of the securities’ risk and return characteristics as well as the securities’ impact on the overall risk and return characteristics of the Fund. In making this assessment, the Adviser takes into account various factors, including the credit quality and sensitivity to interest rates of the securities under consideration and of the Fund’s other holdings.
The Fund may also invest in loan participations and assignments; structured securities; mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities; variable-, floating- and inverse-floating-rate instruments; and preferred stock, and may use other investment techniques. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities of any maturity and duration. If the rating of a fixed-income security falls below investment-grade, the Fund will not be obligated to sell the security and may continue to hold it if, in the Adviser’s opinion, the investment is appropriate under the circumstances.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 5 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS
Benchmark Disclosure
The Bloomberg 1-10 Year TIPS Index is unmanaged and does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Bloomberg 1-10 Year TIPS Index represents the performance of inflation-protected securities issued by the US Treasury. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Fund.
A Word About Risk
Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond market fluctuates. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security. Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations.
Interest-Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Duration Risk: Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk: This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater
6 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
for fixed-income securities with longer maturities. Although the Fund invests principally in inflation-indexed securities, the value of its securities may be vulnerable to changes in expectations of inflation or interest rates.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as
forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Foreign (Non-US) Risk: Investments in securities of non-US issuers may involve more risk than those of US issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Currency Risk: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.
Mortgage-Related and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk: Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.
Leverage Risk: To the extent the Fund uses leveraging techniques, its net asset value (“NAV”) may be more volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of changes in interest rates and any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments.
Illiquid Investments Risk: Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 7 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest-rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally go down.
Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
An Important Note About Historical Performance
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown in this report 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.abfunds.com. For Class 1 shares, go to www.bernstein.com and click on “Investments”, found in the footer, then “Mutual Fund Information—Mutual Fund Performance at a Glance.”
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 and a 1% 1-year contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares. Class 1 and Class 2 shares do not carry sales charges. 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.
8 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE FUND (unaudited)
10/31/2011 TO 10/31/2021
This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AB Bond Inflation Strategy Class A shares (from 10/31/2011 to 10/31/2021) as compared to the performance of the Fund’s benchmark. The chart reflects the deduction of the maximum 4.25% sales charge from the initial $10,000 investment in the Fund and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 9 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
NAV Returns | SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | SEC Yields1 | ||||||||||
CLASS 1 SHARES2 | -0.26% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 7.77% | 7.77% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 4.52% | 4.52% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 3.08% | 3.08% | ||||||||||
CLASS 2 SHARES2 | -0.16% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 7.98% | 7.98% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 4.65% | 4.65% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 3.19% | 3.19% | ||||||||||
CLASS A SHARES | -0.54% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 7.63% | 3.08% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 4.37% | 3.48% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 2.91% | 2.46% | ||||||||||
CLASS C SHARES | -1.29% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 6.87% | 5.87% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 3.61% | 3.61% | ||||||||||
10 Years3 | 2.15% | 2.15% | ||||||||||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES4 | -0.32% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 7.98% | 7.98% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 4.65% | 4.65% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 3.18% | 3.18% | ||||||||||
CLASS R SHARES4 | -0.90% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 7.44% | 7.44% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 4.15% | 4.15% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 2.68% | 2.68% | ||||||||||
CLASS K SHARES4 | -0.60% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 7.64% | 7.64% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 4.38% | 4.38% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 2.93% | 2.93% | ||||||||||
CLASS I SHARES4 | -0.27% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 7.88% | 7.88% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 4.63% | 4.63% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 3.18% | 3.18% | ||||||||||
CLASS Z SHARES4 | -0.17% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 7.94% | 7.94% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 4.64% | 4.64% | ||||||||||
Since Inception5 | 4.22% | 4.22% |
(footnotes continued on next page)
10 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
The Fund’s prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.88%, 0.78%, 1.18%, 1.91%, 0.93%, 1.58%, 1.21%, 0.88% and 0.81% for Class 1, Class 2, Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I and Class Z shares, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Fund’s annual operating expenses (exclusive of extraordinary expenses, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest) to 0.60%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.50%, 0.50%, 1.00%, 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.50% for Class 1, Class 2, Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I and Class Z shares, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements may not be terminated before January 31, 2022, and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower. 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.
1 | SEC yields are calculated based on SEC guidelines for the 30-day period ended October 31, 2021. |
2 | Class 1 shares are only available to Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts. Class 2 shares are only available to large Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts and the Adviser’s institutional clients or through other limited arrangements. These share classes do not carry front-end sales charges; therefore, their respective NAV and SEC returns are the same. |
3 | Assumes conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares after eight years. |
4 | These share classes are offered at NAV to eligible investors and their SEC returns are the same as their 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 Fund. |
5 | Inception date: 12/11/2014. |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 11 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 (unaudited)
SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | ||||
CLASS 1 SHARES1 | ||||
1 Year | 7.42% | |||
5 Years | 4.44% | |||
10 Years | 3.18% | |||
CLASS 2 SHARES1 | ||||
1 Year | 7.53% | |||
5 Years | 4.53% | |||
10 Years | 3.28% | |||
CLASS A SHARES | ||||
1 Year | 2.69% | |||
5 Years | 3.38% | |||
10 Years | 2.57% | |||
CLASS C SHARES | ||||
1 Year | 5.51% | |||
5 Years | 3.50% | |||
10 Years2 | 2.27% | |||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 7.54% | |||
5 Years | 4.53% | |||
10 Years | 3.28% | |||
CLASS R SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 7.00% | |||
5 Years | 4.03% | |||
10 Years | 2.80% | |||
CLASS K SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 7.30% | |||
5 Years | 4.28% | |||
10 Years | 3.03% | |||
CLASS I SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 7.62% | |||
5 Years | 4.55% | |||
10 Years | 3.30% | |||
CLASS Z SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 7.58% | |||
5 Years | 4.54% | |||
Since Inception4 | 4.20% |
(footnotes continued on next page)
12 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
1 | Class 1 shares are only available to Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts. Class 2 shares are only available to large Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts and the Adviser’s institutional clients or through other limited arrangements. |
2 | Assumes conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares after eight years. |
3 | 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 Fund. |
4 | Inception date: 12/11/2014. |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 13 |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
(unaudited)
As a shareholder of a mutual fund, you may 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 in this line, 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 in the first line 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 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.
14 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (continued)
Beginning Account Value May 1, 2021 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2021 | Expenses Paid During Period* | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,032.00 | $ | 3.94 | 0.77 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.32 | $ | 3.92 | 0.77 | % | ||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,028.90 | $ | 7.77 | 1.52 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,017.54 | $ | 7.73 | 1.52 | % | ||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,034.30 | $ | 2.67 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.58 | $ | 2.65 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Class R | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,032.00 | $ | 5.22 | 1.02 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,020.06 | $ | 5.19 | 1.02 | % | ||||||||
Class K | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,033.10 | $ | 3.95 | 0.77 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.32 | $ | 3.92 | 0.77 | % | ||||||||
Class I | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,033.70 | $ | 2.67 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.58 | $ | 2.65 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Class 1 | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,033.10 | $ | 3.18 | 0.62 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.08 | $ | 3.16 | 0.62 | % | ||||||||
Class 2 | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,034.60 | $ | 2.67 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.58 | $ | 2.65 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Class Z | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,034.40 | $ | 2.67 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.58 | $ | 2.65 | 0.52 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
** | Assumes 5% annual return before expenses. |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 15 |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $1,023.7
Total Investments ($mil): $1,204.9
INFLATION PROTECTION BREAKDOWN1
U.S. Inflation-Protected Exposure | 82.7 | % | ||
Non-U.S. Inflation-Protected Exposure | 0.2 | |||
Non-Inflation Exposure | 17.1 | |||
100.0 | % |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN OF NET PORTFOLIO ASSETS, EXCLUDING TREASURY SECURITIES, TIPS, INTEREST RATE DERIVATIVES AND NET CASH EQUIVALENTS1
Corporates–Investment Grade | 10.9% | |||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | 5.0% | |||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 3.9% | |||
Corporates–Non-Investment Grade | 2.6% | |||
Asset-Backed Securities | 2.0% | |||
Collateralized Loan Obligations | 2.0% | |||
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | 1.9% | |||
Emerging Markets–Corporate Bonds | 0.5% | |||
Local Governments–US Municipal Bonds | 0.5% | |||
Quasi-Sovereigns | 0.3% | |||
Emerging Markets–Sovereigns | 0.2% | |||
Common Stocks | 0.1% | |||
Governments–Sovereign Bonds | 0.1% |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN OF TOTAL PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS, EXCLUDING DERIVATIVES2
Inflation-Linked Securities | 69.8% | |||
Corporates–Investment Grade | 9.6% | |||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | 4.4% | |||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 3.3% | |||
Corporates–Non-Investment Grade | 2.2% | |||
Asset-Backed Securities | 1.8% | |||
Collateralized Loan Obligations | 1.7% | |||
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | 1.6% | |||
Emerging Markets–Corporate Bonds | 0.5% | |||
Local Governments–US Municipal Bonds | 0.4% | |||
Quasi-Sovereigns | 0.3% | |||
Emerging Markets–Sovereigns | 0.2% | |||
Governments–Treasuries | 0.1% | |||
Other | 0.2% | |||
Short-Term | 3.9% |
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s sector and inflation protection exposure breakdowns are expressed as an approximate percentage of the Fund’s total net assets (and may vary over time) inclusive of derivative exposure except as noted, based on the Adviser’s internal classification. |
2 | The Fund’s sector breakdown is expressed, based on the Adviser’s internal classification, as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions (not reflected in the table), which may be used for hedging or investment purposes or to adjust the risk profile or exposures of the Fund (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). “Other” sector breakdown weightings represent 0.1% or less in the following sectors: Common Stocks and Governments–Sovereign Bonds. Derivative transactions may result in a form of leverage for the Fund. The Fund uses leverage for investment purposes by entering into reverse repurchase agreements. As a result, the Fund’s total investments will generally exceed its net assets. |
16 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2021
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES – 82.1% | ||||||||||||
Canada – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
Canadian Government Real Return Bond | CAD | 2,819 | $ | 2,378,030 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
United States – 81.9% |
| |||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Inflation Index | U.S.$ | 24,561 | 25,486,295 | |||||||||
0.125%, 07/15/2024-07/15/2031 (TIPS) | 196,177 | 216,088,922 | ||||||||||
0.125%, 10/15/2024 (TIPS)(a)(b) | 14,228 | 15,273,340 | ||||||||||
0.25%, 01/15/2025-07/15/2029 (TIPS)(a) | 64,083 | 70,454,921 | ||||||||||
0.375%, 07/15/2023 (TIPS)(b) | 38,242 | 40,434,662 | ||||||||||
0.375%, 01/15/2027-07/15/2027 (TIPS) | 142,442 | 158,341,236 | ||||||||||
0.50%, 01/15/2028 (TIPS)(a) | 31,401 | 35,267,306 | ||||||||||
0.625%, 01/15/2024 (TIPS)(a) | 53,963 | 57,715,260 | ||||||||||
0.625%, 01/15/2026 (TIPS) | 107,568 | 119,030,793 | ||||||||||
0.75%, 07/15/2028 (TIPS)(a) | 45,149 | 51,864,634 | ||||||||||
0.875%, 01/15/2029 (TIPS) | 26,981 | 31,289,082 | ||||||||||
2.50%, 01/15/2029 (TIPS) | 11,766 | 15,103,167 | ||||||||||
3.875%, 04/15/2029 (TIPS) | 1,398 | 1,953,358 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
838,302,976 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Inflation-Linked Securities | 840,681,006 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
CORPORATES - INVESTMENT GRADE – 11.3% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 6.5% |
| |||||||||||
Basic – 0.7% |
| |||||||||||
Alpek SAB de CV | 564 | 557,232 | ||||||||||
4.25%, 09/18/2029(c) | 232 | 244,702 | ||||||||||
Braskem Netherlands Finance BV | 200 | 202,913 | ||||||||||
GUSAP III LP | 1,000 | 1,050,125 | ||||||||||
Industrias Penoles SAB de CV | 343 | 371,898 | ||||||||||
Inversiones CMPC SA | 845 | 916,191 | ||||||||||
Inversiones CMPC SA/Cayman Islands Branch | 270 | 278,572 |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 17 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Suzano Austria GmbH | U.S.$ | 2,204 | $ | 2,085,535 | ||||||||
3.75%, 01/15/2031 | 222 | 221,445 | ||||||||||
Yamana Gold, Inc. | 1,457 | 1,421,114 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,349,727 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Flowserve Corp. | 545 | 535,087 | ||||||||||
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. | 180 | 190,445 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
725,532 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.7% |
| |||||||||||
Discovery Communications LLC | 58 | 68,217 | ||||||||||
5.20%, 09/20/2047 | 188 | 235,071 | ||||||||||
5.30%, 05/15/2049 | 83 | 105,517 | ||||||||||
Netflix, Inc. | 1,272 | 1,548,864 | ||||||||||
Prosus NV | 428 | 435,972 | ||||||||||
4.027%, 08/03/2050(c) | 487 | 455,345 | ||||||||||
Tencent Holdings Ltd. | 874 | 874,983 | ||||||||||
2.39%, 06/03/2030(c) | 610 | 593,713 | ||||||||||
3.24%, 06/03/2050(c) | 655 | 625,230 | ||||||||||
Time Warner Cable LLC | 235 | 256,214 | ||||||||||
Weibo Corp. | 2,114 | 2,088,632 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,287,758 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
AT&T, Inc. | 319 | 323,661 | ||||||||||
3.65%, 09/15/2059 | 827 | 840,571 | ||||||||||
4.30%, 12/15/2042 | 365 | 412,512 | ||||||||||
T-Mobile USA, Inc. | 509 | 512,084 | ||||||||||
2.875%, 02/15/2031 | 559 | 556,635 | ||||||||||
3.375%, 04/15/2029(c) | 119 | 122,343 | ||||||||||
3.40%, 10/15/2052(c) | 1,278 | 1,272,287 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,040,093 | ||||||||||||
|
|
18 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
General Motors Co. | U.S.$ | 194 | $ | 224,875 | ||||||||
6.80%, 10/01/2027 | 272 | 335,167 | ||||||||||
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. | 1,732 | 1,826,740 | ||||||||||
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | 1,378 | 1,493,945 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,880,727 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
Las Vegas Sands Corp. | 1,419 | 1,438,327 | ||||||||||
Marriott International, Inc./MD | 92 | 104,289 | ||||||||||
MDC Holdings, Inc. | 731 | 925,833 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,468,449 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | 1,525 | 1,681,983 | ||||||||||
InRetail Consumer | 552 | 540,719 | ||||||||||
Ross Stores, Inc. | 1,083 | 1,230,992 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,453,694 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 1.1% |
| |||||||||||
Altria Group, Inc. | 950 | 993,130 | ||||||||||
4.80%, 02/14/2029 | 226 | 257,602 | ||||||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc. | 1,080 | 1,513,804 | ||||||||||
BAT Capital Corp. | 1,727 | 1,693,116 | ||||||||||
2.726%, 03/25/2031 | 671 | 654,131 | ||||||||||
4.70%, 04/02/2027 | 605 | 673,559 | ||||||||||
Baxalta, Inc. | 209 | 211,895 | ||||||||||
Cencosud SA | 1,134 | 1,234,146 | ||||||||||
Cigna Corp. | 501 | 574,256 | ||||||||||
CVS Health Corp. | 49 | 55,529 |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 19 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV | U.S.$ | 350 | $ | 346,062 | ||||||||
Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana | 1,190 | 1,163,998 | ||||||||||
Sigma Alimentos SA de CV | 209 | 224,061 | ||||||||||
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | 1,151 | 1,231,927 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
10,827,216 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 1.2% |
| |||||||||||
BP Capital Markets America, Inc. | 1,962 | 1,912,283 | ||||||||||
Cenovus Energy, Inc. | 33 | 36,246 | ||||||||||
4.40%, 04/15/2029 | 1,830 | 2,050,039 | ||||||||||
Enbridge Energy Partners LP | 1,351 | 2,173,340 | ||||||||||
Energy Transfer LP | 843 | 1,121,595 | ||||||||||
Eni SpA | 954 | 1,080,729 | ||||||||||
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | 289 | 332,630 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 03/01/2041 | 282 | 391,929 | ||||||||||
Oleoducto Central SA | 453 | 462,994 | ||||||||||
ONEOK Partners LP | 105 | 135,907 | ||||||||||
ONEOK, Inc. | 166 | 211,041 | ||||||||||
Tengizchevroil Finance Co. International Ltd. | 306 | 306,459 | ||||||||||
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. | 1,455 | 1,991,473 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
12,206,665 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Industrial – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Alfa SAB de CV | 600 | 639,675 | ||||||||||
CITIC Ltd. | 550 | 558,525 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,198,200 | ||||||||||||
|
|
20 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Services – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. | U.S.$ | 1,508 | $ | 1,445,780 | ||||||||
Expedia Group, Inc. | 486 | 544,378 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 05/01/2025(c) | 34 | 38,837 | ||||||||||
IHS Markit Ltd. | 295 | 336,436 | ||||||||||
4.75%, 08/01/2028 | 59 | 68,932 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,434,363 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.9% |
| |||||||||||
Baidu, Inc. | 474 | 462,861 | ||||||||||
3.425%, 04/07/2030 | 201 | 209,543 | ||||||||||
Broadcom, Inc. | 188 | 185,167 | ||||||||||
3.187%, 11/15/2036(c) | 557 | 546,690 | ||||||||||
4.11%, 09/15/2028 | 652 | 718,647 | ||||||||||
4.15%, 11/15/2030 | 1,101 | 1,210,384 | ||||||||||
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp. | 974 | 1,147,197 | ||||||||||
Infor, Inc. | 450 | 452,628 | ||||||||||
Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. | 1,428 | 1,413,249 | ||||||||||
Micron Technology, Inc. | 805 | 887,577 | ||||||||||
NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC | 711 | 857,825 | ||||||||||
SK Hynix, Inc. | 382 | 367,102 | ||||||||||
VeriSign, Inc. | 250 | 252,377 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,711,247 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Airlines – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Delta Air Lines, Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd. | 528 | 564,949 | ||||||||||
4.75%, 10/20/2028(c) | 614 | 682,363 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,247,312 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Railroads – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Lima Metro Line 2 Finance Ltd. | 235 | 250,742 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 07/05/2034(c) | 300 | 345,831 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
596,573 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 21 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Transportation - Services – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
ENA Master Trust | U.S.$ | 303 | $ | 306,276 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
66,733,832 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 4.6% |
| |||||||||||
Banking – 2.8% |
| |||||||||||
ABN AMRO Bank NV | 200 | 220,088 | ||||||||||
American Express Co. | 99 | 99,000 | ||||||||||
Banco de Credito del Peru | 958 | 947,510 | ||||||||||
Bank of America Corp. | 1,775 | 1,737,423 | ||||||||||
2.687%, 04/22/2032 | 636 | 644,548 | ||||||||||
Series DD | 295 | 339,583 | ||||||||||
Series Z | 458 | 508,110 | ||||||||||
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The) | 273 | 297,169 | ||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | 137 | 185,191 | ||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | 1,145 | 1,163,629 | ||||||||||
CIT Group, Inc. | 579 | 637,265 | ||||||||||
Citigroup, Inc. | 402 | 446,489 | ||||||||||
4.075%, 04/23/2029 | 592 | 658,943 | ||||||||||
5.95%, 01/30/2023(d) | 257 | 267,159 | ||||||||||
Series W | 504 | 513,813 | ||||||||||
Series Y | 480 | 483,533 | ||||||||||
Credit Suisse Group AG | 1,522 | 1,548,863 | ||||||||||
4.194%, 04/01/2031(c) | 614 | 680,478 | ||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG/New York NY | 296 | 297,273 | ||||||||||
3.961%, 11/26/2025 | 405 | 432,410 | ||||||||||
Discover Bank | 327 | 345,740 |
22 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Fifth Third Bancorp | U.S.$ | 334 | $ | 360,643 | ||||||
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) | 631 | 620,292 | ||||||||
2.615%, 04/22/2032 | 1,364 | 1,367,874 | ||||||||
Series V | 775 | 778,402 | ||||||||
HSBC Holdings PLC | 377 | 410,806 | ||||||||
4.583%, 06/19/2029 | 1,663 | 1,878,708 | ||||||||
ING Groep NV | 1,217 | 1,241,316 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 1,364 | 1,373,794 | ||||||||
Series I | 528 | 529,896 | ||||||||
Series V | 258 | 258,712 | ||||||||
Series Z | 432 | 434,674 | ||||||||
Morgan Stanley | 124 | 124,577 | ||||||||
Natwest Group PLC | 600 | 596,946 | ||||||||
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. | 424 | 471,814 | ||||||||
Standard Chartered PLC | 400 | 385,184 | ||||||||
6.00%, 07/26/2025(c)(d) | 1,267 | 1,374,809 | ||||||||
Truist Financial Corp. | 1,060 | 1,194,228 | ||||||||
UBS AG/Stamford CT | 465 | 489,110 | ||||||||
UniCredit SpA | 746 | 750,304 | ||||||||
3.127%, 06/03/2032(c) | 368 | 365,568 |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 23 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
US Bancorp | U.S.$ | 427 | $ | 473,671 | ||||||||
Wells Fargo & Co. | 589 | 602,088 | ||||||||||
Series BB | 418 | 426,021 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
28,963,654 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Brokerage – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
Charles Schwab Corp. (The) | 554 | 609,843 | ||||||||||
Series I | 1,366 | 1,406,980 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,016,823 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Finance – 1.1% |
| |||||||||||
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust | 860 | 876,693 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 07/15/2025 | 209 | 242,177 | ||||||||||
Air Lease Corp. | 376 | 364,946 | ||||||||||
2.875%, 01/15/2026 | 111 | 114,622 | ||||||||||
3.625%, 04/01/2027 | 51 | 54,216 | ||||||||||
Aircastle Ltd. | 1,329 | 1,338,901 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 05/01/2024 | 232 | 245,099 | ||||||||||
4.25%, 06/15/2026 | 83 | 89,968 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 08/11/2025(c) | 585 | 648,063 | ||||||||||
Aviation Capital Group LLC | 1,097 | 1,081,748 | ||||||||||
3.50%, 11/01/2027(c) | 211 | 220,096 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 08/01/2025(c) | 7 | 7,477 | ||||||||||
4.375%, 01/30/2024(c) | 194 | 205,921 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 10/01/2025(c) | 246 | 268,998 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 12/15/2024(c) | 550 | 611,066 | ||||||||||
CDBL Funding 1 | 940 | 980,909 | ||||||||||
GE Capital European Funding Unlimited Co. | EUR | 200 | 280,730 | |||||||||
GE Capital Funding LLC | U.S.$ | 1,570 | 1,836,429 | |||||||||
Synchrony Financial | 1,875 | 2,051,100 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
11,519,159 | ||||||||||||
|
|
24 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Insurance – 0.4% |
| |||||||||||
Alleghany Corp. | U.S.$ | 1,257 | $ | 1,373,360 | ||||||||
Centene Corp. | 563 | 554,437 | ||||||||||
4.625%, 12/15/2029 | 237 | 255,998 | ||||||||||
Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America (The) | 183 | 244,104 | ||||||||||
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. | 125 | 216,909 | ||||||||||
Swiss Re Finance Luxembourg SA | 1,000 | 1,134,250 | ||||||||||
Voya Financial, Inc. | 335 | 351,773 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,130,831 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Finance – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust | 233 | 254,042 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
REITs – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Vornado Realty LP | 718 | 736,402 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
47,620,911 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
Electric – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
AES Panama Generation Holdings SRL | 358 | 367,688 | ||||||||||
Chile Electricity Pec SpA | 661 | 537,600 | ||||||||||
Engie Energia Chile SA | 751 | 750,437 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,655,725 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates – Investment Grade | 116,010,468 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 5.2% | ||||||||||||
Non-Agency Fixed Rate CMBS – 3.3% |
| |||||||||||
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 520 | 475,042 | ||||||||||
CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust | 730 | 774,383 |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 25 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
CGRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | U.S.$ | 885 | $ | 907,328 | ||||||
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust | 915 | 943,181 | ||||||||
Series 2013-GC11, Class D | 191 | 195,389 | ||||||||
Series 2015-GC27, Class A5 | 1,382 | 1,450,690 | ||||||||
Series 2015-GC35, Class A4 | 450 | 487,096 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C1, Class A4 | 775 | 826,407 | ||||||||
Series 2016-GC36, Class A5 | 565 | 608,980 | ||||||||
Series 2017-P8, Class AS | 526 | 573,858 | ||||||||
Commercial Mortgage Trust | 79 | 79,403 | ||||||||
Series 2015-CR24, Class A5 | 590 | 634,043 | ||||||||
Series 2015-CR25, Class A4 | 1,155 | 1,247,488 | ||||||||
Series 2015-DC1, Class A5 | 1,220 | 1,290,044 | ||||||||
Series 2015-PC1, Class A5 | 745 | 802,335 | ||||||||
CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust | 475 | 505,107 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C3, Class A4 | 395 | 424,359 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C4, Class A4 | 1,853 | 2,006,871 | ||||||||
GS Mortgage Securities Trust | 19 | 8,983 | ||||||||
Series 2013-G1, Class A1 | 110 | 110,301 | ||||||||
Series 2014-GC18, Class D | 393 | 64,764 | ||||||||
Series 2014-GC22, Class A5 | 1,072 | 1,139,386 | ||||||||
Series 2015-GC28, Class A5 | 1,300 | 1,378,149 |
26 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
GSF | U.S.$ | 172 | $ | 171,416 | ||||||
Series 2021-1, Class A2 | 351 | 358,198 | ||||||||
Series 2021-1, Class AS | 40 | 40,726 | ||||||||
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 1,220 | 1,296,269 | ||||||||
Series 2014-C21, Class B | 314 | 330,495 | ||||||||
Series 2014-C22, Class XA | 19,325 | 371,152 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C30, Class A5 | 585 | 633,212 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C31, Class A3 | 986 | 1,057,583 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C33, Class A4 | 1,150 | 1,249,561 | ||||||||
JPMCC Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 8,785 | 384,639 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 53 | 52,797 | ||||||||
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | 78 | 35,130 | ||||||||
Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust | 9,942 | 319,329 | ||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust | 870 | 944,548 | ||||||||
UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | 1,200 | 1,358,339 | ||||||||
Series 2018-C8, Class A4 | 990 | 1,100,699 | ||||||||
Series 2018-C9, Class A4 | 1,800 | 2,006,193 |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 27 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust | U.S.$ | 2,309 | $ | 2,346,085 | ||||||||
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust | 1,160 | 1,232,415 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-LC25, Class C | 330 | 347,119 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-NXS6, Class A4 | 900 | 948,237 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-NXS6, Class C | 525 | 556,122 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-C48, Class A5 | 145 | 165,497 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
34,239,348 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Non-Agency Floating Rate CMBS – 1.9% | ||||||||||||
Ashford Hospitality Trust | 659 | 659,154 | ||||||||||
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 1,755 | 1,751,744 | ||||||||||
BBCMS Mortgage Trust | 1,383 | 1,389,105 | ||||||||||
BCP Trust | 288 | 286,287 | ||||||||||
BFLD Trust | 2,276 | 2,275,313 | ||||||||||
BHMS | 1,001 | 1,001,287 | ||||||||||
Braemar Hotels & Resorts Trust | 1,000 | 999,391 |
28 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust | U.S.$ | 766 | $ | 765,585 | ||||||
Series 2019-IMC, Class D | 185 | 184,555 | ||||||||
Series 2019-IMC, Class E | 895 | 888,445 | ||||||||
BX Trust | 1,026 | 1,021,150 | ||||||||
CLNY Trust | 1,000 | 994,981 | ||||||||
DBWF Mortgage Trust | 1,042 | 1,040,861 | ||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | 209 | 210,849 | ||||||||
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust | 1,368 | 1,369,878 | ||||||||
Series 2019-SMP, Class A | 1,125 | 1,125,891 | ||||||||
HFX Funding | 1,070 | 1,099,260 | ||||||||
Invitation Homes Trust | 374 | 374,367 | ||||||||
Series 2018-SFR3, Class C | 710 | 711,092 | ||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust | 162 | 149,174 |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 29 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Natixis Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | U.S.$ | 461 | $ | 461,201 | ||||||||
Starwood Retail Property Trust | 756 | 461,103 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
19,220,673 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | 53,460,021 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS – 3.9% | ||||||||||||
Risk Share Floating Rate – 3.3% | ||||||||||||
Bellemeade Re Ltd. | 412 | 412,020 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-1A, Class M1B | 914 | 914,432 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-2A, Class M1C | 707 | 708,884 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-3A, Class M1B | 660 | 661,477 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-3A, Class M1C | 480 | 480,000 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-4A, Class M1B | 965 | 965,600 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-2A, Class M1B | 167 | 167,162 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-3A, Class M1B | 178 | 179,545 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-4A, Class M2A | 144 | 144,164 |
30 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 2021-1A, Class M1C | U.S.$ | 728 | $ | 753,357 | ||||||
Series 2021-2A, Class M1B | 1,425 | 1,427,191 | ||||||||
Series 2021-3A, Class A2 | 1,699 | 1,705,405 | ||||||||
Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust | 158 | 158,380 | ||||||||
Series 2019-R02, Class 1M2 | 96 | 96,940 | ||||||||
Series 2019-R03, Class 1M2 | 49 | 48,983 | ||||||||
Series 2019-R04, Class 2M2 | 87 | 86,989 | ||||||||
Series 2019-R05, Class 1M2 | 49 | 48,716 | ||||||||
Series 2019-R06, Class 2M2 | 165 | 165,301 | ||||||||
Series 2019-R07, Class 1M2 | 365 | 366,531 | ||||||||
Series 2020-R01, Class 1M2 | 734 | 737,700 | ||||||||
Series 2020-R02, Class 2M2 | 417 | 418,732 | ||||||||
Series 2021-R01, Class 1M2 | 1,447 | 1,453,443 | ||||||||
Eagle Re Ltd. | 1,100 | 1,089,296 | ||||||||
Series 2021-2, Class M1B | 675 | 674,583 |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 31 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes | U.S.$ | 172 | $ | 176,624 | ||||||
Series 2017-DNA3, Class M2 | 900 | 919,225 | ||||||||
Series 2017-HQA2, Class M2B | 840 | 859,297 | ||||||||
Series 2019-DNA3, Class M2 | 71 | 71,704 | ||||||||
Series 2019-DNA4, Class M2 | 297 | 298,126 | ||||||||
Series 2019-FTR2, Class M2 | 515 | 515,087 | ||||||||
Series 2019-HQA3, Class M2 | 454 | 455,821 | ||||||||
Series 2020-DNA1, Class M2 | 469 | 470,473 | ||||||||
Series 2020-DNA5, Class M2 | 811 | 820,514 | ||||||||
Series 2021-DNA5, Class M2 | 589 | 591,843 | ||||||||
Series 2021-DNA6, Class M2 | 2,561 | 2,565,496 | ||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities | 164 | 170,118 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C02, Class 1M2 | 163 | 165,836 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C02, Class 2M2 | 19 | 18,715 |
32 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 2015-C03, Class 1M2 | U.S.$ | 155 | $ | 158,989 | ||||||
Series 2015-C03, Class 2M2 | 36 | 36,548 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C04, Class 1M2 | 540 | 570,830 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C05, Class 2M2 | 553 | 576,048 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C06, Class 1M2 | 248 | 257,924 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C07, Class 2M2 | 822 | 857,293 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C02, Class 2M2C | 938 | 977,234 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C03, Class 1M2 | 510 | 525,339 | ||||||||
Home Re Ltd. | 788 | 790,269 | ||||||||
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust | 146 | 145,747 | ||||||||
Series 2019-2R, Class A | 743 | 735,384 | ||||||||
Series 2019-3R, Class A | 77 | 77,394 | ||||||||
Series 2020-1R, Class A | 277 | 276,765 | ||||||||
Radnor Re Ltd. | 586 | 586,600 | ||||||||
Series 2019-2, Class M1B | 723 | 722,776 |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 33 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series 2020-1, Class M1A | U.S.$ | 391 | $ | 388,254 | ||||||||
Series 2020-2, Class M1C | 436 | 436,904 | ||||||||||
STACR Trust | 426 | 431,718 | ||||||||||
Traingle Re Ltd. | 1,640 | 1,643,054 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-1, Class M1B | 701 | 701,314 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-3, Class M1A | 1,084 | 1,086,407 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
33,946,501 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Agency Floating Rate – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMICs | 2,432 | 459,829 | ||||||||||
Series 4693, Class SL | 1,493 | 340,873 | ||||||||||
Series 4954, Class SL | 2,064 | 369,605 | ||||||||||
Series 4981, Class HS | 4,181 | 661,533 | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association REMICs | 744 | 153,125 | ||||||||||
Series 2014-17, Class SA | 1,962 | 426,580 | ||||||||||
Series 2014-78, Class SE | 1,117 | 213,933 |
34 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series 2016-77, Class DS | U.S.$ | 1,173 | $ | 224,754 | ||||||||
Series 2017-62, Class AS | 1,376 | 280,761 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-81, Class SA | 1,597 | 368,138 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-97, Class LS | 1,796 | 439,228 | ||||||||||
Government National Mortgage Association | 1,020 | 217,774 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-134, Class MS | 1,099 | 244,137 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,400,270 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Agency Fixed Rate – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMICs | 2,584 | 436,789 | ||||||||||
Series 5049, Class CI | 2,813 | 374,818 | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association REMICs | 5,520 | 820,985 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,632,592 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Non-Agency Floating Rate – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | 193 | 196,009 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 40,175,372 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
CORPORATES - NON-INVESTMENT GRADE – 2.6% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 1.8% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Axalta Coating Systems LLC | 844 | 803,007 |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 35 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
INEOS Quattro Finance 2 PLC | EUR | 506 | $ | 583,474 | ||||||||
Ingevity Corp. | U.S.$ | 683 | 671,853 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,058,334 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance USA LLC/Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance PLC | 942 | 922,350 | ||||||||||
GFL Environmental, Inc. | 993 | 988,720 | ||||||||||
TransDigm, Inc. | 512 | 534,804 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,445,874 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Cable One, Inc. | 499 | 490,537 | ||||||||||
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. | 472 | 472,986 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 02/01/2028(c) | 702 | 730,073 | ||||||||||
CSC Holdings LLC | 145 | 145,173 | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Radio, Inc. | 1,076 | 1,083,242 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,922,011 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | 970 | 937,059 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Allison Transmission, Inc. | 985 | 946,654 | ||||||||||
Clarios Global LP/Clarios US Finance Co. | EUR | 191 | 225,962 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,172,616 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Carnival Corp. | U.S.$ | 1,235 | 1,234,210 | |||||||||
Mattel, Inc. | 549 | 565,981 | ||||||||||
3.75%, 04/01/2029(c) | 550 | 571,483 |
36 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | U.S.$ | 394 | $ | 441,083 | ||||||||
11.50%, 06/01/2025(c) | 422 | 480,417 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,293,174 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Restaurants – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc. | 1,046 | 1,013,595 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Levi Strauss & Co. | 623 | 630,981 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Albertsons Cos., Inc./Safeway, Inc./New Albertsons LP/Albertsons LLC | 664 | 654,392 | ||||||||||
Jazz Securities DAC | 305 | 313,754 | ||||||||||
Mozart Debt Merger Sub, Inc. | 1,390 | 1,383,314 | ||||||||||
Newell Brands, Inc. | 471 | 515,938 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 06/01/2025 | 115 | 125,912 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,993,310 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Transocean Poseidon Ltd. | 388 | 387,969 | ||||||||||
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC | 343 | 349,359 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 08/15/2031(c) | 350 | 362,544 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,099,872 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
18,566,826 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Banco Santander SA | 1,200 | 1,299,144 | ||||||||||
Credit Suisse Group AG | 320 | 348,518 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 07/17/2023-12/11/2023(c)(d) | 1,356 | 1,450,398 | ||||||||||
Discover Financial Services | 1,667 | 1,861,272 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,959,332 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 37 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Finance – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Navient Corp. | U.S.$ | 722 | $ | 772,569 | ||||||||
SLM Corp. | 900 | 951,732 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,724,301 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
6,683,633 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Vistra Operations Co. LLC | 1,057 | 1,043,597 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates - Non-Investment Grade | 26,294,056 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 2.0% | ||||||||||||
Autos - Fixed Rate – 1.0% | ||||||||||||
Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP LLC | 1,760 | 1,843,512 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-2A, Class A | 1,425 | 1,514,500 | ||||||||||
Carvana Auto Receivables Trust | 777 | 772,370 | ||||||||||
CPS Auto Receivables Trust | 1,080 | 1,072,457 | ||||||||||
FHF Trust | 791 | 787,862 | ||||||||||
First Investors Auto Owner Trust | 1,190 | 1,195,955 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-1A, Class A | 146 | 146,228 | ||||||||||
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust | 1,000 | 992,400 | ||||||||||
Octane Receivables Trust | 1,508 | 1,507,947 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
9,833,231 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other ABS - Fixed Rate – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
AB Issuer LLC | 1,464 | 1,481,273 |
38 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Affirm Asset Securitization Trust | U.S.$ | 711 | $ | 713,978 | ||||||||
Series 2021-Z1, Class A | 575 | 574,615 | ||||||||||
Domino’s Pizza Master Issuer LLC | 777 | 794,476 | ||||||||||
GCI Funding I LLC | 561 | 562,971 | ||||||||||
Hardee’s Funding LLC | 503 | 558,593 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-1A, Class A2 | 332 | 351,289 | ||||||||||
Neighborly Issuer LLC | 523 | 536,147 | ||||||||||
Nelnet Student Loan Trust | 758 | 763,219 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-DA, Class B | 793 | 799,378 | ||||||||||
Upstart Securitization Trust | 290 | 291,150 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-3, Class B | 1,090 | 1,080,035 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,507,124 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Credit Cards - Fixed Rate – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Brex Commercial Charge Card Master Trust | 729 | 734,536 | ||||||||||
Mission Lane Credit Card Master Trust | 352 | 347,748 | ||||||||||
World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust | 1,070 | 1,086,992 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,169,276 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Asset-Backed Securities | 20,509,631 | |||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 39 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS – 2.0% | ||||||||||||
CLO - Floating Rate – 1.9% | ||||||||||||
AGL CLO 12 Ltd. | U.S.$ | 948 | $ | 944,508 | ||||||||
Balboa Bay Loan Funding Ltd. | 1,111 | 1,112,054 | ||||||||||
Ballyrock CLO 15 Ltd. | 1,000 | 1,000,159 | ||||||||||
Ballyrock CLO 16 Ltd. | 660 | 660,060 | ||||||||||
Dryden CLO Ltd. | 880 | 881,202 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-78A, Class D | 460 | 460,711 | ||||||||||
Elevation CLO Ltd. | 780 | 761,638 | ||||||||||
Elmwood CLO IX Ltd. | 1,065 | 1,065,113 | ||||||||||
Flatiron CLO 21 Ltd. | 1,120 | 1,107,473 | ||||||||||
Goldentree Loan Management US CLO 7 Ltd. | 1,077 | 1,077,634 | ||||||||||
Kayne CLO 7 Ltd. | 400 | 400,641 |
40 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Magnetite XXVI Ltd. | U.S.$ | 2,348 | $ | 2,356,219 | ||||||||
Neuberger Berman Loan Advisers CLO 42 Ltd. | 1,295 | 1,280,096 | ||||||||||
Neuberger Berman Loan Advisers CLO 43 Ltd. | 1,354 | 1,354,272 | ||||||||||
New Mountain CLO Ltd. | 500 | 500,075 | ||||||||||
OCP CLO Ltd. | 1,424 | 1,425,665 | ||||||||||
Pikes Peak CLO 8 | 1,450 | 1,451,228 | ||||||||||
Regatta XX Funding Ltd. | 1,425 | 1,425,461 | ||||||||||
Voya CLO Ltd. | 340 | 333,101 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
19,597,310 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
CLO - Fixed Rate – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
CAJUN Global LLC | 464 | 464,000 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Collateralized Loan Obligations | 20,061,310 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 41 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS – 1.9% | ||||||||||||
Agency Fixed Rate 30-Year – 1.9% | ||||||||||||
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security | U.S.$ | 19,331 | $ | 19,852,031 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - CORPORATE BONDS – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
CSN Resources SA | 537 | 526,797 | ||||||||||
Vedanta Resources Finance II PLC | 379 | 409,794 | ||||||||||
Volcan Cia Minera SAA | 262 | 255,171 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,191,762 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Cemex SAB de CV | 942 | 941,341 | ||||||||||
Embraer Netherlands Finance BV | 590 | 615,665 | ||||||||||
6.95%, 01/17/2028(c) | 384 | 425,472 | ||||||||||
Odebrecht Holdco Finance Ltd. | 270 | 676 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,983,154 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Globo Comunicacao e Participacoes SA | 427 | 412,055 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Wynn Macau Ltd. | 483 | 446,596 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
BRF GmbH | 327 | 330,229 | ||||||||||
Natura Cosmeticos SA | 583 | 577,054 | ||||||||||
Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA | 655 | 6,566 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
913,849 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,947,416 | ||||||||||||
|
|
42 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Utility – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Terraform Global Operating LLC | U.S.$ | 89 | $ | 91,213 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Other Finance – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
OEC Finance Ltd. | 229 | 17,808 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Emerging Markets - Corporate Bonds | 5,056,437 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - US MUNICIPAL BONDS – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
United States – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
City of New York | 775 | 753,334 | ||||||||||
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey | 660 | 666,085 | ||||||||||
State of California | 825 | 825,000 | ||||||||||
Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority/WV | 904 | 927,270 | ||||||||||
University of California | 1,465 | 1,496,385 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Local Governments - US Municipal Bonds | 4,668,074 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
QUASI-SOVEREIGNS – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Quasi-Sovereign Bonds – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Indonesia – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Indonesia Asahan Aluminium Persero PT | 435 | 466,103 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Mexico – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Comision Federal de Electricidad | 1,089 | 1,052,791 | ||||||||||
Petroleos Mexicanos | 529 | 466,181 | ||||||||||
6.84%, 01/23/2030 | 29 | 30,254 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,549,226 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 43 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Peru – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Corp. Financiera de Desarrollo SA | U.S.$ | 1,185 | $ | 1,158,708 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Quasi-Sovereigns | 3,174,037 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - SOVEREIGNS – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Dominican Republic – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Dominican Republic International Bond | 1,213 | 1,232,181 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Egypt – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Egypt Government International Bond | 1,259 | 1,131,526 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Oman – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Oman Government International Bond | 256 | 267,088 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 01/25/2031(c) | 336 | 362,985 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
630,073 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Emerging Markets - Sovereigns | 2,993,780 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
GOVERNMENTS - TREASURIES – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Malaysia – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Malaysia Government Bond | MYR | 6,633 | 1,613,517 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||
COMMON STOCKS – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Financials – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Insurance – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Mt Logan Re Ltd. (Preference Shares)(f)(j)(m)(n) | 1,428 | 1,502,628 | ||||||||||
|
|
44 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
GOVERNMENTS - SOVEREIGN | ||||||||||||
Colombia – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Colombia Government International Bond | U.S.$ | 248 | $ | 232,702 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Qatar – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Qatar Government International Bond | 398 | 425,188 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Saudi Arabia – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Saudi Government International Bond | 733 | 773,681 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Governments - Sovereign Bonds | 1,431,571 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 4.6% | ||||||||||||
Investment Companies – 4.6% | ||||||||||||
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. – Government Money Market Portfolio – Class AB, 0.01%(o)(p)(q) | 47,432,507 | 47,432,507 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Investments – 117.7% | 1,204,916,446 | |||||||||||
Other assets less liabilities – (17.7)% | (181,237,635 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $ | 1,023,678,811 | ||||||||||
|
|
FUTURES (see Note D)
Description | Number of Contracts | Expiration Month | Current Notional | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
Purchased Contracts | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. T-Note 2 Yr (CBT) Futures | 116 | December 2021 | $ | 25,433,000 | $ | (98,591 | ) | |||||||||
Sold Contracts | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. 10 Yr Ultra Futures | 72 | December 2021 | 10,442,250 | 16,982 | ||||||||||||
U.S. T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures | 502 | December 2021 | 61,118,500 | 759,448 | ||||||||||||
U.S. Ultra Bond (CBT) Futures | 44 | December 2021 | 8,641,875 | 25,069 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | 702,908 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 45 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | CAD | 28,804 | USD | 22,618 | 11/19/2021 | $ | (655,943 | ) | ||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | AUD | 23,469 | USD | 16,913 | 11/09/2021 | (742,190 | ) | |||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | USD | 9,205 | RUB | 678,330 | 12/15/2021 | 274,561 | ||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | MYR | 7,213 | USD | 1,735 | 12/22/2021 | (1,169 | ) | |||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | SEK | 205,670 | USD | 23,512 | 01/20/2022 | (466,810 | ) | |||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | AUD | 1,131 | USD | 834 | 11/09/2021 | (17,041 | ) | |||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | SEK | 6,916 | USD | 804 | 01/20/2022 | (2,591 | ) | |||||||||||||
Standard Chartered Bank | CAD | 1,219 | USD | 985 | 11/19/2021 | 336 | ||||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | EUR | 965 | USD | 1,146 | 11/08/2021 | 31,163 | ||||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | AUD | 639 | USD | 482 | 11/09/2021 | 1,097 | ||||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | AUD | 1,221 | USD | 904 | 11/09/2021 | (14,560 | ) | |||||||||||||
UBS AG | AUD | 886 | USD | 641 | 11/09/2021 | (25,463 | ) | |||||||||||||
UBS AG | USD | 752 | RUB | 53,348 | 12/15/2021 | (6,649 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
$ | (1,625,259 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Description | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Buy Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-NAIG Series 37, 5 Year Index, 12/20/2026* | (1.00 | )% | Quarterly | 0.52 | % | USD | 115,612 | $ | (2,867,929 | ) | $ | (2,642,220 | ) | $ | (225,709 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Malaysia, 12/20/2026* | (1.00 | ) | Quarterly | 0.54 | USD | 50,370 | (1,214,066 | ) | (1,210,126 | ) | (3,940 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
People’s Republic of China, 7.500%, 10/28/2027, 12/20/2026* | (1.00 | ) | Quarterly | 0.46 | USD | 29,050 | (817,849 | ) | (825,573 | ) | 7,724 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (4,899,844 | ) | $ | (4,677,919 | ) | $ | (221,925 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
CENTRALLY CLEARED INFLATION (CPI) SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 16,120 | 09/07/2026 | CPI# | 2.670% | Maturity | $ | (397,018 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (397,018 | ) | ||||||||||||
USD | 16,120 | 09/07/2031 | 2.519% | CPI# | Maturity | 504,369 | – 0 | – | 504,369 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 10,500 | 04/15/2028 | 3.010% | CPI# | Maturity | 219,058 | – 0 | – | 219,058 |
46 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 64,600 | 02/26/2022 | CPI# | 1.440% | Maturity | $ | (3,219,324 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (3,219,324 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
USD | 38,550 | 02/28/2022 | CPI# | 1.352% | Maturity | (1,992,523 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,992,523 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 4,500 | 07/15/2022 | 1.484% | CPI# | Maturity | 247,646 | – 0 | – | 247,646 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 11,250 | 07/15/2022 | 1.575% | CPI# | Maturity | 587,480 | – 0 | – | 587,480 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 9,450 | 07/15/2022 | 1.758% | CPI# | Maturity | 462,906 | – 0 | – | 462,906 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 12,000 | 07/15/2022 | 1.850% | CPI# | Maturity | 541,006 | – 0 | – | 541,006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 21,500 | 07/15/2022 | 1.851% | CPI# | Maturity | 968,167 | – 0 | – | 968,167 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 9,000 | 07/15/2023 | 1.902% | CPI# | Maturity | 525,553 | – 0 | – | 525,553 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 3,000 | 01/15/2024 | 1.599% | CPI# | Maturity | 240,709 | – 0 | – | 240,709 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 64,600 | 02/26/2025 | 1.589% | CPI# | Maturity | 5,874,101 | – 0 | – | 5,874,101 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 38,550 | 02/28/2025 | 1.527% | CPI# | Maturity | 3,628,722 | – 0 | – | 3,628,722 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 11,250 | 01/15/2028 | 2.799% | CPI# | Maturity | 457,128 | – 0 | – | 457,128 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 8,647,980 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 8,647,980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||
SEK | 217,650 | 08/30/2024 | | 3 Month STIBOR | | (0.165)% | Quarterly/ Annual | $ | (505,146 | ) | $ | 143 | $ | (505,289 | ) | |||||||||||||
USD | 1,160 | 06/09/2025 | 2.488% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (69,747 | ) | – 0 | – | (69,747 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 2,106 | 08/04/2025 | 2.293% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (104,918 | ) | – 0 | – | (104,918 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 5,400 | 10/04/2026 | 1.487% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (72,342 | ) | – 0 | – | (72,342 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,080 | 11/08/2026 | 1.657% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (30,803 | ) | – 0 | – | (30,803 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,080 | 11/09/2026 | 1.672% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (31,650 | ) | – 0 | – | (31,650 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 7,030 | 04/04/2027 | 2.436% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (441,761 | ) | – 0 | – | (441,761 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 20,920 | 06/05/2027 | 0.558% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | 806,973 | – 0 | – | 806,973 | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 715 | 07/12/2027 | 2.355% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (46,482 | ) | – 0 | – | (46,482 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 5,395 | 06/04/2029 | 2.150% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (315,856 | ) | – 0 | – | (315,856 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 3,170 | 09/27/2029 | 1.593% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (30,162 | ) | – 0 | – | (30,162 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 40,300 | 05/21/2031 | 1.617% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (556,831 | ) | – 0 | – | (556,831 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,490 | 11/10/2035 | 2.631% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (197,067 | ) | – 0 | – | (197,067 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
CAD | 978 | 03/03/2051 | 2.297% | 3 Month CDOR | Semi-Annual | 8,349 | 38 | 8,311 | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAD | 2,980 | 03/04/2051 | 2.333% | 3 Month CDOR | Semi-Annual | 6,972 | – 0 | – | 6,972 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (1,580,471 | ) | $ | 181 | $ | (1,580,652 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 47 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Buy Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | )% | Monthly | 5.42 | % | USD | 1,683 | $ | 141,063 | $ | 112,507 | $ | 28,556 | |||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 1,367 | 114,577 | 94,575 | 20,002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 1,367 | 114,577 | 97,909 | 16,668 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 346 | 29,000 | 22,505 | 6,495 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 346 | 29,000 | 22,505 | 6,495 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 328 | 27,492 | 21,813 | 5,679 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 683 | 57,247 | 51,956 | 5,291 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 67 | 5,616 | 12,994 | (7,378 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 68 | 5,700 | 13,645 | (7,945 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 707 | 59,258 | 139,945 | (80,687 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 708 | 59,342 | 140,251 | (80,909 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 1,341 | 112,398 | 262,437 | (150,039 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 2,682 | 224,797 | 534,774 | (309,977 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 664 | 55,655 | 113,369 | (57,714 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Securities, LLC |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 288 | 24,139 | 57,193 | (33,054 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 354 | 29,671 | 67,610 | (37,939 | ) |
48 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) % | Monthly | 5.42 | % | USD | 708 | $ | 59,343 | $ | 142,259 | $ | (82,916 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 9 | (2,497 | ) | (1,388 | ) | (1,109 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 9 | (2,496 | ) | (1,109 | ) | (1,387 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 13 | (3,607 | ) | (1,266 | ) | (2,341 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 27 | (7,491 | ) | (3,852 | ) | (3,639 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 27 | (7,490 | ) | (3,509 | ) | (3,981 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 25 | (6,936 | ) | (2,886 | ) | (4,050 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 37 | (10,264 | ) | (4,493 | ) | (5,771 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 43 | (11,929 | ) | (5,394 | ) | (6,535 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 43 | (11,929 | ) | (5,222 | ) | (6,707 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 60 | (16,645 | ) | (7,287 | ) | (9,358 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 60 | (16,645 | ) | (6,575 | ) | (10,070 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 87 | (24,136 | ) | (9,534 | ) | (14,602 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 92 | (25,522 | ) | (10,898 | ) | (14,624 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 121 | (33,568 | ) | (12,712 | ) | (20,856 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,145 | (114,741 | ) | (24,374 | ) | (90,367 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 5 | (1,387 | ) | (598 | ) | (789 | ) |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 49 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 122 | $ | (33,844 | ) | $ | (14,233 | ) | $ | (19,611 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 139 | (38,561 | ) | (16,507 | ) | (22,054 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 130 | (36,064 | ) | (10,091 | ) | (25,973 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 138 | (38,284 | ) | (9,133 | ) | (29,151 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 226 | (62,697 | ) | (32,093 | ) | (30,604 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 169 | (46,883 | ) | (13,397 | ) | (33,486 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 30 | (8,322 | ) | (3,366 | ) | (4,956 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 130 | (36,064 | ) | (15,680 | ) | (20,384 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 150 | (41,612 | ) | (18,092 | ) | (23,520 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 217 | (60,200 | ) | (23,759 | ) | (36,441 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 218 | (60,477 | ) | (23,859 | ) | (36,618 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 436 | (120,954 | ) | (29,941 | ) | (91,013 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 662 | (183,650 | ) | (44,410 | ) | (139,240 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 714 | (198,076 | ) | (39,229 | ) | (158,847 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 15 | (4,162 | ) | (2,181 | ) | (1,981 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 15 | (4,162 | ) | (1,287 | ) | (2,875 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 27 | (7,490 | ) | (3,314 | ) | (4,176 | ) |
50 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 30 | $ | (8,322 | ) | $ | (2,836 | ) | $ | (5,486 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 30 | (8,322 | ) | (2,621 | ) | (5,701 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 59 | (16,368 | ) | (6,097 | ) | (10,271 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 166 | (46,052 | ) | (16,929 | ) | (29,123 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 178 | (49,380 | ) | (14,723 | ) | (34,657 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 371 | (102,922 | ) | (58,042 | ) | (44,880 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 322 | (89,328 | ) | (41,947 | ) | (47,381 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 517 | (143,424 | ) | (82,047 | ) | (61,377 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 598 | (165,896 | ) | (87,990 | ) | (77,906 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,000 | (277,416 | ) | (126,723 | ) | (150,693 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,300 | (360,642 | ) | (146,980 | ) | (213,662 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Securities, LLC |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 28 | (7,768 | ) | (2,615 | ) | (5,153 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 30 | (8,322 | ) | (2,802 | ) | (5,520 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 118 | (32,735 | ) | (14,413 | ) | (18,322 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 122 | (33,845 | ) | (11,362 | ) | (22,483 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 241 | (66,857 | ) | (28,540 | ) | (38,317 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 691 | (191,695 | ) | (81,115 | ) | (110,580 | ) |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 51 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 1,100 | $ | (305,158 | ) | $ | (155,607 | ) | $ | (149,551 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 191 | (52,987 | ) | (12,892 | ) | (40,095 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (2,097,349 | ) | $ | 610,297 | $ | (2,707,646 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
INFLATION (CPI) SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swap Counterparty | Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD 23,800 | 07/15/2023 | 1.848% | CPI# | Maturity | $ | 1,458,505 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1,458,505 |
INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swap Counterparty | Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | USD | 595 | 03/06/2042 | 2.804% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | $ | (114,466 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (114,466 | ) |
TOTAL RETURN SWAPS (see Note D)
Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Rate Paid/ Received | Payment Frequency | Current Notional (000) | Maturity Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||
Pay Total Return on Reference Obligation |
| |||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index | 3 Month LIBOR | Maturity | USD 20,837 | 12/20/2021 | $ | 25,579 |
52 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (see Note D)
Broker | Interest Rate | Maturity | U.S. $ Value at October 31, 2021 | |||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | $ | 35,002,392 | |||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 26,126,916 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 10,775,122 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 8,627,476 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 3,977,631 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.12 | % | — | 10,339,797 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank† | 0.12 | % | — | 30,124,869 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank† | 0.12 | % | — | 28,235,376 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank† | 0.12 | % | — | 8,672,106 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
$ | 161,881,685 | |||||||||||
|
|
† | The reverse repurchase agreement matures on demand. Interest rate resets daily and the rate shown is the rate in effect on October 31, 2021. |
The type of underlying collateral and the remaining maturity of open reverse repurchase agreements on the statements of assets and liabilities is as follows:
Overnight and | Up to 30 Days | 31-90 Days | Greater than 90 Days | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Inflation-Linked Securities | $ | 161,881,685 | $ | – 0 – | $ | – 0 – | $ | – 0 – | $ | 161,881,685 |
(a) | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize reverse repurchase agreements. |
(b) | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize OTC derivatives outstanding. |
(c) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration. At October 31, 2021, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $159,692,379 or 15.6% of net assets. |
(d) | Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date. |
(e) | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest/floor/ceiling rate was in effect at October 31, 2021. |
(f) | Security in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. |
(g) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 0.21% of net assets as of October 31, 2021, are considered illiquid and restricted. Additional information regarding such securities follows: |
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
GSF | 02/25/2021 | $ | 172,261 | $ | 171,416 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||
GSF | 02/25/2021 | 360,693 | 358,198 | 0.04 | % | |||||||||||
GSF | 02/25/2021 | 41,063 | 40,726 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||
HFX Funding | 11/19/2020 | 1,143,960 | 1,099,260 | 0.11 | % | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust | 11/16/2015 | 161,923 | 149,174 | 0.01 | % |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 53 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust | 02/11/2000 | $ | 276,765 | $ | 276,765 | 0.03 | % | |||||||||
Terraform Global Operating LLC | 02/08/2018 | 89,000 | 91,213 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA | 01/24/2014 | 363,153 | 6,566 | 0.00 | % |
(h) | IO – Interest Only. |
(i) | Inverse interest only security. |
(j) | Non-income producing security. |
(k) | Defaulted matured security. |
(l) | Pay-In-Kind Payments (PIK). The issuer may pay cash interest and/or interest in additional debt securities. Rates shown are the rates in effect at October 31, 2021. |
(m) | Restricted and illiquid security. |
Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
Mt Logan Re Ltd. (Preference | 12/30/2014 | $ | 1,427,910 | $ | 1,502,628 | 0.15 | % |
(n) | Fair valued by the Adviser. |
(o) | Affiliated investments. |
(p) | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618. |
(q) | The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
Currency Abbreviations:
|
AUD – Australian Dollar |
CAD – Canadian Dollar |
EUR – Euro |
MYR – Malaysian Ringgit |
RUB – Russian Ruble |
SEK – Swedish Krona |
USD – United States Dollar |
Glossary:
ABS – Asset-Backed Securities
CBT – Chicago Board of Trade
CDOR – Canadian Dealer Offered Rate
CDX-CMBX.NA – North American Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index
CDX-NAIG – North American Investment Grade Credit Default Swap Index
CLO – Collateralized Loan Obligations
CMBS – Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
CPI – Consumer Price Index
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
REMICs – Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits
SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate
STIBOR – Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate
TBA – To Be Announced
TIPS – Treasury Inflation Protected Security
See notes to financial statements.
54 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
October 31, 2021
Assets |
| |||
Investments in securities, at value | ||||
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $1,120,730,549) | $ | 1,157,483,939 | ||
Affiliated issuers (cost $47,432,507) | 47,432,507 | |||
Cash | 1,448,501 | |||
Cash collateral due from broker | 11,618,471 | |||
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $153,689) | 155,637 | |||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 17,009,846 | |||
Interest receivable | 2,761,297 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on inflation swaps | 1,458,505 | |||
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums paid $1,908,247) | 1,148,875 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 307,157 | |||
Receivable for investment securities sold | 173,005 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on total return swaps | 25,579 | |||
Affiliated dividends receivable | 370 | |||
|
| |||
Total assets | 1,241,023,689 | |||
|
| |||
Liabilities |
| |||
Payable for reverse repurchase agreements | 161,881,685 | |||
Payable for investment securities purchased | 46,021,962 | |||
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums received $1,297,950) | 3,246,224 | |||
Cash collateral due to broker | 2,228,000 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 1,932,416 | |||
Payable for capital stock redeemed | 524,040 | |||
Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 484,616 | |||
Advisory fee payable | 263,765 | |||
Payable for variation margin on futures | 156,563 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps | 114,466 | |||
Distribution fee payable | 54,635 | |||
Administrative fee payable | 35,130 | |||
Foreign capital gains tax payable | 26,085 | |||
Transfer Agent fee payable | 10,438 | |||
Directors’ fees payable | 2,381 | |||
Accrued expenses | 362,472 | |||
|
| |||
Total liabilities | 217,344,878 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 1,023,678,811 | ||
|
| |||
Composition of Net Assets |
| |||
Capital stock, at par | $ | 86,286 | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 976,474,149 | |||
Distributable earnings | 47,118,376 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 1,023,678,811 | ||
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 55 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES (continued)
Net Asset Value Per Share—33 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
Class | Net Assets | Shares Outstanding | Net Asset Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||||
A | $ | 54,687,141 | 4,567,084 | $ | 11.97 | * | ||||||
| ||||||||||||
C | $ | 12,914,723 | 1,110,758 | $ | 11.63 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Advisor | $ | 475,604,297 | 39,682,410 | $ | 11.99 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
R | $ | 2,368,824 | 197,440 | $ | 12.00 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
K | $ | 7,419,974 | 620,598 | $ | 11.96 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
I | $ | 6,092,748 | 514,527 | $ | 11.84 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
1 | $ | 377,333,107 | 32,158,633 | $ | 11.73 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
2 | $ | 66,347,709 | 5,658,106 | $ | 11.73 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Z | $ | 20,910,288 | 1,776,823 | $ | 11.77 | |||||||
|
* | The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $12.50 which reflects a sales charge of 4.25%. |
See notes to financial statements.
56 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended October 31, 2021
Investment Income |
| |||||||
Interest | $ | 37,677,341 | ||||||
Dividends |
| |||||||
Unaffiliated issuers | 7,908 | |||||||
Affiliated issuers | 1,469 | $ | 37,686,718 | |||||
|
| |||||||
Expenses |
| |||||||
Advisory fee (see Note B) | 3,659,031 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class A | 92,576 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class C | 68,444 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class R | 11,980 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class K | 18,088 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class 1 | 345,655 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class A | 42,124 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class C | 7,729 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Advisor Class | 275,816 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class R | 6,230 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class K | 14,471 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class I | 6,489 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class 1 | 35,000 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class 2 | 6,372 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class Z | 3,259 | |||||||
Registration fees | 210,272 | |||||||
Custody and accounting | 182,014 | |||||||
Audit and tax | 117,526 | |||||||
Administrative | 104,020 | |||||||
Printing | 57,390 | |||||||
Legal | 36,314 | |||||||
Directors’ fees | 27,531 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 29,596 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses before interest expense | 5,357,927 | |||||||
Interest expense | 227,728 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses | 5,585,655 | |||||||
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | (1,169,019 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net expenses | 4,416,636 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net investment income | 33,270,082 | |||||||
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 57 |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (continued)
Year Ended October 31, 2021
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment and Foreign Currency Transactions | ||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
Investment transactions(a) | $ | 16,691,774 | ||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | (533,627 | ) | ||||||
Futures | 6,637,541 | |||||||
Options written | 839,826 | |||||||
Swaps | (10,071,677 | ) | ||||||
Swaptions written | 467,008 | |||||||
Foreign currency transactions | 79,958 | |||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | ||||||||
Investments(b) | (6,152,702 | ) | ||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | (2,237,680 | ) | ||||||
Futures | (304,492 | ) | ||||||
Options written | (510,303 | ) | ||||||
Swaps | 13,389,261 | |||||||
Swaptions written | (51,621 | ) | ||||||
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | 55,950 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | 18,299,216 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations | $ | 51,569,298 | ||||||
|
|
(a) | Net of foreign realized capital gains taxes of $829. |
(b) | Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized gains of $1,890. |
See notes to financial statements.
58 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||
Increase in Net Assets from Operations |
| |||||||
Net investment income | $ | 33,270,082 | $ | 14,427,948 | ||||
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | 14,110,803 | 7,521,295 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | 4,188,413 | 20,654,424 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net increase in net assets from operations | 51,569,298 | 42,603,667 | ||||||
Distributions to Shareholders |
| |||||||
Class A | (1,439,317 | ) | (649,771 | ) | ||||
Class C | (255,420 | ) | (50,256 | ) | ||||
Advisor Class | (11,236,851 | ) | (3,332,209 | ) | ||||
Class R | (74,773 | ) | (62,687 | ) | ||||
Class K | (278,001 | ) | (127,416 | ) | ||||
Class I | (241,543 | ) | (224,256 | ) | ||||
Class 1 | (14,464,863 | ) | (7,448,238 | ) | ||||
Class 2 | (2,649,431 | ) | (1,473,613 | ) | ||||
Class Z | (756,905 | ) | (502,262 | ) | ||||
Capital Stock Transactions |
| |||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 430,919,982 | (98,268,014 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total increase (decrease) | 451,092,176 | (69,535,055 | ) | |||||
Net Assets |
| |||||||
Beginning of period | 572,586,635 | 642,121,690 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
End of period | $ | 1,023,678,811 | $ | 572,586,635 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 59 |
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended October 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations | $ | 51,569,298 | ||||||
Reconciliation of net increase in net assets from operations to net decrease in cash from operating activities | ||||||||
Purchases of long-term investments | $ | (919,202,949 | ) | |||||
Purchases of short-term investments | (527,649,241 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments | 588,055,941 | |||||||
Proceeds from disposition of short-term investments | 482,860,371 | |||||||
Net realized gain on investment transactions and foreign currency transactions | (14,110,803 | ) | ||||||
Net realized loss on forward currency exchange contracts | (533,627 | ) | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | (4,188,413 | ) | ||||||
Net accretion of bond discount and amortization of bond premium | 7,528,788 | |||||||
Inflation index adjustment | (29,505,553 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in receivable for investments sold | 6,709,056 | |||||||
Increase in interest receivable | (62,794 | ) | ||||||
Increase in affiliated dividends receivable | (275 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in cash collateral due from broker | 2,609,200 | |||||||
Increase in payable for investments purchased | 32,436,214 | |||||||
Increase in cash collateral due to broker | 1,885,000 | |||||||
Increase in advisory fee payable | 92,344 | |||||||
Increase in administrative fee payable | 7,830 | |||||||
Increase in Foreign capital gains tax payable | 26,085 | |||||||
Decrease in Transfer Agent fee payable | (1,836 | ) | ||||||
Increase in distribution fee payable | 15,931 | |||||||
Increase in Directors’ fee payable | 209 | |||||||
Increase in accrued expenses | 140,333 | |||||||
Payments on options written, net | (12,505 | ) | ||||||
Payments on swaptions written, net | (169,112 | ) | ||||||
Payments on swaps, net | (5,262,679 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds for exchange-traded derivatives settlements, net | 12,405,671 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total adjustments | (365,926,814 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (314,357,516 | ) |
See notes to financial statements.
60 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
For the Year Ended October 31, 2021
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
Subscriptions of capital stock, net | $ | 390,796,286 | ||||||
Cash dividends paid (net of dividend reinvestments)† | (6,250,820 | ) | ||||||
Repayment of reverse repurchase agreements | (68,813,523 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | $ | 315,731,943 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate on cash | 135,908 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net increase in cash | 1,510,335 | |||||||
Cash at beginning of year | 93,803 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Cash at end of year | $ | 1,604,138 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||||||
† Reinvestment of dividends | $ | 25,146,284 | ||||||
Interest expense paid during the year | $ | 293,034 |
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Fund has included a Statement of Cash Flows as a result of its significant investments in reverse repurchase agreements throughout the year.
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 61 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2021
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Company, which is a Maryland corporation, operates as a series company comprised of 10 portfolios currently in operation. Each portfolio is considered to be a separate entity for financial reporting and tax purposes. This report relates only to the AB Bond Inflation Strategy Portfolio (the “Fund”), a diversified portfolio. The Fund has authorized the issuance of Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class Z, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2. Class B and Class T shares have not been issued. Class 1 shares are sold only to the private clients of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC by its registered representatives. 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 C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase, and 0% after the first year of purchase. Effective May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Prior to May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Class R, Class K, and Class 1 shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge. Advisor Class, Class I, Class 2 and Class Z shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. All eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”), which require 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 Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. 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
62 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
In general, the market values 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures 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; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. 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, 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. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 63 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. 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. To account for this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
• | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
• | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
• | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized
64 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3.
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar collateral and risk profiles, including relevant indices. Mortgage and asset-backed securities for which management has collected current observable data through pricing services are generally categorized within Level 2. Those investments for which current observable data has not been provided are classified as Level 3.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 65 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of October 31, 2021:
Investments in Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Inflation-Linked Securities | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 840,681,006 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 840,681,006 | ||||||
Corporates – Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 116,010,468 | – 0 | – | 116,010,468 | ||||||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 52,889,681 | 570,340 | 53,460,021 | |||||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | – 0 | – | 40,175,372 | – 0 | – | 40,175,372 | ||||||||||
Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 26,294,056 | – 0 | – | 26,294,056 | ||||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 18,465,387 | 2,044,244 | 20,509,631 | |||||||||||
Collateralized Loan Obligations | – 0 | – | 20,061,310 | – 0 | – | 20,061,310 | ||||||||||
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | – 0 | – | 19,852,031 | – 0 | – | 19,852,031 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Corporate Bonds | – 0 | – | 5,056,437 | – 0 | – | 5,056,437 | ||||||||||
Local Governments – US Municipal Bonds | – 0 | – | 4,668,074 | – 0 | – | 4,668,074 | ||||||||||
Quasi-Sovereigns | – 0 | – | 3,174,037 | – 0 | – | 3,174,037 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Sovereigns | – 0 | – | 2,993,780 | – 0 | – | 2,993,780 | ||||||||||
Governments – Treasuries | – 0 | – | 1,613,517 | – 0 | – | 1,613,517 | ||||||||||
Common Stocks | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 1,502,628 | 1,502,628 | ||||||||||
Governments – Sovereign Bonds | – 0 | – | 1,431,571 | – 0 | – | 1,431,571 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Investments | 47,432,507 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 47,432,507 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total Investments in Securities | 47,432,507 | 1,153,366,727 | 4,117,212 | 1,204,916,446 | ||||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments(a): | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Futures | 801,499 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 801,499 | (b) | |||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | 307,157 | – 0 | – | 307,157 | ||||||||||
Centrally Cleared Inflation (CPI) Swaps | – 0 | – | 14,256,845 | – 0 | – | 14,256,845 | (b) | |||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | 822,294 | – 0 | – | 822,294 | (b) | |||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | 1,148,875 | – 0 | – | 1,148,875 | ||||||||||
Inflation (CPI) Swaps | – 0 | – | 1,458,505 | – 0 | – | 1,458,505 | ||||||||||
Total Return Swaps | – 0 | – | 25,579 | – 0 | – | 25,579 |
66 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Investments in Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
Futures | $ | (98,591 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (98,591 | )(b) | ||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | (1,932,416 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,932,416 | ) | ||||||||
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | (4,899,844 | ) | – 0 | – | (4,899,844 | )(b) | ||||||||
Centrally Cleared Inflation (CPI) Swaps | – 0 | – | (5,608,865 | ) | – 0 | – | (5,608,865 | )(b) | ||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | (2,402,765 | ) | – 0 | – | (2,402,765 | )(b) | ||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | (3,246,224 | ) | – 0 | – | (3,246,224 | ) | ||||||||
Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | (114,466 | ) | – 0 | – | (114,466 | ) | ||||||||
Reverse Repurchase Agreements | (161,881,685 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (161,881,685 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | (113,746,270 | ) | $ | 1,153,181,402 | $ | 4,117,212 | $ | 1,043,552,344 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(b) | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 67 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. 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.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
5. 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. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
The Fund accounts for distributions received from REIT investments or from regulated investment companies as dividend income, realized gain, or return of capital based on information provided by the REIT or the investment company.
6. 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. Expenses of the Company are charged proportionately to each fund or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. 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
68 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 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 .50% 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 Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses (excluding extraordinary expenses, interest expense, and acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest), on an annual basis (“Expense Caps”) to .75%, 1.50%, .50%, 1.00%, .75%, .50%, .60%, .50% and .50% of the daily average net assets for the Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class 1, Class 2, and Class Z shares, respectively. This fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement agreement will remain in effect until January 31, 2022 and then may be extended for additional one-year terms. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such reimbursement amounted to $1,162,153.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $104,020.
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 $153,263 for the year ended October 31, 2021.
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 $16,760 from the sale of Class A shares and received $22,542 and $831 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2021.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 69 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2022. In connection with the investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such waiver amounted to $6,866.
A summary of the Fund’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021 is as follows:
Fund | Market Value 10/31/20 (000) | Purchases at Cost (000) | Sales Proceeds (000) | Market Value 10/31/21 (000) | Dividend Income (000) | |||||||||||||||
Government Money Market Portfolio | $ | 2,644 | $ | 510,265 | $ | 465,476 | $ | 47,433 | $ | 1 |
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 up to .30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares, 1% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares, .50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares, .25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class K shares and .10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class 1 shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on the Advisor Class, Class I, Class 2 and Class Z shares. Payments under the Agreement in respect of Class A shares are currently limited to an annual rate of .25% of Class A shares’ average daily net assets. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. Since the commencement of the Fund’s operations, the Distributor has incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the amounts of $312,902, $56,056, $58,026 and $1,583,324 for Class C, Class R, Class K and Class 1 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
70 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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.
NOTE D
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended October 31, 2021 were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | $ | 174,278,653 | $ | 164,817,184 | ||||
U.S. government securities | 744,946,198 | 411,500,382 |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
Cost | $ | 1,168,168,951 | ||
|
| |||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 60,434,118 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (16,850,054 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 43,584,064 | ||
|
|
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
• | Futures |
The Fund may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Fund bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Fund may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 71 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
At the time the Fund enters into futures, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Use of long futures subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held futures for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Fund may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Fund. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract
72 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Option Transactions |
For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities, including government securities, and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. Among other things, the Fund may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.
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. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. 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. The Fund’s maximum payment for written put options equates to the number of shares multiplied by the strike price. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract. 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
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 73 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
received reduces 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.
The Fund may also invest in options on swap agreements, also called “swaptions”. A swaption is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market-based “premium”. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return on a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties. The Fund’s maximum payment for written put swaptions equates to the notional amount of the underlying swap. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held written options for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held written swaptions for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Swaps |
The Fund may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk or currencies. The Fund may also enter into swaps for non-hedging purposes as a means of gaining market exposures, making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions.” A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Fund in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Fund or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment
74 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
to be received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Fund accrues for the interim payments on swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for swaps are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Fund enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for centrally cleared swaps is generally less than non-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 75 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Interest Rate Swaps:
The Fund is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Fund holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Fund may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or, receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional amount.
In addition, the Fund may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or “notional”) amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held interest rate swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Inflation (CPI) Swaps:
Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index (the Consumer Price Index with respect to CPI swaps) over the term of the swap (with some lag on the inflation index), and the other pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swaps may be used to protect the net asset value, or NAV, of a Fund against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index since the value of these agreements is expected to increase if there are unexpected inflation increases.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held inflation (CPI) swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Credit Default Swaps:
The Fund may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its
76 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Fund, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Fund may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap, the Fund receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. If the Fund is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation. In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Fund for the same referenced obligations with the same counterparty.
Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Fund is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Fund coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Fund.
Implied credit spreads over U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 77 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held credit default swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Total Return Swaps:
The Fund may enter into total return swaps in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Fund is subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held total return swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Fund’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Fund decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty table below for additional details.
78 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund had entered into the following derivatives:
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative Type | Statement of | Fair Value | Statement of | Fair Value | ||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 801,499 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 98,591 | * | ||||
Credit contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 7,724 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 229,649 | * | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps |
| 15,079,101 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps |
| 8,011,773 | * | ||||
Foreign currency contracts | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
| 307,157 |
| Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
| 1,932,416 |
| ||||
Interest rate contracts | Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps |
| 114,466 |
| ||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Unrealized appreciation on inflation swaps |
| 1,458,505 |
| ||||||||
Credit contracts | Market value on credit default swaps | 1,148,875 | Market value on credit default swaps | 3,246,224 | ||||||||
Credit contracts | Unrealized appreciation on total return swaps | 25,579 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 18,828,440 | $ | 13,633,119 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 79 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Derivative Type | Location of Gain | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | $ | 6,637,541 | $ | (304,492 | ) | ||||
Foreign currency contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | (533,627 | ) | (2,237,680 | ) | |||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on options written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of options written | 839,826 | (510,303 | ) | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaptions written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaptions written | (169,112 | ) | |||||||
Credit contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaptions written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaptions written | 636,120 | (51,621 | ) | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | (2,204,717 | ) | 12,409,864 | ||||||
Credit contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | (7,866,960 | ) | 979,397 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | (2,660,929 | ) | $ | 10,285,165 | |||||
|
|
|
|
80 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Fund’s derivative transactions during the year ended October 31, 2021:
Futures: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 29,871,775 | (a) | |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 158,843,418 | ||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | ||||
Average principal amount of buy contracts | $ | 51,756,314 | ||
Average principal amount of sale contracts | $ | 103,490,358 | ||
Options Written: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 62,745,920 | (b) | |
Swaptions Written: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 22,722,600 | (c) | |
Interest Rate Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 595,000 | ||
Inflation Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 23,800,000 | ||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 167,424,791 | ||
Centrally Cleared Inflation Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 287,960,000 | ||
Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 14,069,308 | ||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 13,736,385 | ||
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 197,784,308 | ||
Total Return Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 20,860,000 |
(a) | Positions were open for eleven months during the year. |
(b) | Positions were open for one month during the year. |
(c) | Positions were open for four months during the year. |
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021. Exchange-traded
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 81 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Received* | Security Collateral Received* | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | $ | 980,067 | $ | (923,345 | ) | $ | (56,722 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | ||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 274,561 | (274,561 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 55,655 | (55,655 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA/JPMorgan Securities, LLC | 1,482,644 | (808,032 | ) | (674,612 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | 114,593 | (114,593 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Standard Chartered Bank | 336 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 336 | ||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | 32,260 | (14,560 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 17,700 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,940,116 | $ | (2,190,746 | ) | $ | (731,334 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 18,036 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Security Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | $ | 655,943 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 655,943 | |||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | 923,345 | (923,345 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | 372,461 | – 0 | – | (260,000 | ) | (58,407 | ) | 54,054 | ||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 709,355 | (274,561 | ) | – 0 | – | (338,838 | ) | 95,956 | ||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 1,285,055 | (55,655 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,229,400 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA/JPMorgan Securities, LLC | 808,032 | (808,032 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | 492,243 | (114,593 | ) | (270,500 | ) | – 0 | – | 107,150 | ||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | 14,560 | (14,560 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
UBS AG | 32,112 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 32,112 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 5,293,106 | $ | (2,190,746 | ) | $ | (530,500 | ) | $ | (1,626,645 | ) | $ | 945,215 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
* | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
See Note D.3 for additional disclosure of netting arrangements regarding reverse repurchase agreements.
2. Currency Transactions
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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).
3. Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase transactions (“RVP”) in accordance with the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement (“MRA”), under which the Fund sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish a segregated account with the custodian containing liquid assets having a value comparable to the repurchase price. Under the MRA and other Master Agreements, the Fund is permitted to offset payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted to the counterparty and create one single net payment due to or from the Fund in the event of a default. In the event of a default by a MRA counterparty, the Fund may be considered an unsecured creditor with respect to any excess collateral (collateral with a market value in excess of the repurchase price) held by and/or posted to the counterparty, and as such the return of such excess collateral may be delayed or denied. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding was $201,615,300 and the daily weighted average interest rate was 0.09%. At October 31, 2021, the Fund had reverse repurchase agreements outstanding in the amount of $161,881,685 as reported on the statement of assets and liabilities.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 83 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The following table presents the Fund’s RVP liabilities by counterparty net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021:
Counterparty | RVP Liabilities Subject to a MRA | Securities Collateral Pledged†* | Net Amount of RVP Liabilities | |||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc. | $ | 94,849,334 | $ | (94,849,334 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | ||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank | 67,032,351 | (67,032,351 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | 161,881,685 | $ | (161,881,685 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
† | Including accrued interest. |
* | The actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount reported due to overcollateralization. |
NOTE E
Capital Stock
Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 2,978,479 | 1,261,189 | $ | 35,571,322 | $ | 14,062,730 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 90,410 | 43,961 | 1,077,553 | 495,138 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted from Class C | 37,706 | 14,046 | 448,061 | 156,235 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (1,241,973 | ) | (2,126,950 | ) | (14,796,949 | ) | (23,152,124 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 1,864,622 | (807,754 | ) | $ | 22,299,987 | $ | (8,438,021 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class C |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 910,217 | 187,777 | $ | 10,556,717 | $ | 2,049,635 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 18,764 | 3,364 | 217,682 | 37,161 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted to Class A | (38,802 | ) | (14,427 | ) | (448,061 | ) | (156,235 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (119,284 | ) | (81,140 | ) | (1,373,884 | ) | (868,047 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 770,895 | 95,574 | $ | 8,952,454 | $ | 1,062,514 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advisor Class |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 32,633,289 | 5,506,776 | $ | 390,487,358 | $ | 60,921,189 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 752,032 | 253,528 | 8,980,280 | 2,856,501 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (5,427,376 | ) | (9,408,756 | ) | (64,729,262 | ) | (103,456,299 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 27,957,945 | (3,648,452 | ) | $ | 334,738,376 | $ | (39,678,609 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
84 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class R |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 75,262 | 77,780 | $ | 896,690 | $ | 845,022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 6,268 | 4,957 | 74,772 | 55,751 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (149,178 | ) | (457,340 | ) | (1,768,349 | ) | (4,996,719 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (67,648 | ) | (374,603 | ) | $ | (796,887 | ) | $ | (4,095,946 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class K |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 275,029 | 289,515 | $ | 3,257,866 | $ | 3,233,235 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 23,367 | 11,291 | 278,000 | 127,416 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (266,306 | ) | (174,841 | ) | (3,145,625 | ) | (1,884,738 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 32,090 | 125,965 | $ | 390,241 | $ | 1,475,913 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class I |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 196,613 | 366,818 | $ | 2,313,809 | $ | 4,053,521 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 20,510 | 20,138 | 241,543 | 224,256 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (427,976 | ) | (574,453 | ) | (5,005,518 | ) | (6,419,617 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (210,853 | ) | (187,497 | ) | $ | (2,450,166 | ) | $ | (2,141,840 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class 1 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 8,538,149 | 4,785,245 | $ | 99,794,546 | $ | 52,219,913 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 943,670 | 515,381 | 11,024,083 | 5,712,290 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (4,846,477 | ) | (7,432,024 | ) | (56,534,866 | ) | (80,548,968 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 4,635,342 | (2,131,398 | ) | $ | 54,283,763 | $ | (22,616,765 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class 2 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 1,000,419 | 2,095,390 | $ | 11,655,904 | $ | 22,581,072 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share issued in reinvestment of dividends | 214,040 | 115,965 | 2,498,675 | 1,284,697 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (871,616 | ) | (2,363,445 | ) | (10,110,085 | ) | (25,251,716 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 342,843 | (152,090 | ) | $ | 4,044,494 | $ | (1,385,947 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Z |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 1,223,975 | 1,366,377 | $ | 14,312,713 | $ | 14,759,779 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share issued in reinvestment of dividends | 64,293 | 45,824 | 753,696 | 501,842 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (479,527 | ) | (3,464,375 | ) | (5,608,689 | ) | (37,710,934 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 808,741 | (2,052,174 | ) | $ | 9,457,720 | $ | (22,449,313 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 85 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE F
Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund
Market Risk—The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond market fluctuates. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security. Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations.
Interest-Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Duration Risk—Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities. Although the Fund invests principally in inflation-indexed securities, the value of its securities may be vulnerable to changes in expectations of inflation or interest rates.
Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce
86 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.
Mortgage-Related and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk—Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.
Leverage Risk—When the Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Illiquid Investments Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 87 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally go down.
LIBOR Transition and Associated Risk—A Fund may be exposed to debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various interest rate calculations. In 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The FCA and LIBOR’s administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration, have since announced that most LIBOR settings (which reflect LIBOR rates quoted in different currencies over various time periods) will no longer be published after the end of 2021 but that the most widely used U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published until June 30, 2023. However, banks were strongly encouraged to cease entering into agreements with counterparties referencing LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is possible that a subset of LIBOR settings will be published after these dates on a “synthetic” basis, but any such publications would be considered non-representative of the underlying market. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (referred to as SOFR), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates.
The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related investments or investments in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of hedging strategies, potentially adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. The potential effects of a phase out of LIBOR on LIBOR-based investments are currently unknown.
88 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
Management Risk—The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively-managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
NOTE G
Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing related to redemptions and other short term liquidity requirements, subject to certain restrictions. 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 year ended October 31, 2021.
NOTE H
Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020 were as follows:
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 27,901,153 | $ | 13,870,708 | ||||
Net long-term capital gains | 3,495,951 | – 0 | – | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total taxable distributions paid | $ | 31,397,104 | $ | 13,870,708 | ||||
|
|
|
|
As of October 31, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed capital gains | $ | 3,796,204 | (a) | |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | 43,631,840 | (b) | ||
|
| |||
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | $ | 47,428,044 | (c) | |
|
|
(a) | During the fiscal year, the Fund utilized $11,427,672 of capital loss carry forwards to offset current year net realized gains. |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 89 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), the tax treatment of Treasury inflation-protected securities, the tax treatment of swaps, the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, and the amortization on callable bonds. |
(c) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) are attributable primarily to the accrual of foreign capital gains tax and the tax treatment of defaulted securities. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of October 31, 2021, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of swaps resulted in a net increase in distributable earnings and a net decrease in additional paid-in capital. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets.
NOTE I
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU 2020-04.
NOTE J
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.
90 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.56 | $ 10.95 | $ 10.47 | $ 10.83 | $ 10.92 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .51 | .25 | .21 | .28 | .21 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .35 | .59 | .52 | (.38 | ) | (.11 | ) | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .86 | .84 | .73 | (.10 | ) | .10 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.45 | ) | (.23 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.26 | ) | (.19 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.45 | ) | (.23 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.26 | ) | (.19 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.97 | $ 11.56 | �� | $ 10.95 | $ 10.47 | $ 10.83 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 7.63 | % | 7.64 | % | 7.00 | % | (.99 | )% | .91 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $54,687 | $31,248 | $38,422 | $52,116 | $27,718 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | .78 | % | .91 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.31 | % | 1.01 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | 1.00 | % | 1.18 | % | 1.51 | % | 1.56 | % | 1.34 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 4.29 | % | 2.26 | % | 1.93 | % | 2.60 | % | 1.95 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 62 | % | 48 | % | 40 | % | 36 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 100.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 91 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.25 | $ 10.67 | $ 10.24 | $ 10.61 | $ 10.71 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .44 | .18 | .13 | .19 | .13 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .31 | .56 | .49 | (.37 | ) | (.11 | ) | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .75 | .74 | .62 | (.18 | ) | .02 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.37 | ) | (.16 | ) | (.19 | ) | (.19 | ) | (.12 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.63 | $ 11.25 | $ 10.67 | $ 10.24 | $ 10.61 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 6.87 | % | 6.92 | % | 6.18 | % | (1.77 | )% | .16 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $12,915 | $3,823 | $2,607 | $3,391 | $3,627 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | 1.53 | % | 1.64 | % | 1.99 | % | 2.03 | % | 1.76 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | 1.75 | % | 1.91 | % | 2.26 | % | 2.29 | % | 2.09 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 3.79 | % | 1.62 | % | 1.28 | % | 1.77 | % | 1.26 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 62 | % | 48 | % | 40 | % | 36 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 100.
92 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.57 | $ 10.96 | $ 10.49 | $ 10.84 | $ 10.93 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .57 | .27 | .27 | .30 | .25 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .33 | .60 | .48 | (.37 | ) | (.13 | ) | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .90 | .87 | .75 | (.07 | ) | .12 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.48 | ) | (.26 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.21 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.48 | ) | (.26 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.21 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.99 | $ 11.57 | $ 10.96 | $ 10.49 | $ 10.84 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 7.98 | % | 7.93 | % | 7.21 | % | (.68 | )% | 1.15 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $475,604 | $135,677 | $168,440 | $150,011 | $107,545 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | .53 | % | .66 | % | .97 | % | 1.05 | % | .77 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | .74 | % | .92 | % | 1.24 | % | 1.31 | % | 1.10 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 4.76 | % | 2.44 | % | 2.47 | % | 2.80 | % | 2.31 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 62 | % | 48 | % | 40 | % | 36 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 100.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 93 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class R | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.57 | $ 10.93 | $ 10.46 | $ 10.82 | $ 10.89 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .45 | .21 | .20 | .24 | .21 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .38 | .62 | .49 | (.37 | ) | (.12 | ) | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .83 | .83 | .69 | (.13 | ) | .09 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.40 | ) | (.19 | ) | (.22 | ) | (.23 | ) | (.16 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.00 | $ 11.57 | $ 10.93 | $ 10.46 | $ 10.82 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 7.44 | % | 7.61 | %(f) | 6.64 | % | (1.15 | )% | .80 | %(f) | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $2,369 | $3,066 | $6,992 | $6,354 | $5,364 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | 1.04 | % | 1.21 | % | 1.47 | % | 1.54 | % | 1.29 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | 1.40 | % | 1.58 | % | 1.83 | % | 1.90 | % | 1.67 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 3.74 | % | 1.88 | % | 1.88 | % | 2.24 | % | 2.08 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 62 | % | 48 | % | 40 | % | 36 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 100.
94 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class K | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.54 | $ 10.92 | $ 10.45 | $ 10.81 | $ 10.89 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .52 | .27 | .17 | .27 | .21 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .34 | .58 | .54 | (.38 | ) | (.11 | ) | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .86 | .85 | .71 | (.11 | ) | .10 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.44 | ) | (.23 | ) | (.23 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.18 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.44 | ) | (.23 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.18 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.96 | $ 11.54 | $ 10.92 | $ 10.45 | $ 10.81 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 7.64 | % | 7.74 | % | 6.88 | % | (1.01 | )% | .96 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $7,420 | $6,790 | $5,051 | $12,055 | $2,903 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | .78 | % | .89 | % | 1.27 | % | 1.35 | % | 1.01 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | 1.09 | % | 1.21 | % | 1.57 | % | 1.65 | % | 1.37 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 4.34 | % | 2.40 | % | 1.61 | % | 2.57 | % | 1.95 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 62 | % | 48 | % | 40 | % | 36 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 100.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 95 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class I | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.44 | $ 10.84 | $ 10.38 | $ 10.74 | $ 10.84 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .51 | .27 | .25 | .28 | .24 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .37 | .59 | .49 | (.36 | ) | (.12 | ) | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .88 | .86 | .74 | (.08 | ) | .12 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.48 | ) | (.26 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.22 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.48 | ) | (.26 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.22 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.84 | $ 11.44 | $ 10.84 | $ 10.38 | $ 10.74 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 7.88 | % | 7.97 | % | 7.23 | % | (.73 | )% | 1.15 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $6,093 | $8,297 | $9,893 | $5,688 | $642 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | .53 | % | .65 | % | .94 | % | 1.11 | % | .76 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | .74 | % | .88 | % | 1.18 | % | 1.34 | % | .99 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 4.31 | % | 2.42 | % | 2.40 | % | 2.67 | % | 2.25 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 62 | % | 48 | % | 40 | % | 36 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 100.
96 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.35 | $ 10.77 | $ 10.33 | $ 10.69 | $ 10.80 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .52 | .26 | .24 | .28 | .22 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .34 | .59 | .48 | (.36 | ) | (.11 | ) | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .86 | .85 | .72 | (.08 | ) | .11 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.48 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.22 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.48 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.22 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.73 | $ 11.35 | $ 10.77 | $ 10.33 | $ 10.69 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 7.77 | % | 7.84 | % | 7.18 | % | (.77 | )%(f) | 1.01 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $377,333 | $312,381 | $319,282 | $306,620 | $274,366 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | .63 | % | .75 | % | 1.07 | % | 1.14 | % | .86 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | .75 | % | .88 | % | 1.20 | % | 1.28 | % | 1.04 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 4.44 | % | 2.42 | % | 2.31 | % | 2.66 | % | 2.10 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 62 | % | 48 | % | 40 | % | 36 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 100.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 97 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.34 | $ 10.76 | $ 10.32 | $ 10.69 | $ 10.79 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .53 | .28 | .26 | .29 | .24 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .35 | .58 | .48 | (.37 | ) | (.11 | ) | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .88 | .86 | .74 | (.08 | ) | .13 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.49 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.23 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.49 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.23 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.73 | $ 11.34 | $ 10.76 | $ 10.32 | $ 10.69 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 7.98 | % | 7.96 | % | 7.19 | % | (.77 | )% | 1.21 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $66,348 | $60,289 | $58,829 | $50,705 | $54,118 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | .53 | % | .65 | % | .96 | % | 1.03 | % | .76 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | .65 | % | .78 | % | 1.09 | % | 1.17 | % | .94 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 4.51 | % | 2.53 | % | 2.45 | % | 2.78 | % | 2.24 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 62 | % | 48 | % | 40 | % | 36 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 100.
98 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class Z | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.38 | $ 10.80 | $ 10.35 | $ 10.72 | $ 10.82 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .56 | .24 | .27 | .28 | .24 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .32 | .62 | .47 | (.36 | ) | (.11 | ) | |||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .88 | .86 | .74 | (.08 | ) | .13 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.49 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.23 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.01 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.49 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.23 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.77 | $ 11.38 | $ 10.80 | $ 10.35 | $ 10.72 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 7.94 | % | 7.92 | % | 7.26 | % | (.77 | )% | 1.19 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $20,910 | $11,016 | $32,606 | $26,142 | $16,019 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | .53 | % | .67 | % | .96 | % | 1.06 | % | .76 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | .65 | % | .81 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.21 | % | .94 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 4.81 | % | 2.16 | % | 2.50 | % | 2.69 | % | 2.22 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 62 | % | 48 | % | 40 | % | 36 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 100.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 99 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(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) | The expense ratios presented below exclude interest expense: |
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Class A |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .97 | % | 1.01 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.01 | % | 1.07 | % | ||||||||||
Class C |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.72 | % | 1.77 | % | 1.77 | % | 1.76 | % | 1.82 | % | ||||||||||
Advisor Class |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .72 | % | .77 | % | .77 | % | .76 | % | .83 | % | ||||||||||
Class R |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.00 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.00 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.36 | % | 1.37 | % | 1.36 | % | 1.36 | % | 1.38 | % | ||||||||||
Class K |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.05 | % | 1.07 | % | 1.04 | % | 1.05 | % | 1.10 | % | ||||||||||
Class I |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .71 | % | .73 | % | .73 | % | .73 | % | .72 | % | ||||||||||
Class 1 |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .60 | % | .60 | % | .60 | % | .60 | % | .60 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .72 | % | .73 | % | .73 | % | .74 | % | .77 | % | ||||||||||
Class 2 |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .62 | % | .63 | % | .63 | % | .64 | % | .67 | % | ||||||||||
Class Z |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .62 | % | .63 | % | .64 | % | .65 | % | .68 | % |
(f) | The net asset value and total return include adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for financial reporting purposes. As such, the net asset value and total return for shareholder transactions may differ from financial statements. |
See notes to financial statements.
100 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of AB Bond Inflation Strategy
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AB Bond Inflation Strategy (the “Fund”) (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2021, and the related statements of operations and cash flows or the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc.) at October 31, 2021, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 101 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)
included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more of the AB investment companies since 1968.
New York, New York
December 23, 2021
102 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
2021 FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
(unaudited)
For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during the taxable year ended October 31, 2021. For foreign shareholders, 100% of ordinary income dividends paid may be considered to be qualifying to be taxed as interest-related dividends.
The Fund designates $3,495,951 of dividends paid as long-term capital gains dividends.
Shareholders should not use the above information to prepare their income tax returns. The information necessary to complete your income tax returns will be included with your Form 1099-DIV which will be sent to you separately in January 2022.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 103 |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1), Chairman Jorge A. Bermudez(1) Michael J. Downey(1) Onur Erzan, President and Chief Executive Officer | Nancy P. Jacklin(1) Jeanette W. Loeb(1) Carol C. McMullen(1) Garry L. Moody(1) Earl D. Weiner(1),* |
OFFICERS
Michael Canter(2), Vice President Janaki Rao(2), Vice President Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary Michael B. Reyes, Senior Analyst | Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Phyllis J. Clarke, Controller Vincent S. Noto, Chief Compliance Officer |
Custodian and Accounting Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company State Street Corporation CCB/5 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02210
Principal Underwriter AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. 501 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203
Transfer Agent AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278 Toll-Free (800) 221-5672 | Independent Registered Public Ernst & Young LLP One Manhattan West New York, NY 10001
Legal Counsel Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 |
1 | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, and the Independent Directors Committee. |
2 | The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s U.S. Multi-Sector Fixed-Income Team. Messrs. Canter and Rao are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. |
* | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
104 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Directors Information
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS DIRECTOR | OTHER DIRECTOR | |||||
INTERESTED DIRECTOR | ||||||||
Onur Erzan,# 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105 45 (2021) | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and Head of the Global Client Group overseeing AB’s institutional and retail businesses, where he is responsible for all client services, sales and marketing, as well as product strategy, management and development worldwide. Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AB Mutual Funds as of April 1, 2021. Prior to joining the firm in January 2021, he spent 20 years with McKinsey (management consulting firm), most recently as a senior partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice. In addition, he co-led McKinsey’s Banking & Securities Solutions (a portfolio of data, analytics, and digital assets and capabilities) globally. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 105 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS DIRECTOR | OTHER DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS |
| |||||||
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,## Chairman of the Board (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Former Chairman and CEO of Dupont Photomasks, Inc. (components of semi-conductor manufacturing). He was a Director of Xilinx, Inc. (programmable logic semi-conductors and adaptable, intelligent computing) from 2007 through August 2020, and is a former director of 33 other companies and organizations. He has extensive operating leadership and venture capital investing experience, including five interim or full-time CEO roles, and prior service as general partner of institutional venture capital partnerships. He also has extensive non-profit board leadership experience, and currently serves on the boards of two education and science-related non-profit organizations. He has served as a director of one AB Fund since 1992, and director or trustee of all AB Funds since 2005. He has been Chairman of the AB Funds since January 2014, and the Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of such AB Funds since February 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
106 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS DIRECTOR | OTHER DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Jorge A. Bermudez,## 70 (2020) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, from November 2007 to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s Commercial Business Group in North America and Citibank Texas from 2005 to 2007, and a variety of other executive and leadership roles at various businesses within Citigroup prior to then; Chairman (2018) of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees (Trustee since 2013) and Chairman of the Smart Grid Center Board at Texas A&M University since 2012; director of, among others, Citibank N.A. from 2005 to 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch from 2009 to 2011, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2011 to 2017, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas from 2010 to 2016. He has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since January 2020. | 74 | Moody’s Corporation since April 2011 | |||||
Michael J. Downey,## 77 (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chairman of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (registered investment company) since prior to 2016 until January 2019. From 1987 until 1993, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management, director of the Prudential mutual funds, and member of the Executive Committee of Prudential Securities, Inc. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2005. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 107 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS DIRECTOR | OTHER DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Nancy P. Jacklin,## (2006) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Professorial Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (2008-2015). U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (which is responsible for ensuring the stability of the international monetary system), (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2006 and has been Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds since August 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
Jeanette W. Loeb,## (2020) | Chief Executive Officer of PetCareRx (e-commerce pet pharmacy) from 2002 to 2011 and 2015 to present. Director of New York City Center since 2005. She was a director of AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund, Inc. (fund of hedge funds) from 2012 to 2018. Formerly, affiliated with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (financial services) from 1977 to 1994, including as a partner thereof from 1986 to 1994. She has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since April 2020. | 74 | Apollo Investment Corp. (business development company) since August 2011 |
108 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS DIRECTOR | OTHER DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Carol C. McMullen,## 66 (2016) | Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) since 2014, private investor and a member of the Advisory Board of Butcher Box (since 2018). Formerly, member, Partners Healthcare Investment Committee (2010-2019); Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011 until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016; and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 until 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Chief Investment Officer, Core and Growth and Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards, and as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since June 2016. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 109 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS DIRECTOR | OTHER DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Garry L. Moody,## (2008) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995), where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975-1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax department. He is a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of BoardIQ, a biweekly publication focused on issues and news affecting directors of mutual funds. He is also a member of the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and the Independent Directors Council’s Governing Council. He has served as a director or trustee, and as Chairman of the Audit Committees, of the AB Funds since 2008. | 74 | None | |||||
110 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS DIRECTOR | OTHER DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Earl D. Weiner,## ^ 82 | Senior Counsel since 2017, Of Counsel from 2007 to 2016, and Partner prior to then, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. He is a former member of the ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force to draft editions of the Fund Director’s Guidebook. He also serves as a director or trustee of various non-profit organizations and has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of a number of them. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2007 and served as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds from 2007 until August 2014. | 72 | None |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention Legal and Compliance Department—Mutual Fund Legal, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors. |
*** | The information above includes each Director’s principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes and skills relevant to each Director’s qualifications to serve as a Director, which led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director for the Fund. |
# | Mr. Erzan is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the “40 Act”, due to his position as a Senior Vice President of the Adviser. |
## | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, and the Independent Directors Committee. |
^ | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 111 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
Officer Information
Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE | PRINCIPAL HELD WITH FUND | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST 5 YEARS | ||
Onur Erzan 45 | President and Chief Executive Officer | See biography above. | ||
Michael Canter 52 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also Director of Securitized Assets and US Multi-Sector Fixed-Income. | ||
Janaki Rao 51 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Emilie D. Wrapp 66 | Secretary | Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Michael B. Reyes 45 | Senior Analyst | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Joseph J. Mantineo 62 | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Phyllis J. Clarke 60 | Controller | Vice President of ABIS**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Vincent S. Noto 57 | Chief Compliance Officer | Senior Vice President and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser** since prior to 2016. |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Fund. |
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AB at (800) 227-4618, or visit www.abfunds.com, for a free prospectus or SAI.
112 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
Operation and Effectiveness of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program:
In October 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the open-end fund liquidity rule (the “Liquidity Rule”). In June 2018 the SEC adopted a requirement that funds disclose information about the operation and effectiveness of their Liquidity Risk Management Program (“LRMP”) in their reports to shareholders.
One of the requirements of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund to designate an Administrator of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The Administrator of the Fund’s LRMP is AllianceBernstein L.P., the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser has delegated the responsibility to its Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).
Another requirement of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Fund Board”) to receive an annual written report from the Administrator of the LRMP, which addresses the operation of the Fund’s LRMP and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness. The Adviser provided the Fund Board with such annual report during the first quarter of 2021, which covered the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the “Program Reporting Period”).
The LRMP’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner.
Pursuant to the LRMP, the Fund classifies the liquidity of its portfolio investments into one of the four categories defined by the SEC: Highly Liquid, Moderately Liquid, Less Liquid, and Illiquid. These classifications are reported to the SEC on Form N-PORT.
During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end structure, incorporating any holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. If the Fund participated in derivative transactions, the exposure from such transactions were considered in the LRMP.
The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether the Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”). The Committee also incorporated the following information when determining the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size for purposes of liquidity monitoring: historical net redemption activity, a Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, investment performance, total net assets, and distribution channels.
The Adviser informed the Fund Board that the Committee believes the Fund’s LRMP is adequately designed, has been implemented as intended,
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 113 |
and has operated effectively since its inception. No material exceptions have been noted since the implementation of the LRMP. During the Program Reporting Period, beginning in March 2020, all financial markets experienced extreme levels of price volatility and relative illiquidity resulting from the COVID-19 impacts on the global economy. This extreme relative illiquidity resulted in significantly wider bid-ask spreads to transact in securities, including many of those securities held by the Fund, and in a diminished depth of liquidity in most markets, to varying degrees. Nonetheless, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions during the Program Reporting Period.
114 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Bond Inflation Strategy (the “Fund”) at a meeting held by video conference on November 3-5, 2020 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests a portion of its assets.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 115 |
judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2018 and 2019 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency and distribution services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution
116 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of certain classes of the Fund’s shares; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended July 31, 2020 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees payable by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and noted that it was above the median. The directors took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. For this
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 117 |
purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to any sub-advised funds utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the Fund, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore or sub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
118 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
abfunds.com | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 119 |
This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.
AB FAMILY OF FUNDS
US EQUITY
CORE
Core Opportunities Fund
Select US Equity Portfolio
Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio1
GROWTH
Concentrated Growth Fund
Discovery Growth Fund
Growth Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
VALUE
Discovery Value Fund
Equity Income Fund
Relative Value Fund
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value Fund
INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY
CORE
Global Core Equity Portfolio
International Strategic Core Portfolio
Sustainable Global Thematic Fund
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
GROWTH
Concentrated International Growth Portfolio
Sustainable International Thematic Fund
VALUE
All China Equity Portfolio
International Value Fund
FIXED INCOME
MUNICIPAL
High Income Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio
Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
National Portfolio
Arizona Portfolio
California Portfolio
Massachusetts Portfolio
Minnesota Portfolio
New Jersey Portfolio
New York Portfolio
Ohio Portfolio
Pennsylvania Portfolio
Virginia Portfolio
TAXABLE
Bond Inflation Strategy
Global Bond Fund
High Income Fund
High Yield Portfolio1
Income Fund
Intermediate Duration Portfolio
Limited Duration High Income Portfolio
Short Duration Income Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Total Return Bond Portfolio
ALTERNATIVES
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Select US Long/Short Portfolio
MULTI-ASSET
All Market Income Portfolio
All Market Total Return Portfolio
Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio
Global Risk Allocation Fund
Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio1
Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio
CLOSED-END FUNDS
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund
We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB mutual funds. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
1 | Prior to December 1, 2021, Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio was named Conservative Wealth Strategy. Prior to August 23, 2021, Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio was named FlexFee™ US Thematic Portfolio. Prior to April 30, 2021, High Yield Portfolio was named FlexFee™ High Yield Portfolio. |
120 | AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
AB BOND INFLATION STRATEGY
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800 221 5672
BIS-0151-1021
OCT 10.31.21
ANNUAL REPORT
AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically requested paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper form free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call the Fund at (800) 221 5672. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly, to all AB Mutual Funds you hold.
Investment Products Offered | • Are Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
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 AB’s website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB 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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT 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. AB publishes full portfolio holdings for the Fund monthly at www.abfunds.com.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
FROM THE PRESIDENT |
Dear Shareholder,
We’re pleased to provide this report for the AB High Yield Portfolio (the “Fund”). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Fund’s investment strategy.
At AB, we’re striving to help our clients achieve better outcomes by:
+ | Fostering diverse perspectives that give us a distinctive approach to navigating global capital markets |
+ | Applying differentiated investment insights through a connected global research network |
+ | Embracing innovation to design better ways to invest and leading-edge mutual-fund solutions |
Whether you’re an individual investor or a multibillion-dollar institution, we’re putting our knowledge and experience to work for you every day.
For more information about AB’s comprehensive range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.
Thank you for your investment in AB mutual funds—and for placing your trust in our firm.
Sincerely,
Onur Erzan
President and Chief Executive Officer, AB Mutual Funds
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 1 |
ANNUAL REPORT
December 9, 2021
This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for the AB High Yield Portfolio for the annual reporting period ended October 31, 2021. Prior to April 30, 2021, the Fund was named AB FlexFeeTM High Yield Portfolio.
From February 26, 2018, through April 29, 2021, the Fund had a performance-based, or fulcrum, advisory fee. Accordingly, performance information shown during this period reflects performance fee adjustments and would have been different if the Fund had been managed under the current advisory fee arrangement. Class A and Class Z shares of the Fund were not in operation during this period. The Fund subsequently changed its fiscal year-end from December 31 to October 31.
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to maximize total return consistent with prudent investment management.
NAV RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
4 Months | 6 Months | 12 Months | ||||||||||
AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | ||||||||||||
Class A Shares | 0.46% | 2.23% | —1 | |||||||||
Advisor Class Shares2 | 0.54% | 2.38% | 13.42% | |||||||||
Class Z Shares2 | 0.54% | 2.36% | —1 | |||||||||
Primary Benchmark:3 Bloomberg US Corporate HY 2% Issuer Capped Index | 0.71% | 2.36% | 10.53% | |||||||||
Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index | 0.35% | 1.70% | 9.07% |
1 | Recommencement of operations: 4/30/2021. |
2 | 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 Fund. |
3 | Effective April 30, 2021, the broad-based index used for comparison with the Fund’s performance has changed from the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index to the Bloomberg US Corporate HY 2% Issuer Capped Index in connection with the elimination of a performance (fulcrum) fee arrangement for the Fund. |
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The table above shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg US Corporate High Yield (“HY”) 2% Issuer Capped Index, for the four-, six- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2021. The table also includes the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index. Class A and Z shares recommenced operations on April 30, 2021; due to limited performance history, there is no discussion of performance for these share classes for the 12-month period.
2 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
Advisor Class shares outperformed the primary benchmark during the 12-month period, before sales charges. Security selection drove outperformance, relative to the benchmark, as gains within energy, finance, basic industry and technology offset a loss in airlines. Industry allocation also contributed due to gains from the use of high-yield credit default swap and euro crossover derivatives, as well as underweights to consumer noncyclical and airlines, which were partially offset by an underweight to energy and exposure to US Treasuries. An overweight on the five-year part of the yield curve detracted. Currency decisions did not have a material impact on performance.
During the six-month period, Class A shares underperformed the benchmark, while Class Z performed in line and Advisor Class outperformed, before sales charges. Yield-curve positioning was a minor detractor. Industry allocation did not impact returns since gains within high-yield credit default swaps and interest rate swaps were offset by an underweight to energy. Security selection contributed the most, primarily within energy, consumer noncyclical and basic industry, offsetting a loss within consumer cyclical. Currency decisions had no material impact on performance.
In the four-month period, all share classes underperformed the benchmark, before sales charges. Yield-curve positioning detracted the most, from an overweight to the five-year part of the curve. An underweight to energy also detracted at the industry allocation level. Currency decisions were a minor detractor. Security selection within energy, electric, basic industry and consumer noncyclical contributed, while selection within consumer cyclical detracted.
During all periods, the Fund utilized derivatives in the form of futures to hedge duration and interest-rate risk, and interest rate swaps to hedge duration risk. Currency forwards were used to hedge foreign currency exposure and to take active currency risk. Credit default swaps, both single name and index, were used to take active exposure as well as to hedge investment-grade and high-yield credit risk taken through cash bonds. Total return swaps were used to create synthetic high-yield exposure.
MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Fixed-income market returns were mixed for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2021. Longer-term treasury returns fell in most major developed markets on rising yields—particularly in Australia, Canada, and the UK. Global inflation-linked bonds outperformed US Treasuries. Relatively low interest rates set the stage for the continued outperformance of risk assets, led by the performance of high-yield corporate bonds—particularly in the US, eurozone, and emerging markets. Emerging-market hard-currency sovereign bonds also had strong performance, mostly from the
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 3 |
high-yield component. Emerging- and developed-market investment-grade corporate bonds also posted positive performance, with the US outperforming the eurozone. Securitized assets outperformed, especially commercial mortgage-backed securities. Local-currency sovereign bonds trailed, as the US dollar was mixed against emerging-market currencies and fell versus most developed-market currencies except the yen and South Korean won. Commodity prices were strong, with Brent crude oil and copper climbing from pandemic-related lows.
The Fund’s Senior Investment Management Team (the “Team”) continues to seek to maximize total return, utilizing a high-yield strategy with a global, multi-sector approach. The Team invests in corporate bonds from US and non-US issuers, and government bonds from developed and emerging markets, primarily focusing on lower-rated bonds (“junk bonds”), although it may also invest in investment-grade bonds.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will, under normal circumstances, be invested in fixed-income securities rated Ba1 or lower by Moody’s Investors Service or BB+ or lower by S&P Global Ratings or Fitch Ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”), unrated securities considered by the Adviser to be of comparable quality, and related derivatives. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with a range of maturities from short- to long-term. The Fund may also invest in equity securities.
In selecting securities for purchase or sale by the Fund, the Adviser attempts to take advantage of inefficiencies that it believes exist in the global debt markets. These inefficiencies arise from investor behavior, market complexity, and the investment limitations to which investors are subject. The Adviser combines quantitative analysis with fundamental credit and economic research in seeking to exploit these inefficiencies.
The Fund will most often invest in securities of US issuers, but may also purchase fixed-income securities of foreign issuers, including securities denominated in foreign currencies and securities of emerging-market issuers. The Adviser may or may not hedge any foreign currency exposure through the use of currency-related derivatives.
The Fund expects to use derivatives, such as options, futures contracts, forwards and swaps, to a significant extent. Derivatives may provide a more efficient and economical exposure to market segments than direct investments, and may also be a more efficient way
(continued on next page)
4 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
to alter the Fund’s exposure. The Fund may, for example, use credit default and interest rate swaps to gain exposure to the fixed-income markets or particular fixed-income securities and, as noted above, may use currency-related derivatives. The Adviser may use derivatives to effectively leverage the Fund by creating aggregate market exposure substantially in excess of the Fund’s net assets.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 5 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS
Benchmark Disclosure
The Bloomberg US Corporate HY 2% Issuer Capped Index and the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index are unmanaged and do not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Bloomberg US Corporate HY 2% Issuer Capped Index is the 2% Issuer Capped component of the US Corporate High Yield Index, which represents the performance of fixed-income securities having a maximum quality rating of Ba1, a minimum amount outstanding of $150 million and at least one year to maturity. The Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index consists of USD high-yield bond issues with more than $400 million outstanding, selected to provide a balanced representation of the broad USD high-yield liquid corporate bond universe. 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
Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond or stock market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Interest-Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk: Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price
6 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
volatility, due to such factors as specific corporate developments, negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Duration Risk: Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk: This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater if the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk: To the extent the Fund uses leveraging techniques, its net asset value (“NAV”) may be more volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of changes in interest rates and any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments.
Foreign (Non-US) Risk: Investments in securities of non-US issuers may involve more risk than those of US issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging-Market Risk: Investments in emerging-market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid as well as being subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Currency Risk: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities denominated in foreign currencies or reduce the Fund’s returns.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 7 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
Illiquid Investments Risk: Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest-rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
An Important Note About Historical Performance
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown in this report 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.abfunds.com.
Performance information prior to July 26, 2016 shown in this report reflects the historical performance of the AB High-Yield Portfolio, a series of The AB Pooling Portfolios (the “Accounting Survivor”). Upon completion of a reorganization of the Accounting Survivor into the Fund on July 26, 2016 (the “Reorganization”), Class Z shares of the Fund assumed the performance and financial history of the Accounting Survivor. Because the Fund has higher expenses than the Accounting Survivor had, the Accounting Survivor’s performance would have been lower than that shown had it operated with the Fund’s current expense levels. At the time of the Reorganization, the Accounting Survivor and the Fund had substantially similar investment objectives and strategies.
From February 26, 2018 through April 29, 2021, the Fund had a performance-based, or fulcrum, advisory fee. Accordingly, performance information shown during this period reflects
8 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
performance fee adjustments and would have been different if the Fund had been managed under the current advisory fee arrangement. Class A and Class Z shares of the Fund were not in operation during this period.
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. 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.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 9 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE FUND (unaudited)
10/31/2011 TO 10/31/2021
This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AB High Yield Portfolio Advisor Class shares (from 10/31/2011 to 10/31/2021) as compared to the performance of the Fund’s current and previous benchmarks. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
10 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
NAV Returns | SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | SEC Yields1 | ||||||||||
CLASS A SHARES | 2.05% | |||||||||||
Since Recommencement of Operations2 | 2.23% | -2.09% | ||||||||||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES3 | 2.39% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 13.42% | 13.42% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 6.88% | 6.88% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 7.22% | 7.22% | ||||||||||
CLASS Z SHARES3 | 2.55% | |||||||||||
Since Recommencement of Operations2 | 2.36% | 2.36% |
The Fund’s current prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total annual operating expense ratios as 2.27%, 2.02% and 1.93% for Class A, Advisor Class and Class Z shares, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Fund’s annual operating expense ratios (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs) to 0.85%, 0.60% and 0.60% for Class A, Advisor Class and Class Z shares, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements may not be terminated before April 30, 2022. Any fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser through December 31, 2019 under the expense limitation in effect prior to that date may be reimbursed by the Fund until the end of the third fiscal year after the fiscal period in which the fee was waived or the expense was borne, provided that no reimbursement payment will be made that would cause the Fund’s total other expenses to exceed the expense limitation for Advisor Class shares in effect (1) at the time of the waiver or reimbursement or (2) at the time of recapture. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower. The Financial Highlights section of this report sets forth expense ratio data for the current reporting period; the expense ratio shown above may differ from the expense ratio in the Financial Highlights section since they are based on different time periods.
1 | SEC yields are calculated based on SEC guidelines for the 30-day period ended October 31, 2021. |
2 | Recommencement of operations date: 4/30/2021. |
3 | These share classes are offered at NAV to eligible investors and their SEC returns are the same as their 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 Fund. |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 11 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 (unaudited)
SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | ||||
CLASS A SHARES | ||||
Since Recommencement of Operations1 | -1.95% | |||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES2 | ||||
1 Year | 13.89% | |||
5 Years | 6.97% | |||
10 Years | 7.81% | |||
CLASS Z SHARES2 | ||||
Since Recommencement of Operations1 | 2.48% |
1 | Recommencement of operations date: 4/30/2021. |
2 | 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 Fund. |
12 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
(unaudited)
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 first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, 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 in the first line 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 second line of the table below 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.
Beginning Account Value 5/1/2021 | Ending Account Value 10/31/2021 | Expenses Paid During Period* | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.30 | $ | 4.33 | 0.85 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,020.92 | $ | 4.33 | 0.85 | % | ||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,023.80 | $ | 3.06 | 0.60 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.18 | $ | 3.06 | 0.60 | % | ||||||||
Class Z | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,023.60 | $ | 3.06 | 0.60 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.18 | $ | 3.06 | 0.60 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratios multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
** | Assumes 5% annual return before expenses. |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 13 |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $63.8
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). “Other” represents less than 0.1% weightings in the following security types: Emerging Markets—Treasuries, Rights and Warrants. |
14 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2021
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
CORPORATES - NON-INVESTMENT GRADE – 79.0% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 71.0% |
| |||||||||||
Basic – 4.2% |
| |||||||||||
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. | U.S.$ | 28 | $ | 29,151 | ||||||||
Arconic Corp. | 11 | 11,606 | ||||||||||
Axalta Coating Systems LLC | 150 | 142,715 | ||||||||||
Big River Steel LLC/BRS Finance Corp. | 16 | 17,390 | ||||||||||
Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. | 6 | 6,217 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 03/01/2031(a) | 4 | 4,169 | ||||||||||
9.875%, 10/17/2025(a) | 118 | 135,043 | ||||||||||
Commercial Metals Co. | 50 | 51,885 | ||||||||||
5.375%, 07/15/2027 | 45 | 47,113 | ||||||||||
CVR Partners LP/CVR Nitrogen Finance Corp. | 29 | 30,026 | ||||||||||
Diamond BC BV | 27 | 27,313 | ||||||||||
ERP Iron Ore, LLC | 5 | 3,791 | ||||||||||
FMG Resources (August 2006) Pty Ltd. | 178 | 180,897 | ||||||||||
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | 104 | 113,693 | ||||||||||
5.40%, 11/14/2034 | 99 | 120,909 | ||||||||||
Glatfelter Corp. | 84 | 85,574 | ||||||||||
Graham Packaging Co., Inc. | 10 | 10,288 | ||||||||||
Graphic Packaging International LLC | 28 | 30,307 | ||||||||||
Illuminate Buyer LLC/Illuminate Holdings IV, Inc. | 37 | 40,089 | ||||||||||
INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH | EUR | 100 | 112,503 | |||||||||
Ingevity Corp. | U.S.$ | 131 | 128,862 | |||||||||
Intelligent Packaging Holdco Issuer LP | 39 | 41,055 | ||||||||||
Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc. | 48 | 53,608 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 15 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Kleopatra Finco SARL | EUR | 100 | $ | 110,882 | ||||||||
Magnetation LLC/Mag Finance Corp. | U.S.$ | 60 | – 0 | – | ||||||||
Mercer International, Inc. | 11 | 10,936 | ||||||||||
NOVA Chemicals Corp. | 54 | 56,706 | ||||||||||
Olin Corp. | 57 | 62,332 | ||||||||||
Pactiv Evergreen Group Issuer Inc/Pactiv Evergreen Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Gro | 147 | 143,796 | ||||||||||
Peabody Energy Corp. | 0 | ** | 243 | |||||||||
6.375%, 03/31/2025(a) | 30 | 27,313 | ||||||||||
8.50% (6.00% Cash and 2.50% PIK), 12/31/2024(a)(f) | 42 | 39,958 | ||||||||||
PIC AU Holdings LLC/PIC AU Holdings Corp. | 46 | 47,035 | ||||||||||
Roller Bearing Co. of America, Inc. | 21 | 21,413 | ||||||||||
SCIL IV LLC/SCIL USA Holdings LLC | 231 | 233,491 | ||||||||||
Sealed Air Corp. | 35 | 36,567 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 09/15/2025(a) | 33 | 36,455 | ||||||||||
SPCM SA | 200 | 196,620 | ||||||||||
TPC Group, Inc. | 24 | 21,746 | ||||||||||
Unifrax Escrow Issuer Corp. | 20 | 20,009 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 09/30/2029(a) | 17 | 16,902 | ||||||||||
Valvoline, Inc. | 133 | 134,996 | ||||||||||
WR Grace Holdings LLC | 48 | 48,405 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,690,009 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 5.4% |
| |||||||||||
ARD Finance SA | EUR | 120 | 142,613 | |||||||||
Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance USA LLC/Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance PLC | U.S.$ | 200 | 195,250 |
16 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc. | U.S.$ | 200 | $ | 204,050 | ||||||
5.25%, 08/15/2027(a) | 200 | 199,000 | ||||||||
Ball Corp. | 222 | 213,296 | ||||||||
Bombardier, Inc. | 85 | 85,737 | ||||||||
7.50%, 12/01/2024-03/15/2025(a) | 151 | 156,014 | ||||||||
7.875%, 04/15/2027(a) | 10 | 10,400 | ||||||||
Clean Harbors, Inc. | 73 | 76,272 | ||||||||
5.125%, 07/15/2029(a) | 11 | 11,967 | ||||||||
Colfax Corp. | 9 | 9,383 | ||||||||
Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc. | 20 | 24,585 | ||||||||
Energizer Holdings, Inc. | 74 | 70,902 | ||||||||
EnerSys | 80 | 84,004 | ||||||||
Gates Global LLC/Gates Corp. | 162 | 167,468 | ||||||||
GFL Environmental, Inc. | 140 | 139,396 | ||||||||
4.00%, 08/01/2028(a) | 120 | 117,200 | ||||||||
Granite US Holdings Corp. | 18 | 19,722 | ||||||||
Griffon Corp. | 3 | 3,137 | ||||||||
JELD-WEN, Inc. | 6 | 6,069 | ||||||||
LSB Industries, Inc. | 44 | 44,463 | ||||||||
Madison IAQ LLC | 37 | 36,717 | ||||||||
Mueller Water Products, Inc. | 13 | 13,244 | ||||||||
Renk AG/Frankfurt am Main | EUR | 100 | 119,680 | |||||||
Stevens Holding Co., Inc. | U.S.$ | 20 | 21,614 | |||||||
Tervita Corp. | 105 | 120,526 | ||||||||
TransDigm, Inc. | 16 | 15,898 | ||||||||
4.875%, 05/01/2029 | 84 | 84,280 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 17 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
6.25%, 03/15/2026(a) | U.S.$ | 362 | $ | 378,124 | ||||||||
6.375%, 06/15/2026 | 27 | 27,935 | ||||||||||
8.00%, 12/15/2025(a) | 61 | 64,882 | ||||||||||
Triumph Group, Inc. | 23 | 22,977 | ||||||||||
7.75%, 08/15/2025 | 23 | 23,376 | ||||||||||
8.875%, 06/01/2024(a) | 213 | 234,709 | ||||||||||
Trivium Packaging Finance BV | EUR | 100 | 116,235 | |||||||||
Wesco Distribution, Inc. | U.S.$ | 91 | 96,810 | |||||||||
7.25%, 06/15/2028(a) | 107 | 118,130 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,476,065 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 9.3% |
| |||||||||||
Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc. | 125 | 130,407 | ||||||||||
Altice Financing SA | 378 | 363,747 | ||||||||||
AMC Networks, Inc. | 133 | 131,057 | ||||||||||
Arches Buyer, Inc. | 8 | 8,090 | ||||||||||
Cable One, Inc. | 102 | 100,270 | ||||||||||
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. | 397 | 386,546 | ||||||||||
4.50%, 08/15/2030-06/01/2033(a) | 288 | 292,013 | ||||||||||
4.75%, 03/01/2030(a) | 40 | 41,345 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 02/01/2028(a) | 193 | 200,718 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 05/01/2027(a) | 295 | 306,033 | ||||||||||
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc. | 197 | 202,174 | ||||||||||
CSC Holdings LLC | 208 | 189,376 | ||||||||||
4.625%, 12/01/2030(a) | 316 | 289,600 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 04/01/2028(a) | 200 | 213,664 | ||||||||||
DISH DBS Corp. | 34 | 32,744 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 07/15/2022-11/15/2024 | 201 | 209,774 | ||||||||||
7.75%, 07/01/2026 | 101 | 112,421 | ||||||||||
DISH Network Corp. | 27 | 27,540 | ||||||||||
Gray Escrow II, Inc. | 179 | 181,033 | ||||||||||
iHeartCommunications, Inc. | 37 | 37,874 |
18 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
6.375%, 05/01/2026 | U.S.$ | 5 | $ | 5,348 | ||||||||
8.375%, 05/01/2027 | 40 | 42,868 | ||||||||||
Lamar Media Corp. | 8 | 8,393 | ||||||||||
Liberty Interactive LLC | 279 | 304,475 | ||||||||||
Mav Acquisition Corp. | 91 | 89,403 | ||||||||||
8.00%, 08/01/2029(a) | 60 | 58,350 | ||||||||||
Meredith Corp. | 149 | 154,457 | ||||||||||
National CineMedia LLC | 21 | 16,633 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 04/15/2028(a) | 60 | 55,605 | ||||||||||
Scripps Escrow II, Inc. | 121 | 120,907 | ||||||||||
5.375%, 01/15/2031(a) | 18 | 17,649 | ||||||||||
Sinclair Television Group, Inc. | 44 | 41,928 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 02/15/2027(a) | 9 | 8,677 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 03/01/2030(a) | 153 | 146,316 | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Radio, Inc. | 76 | 73,064 | ||||||||||
4.00%, 07/15/2028(a) | 135 | 135,909 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 07/01/2030(a) | 111 | 110,506 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 07/01/2029(a) | 82 | 88,499 | ||||||||||
Summer BC Holdco B SARL | EUR | 100 | 120,731 | |||||||||
TEGNA, Inc. | U.S.$ | 177 | 179,272 | |||||||||
Univision Communications, Inc. | 19 | 19,213 | ||||||||||
6.625%, 06/01/2027(a) | 203 | 219,697 | ||||||||||
9.50%, 05/01/2025(a) | 10 | 10,864 | ||||||||||
Urban One, Inc. | 54 | 56,713 | ||||||||||
Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC | 200 | 210,649 | ||||||||||
Ziggo BV | 150 | 154,706 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
5,907,258 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - | ||||||||||||
Altice France SA/France | 402 | 391,225 | ||||||||||
Connect Finco SARL/Connect US Finco LLC | 200 | 206,750 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 19 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Embarq Corp. | U.S.$ | 185 | $ | 204,529 | ||||||||
Frontier Communications Holdings LLC | 43 | 44,548 | ||||||||||
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp. | 125 | 141,678 | ||||||||||
Iliad Holding SAS | 200 | 206,466 | ||||||||||
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA | 158 | 79,819 | ||||||||||
8.50%, 10/15/2024(a)(d)(i) | 47 | 24,373 | ||||||||||
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | 66 | 62,393 | ||||||||||
4.25%, 07/01/2028(a) | 134 | 132,693 | ||||||||||
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | 238 | 229,918 | ||||||||||
Series G | 65 | 72,360 | ||||||||||
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. | 118 | 124,455 | ||||||||||
Sprint Capital Corp. | 321 | 479,146 | ||||||||||
Sprint Communications, Inc. | 38 | 39,857 | ||||||||||
Sprint Corp. | 73 | 81,039 | ||||||||||
Switch Ltd. | 87 | 87,621 | ||||||||||
Telecom Italia Capital SA | 90 | 104,301 | ||||||||||
Telesat Canada/Telesat LLC | 30 | 24,357 | ||||||||||
Vmed O2 UK Financing I PLC | 200 | 201,388 | ||||||||||
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. | 141 | 137,768 | ||||||||||
Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc. | 1 | 886 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,077,570 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 3.8% |
| |||||||||||
Adient US LLC | 26 | 27,862 | ||||||||||
Allison Transmission, Inc. | 112 | 107,640 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 06/01/2029(a) | 30 | 32,340 | ||||||||||
Clarios Global LP/Clarios US Finance Co. | 103 | 107,769 |
20 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
8.50%, 05/15/2027(a) | U.S.$ | 59 | $ | 62,705 | ||||||||
Dana, Inc. | 20 | 20,234 | ||||||||||
Dealer Tire LLC/DT Issuer LLC | 26 | 27,174 | ||||||||||
Exide Technologies | 32 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
(First Lien) | 13 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
Ford Motor Co. | 128 | 140,262 | ||||||||||
9.00%, 04/22/2025 | 36 | 43,294 | ||||||||||
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC | 200 | 199,381 | ||||||||||
3.096%, 05/04/2023 | 221 | 225,223 | ||||||||||
3.219%, 01/09/2022 | 221 | 221,676 | ||||||||||
4.00%, 11/13/2030 | 200 | 208,821 | ||||||||||
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The) | 135 | 142,386 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 07/15/2031(a) | 36 | 38,282 | ||||||||||
Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC | EUR | 100 | 123,692 | |||||||||
6.875%, 11/15/2026(a) | 100 | 128,875 | ||||||||||
Mclaren Finance PLC | U.S.$ | 200 | 200,043 | |||||||||
Meritor, Inc. | 21 | 20,990 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 06/01/2025(a) | 8 | 8,390 | ||||||||||
PM General Purchaser LLC | 90 | 93,852 | ||||||||||
Real Hero Merger Sub 2, Inc. | 12 | 12,319 | ||||||||||
Tenneco, Inc. | 25 | 24,379 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 04/15/2029(a) | 76 | 75,314 | ||||||||||
7.875%, 01/15/2029(a) | 35 | 38,267 | ||||||||||
Titan International, Inc. | 60 | 61,710 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,392,880 | ||||||||||||
�� |
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 4.5% |
| |||||||||||
Boyne USA, Inc. | 26 | 26,669 | ||||||||||
Carnival Corp. | 67 | 66,749 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 03/01/2027(a) | 195 | 198,412 | ||||||||||
9.875%, 08/01/2027(a) | 28 | 32,340 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 21 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
10.50%, 02/01/2026(a) | U.S.$ | 260 | $ | 302,120 | ||||||||
Cedar Fair LP | 15 | 15,545 | ||||||||||
Cedar Fair LP/Canada’s Wonderland Co./Magnum Management Corp. | 70 | 70,614 | ||||||||||
Cedar Fair LP/Canada’s Wonderland Co./Magnum Management Corp./Millennium Op | 64 | 65,934 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 05/01/2025(a) | 192 | 199,677 | ||||||||||
Cinemark USA, Inc. | 151 | 147,389 | ||||||||||
Mattel, Inc. | 78 | 80,413 | ||||||||||
3.75%, 04/01/2029(a) | 98 | 101,828 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 12/15/2027(a) | 100 | 107,704 | ||||||||||
NCL Corp., Ltd. | 79 | 74,892 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 03/15/2026(a) | 24 | 24,098 | ||||||||||
10.25%, 02/01/2026(a) | 107 | 122,863 | ||||||||||
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | 61 | 62,667 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 08/31/2026-04/01/2028(a) | 222 | 224,958 | ||||||||||
10.875%, 06/01/2023(a) | 138 | 153,870 | ||||||||||
11.50%, 06/01/2025(a) | 74 | 84,082 | ||||||||||
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. | 33 | 35,345 | ||||||||||
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. | 117 | 118,420 | ||||||||||
Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. | 125 | 132,940 | ||||||||||
Vail Resorts, Inc. | 167 | 175,992 | ||||||||||
Viking Cruises Ltd. | 16 | 15,516 | ||||||||||
7.00%, 02/15/2029(a) | 79 | 79,338 | ||||||||||
13.00%, 05/15/2025(a) | 48 | 55,032 | ||||||||||
Viking Ocean Cruises Ship VII Ltd. | 29 | 28,885 | ||||||||||
VOC Escrow Ltd. | 69 | 68,627 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,872,919 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 3.9% |
| |||||||||||
Adams Homes, Inc. | 58 | 60,651 | ||||||||||
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. | 28 | 29,143 |
22 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Boyd Gaming Corp. | U.S.$ | 20 | $ | 21,632 | ||||||
Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc./Brookfield Residential US LLC | 67 | 67,199 | ||||||||
6.25%, 09/15/2027(a) | 151 | 157,604 | ||||||||
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. | 73 | 73,436 | ||||||||
6.25%, 07/01/2025(a) | 138 | 145,261 | ||||||||
Churchill Downs, Inc. | 148 | 153,654 | ||||||||
CP Atlas Buyer, Inc. | 26 | 25,153 | ||||||||
Empire Communities Corp. | 61 | 63,473 | ||||||||
Everi Holdings, Inc. | 21 | 21,506 | ||||||||
Five Point Operating Co. LP/Five Point Capital Corp. | 91 | 94,822 | ||||||||
Forestar Group, Inc. | 41 | 41,014 | ||||||||
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc. | 100 | 97,643 | ||||||||
4.875%, 01/15/2030 | 17 | 18,157 | ||||||||
5.375%, 05/01/2025(a) | 40 | 41,737 | ||||||||
5.75%, 05/01/2028(a) | 11 | 11,819 | ||||||||
Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow LLC/Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Esc | 37 | 36,884 | ||||||||
5.00%, 06/01/2029(a) | 52 | 53,067 | ||||||||
Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC/Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower, Inc. | 28 | 28,957 | ||||||||
Installed Building Products, Inc. | 40 | 41,980 | ||||||||
Mattamy Group Corp. | 58 | 58,868 | ||||||||
MGM Resorts International | 33 | 34,875 | ||||||||
7.75%, 03/15/2022 | 16 | 16,376 | ||||||||
Premier Entertainment Sub LLC/Premier Entertainment Finance Corp. | 46 | 46,862 | ||||||||
5.875%, 09/01/2031(a) | 46 | 46,921 | ||||||||
Scientific Games International, Inc. | 9 | 9,722 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 23 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Shea Homes LP/Shea Homes Funding Corp. | U.S.$ | 20 | $ | 20,186 | ||||||||
Standard Industries, Inc./NJ | 250 | 231,996 | ||||||||||
Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Prop Mezz LP/Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Finance Corp. | 16 | 15,872 | ||||||||||
Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc. | 54 | 60,614 | ||||||||||
Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc./Taylor Morrison Holdings II, Inc. | 17 | 18,703 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 04/15/2023(a) | 8 | 8,340 | ||||||||||
Travel + Leisure Co. | 12 | 12,442 | ||||||||||
6.625%, 07/31/2026(a) | 233 | 260,115 | ||||||||||
Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp. | 4 | 4,052 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 03/01/2025(a) | 236 | 240,100 | ||||||||||
Wynn Resorts Finance LLC/Wynn Resorts Capital Corp. | 86 | 86,473 | ||||||||||
7.75%, 04/15/2025(a) | 48 | 50,573 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,507,882 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Restaurants – 0.9% |
| |||||||||||
1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc. | 146 | 141,477 | ||||||||||
4.00%, 10/15/2030(a) | 173 | 167,827 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 04/15/2025(a) | 66 | 68,823 | ||||||||||
IRB Holding Corp. | 12 | 12,281 | ||||||||||
7.00%, 06/15/2025(a) | 5 | 5,297 | ||||||||||
Papa John’s International, Inc. | 54 | 52,793 | ||||||||||
Yum! Brands, Inc. | 140 | 145,978 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
594,476 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 3.7% |
| |||||||||||
Arko Corp. | 99 | 96,529 | ||||||||||
Bath & Body Works, Inc. | 20 | 21,580 | ||||||||||
6.625%, 10/01/2030(a) | 185 | 207,018 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 07/01/2036 | 48 | 57,652 | ||||||||||
6.875%, 11/01/2035 | 128 | 155,476 |
24 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
7.50%, 06/15/2029 | U.S.$ | 17 | $ | 19,208 | ||||||
BCPE Ulysses Intermediate, Inc. | 28 | 26,843 | ||||||||
Dufry One BV | EUR | 103 | 117,329 | |||||||
Foundation Building Materials, Inc. | U.S.$ | 29 | 28,080 | |||||||
Gap, Inc. (The) | 49 | 48,057 | ||||||||
3.875%, 10/01/2031(a) | 33 | 32,375 | ||||||||
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. | 13 | 13,001 | ||||||||
Hanesbrands, Inc. | 191 | 199,693 | ||||||||
5.375%, 05/15/2025(a) | 25 | 26,038 | ||||||||
LBM Acquisition LLC | 14 | 13,589 | ||||||||
Levi Strauss & Co. | 139 | 140,781 | ||||||||
Michaels Cos, Inc. (The) | 62 | 62,671 | ||||||||
7.875%, 05/01/2029(a) | 58 | 58,763 | ||||||||
Murphy Oil USA, Inc. | 125 | 123,171 | ||||||||
5.625%, 05/01/2027 | 2 | 2,431 | ||||||||
NMG Holding Co., Inc./Neiman Marcus Group LLC | 27 | 28,353 | ||||||||
Party City Holdings, Inc. | 20 | 20,504 | ||||||||
Rite Aid Corp. | 22 | 22,110 | ||||||||
8.00%, 11/15/2026(a) | 263 | 265,499 | ||||||||
Specialty Building Products Holdings LLC/SBP Finance Corp. | 84 | 87,477 | ||||||||
SRS Distribution, Inc. | 19 | 19,544 | ||||||||
Staples, Inc. | �� | 112 | 113,426 | |||||||
10.75%, 04/15/2027(a) | 61 | 58,231 | ||||||||
TPro Acquisition Corp. | 33 | 35,929 | ||||||||
White Cap Buyer LLC | 19 | 19,643 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 25 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
William Carter Co. (The) | U.S.$ | 25 | $ | 26,159 | ||||||||
5.625%, 03/15/2027(a) | 119 | 123,461 | ||||||||||
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. | 73 | 72,055 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,342,676 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 9.8% |
| |||||||||||
AdaptHealth LLC | 121 | 119,840 | ||||||||||
AHP Health Partners, Inc. | 53 | 53,238 | ||||||||||
Albertsons Cos., Inc./Safeway, Inc./New Albertsons LP/Albertsons LLC | 326 | 321,283 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 02/15/2030(a) | 100 | 107,173 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 03/15/2025 | 11 | 11,158 | ||||||||||
Bausch Health Americas, Inc. | 59 | 62,783 | ||||||||||
Bausch Health Cos., Inc. | 196 | 201,827 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 08/15/2027(a) | 85 | 89,027 | ||||||||||
6.125%, 04/15/2025(a) | 36 | 36,692 | ||||||||||
9.00%, 12/15/2025(a) | 103 | 108,096 | ||||||||||
Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc. | 50 | 48,804 | ||||||||||
CD&R Smokey Buyer, Inc. | 78 | 82,614 | ||||||||||
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. | 42 | 42,422 | ||||||||||
4.00%, 03/15/2031(a) | 151 | 156,258 | ||||||||||
Chobani LLC/Chobani Finance Corp., Inc. | 24 | 24,618 | ||||||||||
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. | 20 | 20,001 | ||||||||||
5.625%, 03/15/2027(a) | 17 | 17,794 | ||||||||||
6.00%, 01/15/2029(a) | 14 | 14,806 | ||||||||||
6.625%, 02/15/2025(a) | 52 | 54,280 | ||||||||||
6.875%, 04/01/2028-04/15/2029(a) | 264 | 259,336 | ||||||||||
DaVita, Inc. | 155 | 146,925 | ||||||||||
4.625%, 06/01/2030(a) | 132 | 132,754 | ||||||||||
Elanco Animal Health, Inc. | 120 | 140,174 | ||||||||||
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. | 122 | 117,685 | ||||||||||
Encompass Health Corp. | 30 | 30,733 |
26 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Endo Luxembourg Finance Co. I SARL/Endo US, Inc. | U.S.$ | 48 | $ | 47,323 | ||||||
Grifols Escrow Issuer SA | 200 | 203,209 | ||||||||
Horizon Therapeutics USA, Inc. | 200 | 211,645 | ||||||||
IQVIA, Inc. | EUR | 100 | 114,495 | |||||||
5.00%, 05/15/2027(a) | U.S.$ | 207 | 214,592 | |||||||
Kronos Acquisition Holdings, Inc./KIK Custom Products, Inc. | 143 | 137,606 | ||||||||
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. | 99 | 99,116 | ||||||||
4.375%, 01/31/2032(a) | 46 | 46,062 | ||||||||
4.875%, 05/15/2028(a) | 80 | 85,870 | ||||||||
Legacy LifePoint Health LLC | 20 | 21,000 | ||||||||
LifePoint Health, Inc. | 217 | 212,788 | ||||||||
Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/Mallinckrodt CB LLC | 10 | 4,716 | ||||||||
MEDNAX, Inc. | 119 | 124,914 | ||||||||
ModivCare Escrow Issuer, Inc. | 35 | 35,598 | ||||||||
ModivCare, Inc. | 24 | 25,218 | ||||||||
Mozart Debt Merger Sub, Inc. | 164 | 163,212 | ||||||||
5.25%, 10/01/2029(a) | 288 | 292,719 | ||||||||
Newell Brands, Inc. | 25 | 26,052 | ||||||||
4.70%, 04/01/2026 | 94 | 102,968 | ||||||||
4.875%, 06/01/2025 | 12 | 13,139 | ||||||||
Nidda Healthcare Holding GmbH | EUR | 100 | 113,804 | |||||||
Option Care Health, Inc. | U.S.$ | 120 | 121,177 | |||||||
Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. | 40 | 40,354 | ||||||||
Paysafe Finance PLC/Paysafe Holdings US Corp. | 67 | 63,818 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 27 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Performance Food Group, Inc. | U.S.$ | 75 | $ | 75,103 | ||||||||
Post Holdings, Inc. | 40 | 39,260 | ||||||||||
4.625%, 04/15/2030(a) | 58 | 58,348 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 12/15/2029(a) | 100 | 106,353 | ||||||||||
5.625%, 01/15/2028(a) | 54 | 56,342 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 03/01/2027(a) | 90 | 93,389 | ||||||||||
Primo Water Holdings, Inc. | 32 | 31,730 | ||||||||||
Radiology Partners, Inc. | 6 | 6,362 | ||||||||||
RegionalCare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc./LifePoint Health, Inc. | 24 | 25,325 | ||||||||||
RP Escrow Issuer LLC | 20 | 20,013 | ||||||||||
Spectrum Brands, Inc. | 77 | 75,615 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 07/15/2025 | 3 | 3,076 | ||||||||||
Tempur Sealy International, Inc. | 104 | 103,077 | ||||||||||
Tenet Healthcare Corp. | 17 | 17,853 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 02/01/2027(a) | 58 | 60,239 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 04/01/2025(a) | 158 | 167,652 | ||||||||||
Triton Water Holdings, Inc. | 73 | 72,951 | ||||||||||
US Acute Care Solutions LLC | 23 | 23,858 | ||||||||||
US Foods, Inc. | 60 | 60,731 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 04/15/2025(a) | 107 | 112,304 | ||||||||||
US Renal Care, Inc. | 104 | 108,135 | ||||||||||
Vizient, Inc. | 10 | 10,464 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
6,249,896 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 9.8% |
| |||||||||||
Antero Resources Corp. | 30 | 30,538 | ||||||||||
7.625%, 02/01/2029(a) | 6 | 6,647 | ||||||||||
Apache Corp. | 93 | 99,914 | ||||||||||
4.625%, 11/15/2025 | 8 | 8,616 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 11/15/2027 | 14 | 15,230 |
28 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Athabasca Oil Corp. | U.S.$ | 85 | $ | 85,633 | ||||||
Berry Petroleum Co. LLC | 127 | 128,776 | ||||||||
Blue Racer Midstream LLC/Blue Racer Finance Corp. | 14 | 14,497 | ||||||||
7.625%, 12/15/2025(a) | 201 | 216,066 | ||||||||
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. | 119 | 120,195 | ||||||||
7.50%, 04/30/2026 | 6 | 5,684 | ||||||||
Callon Petroleum Co. | 124 | 124,934 | ||||||||
8.25%, 07/15/2025 | 8 | 7,921 | ||||||||
Citgo Holding, Inc. | 72 | 73,530 | ||||||||
CITGO Petroleum Corp. | 16 | 16,481 | ||||||||
7.00%, 06/15/2025(a) | 50 | 51,487 | ||||||||
CNX Resources Corp. | 29 | 30,602 | ||||||||
Comstock Resources, Inc. | 105 | 112,847 | ||||||||
DCP Midstream Operating LP | 35 | 35,179 | ||||||||
Diamond Foreign Asset Co./Diamond Finance LLC | 4 | 4,403 | ||||||||
9.00% (9.00% Cash or 13.00% PIK), 04/22/2027(f) | 4 | 3,800 | ||||||||
Encino Acquisition Partners Holdings LLC | 122 | 127,528 | ||||||||
EnLink Midstream LLC | 60 | 63,653 | ||||||||
EnLink Midstream Partners LP | 119 | 123,534 | ||||||||
4.40%, 04/01/2024 | 47 | 49,116 | ||||||||
4.85%, 07/15/2026 | 107 | 111,069 | ||||||||
5.60%, 04/01/2044 | 14 | 13,750 | ||||||||
Series C | 102 | 81,603 | ||||||||
EQM Midstream Partners LP | 57 | 58,633 | ||||||||
4.75%, 01/15/2031(a) | 106 | 109,755 | ||||||||
5.50%, 07/15/2028 | 53 | 58,410 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 29 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp. | U.S.$ | 45 | $ | 44,778 | ||||||
6.25%, 05/15/2026 | 21 | 20,335 | ||||||||
6.50%, 10/01/2025 | 35 | 34,482 | ||||||||
7.75%, 02/01/2028 | 62 | 61,343 | ||||||||
8.00%, 01/15/2027 | 141 | 141,713 | ||||||||
Global Partners LP/GLP Finance Corp. | 96 | 99,450 | ||||||||
7.00%, 08/01/2027 | 26 | 27,084 | ||||||||
Gulfport Energy Corp. | 128 | 7,040 | ||||||||
6.375%, 05/15/2025-01/15/2026(d) | 54 | 2,970 | ||||||||
6.625%, 05/01/2023(d) | 4 | 220 | ||||||||
Gulfport Energy Operating Corp. | 55 | 60,849 | ||||||||
Harbour Energy PLC | 200 | 201,163 | ||||||||
Hess Midstream Operations LP | 82 | 82,044 | ||||||||
Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co. | 0 | ** | 447 | |||||||
5.75%, 02/01/2029(a) | 12 | 12,227 | ||||||||
6.00%, 02/01/2031(a) | 213 | 218,740 | ||||||||
Independence Energy Finance LLC | 95 | 98,896 | ||||||||
ITT Holdings LLC | 179 | 179,451 | ||||||||
Moss Creek Resources Holdings, Inc. | 48 | 47,627 | ||||||||
Murphy Oil Corp. | 111 | 116,407 | ||||||||
Nabors Industries Ltd. | 36 | 35,110 | ||||||||
7.50%, 01/15/2028(a) | 37 | 35,462 | ||||||||
Nabors Industries, Inc. | 30 | 28,519 | ||||||||
New Fortress Energy, Inc. | 126 | 122,779 | ||||||||
NGL Energy Operating LLC/NGL Energy Finance Corp. | 86 | 87,310 | ||||||||
7.50%, 11/01/2023 | 86 | 82,965 | ||||||||
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | 8 | 8,154 | ||||||||
3.50%, 06/15/2025 | 23 | 23,757 | ||||||||
5.50%, 12/01/2025 | 28 | 30,785 |
30 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
5.55%, 03/15/2026 | U.S.$ | 272 | $ | 300,280 | ||||||
6.125%, 01/01/2031 | 93 | 111,259 | ||||||||
6.20%, 03/15/2040 | 69 | 83,486 | ||||||||
8.50%, 07/15/2027 | 42 | 52,509 | ||||||||
8.875%, 07/15/2030 | 42 | 56,959 | ||||||||
PBF Holding Co. LLC/PBF Finance Corp. | 9 | 6,541 | ||||||||
9.25%, 05/15/2025(a) | 80 | 77,625 | ||||||||
PDC Energy, Inc. | 69 | 70,964 | ||||||||
Range Resources Corp. | 24 | 24,667 | ||||||||
8.25%, 01/15/2029(a) | 55 | 61,909 | ||||||||
Renewable Energy Group, Inc. | 41 | 43,114 | ||||||||
SM Energy Co. | 34 | 34,102 | ||||||||
6.50%, 07/15/2028 | 19 | 19,948 | ||||||||
Southwestern Energy Co. | 55 | 57,906 | ||||||||
6.45%, 01/23/2025 | 124 | 135,128 | ||||||||
8.375%, 09/15/2028 | 22 | 24,540 | ||||||||
Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp. | 88 | 88,587 | ||||||||
Sunnova Energy Corp. | 40 | 40,829 | ||||||||
Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp. | 16 | 16,919 | ||||||||
Talos Production, Inc. | 74 | 80,393 | ||||||||
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp. | 175 | 180,515 | ||||||||
Transocean Guardian Ltd. | 149 | 146,994 | ||||||||
Transocean Phoenix 2 Ltd. | 26 | 25,954 | ||||||||
Transocean Poseidon Ltd. | 50 | 49,996 | ||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | 0 | ** | 100 | |||||||
7.50%, 01/15/2026(a) | 18 | 14,510 | ||||||||
8.00%, 02/01/2027(a) | 89 | 68,047 | ||||||||
11.50%, 01/30/2027(a) | 32 | 32,992 | ||||||||
Vantage Drilling International | 46 | – 0 | – |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 31 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC | U.S.$ | 101 | $ | 104,619 | ||||||||
W&T Offshore, Inc. | 57 | 55,483 | ||||||||||
Weatherford International Ltd. | 2 | 2,085 | ||||||||||
Western Midstream Operating LP | 33 | 34,771 | ||||||||||
4.65%, 07/01/2026 | 41 | 44,414 | ||||||||||
4.75%, 08/15/2028 | 12 | 13,201 | ||||||||||
5.30%, 02/01/2030 | 49 | 53,705 | ||||||||||
5.45%, 04/01/2044 | 26 | 30,534 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 02/01/2050 | 84 | 100,550 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
6,248,273 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Industrial – 1.0% |
| |||||||||||
Avient Corp. | 103 | 107,995 | ||||||||||
Belden, Inc. | EUR | 100 | 119,773 | |||||||||
H&E Equipment Services, Inc. | U.S.$ | 33 | 32,876 | |||||||||
IAA, Inc. | 62 | 64,567 | ||||||||||
Interface, Inc. | 53 | 55,304 | ||||||||||
KAR Auction Services, Inc. | 228 | 229,072 | ||||||||||
Univar Solutions USA, Inc./Washington | 17 | 17,799 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
627,386 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 4.9% |
| |||||||||||
ADT Security Corp. (The) | 52 | 51,273 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 07/15/2032(a) | 139 | 138,915 | ||||||||||
Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp. | 77 | 80,981 | ||||||||||
Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp./Atlas Luxco 4 SARL | 200 | 198,750 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 06/01/2028(a) | GBP | 100 | 133,343 | |||||||||
ANGI Group LLC | U.S.$ | 96 | 93,923 | |||||||||
Aptim Corp. | 85 | 68,897 |
32 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
APX Group, Inc. | U.S.$ | 199 | $ | 197,257 | ||||||||
Aramark Services, Inc. | 95 | 99,998 | ||||||||||
Cars.com, Inc. | 115 | 120,219 | ||||||||||
eDreams ODIGEO SA | EUR | 102 | 117,226 | |||||||||
Garda World Security Corp. | U.S.$ | 115 | 114,152 | |||||||||
9.50%, 11/01/2027(a) | 28 | 30,214 | ||||||||||
Millennium Escrow Corp. | 134 | 136,212 | ||||||||||
Monitronics International, Inc. | 14 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC | 312 | 284,608 | ||||||||||
Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co. | 95 | 99,680 | ||||||||||
Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc. | 105 | 100,631 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 04/15/2024(a) | 55 | 58,515 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 04/15/2026(a) | 130 | 139,031 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 01/15/2028(a) | 102 | 104,568 | ||||||||||
Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Inc. | 12 | 12,240 | ||||||||||
Sabre GLBL, Inc. | 59 | 62,819 | ||||||||||
9.25%, 04/15/2025(a) | 65 | 75,114 | ||||||||||
Service Corp. International/US | 94 | 92,564 | ||||||||||
Square, Inc. | 111 | 112,308 | ||||||||||
3.50%, 06/01/2031(a) | 108 | 110,745 | ||||||||||
TripAdvisor, Inc. | 120 | 127,283 | ||||||||||
Verscend Escrow Corp. | 137 | 145,157 | ||||||||||
WASH Multifamily Acquisition, Inc. | 17 | 17,595 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,124,218 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 3.2% |
| |||||||||||
Ahead DB Holdings LLC | 37 | 38,068 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 33 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Ascend Learning LLC | U.S.$ | 19 | $ | 19,336 | ||||||||
Austin BidCo, Inc. | 37 | 38,205 | ||||||||||
Boxer Parent Co., Inc. | 25 | 26,523 | ||||||||||
Clarivate Science Holdings Corp. | 31 | 30,860 | ||||||||||
CommScope, Inc. | 92 | 90,239 | ||||||||||
6.00%, 03/01/2026(a) | 56 | 58,004 | ||||||||||
8.25%, 03/01/2027(a) | 29 | 29,554 | ||||||||||
Elastic NV | 17 | 16,909 | ||||||||||
Imola Merger Corp. | 40 | 41,105 | ||||||||||
LogMeIn, Inc. | 24 | 24,038 | ||||||||||
Microchip Technology, Inc. | 200 | 207,955 | ||||||||||
NCR Corp. | 86 | 87,579 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 04/15/2029(a) | 101 | 103,313 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 09/01/2027(a) | 24 | 25,220 | ||||||||||
6.125%, 09/01/2029(a) | 56 | 60,194 | ||||||||||
Pitney Bowes, Inc. | 40 | 41,575 | ||||||||||
Playtika Holding Corp. | 83 | 83,148 | ||||||||||
Presidio Holdings, Inc. | 5 | 5,324 | ||||||||||
Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. | 226 | 215,353 | ||||||||||
Science Applications International Corp. | 15 | 15,468 | ||||||||||
Seagate HDD Cayman | 156 | 161,293 | ||||||||||
Sensata Technologies, Inc. | 217 | 214,615 | ||||||||||
TTM Technologies, Inc. | 40 | 39,620 | ||||||||||
Veritas US, Inc./Veritas Bermuda Ltd. | 305 | 316,134 | ||||||||||
Xerox Corp. | 18 | 18,587 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,008,219 | ||||||||||||
|
|
34 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Transportation - Airlines – 0.7% |
| |||||||||||
Air Canada | U.S.$ | 25 | $ | 25,329 | ||||||||
American Airlines, Inc./AAdvantage Loyalty IP Ltd. | 60 | 62,920 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 04/20/2029(a) | 52 | 55,970 | ||||||||||
Hawaiian Brand Intellectual Property Ltd./HawaiianMiles Loyalty Ltd. | 175 | 184,020 | ||||||||||
Spirit Loyalty Cayman Ltd./Spirit IP Cayman Ltd. | 73 | 81,869 | ||||||||||
United Airlines, Inc. | 59 | 60,843 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
470,951 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Services – 1.1% |
| |||||||||||
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc. | 26 | 27,442 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 07/15/2027(a) | 22 | 22,998 | ||||||||||
BCP V Modular Services | EUR | 113 | 127,888 | |||||||||
EC Finance PLC | 111 | 129,750 | ||||||||||
Herc Holdings, Inc. | U.S.$ | 34 | 35,481 | |||||||||
Modulaire Global Finance PLC | EUR | 100 | 117,461 | |||||||||
United Rentals North America, Inc. | U.S.$ | 205 | 206,420 | |||||||||
5.50%, 05/15/2027 | 25 | 26,199 | ||||||||||
XPO Logistics, Inc. | 25 | 26,339 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
719,978 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
45,310,656 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 6.4% |
| |||||||||||
Banking – 0.7% |
| |||||||||||
Alliance Data Systems Corp. | 103 | 105,407 | ||||||||||
7.00%, 01/15/2026(a) | 22 | 23,430 | ||||||||||
Ally Financial, Inc. | 164 | 170,084 | ||||||||||
Series C | 28 | 28,490 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 35 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Discover Financial Services | U.S.$ | 93 | $ | 103,838 | ||||||||
Societe Generale SA | 3 | 3,500 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
434,749 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Brokerage – 0.4% |
| |||||||||||
Advisor Group Holdings, Inc. | 57 | 63,321 | ||||||||||
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. | 423 | 2,329 | ||||||||||
LPL Holdings, Inc. | 60 | 61,356 | ||||||||||
NFP Corp. | 95 | 96,453 | ||||||||||
6.875%, 08/15/2028(a) | 35 | 35,590 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
259,049 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Finance – 2.1% |
| |||||||||||
Air Lease Corp. | 50 | 51,901 | ||||||||||
Aircastle Ltd. | 31 | 31,809 | ||||||||||
Armor Holdco, Inc. | 151 | 151,000 | ||||||||||
Castlelake Aviation Finance DAC | 98 | 97,747 | ||||||||||
CNG Holdings, Inc. | 32 | 30,502 | ||||||||||
Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC | 36 | 37,432 | ||||||||||
Curo Group Holdings Corp. | 164 | 166,654 | ||||||||||
Enova International, Inc. | 144 | 148,109 | ||||||||||
goeasy Ltd. | 23 | 23,653 | ||||||||||
5.375%, 12/01/2024(a) | 7 | 7,198 | ||||||||||
HighTower Holding, LLC | 11 | 11,250 | ||||||||||
Navient Corp. | 87 | 90,879 | ||||||||||
5.625%, 08/01/2033 | 31 | 29,454 | ||||||||||
6.125%, 03/25/2024 | 115 | 123,055 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 06/15/2022 | 84 | 86,360 | ||||||||||
7.25%, 09/25/2023 | 59 | 64,193 |
36 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
OneMain Finance Corp. | U.S.$ | 37 | $ | 40,018 | ||||||||
SLM Corp. | 102 | 107,863 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 04/05/2022 | 21 | 20,818 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,319,895 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Insurance – 0.4% |
| |||||||||||
Acrisure LLC/Acrisure Finance, Inc. | 19 | 18,692 | ||||||||||
10.125%, 08/01/2026(a) | 40 | 44,509 | ||||||||||
Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer | 135 | 139,663 | ||||||||||
AmWINS Group, Inc. | 39 | 38,881 | ||||||||||
AssuredPartners, Inc. | 42 | 41,812 | ||||||||||
USI, Inc./NY | 7 | 7,098 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
290,655 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Finance – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
Intrum AB | EUR | 100 | 115,336 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
REITs – 2.6% |
| |||||||||||
ADLER Group SA | 100 | 103,579 | ||||||||||
Aedas Homes Opco SLU | 111 | 130,578 | ||||||||||
Brookfield Property REIT, Inc./BPR Cumulus LLC/BPR Nimbus LLC/GGSI Sellco LL | U.S.$ | 90 | 87,822 | |||||||||
5.75%, 05/15/2026(a) | 105 | 108,586 | ||||||||||
Diversified Healthcare Trust | 189 | 188,438 | ||||||||||
9.75%, 06/15/2025 | 90 | 97,765 | ||||||||||
Hospitality Properties Trust | 25 | 25,559 | ||||||||||
Iron Mountain, Inc. | 130 | 131,095 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 09/15/2029(a) | 69 | 71,335 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 07/15/2030(a) | 25 | 26,132 | ||||||||||
MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc. | 93 | 100,928 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 02/01/2027 | 59 | 67,359 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 37 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Park Intermediate Holdings LLC/PK Domestic Property LLC/PK Finance Co-Issuer | U.S.$ | 67 | $ | 68,017 | ||||||||
Realogy Group LLC/Realogy Co-Issuer Corp. | 27 | 27,883 | ||||||||||
9.375%, 04/01/2027(a) | 167 | 182,667 | ||||||||||
Service Properties Trust | 247 | 273,174 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,690,917 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,110,601 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 1.6% |
| |||||||||||
Electric – 1.6% |
| |||||||||||
Calpine Corp. | 197 | 189,056 | ||||||||||
4.50%, 02/15/2028(a) | 141 | 142,798 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 03/15/2028(a) | 133 | 132,668 | ||||||||||
Talen Energy Supply LLC | 0 | ** | 205 | |||||||||
6.50%, 06/01/2025 | 132 | 80,404 | ||||||||||
7.25%, 05/15/2027(a) | 44 | 42,140 | ||||||||||
10.50%, 01/15/2026(a) | 139 | 92,022 | ||||||||||
Vistra Corp. | 59 | 61,932 | ||||||||||
Vistra Operations Co. LLC | 148 | 146,124 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 07/31/2027(a) | 31 | 31,741 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 09/01/2026(a) | 78 | 80,297 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
999,387 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates - Non-Investment Grade | 50,420,644 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
CORPORATES - INVESTMENT GRADE – 10.2% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 6.6% |
| |||||||||||
Basic – 0.8% |
| |||||||||||
ArcelorMittal SA | 25 | 27,383 | ||||||||||
7.00%, 10/15/2039 | 71 | 99,312 | ||||||||||
Arconic Corp. | 20 | 21,001 | ||||||||||
CF Industries, Inc. | 44 | 45,630 | ||||||||||
4.95%, 06/01/2043 | 44 | 53,673 | ||||||||||
5.15%, 03/15/2034 | 23 | 27,993 | ||||||||||
5.375%, 03/15/2044 | 73 | 93,363 |
38 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Glencore Finance Canada Ltd. | U.S.$ | 5 | $ | 6,176 | ||||||||
INEOS Finance PLC | EUR | 120 | 140,018 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
514,549 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
General Electric Co. | U.S.$ | 40 | 39,117 | |||||||||
Howmet Aerospace, Inc. | 4 | 4,581 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
43,698 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.8% |
| |||||||||||
Netflix, Inc. | EUR | 124 | 164,846 | |||||||||
4.375%, 11/15/2026 | U.S.$ | 25 | 27,832 | |||||||||
4.625%, 05/15/2029 | EUR | 113 | 163,953 | |||||||||
4.875%, 04/15/2028 | U.S.$ | 100 | 114,648 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
471,279 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 1.1% | ||||||||||||
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp. | 21 | 23,438 | ||||||||||
Qwest Corp. | 78 | 78,717 | ||||||||||
7.25%, 09/15/2025 | 55 | 65,520 | ||||||||||
T-Mobile USA, Inc. | 80 | 79,271 | ||||||||||
2.875%, 02/15/2031 | 155 | 154,345 | ||||||||||
3.375%, 04/15/2029(a) | 47 | 48,320 | ||||||||||
3.50%, 04/15/2031 | 126 | 130,622 | ||||||||||
4.75%, 02/01/2028 | 126 | 132,993 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
713,226 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.4% |
| |||||||||||
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | 200 | 216,543 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.4% |
| |||||||||||
Marriott International, Inc./MD | 16 | 18,137 | ||||||||||
MDC Holdings, Inc. | 87 | 109,988 | ||||||||||
PulteGroup, Inc. | 26 | 33,923 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 39 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Toll Brothers Finance Corp. | U.S.$ | 93 | $ | 103,179 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
265,227 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 1.2% |
| |||||||||||
HCA, Inc. | 33 | 37,573 | ||||||||||
5.625%, 09/01/2028 | 35 | 41,161 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 02/15/2026 | 54 | 61,504 | ||||||||||
Kraft Heinz Foods Co. | 185 | 192,980 | ||||||||||
4.25%, 03/01/2031 | 84 | 94,708 | ||||||||||
4.375%, 06/01/2046 | 93 | 108,546 | ||||||||||
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. | 105 | 105,696 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 09/30/2027(a) | 136 | 143,340 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
785,508 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.6% |
| |||||||||||
Cenovus Energy, Inc. | 15 | 16,475 | ||||||||||
5.40%, 06/15/2047 | 2 | 2,507 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 11/15/2039 | 1 | 1,999 | ||||||||||
Continental Resources, Inc./OK | 16 | 18,186 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 01/15/2031(a) | 28 | 33,542 | ||||||||||
Enable Midstream Partners LP | 105 | 114,792 | ||||||||||
4.95%, 05/15/2028 | 20 | 22,367 | ||||||||||
Hess Corp. | 36 | 48,458 | ||||||||||
Marathon Oil Corp. | 34 | 44,375 | ||||||||||
Ovintiv Exploration, Inc. | 79 | 86,933 | ||||||||||
QEP Resources, Inc. | 1 | 529 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
390,163 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
Expedia Group, Inc. | 5 | 5,711 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.6% |
| |||||||||||
CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp. | 125 | 128,885 | ||||||||||
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp. | 18 | 18,321 |
40 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
MSCI, Inc. | U.S.$ | 149 | $ | 155,735 | ||||||||
Nokia Oyj | 16 | 16,228 | ||||||||||
6.625%, 05/15/2039 | 64 | 85,912 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
405,081 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Airlines – 0.6% |
| |||||||||||
Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 60 | 70,195 | ||||||||||
Delta Air Lines, Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd. | 45 | 49,893 | ||||||||||
Mileage Plus Holdings LLC/Mileage Plus Intellectual Property Assets Ltd. | 234 | 254,544 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
374,632 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,185,617 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 3.6% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 1.0% | ||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | 15 | 19,698 | ||||||||||
CIT Group, Inc. | 37 | 38,502 | ||||||||||
Citigroup, Inc. | 38 | 43,874 | ||||||||||
Series U | 70 | 72,355 | ||||||||||
Series V | 41 | 41,772 | ||||||||||
Series W | 18 | 18,351 | ||||||||||
Series Y | 46 | 46,339 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) | 128 | 127,771 | ||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 80 | 82,882 | ||||||||||
Series HH | 49 | 50,057 | ||||||||||
Lloyds Banking Group PLC | GBP | 8 | 10,360 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 41 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Wells Fargo & Co. | U.S.$ | 111 | $ | 113,130 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
665,091 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Brokerage – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Charles Schwab Corp. (The) | 58 | 63,846 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Finance – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Aircastle Ltd. | 2 | 2,015 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 08/11/2025(a) | 148 | 163,955 | ||||||||||
Aviation Capital Group LLC | 2 | 1,977 | ||||||||||
3.50%, 11/01/2027(a) | 18 | 18,776 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 08/01/2025(a) | 16 | 17,089 | ||||||||||
4.375%, 01/30/2024(a) | 36 | 38,212 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 10/01/2025(a) | 6 | 6,561 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 12/15/2024(a) | 41 | 45,552 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
294,137 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Insurance – 1.2% | ||||||||||||
ACE Capital Trust II | 20 | 29,879 | ||||||||||
Centene Corp. | 453 | 441,365 | ||||||||||
2.625%, 08/01/2031 | 43 | 42,346 | ||||||||||
3.00%, 10/15/2030 | 100 | 101,617 | ||||||||||
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. | 61 | 85,897 | ||||||||||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | 20 | 21,318 | ||||||||||
5.625%, 06/15/2043 | 50 | 52,541 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
774,963 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
REITs – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp. | 70 | 74,123 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 10/15/2027 | 122 | 128,398 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 08/01/2026 | 40 | 40,864 | ||||||||||
Office Properties Income Trust | 104 | 101,556 | ||||||||||
4.50%, 02/01/2025 | 27 | 28,721 |
42 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Vornado Realty LP | U.S.$ | 126 | $ | 129,230 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
502,892 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,300,929 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates - Investment Grade | 6,486,546 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
BANK LOANS – 4.2% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 3.8% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Nouryon Finance B.V. | 8 | 7,894 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
ACProducts Holdings, Inc. | 99 | 98,444 | ||||||||||
Apex Tool Group, LLC | 56 | 56,133 | ||||||||||
Granite US Holdings Corporation | 55 | 54,757 | ||||||||||
The Chamberlain Group, LLC. | 20 | 19,959 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
229,293 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc. | 38 | 37,919 | ||||||||||
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. | 0 | ** | 30 | |||||||||
3.629% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.50%), 08/21/2026(l) | 12 | 11,534 | ||||||||||
iHeartCommunications, Inc. (fka Clear Channel Communications, Inc.) | 18 | 17,606 | ||||||||||
Univision Communications, Inc. | 52 | 52,034 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
119,123 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 43 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Crown Subsea Communications Holding, Inc. | U.S.$ | 56 | $ | 56,493 | ||||||||
DIRECTV Financing, LLC | 60 | 60,029 | ||||||||||
Intrado Corporation | 26 | 25,221 | ||||||||||
Proofpoint, Inc. | 120 | 122,400 | ||||||||||
Zacapa SARL | 99 | 99,103 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
363,246 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Clarios Global LP | 42 | 41,978 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Seaworld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. | 117 | 116,664 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Caesars Resort Collection, LLC | 37 | 37,179 | ||||||||||
Flutter Entertainment PLC | 4 | 4,088 | ||||||||||
Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Inc. | 1 | 812 | ||||||||||
Scientific Games International, Inc. | 78 | 77,616 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
119,695 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Restaurants – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
IRB Holding Corp. | 6 | 6,014 | ||||||||||
|
|
44 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Great Outdoors Group, LLC | U.S.$ | 17 | $ | 16,804 | ||||||||
PetSmart LLC | 80 | 79,829 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
96,633 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Envision Healthcare Corporation | 28 | 22,935 | ||||||||||
Gainwell Acquisition Corp. | 40 | 39,767 | ||||||||||
Global Medical Response, Inc. | 16 | 15,604 | ||||||||||
Kronos Acquisition Holdings, Inc. | 40 | 38,474 | ||||||||||
LifePoint Health, Inc. (fka Regionalcare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc.) | 27 | 27,254 | ||||||||||
Padagis LLC | 30 | 30,037 | ||||||||||
U.S. Renal Care, Inc. | 59 | 58,374 | ||||||||||
US Radiology Specialists, Inc. (US Outpatient Imaging Services, Inc.) | 89 | 89,548 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
321,993 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
CITGO Petroleum Corporation | 35 | 34,715 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Industrial – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
American Tire Distributors, Inc. | 165 | 165,372 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 45 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Dealer Tire, LLC | U.S.$ | 20 | $ | 19,640 | ||||||||
Equiniti Group PLC | 30 | 30,000 | ||||||||||
FCG Acquisitions, Inc. | 30 | 29,975 | ||||||||||
Rockwood Service Corporation | 3 | 3,272 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
248,259 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Amentum Government Services Holdings LLC | 20 | 19,635 | ||||||||||
Garda World Security Corporation | 58 | 57,857 | ||||||||||
Parexel International Corporation | 9 | 8,811 | ||||||||||
Verscend Holding Corp. | 26 | 26,146 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
112,449 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.9% | ||||||||||||
athenahealth, Inc. | 71 | 70,996 | ||||||||||
Banff Guarantor Inc. | 50 | 50,563 | ||||||||||
Boxer Parent Company, Inc. | 58 | 57,505 | ||||||||||
Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. | 74 | 72,685 | ||||||||||
Loyalty Ventures, Inc. | 132 | 131,175 | ||||||||||
Peraton Corp. | 34 | 33,551 | ||||||||||
Playtika Holding Corp. | 60 | 59,569 |
46 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Presidio Holdings, Inc. | U.S.$ | 1 | $ | 783 | ||||||||
3.630% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.50%), 01/22/2027(l) | 14 | 14,238 | ||||||||||
Veritas US, Inc. | 84 | 83,928 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
574,993 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,392,949 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Insurance – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Cross Financial Corp. | 45 | 44,980 | ||||||||||
Hub International Limited | 0 | ** | 169 | |||||||||
4.000% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.25%), 04/25/2025(l) | 67 | 66,808 | ||||||||||
Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management, Inc. | CAD | 50 | 40,415 | |||||||||
Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. (Lightning Cayman Merger Sub, Ltd.) | U.S.$ | 50 | 49,502 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
201,874 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Generation Bridge Acquisition, LLC 08/06/2028(b)(m) | 42 | 42,095 | ||||||||||
Granite Generation LLC | 9 | 8,396 | ||||||||||
4.750% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.75%), 11/09/2026(l) | 44 | 42,929 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
93,420 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Bank Loans | 2,688,243 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 47 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - CORPORATE BONDS – 1.6% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 1.5% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Eldorado Gold Corp. | U.S.$ | 91 | $ | 92,370 | ||||||||
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. | 58 | 59,357 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
151,727 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Sable International Finance Ltd. | 180 | 186,972 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Melco Resorts Finance Ltd. | 236 | 231,472 | ||||||||||
Wynn Macau Ltd. | 209 | 197,061 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
428,533 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
K2016470219 South Africa Ltd. | 17 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
K2016470260 South Africa Ltd. | 9 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
– 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Tonon Luxembourg SA | 2 | 22 | ||||||||||
Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA | 96 | 964 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
986 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.3% |
| |||||||||||
CA Magnum Holdings | 200 | 205,250 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
973,468 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Electric – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Terraform Global Operating LLC | 28 | 28,696 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Emerging Markets - Corporate Bonds | 1,002,164 | |||||||||||
|
|
48 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Shares | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
COMMON STOCKS – 1.0% |
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.6% |
| |||||||||||
Energy Equipment & Services – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
Vantage Drilling International(d) | 247 | $ | 1,296 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.6% |
| |||||||||||
Berry Corp. | 5,250 | 50,453 | ||||||||||
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. | 523 | 29,360 | ||||||||||
CHC Group LLC(d)(n) | 9,365 | 206 | ||||||||||
Denbury, Inc.(d) | 679 | 57,484 | ||||||||||
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.(d) | 5,350 | 29,425 | ||||||||||
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.(d)(g) | 1,142 | 6,281 | ||||||||||
Edcon Ltd.(b)(c)(d) | 8,218 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
Global Partners LP/MA | 1,004 | 23,434 | ||||||||||
Gulfport Energy Operating Corp.(d) | 2,061 | 169,083 | ||||||||||
K201640219 South Africa Ltd. A Shares(b)(c)(d) | 191,574 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
K201640219 South Africa Ltd. B Shares(b)(c)(d) | 30,276 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
SandRidge Energy, Inc.(d) | 5 | 64 | ||||||||||
Whiting Petroleum Corp.(d) | 142 | 9,249 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
375,039 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
376,335 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Discretionary – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Auto Components – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
ATD New Holdings, Inc.(b)(d) | 1,009 | 69,621 | ||||||||||
Exide Corp.(b)(c)(d) | 7 | 14,350 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
83,971 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.(d) | 151 | 16,528 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
100,499 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Staples – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Food & Staples Retailing – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Southeastern Grocers, Inc.(b)(c)(d) | 3,584 | 81,984 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Information Technology – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Software – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Avaya Holdings Corp.(d) | 1,385 | 25,789 | ||||||||||
Monitronics International, Inc.(d) | 578 | 3,468 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
29,257 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communication Services – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
Media – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
DISH Network Corp. – Class A(d) | 100 | 4,107 | ||||||||||
iHeartMedia, Inc. – Class A(d) | 1,045 | 20,252 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
24,359 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 49 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Shares | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Industrials – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Construction & Engineering – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp.(d) | 508 | $ | 17,653 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Materials – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Containers & Packaging – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Westrock Co. | 6 | 289 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Metals & Mining – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
BIS Industries Holdings Ltd.(b)(c)(d) | 21,027 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
Neenah Enterprises, Inc.(b)(c)(d) | 4,481 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
– 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
289 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Common Stocks | 630,376 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Principal Amount (000) | ||||||||||||
GOVERNMENTS - TREASURIES – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Mexico – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Mexican Bonos | MXN | 1,202 | 55,191 | |||||||||
Series M 20 | 480 | 25,216 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
80,407 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
United States – 0.5% |
| |||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Notes | U.S.$ | 300 | 311,250 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Governments - Treasuries | 391,657 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||
PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Exide International Holdings LP | 39 | 31,492 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. | 490 | 8,355 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Gulfport Energy Operating Corp. | 4 | 23,400 |
50 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Shares | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Targa Resources Corp. | 70 | $ | 75,727 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
99,127 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Industrial Conglomerates – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
WESCO International, Inc. | 1,425 | 44,745 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
183,719 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Capital Markets – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc. | 2,175 | 29,471 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Preferred Stocks | 213,190 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Principal Amount (000) | ||||||||||||
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Risk Share Floating Rate – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes | U.S.$ | 23 | 23,504 | |||||||||
Series 2014-HQ2, Class M3 | 31 | 31,999 | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities | 6 | 6,009 | ||||||||||
Series 2015-C03, Class 2M2 | 0 | ** | 157 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
61,669 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Non-Agency Fixed Rate – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Alternative Loan Trust | 4 | 2,828 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 51 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
CSMC Mortgage-Backed Trust | U.S.$ | 4 | $ | 2,623 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
5,451 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 67,120 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Home Equity Loans - Fixed Rate – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
CWABS Asset-Backed Certificates Trust | 18 | 18,236 | ||||||||||
GSAA Home Equity Trust | 61 | 24,965 | ||||||||||
Lehman XS Trust | 8 | 8,231 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Asset-Backed Securities | 51,432 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Non-Agency Fixed Rate CMBS – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust | 15 | 14,721 | ||||||||||
GS Mortgage Securities Trust | 29 | 4,808 | ||||||||||
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 29 | 28,623 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | 48,152 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - TREASURIES – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
South Africa – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Republic of South Africa Government Bond | ZAR | 283 | 18,998 | |||||||||
|
|
52 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Shares | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
WARRANTS – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Avaya Holdings Corp., expiring 12/15/2022(d) | 1,210 | $ | 1,694 | |||||||||
Battalion Oil Corp., expiring 10/08/2022(b)(c)(d) | 9 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
SandRidge Energy, Inc., A-CW22, expiring 10/04/2022(d) | 1,980 | 99 | ||||||||||
SandRidge Energy, Inc., B-CW22, expiring 10/04/2022(d) | 831 | 40 | ||||||||||
Willscot Corp., expiring 11/29/2022(b)(c)(d) | 787 | 15,269 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Warrants | 17,102 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
RIGHTS – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
Vistra Energy Corp., expiring 12/31/2049(b)(d) | 3,442 | 4,612 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 3.9% | ||||||||||||
Investment Companies – 3.9% | ||||||||||||
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. – Government Money Market Portfolio – Class AB, 0.01%(o)(p)(q) | 2,464,062 | 2,464,062 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Investments – 101.1% | 64,504,298 | |||||||||||
Other assets less liabilities – (1.1)% | (679,065 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $ | 63,825,233 | ||||||||||
|
|
FUTURES (see Note C)
Description | Number of Contracts | Expiration Month | Current Notional | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
Purchased Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||
E-Mini Russell 2000 Futures | 1 | December 2021 | $ | 114,765 | $ | 2,490 | ||||||||||
S&P 500 E-Mini Futures | 1 | December 2021 | 229,850 | 4,685 | ||||||||||||
U.S. T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures | 18 | December 2021 | 2,191,500 | (33,133 | ) | |||||||||||
U.S. T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures | 17 | December 2021 | 2,221,953 | (39,711 | ) | |||||||||||
Sold Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||
Euro-OAT Futures | 1 | December 2021 | 189,584 | 5,503 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | (60,166 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 53 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note C)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. | MXN | 1,313 | USD | 64 | 01/13/2022 | $ | 1,216 | |||||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. | EUR | 407 | USD | 477 | 11/08/2021 | 6,370 | ||||||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. | GBP | 100 | USD | 137 | 11/10/2021 | 461 | ||||||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. | CAD | 65 | USD | 51 | 11/19/2021 | (1,547 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | RUB | 4,120 | USD | 56 | 12/15/2021 | (1,620 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | EUR | 1,988 | USD | 2,362 | 11/08/2021 | 63,631 | ||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 56 | RUB | 4,120 | 12/15/2021 | 1,483 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 69,994 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note C)
Description | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-NAHY Series 34, 5 Year Index, 06/20/2025* | 5.00 | % | Quarterly | 2.56 | % | USD | 255 | $ | 22,566 | $ | (238 | ) | $ | 22,804 | ||||||||||||||
iTraxx Europe Crossover Series 36, 5 Year Index, 12/20/2026* | 5.00 | Quarterly | 2.62 | EUR | 330 | 44,688 | 45,132 | (444 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 67,254 | $ | 44,894 | $ | 22,360 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note C)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,770 | 03/06/2023 | 3 Month LIBOR | 2.714% | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | $ | 61,319 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 61,319 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 2,835 | 09/02/2025 | 2.248% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | (132,682 | ) | (8,311 | ) | (124,371 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 961 | 01/15/2026 | 1.978% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | (38,438 | ) | 5,398 | (43,836 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
USD | 651 | 02/16/2026 | 1.625% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | (14,768 | ) | 7,434 | (22,202 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
USD | 150 | 03/31/2026 | 1.693% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | (3,575 | ) | – 0 | – | (3,575 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 100 | 05/03/2026 | 1.770% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | (3,443 | ) | – 0 | – | (3,443 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 800 | 06/01/2026 | 1.714% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | (24,292 | ) | 32,362 | (56,654 | ) |
54 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 4,650 | 04/28/2027 | 3 Month LIBOR | 2.330% | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | $ | 260,351 | $ | 16,658 | $ | 243,693 | |||||||||||||||
USD | 350 | 05/03/2027 | 2.285% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | (22,552 | ) | 112 | (22,664 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
USD | 940 | 03/06/2028 | 2.876% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | (90,998 | ) | – 0 | – | (90,998 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (9,078 | ) | $ | 53,653 | $ | (62,731 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note C)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Buy Contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 05/11/2063* | (5.00 | )% | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 173 | $ | 75,883 | $ | 20,571 | $ | 55,312 | |||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB Series 6, 05/11/2063* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 192 | 53,264 | 19,207 | 34,057 | |||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Altice France SA, 06/20/2024* | 5.00 | Quarterly | 1.85 | EUR | 70 | 6,984 | 3,323 | 3,661 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 5.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 28 | (12,226 | ) | (3,270 | ) | (8,956 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 5.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 66 | (29,088 | ) | (7,217 | ) | (21,871 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
International Game Technology, 4.750%, 02/15/2023, 06/20/2022* | 5.00 | Quarterly | 0.40 | EUR | 100 | 4,102 | 2,530 | 1,572 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 75 | (20,819 | ) | (4,779 | ) | (16,040 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 252 | (69,951 | ) | (16,484 | ) | (53,467 | ) |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 55 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC, 5.250%, 03/15/2025, 12/20/2023* | 5.00 | % | Quarterly | 0.80 | % | USD | 20 | $ | 1,907 | $ | 861 | $ | 1,046 | |||||||||||||||
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC, 5.250%, 03/15/2025, 12/20/2023* | 5.00 | Quarterly | 0.80 | USD | 10 | 953 | 275 | 678 | ||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 5.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 157 | (68,676 | ) | (26,764 | ) | (41,912 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (57,667 | ) | $ | (11,747 | ) | $ | (45,920 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
TOTAL RETURN SWAPS (see Note C)
Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Rate Paid/ Received | Payment Frequency | Current Notional (000) | Maturity Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||
Receive Total Return on Reference Obligation |
| |||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International |
| |||||||||||||||
Markit iBoxx USD Contingent Convertible Liquid Developed Markets AT1 Index TRI | 3 Month LIBOR | Maturity | USD 573 | 12/20/2021 | $ | (6,790 | ) |
** | Principal amount less than 500. |
(a) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration. At October 31, 2021, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $41,963,688 or 65.7% of net assets. |
(b) | Security in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. |
(c) | Fair valued by the Adviser. |
(d) | Non-income producing security. |
(e) | Defaulted matured security. |
(f) | Pay-In-Kind Payments (PIK). The issuer may pay cash interest and/or interest in additional debt securities. Rates shown are the rates in effect at October 31, 2021. |
56 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
(g) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 0.23% of net assets as of October 31, 2021, are considered illiquid and restricted. Additional information regarding such securities follows: |
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
Athabasca Oil Corp. | 10/07/2021 | $ | 82,458 | $ | 85,633 | 0.13 | % | |||||||||
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. | 04/23/2021 | 19,989 | 6,281 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
Exide International Holdings LP | 11/05/2020 | 29,328 | 31,492 | 0.05 | % | |||||||||||
Exide Technologies (Exchange Priority) | 10/29/2020 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 0.00 | % | |||||||||
Exide Technologies (First Lien) | 10/29/2020 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 0.00 | % | |||||||||
K2016470219 South Africa Ltd. | 02/05/2020 - 06/30/2021 | 16,145 | – 0 | – | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
K2016470260 South Africa Ltd. | 12/22/2016 - 06/30/2021 | 9,176 | – 0 | – | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
Magnetation LLC/Mag Finance Corp. | 02/19/2015 | 36,767 | – 0 | – | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
Terraform Global Operating LLC | 02/08/2018 - 06/04/2019 | 28,029 | 28,696 | 0.04 | % | |||||||||||
Tonon Luxembourg SA | 05/03/2019 - 10/31/2020 | 4,100 | 22 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||
Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA | 02/13/2013 | 96,161 | 964 | 0.00 | % |
(h) | Convertible security. |
(i) | Defaulted. |
(j) | Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date. |
(k) | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest/floor/ceiling rate was in effect at October 31, 2021. |
(l) | The stated coupon rate represents the greater of the LIBOR or an alternate base rate such as the CDOR or the LIBOR/CDOR floor rate plus spread at October 31, 2021. |
(m) | This position or a portion of this position represents an unsettled loan purchase. The coupon rate will be determined at the time of settlement and will be based upon the London-Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a premium which was determined at the time of purchase. |
(n) | Restricted and illiquid security. |
Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
CHC Group LLC | 03/10/2017 | $ | 127,430 | $ | 206 | 0.00 | % |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 57 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
(o) | The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
(p) | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618. |
(q) | Affiliated investments. |
Currency Abbreviations:
CAD – Canadian Dollar
EUR – Euro
GBP – Great British Pound
MXN – Mexican Peso
RUB – Russian Ruble
USD – United States Dollar
ZAR – South African Rand
Glossary:
CBT – Chicago Board of Trade
CDOR – Canadian Dealer Offered Rate
CDX-CMBX.NA – North American Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index
CDX-NAHY – North American High Yield Credit Default Swap Index
CMBS – Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
OAT – Obligations Assimilables du Trésor
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
See notes to financial statements.
58 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
October 31, 2021
Assets | ||||
Investments in securities, at value | $ | 62,040,236 | ||
Affiliated issuers (cost $2,464,062) | 2,464,062 | |||
Cash | 4,881 | |||
Cash collateral due from broker | 148,299 | |||
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $9,121) | 9,250 | |||
Unaffiliated interest receivable | �� | 813,277 | ||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 298,487 | |||
Market value of credit default swaps (net premiums paid $46,767) | 143,093 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 73,161 | |||
Receivable from Adviser | 43,568 | |||
Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 2,325 | |||
Receivable for variation margin on futures | 1,515 | |||
Affiliated dividends receivable | 24 | |||
|
| |||
Total assets | 66,042,178 | |||
|
| |||
Liabilities | ||||
Payable for investment securities purchased | 1,430,060 | |||
Payable for capital stock redeemed | 255,718 | |||
Market value of credit default swaps (net premiums received $58,514) | 200,760 | |||
Audit and tax fee payable | 130,350 | |||
Dividends payable | 76,953 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on total return swaps | 6,790 | |||
Payable for capital gains taxes | 6,065 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 3,167 | |||
Transfer Agent fee payable | 3,001 | |||
Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 2,326 | |||
Directors’ fee payable | 1,586 | |||
Distribution fee payable | 33 | |||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 100,136 | |||
|
| |||
Total liabilities | 2,216,945 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 63,825,233 | ||
|
| |||
Composition of Net Assets | ||||
Capital stock, at par | $ | 6,395 | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 72,061,775 | |||
Accumulated loss | (8,242,937 | ) | ||
|
| |||
$ | 63,825,233 | |||
|
|
Net Asset Value Per Share—33 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
Class | Net Assets | Shares Outstanding | Net Asset Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||||
A | $ | 157,857 | 15,815 | $ | 9.98 | * | ||||||
| ||||||||||||
Advisor | $ | 63,608,682 | 6,373,554 | $ | 9.98 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Z | $ | 58,694 | 5,880 | $ | 9.98 | |||||||
|
* | The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $10.42, which reflects a sales charge of 4.25%. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 59 |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Period January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021(a) | Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |||||||
Investment Income | ||||||||
Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $492 and $324, respectively) | $ | 2,169,904 | $ | 2,349,889 | ||||
Dividends | ||||||||
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $997 and $0, respectively) | 16,641 | 5,949 | ||||||
Affiliated issuers | 198 | 3,547 | ||||||
Total income | 2,186,743 | 2,359,385 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Expenses | ||||||||
Advisory fee (see Note B) | 160,450 | 231,005 | ||||||
Transfer agency—Class A | 44 | – 0 | – | |||||
Transfer agency—Advisor Class | 41,787 | 41,096 | ||||||
Transfer agency—Class Z | 6 | – 0 | – | |||||
Distribution fee—Class A | 78 | – 0 | – | |||||
Audit and tax | 144,237 | 136,812 | ||||||
Legal | 105,017 | 106,071 | ||||||
Custody and accounting | 96,761 | 153,756 | ||||||
Administrative | 76,287 | 72,160 | ||||||
Registration fees | 63,391 | 24,330 | ||||||
Printing | 33,800 | 38,915 | ||||||
Directors’ fees | 15,897 | 16,540 | ||||||
Miscellaneous | 6,083 | 17,418 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total expenses | 743,838 | 838,103 | ||||||
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | (526,274 | ) | (568,950 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net expenses | 217,564 | 269,153 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net investment income | 1,969,179 | 2,090,232 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
60 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (continued)
For the Period January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021(a) | Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment and Foreign Currency Transactions | ||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
Investment transactions(b) | $ | 680,336 | $ | (43,889 | ) | |||
Forward currency exchange contracts | 65,494 | (152,216 | ) | |||||
Futures | 893 | 177,890 | ||||||
Swaps | 431,871 | 105,965 | ||||||
Foreign currency transactions | (26,726 | ) | 41,441 | |||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on: | ||||||||
Investments | (362,957 | )(c) | 770,281 | (d) | ||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | 79,423 | 36,943 | ||||||
Futures | (71,240 | ) | 25,520 | |||||
Swaps | (290,205 | ) | 137,424 | |||||
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | (1,756 | ) | 486 | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | 505,133 | 1,099,845 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations | $ | 2,474,312 | $ | 3,190,077 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(a) | The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31. |
(b) | Net of foreign realized capital gains taxes of $1,383 and $20,258, respectively. |
(c) | Net of decrease in accrued foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized gains of $1,014. |
(d) | Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized gains of $2,884. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 61 |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the Period January 1, 2021 to, October 31, 2021(a) | Year Ended December 31, 2020 | Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 1,969,179 | $ | 2,090,232 | $ | 1,991,008 | ||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 1,151,868 | 129,191 | (233,902 | ) | ||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | (646,735 | ) | 970,654 | 3,115,409 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations | 2,474,312 | 3,190,077 | 4,872,515 | |||||||||
Distributions to Shareholders |
| |||||||||||
Class A | (1,360 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||
Advisor Class | (2,142,401 | ) | (2,379,537 | ) | (2,205,237 | ) | ||||||
Class Z | (544 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||
Capital Stock Transactions | ||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 24,744,091 | (2,277,269 | ) | 7,041,926 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total increase (decrease) | 25,074,098 | (1,466,729 | ) | 9,709,204 | ||||||||
Net Assets | ||||||||||||
Beginning of period | 38,751,135 | 40,217,864 | 30,508,660 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
End of period | $ | 63,825,233 | $ | 38,751,135 | $ | 40,217,864 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31. |
See notes to financial statements.
62 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2021
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Company, which is a Maryland corporation, operates as a series company comprised of 10 portfolios currently in operation. Each portfolio is considered to be a separate entity for financial reporting and tax purposes. This report relates only to the AB High Yield Portfolio (the “Fund”), a diversified portfolio. On April 30, 2021, the Fund’s name was changed from the AB FlexFee High Yield Portfolio to AB High Yield Portfolio and the fiscal year end changed from December 31 to October 31. The Fund has authorized the issuance of Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class Z, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2 shares. Effective April 30, 2021 the Fund recommenced offering of Class A and Class Z shares. Class B, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2 shares have not been issued, and no shares of Class C, Class R, Class K or Class I were outstanding as of October 31, 2021. 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%. Advisor Class and Class Z shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. All 11 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 (“U.S. GAAP”), which require 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 Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. 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 (the “Board”).
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 63 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
In general, the market values 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures 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; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. 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, 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. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this
64 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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. To account for this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
• | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
• | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
• | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 65 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3.
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar collateral and risk profiles, including relevant indices. Mortgage and asset-backed securities for which management has collected current observable data through pricing services are generally categorized within Level 2. Those investments for which current observable data has not been provided are classified as Level 3.
Bank loan prices are provided by third party pricing services and consist of a composite of the quotes received by the vendor into a consensus price. Certain bank loans are classified as Level 3, as a significant input used in the fair value measurement of these instruments is the market quotes that are received by the vendor and these inputs are not observable.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate
66 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of October 31, 2021:
Investments in Securities | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 50,416,853 | $ | 3,791 | # | $ | 50,420,644 | ||||||
Corporates – Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 6,486,546 | – 0 | – | 6,486,546 | ||||||||||
Bank Loans | – 0 | – | 2,233,280 | 454,963 | 2,688,243 | |||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Corporate Bonds | – 0 | – | 1,002,142 | 22 | # | 1,002,164 | ||||||||||
Common Stocks | 428,715 | 35,706 | 165,955 | # | 630,376 | |||||||||||
Governments – Treasuries | – 0 | – | 391,657 | – 0 | – | 391,657 | ||||||||||
Preferred Stocks | 53,100 | 105,198 | 54,892 | 213,190 | ||||||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | – 0 | – | 67,120 | – 0 | – | 67,120 | ||||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 51,432 | – 0 | – | 51,432 | ||||||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 48,152 | – 0 | – | 48,152 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Treasuries | – 0 | – | 18,998 | – 0 | – | 18,998 | ||||||||||
Warrants | 1,833 | – 0 | – | 15,269 | # | 17,102 | ||||||||||
Rights | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 4,612 | 4,612 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Investment Companies | 2,464,062 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 2,464,062 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total Investments in Securities | 2,947,710 | 60,857,084 | 699,504 | 64,504,298 | ||||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments*: | ||||||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Futures | 12,678 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 12,678 | † | |||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | 73,161 | – 0 | – | 73,161 | ||||||||||
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | 67,254 | – 0 | – | 67,254 | † | |||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | 321,670 | – 0 | – | 321,670 | † | |||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | 143,093 | – 0 | – | 143,093 |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 67 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Investments in Securities | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Futures | $ | (72,844 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (72,844 | )† | ||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | (3,167 | ) | – 0 | – | (3,167 | ) | ||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | (330,748 | ) | – 0 | – | (330,748 | )† | ||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | (200,760 | ) | – 0 | – | (200,760 | ) | ||||||||
Total Return Swaps | – 0 | – | (6,790 | ) | – 0 | – | (6,790 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 2,887,544 | $ | 60,920,797 | $ | 699,504 | $ | 64,507,845 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# | The Fund held securities with zero market value at period end. |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
† | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value.
Corporates - Non-Investment Grade# | Bank Loans | Emerging Markets - Corporate Bonds# | Common Stocks# | |||||||||||||
Balance as of 12/31/20 | $ | 4,250 | $ | 341,734 | $ | 64 | $ | 97,103 | ||||||||
Accrued discounts/(premiums) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (378 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||||
Realized gain (loss) | 128 | 1,954 | – 0 | – | (29,749 | ) | ||||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | (459 | ) | 7,583 | (931 | ) | 101,731 | ||||||||||
Purchases/Payups | – 0 | – | 442,123 | 1,267 | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
Sales | (128 | ) | (338,431 | ) | – 0 | – | (3,130 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Balance as of 10/31/21 | $ | 3,791 | $ | 454,963 | $ | 22 | $ | 165,955 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 10/31/21** | $ | (459 | ) | $ | 9,113 | $ | (931 | ) | $ | 71,485 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Preferred Stocks | Warrants# | Rights | Total | |||||||||||||
Balance as of 12/31/20 | $ | 29,445 | $ | 7,169 | $ | 3,442 | $ | 483,207 | ||||||||
Accrued discounts/(premiums) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (378 | ) | ||||||||
Realized gain (loss) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (27,667 | ) | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | 22,408 | 8,100 | 1,170 | 139,602 | ||||||||||||
Purchases/Payups | 3,039 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 446,429 | ||||||||||
Sales | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (341,689 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Balance as of 10/31/21 | $ | 54,892 | $ | 15,269 | $ | 4,612 | $ | 699,504 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 10/31/21** | $ | 22,408 | $ | 8,100 | $ | 1,170 | $ | 110,886 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# | The Fund held securities with zero market value that were sold/expired/written off during the reporting period. |
** | The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and other financial instruments in the accompanying statement of operations. |
The following presents information about significant unobservable inputs related to the Fund’s Level 3 investments at October 31, 2021. Securities priced (i) by third party vendors, (ii) by brokers or (iii) using prior transaction prices, which approximates fair value, are excluded from the following table.
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value at 10/31/21 | Valuation | Unobservable | Input | |||||||
Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | $ | 3,791 |
| Recovery Analysis | Collateral Value | $75.90 | ||||
$ | – 0 | – | Qualitative Assessment | $0.00 | ||||||
|
| |||||||||
$ | 3,791 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||
Common Stocks | $ | 14,350 | Market Approach | Projected Enterprise Value | $595.3mm to $661.3mm | |||||
$ | – 0 | – | Qualitative Assessment | $0.00 | ||||||
$ | – 0 | – | Qualitative Assessment | $0.00 | ||||||
|
| |||||||||
$ | 14,350 | |||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 69 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Fair Value at 10/31/21 | Valuation | Unobservable | Input | |||||||
Preferred Stocks | $ | 31,492 | Discounted Cash Flow | Discount Rate on Future Cash Flows | 12.21% | |||||
Warrants | $ | 15,269 | Option Pricing Model | Exercise Price | $19.40 | |||||
$ | – 0 | – | Qualitative Assessment | $0.00 | ||||||
|
| |||||||||
$ | 15,269 | |||||||||
|
|
Generally, a change in the assumptions used in any input in isolation may be accompanied by a change in another input. Significant changes in any of the unobservable inputs may significantly impact the fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in Collateral Value, Projected Enterprise Value and Exercise Price in insolation would be expected to result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. A significant increase (decrease) in Discount Rate on Future Cash Flows in isolation would be expected to result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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
70 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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.
The Fund has a tax year-end of December 31 concurrent with the filing of the Fund’s tax returns.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
5. 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. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income. The Fund accounts for distributions received from REIT investments or from regulated investment companies as dividend income, realized gain, or return of capital based on information provided by the REIT or the investment company.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Fund are borne on a pro-rata basis by each settled 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. Expenses of the Company are charged proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. 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. GAAP. 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
Effective April 30, 2021, under an amended advisory agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .45% of the first
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 71 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
$2.5 billion, .425% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Prior to April 30, 2021, the Fund calculated and accrued daily a base fee, at an annualized rate of .40% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (“Base Fee”). The prior advisory fee was increased or decreased from the Base Fee by a performance adjustment (“Performance Adjustment”) that depended on whether, and to what extent, the investment performance of the Advisor Class shares of the Fund (“Measuring Class”) exceeded, or was exceeded by, the performance of the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index (“Index”) plus .75% (“Index Hurdle”) over the Performance Period (as defined below). The Performance Adjustment was calculated and accrued daily, according to a schedule that added or subtracted ..002667% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each .01% of absolute performance by which the performance of the Measuring Class exceeded or lagged the Index Hurdle for the period from the beginning of the Performance Period through the current business day. The maximum Performance Adjustment (positive or negative) could not exceed an annualized rate of +/- .20% (“Maximum Performance Adjustment”) of the Fund’s average daily net assets, which would occur when the performance of the Measuring Class exceeded, or was exceeded by, the Index Hurdle by .75% or more for the Performance Period. On a monthly basis, the Fund paid the Adviser the minimum fee rate of .20% on an annualized basis (Base Fee minus the Maximum Performance Adjustment) applied to the average daily net assets for the month. At the end of the Performance Period, the Fund paid to the Adviser the total advisory fee, less the amount of any minimum fees paid during the Performance Period and any waivers described below. The period over which performance was measured (“Performance Period”) was initially from February 26, 2018 to December 31, 2019 and thereafter was each 12-month period beginning on the first day in the month of January through December 31 of the same year. In addition, the Adviser had agreed to waive its advisory fee by limiting the Fund’s accrual of the advisory fee (Base Fee plus Performance Adjustment) on any day to the amount corresponding to the maximum fee rate multiplied by the Fund’s current net assets if such amount was less than the amount that would have been accrued based on the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Performance Period. For the period from January 1, 2021 until the implementation of the new advisory fee on April 30, 2021, the Fund paid the minimum fee under the prior advisory fee arrangement (0.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets) as a result of a fee waiver by the Adviser.
Effective April 30, 2021, the Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction
72 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
costs) on an annual basis (the “Expense Cap”) to .85%, .60% and .60% of daily average net assets for the Class A, Advisor Class and Class Z, respectively. For the period ended October 31, 2021, such reimbursements/ waivers amounted to $448,969. The Expense Cap will remain in effect until April 30, 2022 and then may be continued thereafter from year to year by the Adviser.
Any fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser between February 26, 2018 and December 31, 2019 are/were subject to repayment by the Fund until the end of the third fiscal year after the fiscal period in which the fee was waived or the expense was borne; such waivers that are subject to repayment amount to $484,978 for the year ended December 31, 2019. Prior to April 30, 2021, the Advisor had agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total expenses (other than the advisory fee, acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs) on an annual basis from exceeding .10% of average daily net assets. In any case, no repayment will be made that would cause the Fund’s total annual expenses (subject to the exclusions set forth in the preceding sentence) to exceed .10% of average daily net assets.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser. For the period ended October 31, 2021, the Adviser voluntarily agreed to waive such fees in the amount of $76,287.
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 $15,268 for the period ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2022. In connection with the investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the period ended October 31, 2021, such waiver amounted to $1,018.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 73 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
A summary of the Fund’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the period ended October 31, 2021 is as follows:
Fund | Market Value 12/31/20 (000) | Purchases at Cost (000) | Sales Proceeds (000) | Market Value 10/31/21 (000) | Dividend Income (000) | |||||||||||||||
Government Money Market Portfolio | $ | 148 | $ | 32,878 | $ | 30,562 | $ | 2,464 | $ | 0 | * |
* | Amount is less than $500. |
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 up to .25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on Advisor Class and Class Z shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. 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.
NOTE D
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the period ended October 31, 2021, were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | $ | 41,564,643 | $ | 17,773,332 | ||||
U.S. government securities | – 0 | – | – 0 | – |
As of October 31, 2021, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
Cost | $ | 63,500,111 | ||
|
| |||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 2,737,934 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (2,061,080 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 676,854 | ||
|
|
74 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
• | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Fund may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Fund. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
During the period ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Futures |
The Fund may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Fund bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Fund may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
At the time the Fund enters into futures, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 75 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/ counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Use of long futures subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the period ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held futures for hedging purposes.
• | Swaps |
The Fund may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk or currencies. The Fund may also enter into swaps for non-hedging purposes as a means of gaining market exposures including by making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” or in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset described below under “Total Return Swaps”. A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Fund in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Fund or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment
76 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
to be received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Fund accrues for the interim payments on swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/ depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for swaps are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Fund enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for centrally cleared swaps is generally less than non-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 77 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Interest Rate Swaps:
The Fund is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Fund holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Fund may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or, receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional amount.
In addition, the Fund may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or “notional”) amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).
During the period ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held interest rate swaps for hedging purposes.
Credit Default Swaps:
The Fund may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Fund, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Fund may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap, the Fund receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. If the Fund is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the
78 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
referenced obligation. In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Fund for the same referenced obligation with the same counterparty.
Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Fund is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Fund coupled with the periodic payments previously received may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Fund.
Implied credit spreads over U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/ performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.
During the period ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held credit default swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Total Return Swaps:
The Fund may enter into total return swaps in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Fund is subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.
During the period ended ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held total return swaps for non-hedging purposes.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 79 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Fund’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Fund decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty tables below for additional details.
During the period ended October 31, 2021, the Fund had entered into the following derivatives:
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative Type | Statement of | Fair Value | Statement of | Fair Value | ||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 5,503 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 72,844 | * | ||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps |
| 305,012 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps |
| 367,743 | * | ||||
Foreign currency contracts | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
| 73,161 |
| Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
| 3,167 |
|
80 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative Type | Statement of | Fair Value | Statement of | Fair Value | ||||||||
Credit contracts | Market value of credit default swaps | $ | 143,093 | Market value of credit default swaps | $ | 200,760 | ||||||
Credit contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 22,804 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 444 | * | ||||||
Credit contracts | Unrealized depreciation on total return swaps | 6,790 | ||||||||||
Equity contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | 7,175 | * | |||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 556,748 | $ | 651,748 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
Derivative Type | Location of Gain | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain/(loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on swaps | $ | 19,965 | $ | 8,096 | |||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain/(loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on futures | (53,209 | ) | (74,748 | ) | |||||
Foreign currency contracts | Net realized gain/(loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 65,494 | 79,423 | |||||||
Credit contracts | Net realized gain/(loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on swaps | 411,906 | (298,301 | ) |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 81 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Derivative Type | Location of Gain | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Equity contracts | Net realized gain/(loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on futures | $ | 54,102 | $ | 3,508 | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | 498,258 | $ | (282,022 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Fund’s derivative transactions during the period ended October 31, 2021:
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 57,696 | (a) | |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 2,779,559 | ||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 13,207,000 | ||
Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 368,773 | ||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 815,732 | ||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | ||||
Average principal amount of buy contracts | $ | 112,901 | (b) | |
Average principal amount of sale contracts | $ | 2,764,488 | ||
Futures: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 4,941,516 | ||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 195,057 | ||
Total Return Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 580,000 |
(a) | Positions were open for four months during the reporting period. |
(b) | Positions were open for five months during the reporting period. |
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the tables.
82 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Received* | Security Collateral Received* | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |||||||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | $ | 6,984 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 6,984 | |||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. | 8,047 | (1,547 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 6,500 | ||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | 79,985 | (41,314 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 38,671 | ||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 63,631 | (63,631 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 57,607 | (57,607 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 216,254 | $ | (164,099 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 52,155 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Security Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. | $ | 1,547 | $ | (1,547 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | ||||||
Credit Suisse International | 41,314 | (41,314 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 92,390 | (63,631 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 28,759 | ||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 75,466 | (57,607 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 17,859 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 210,717 | $ | (164,099 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 46,618 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to overcollateralization. |
^ | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
2. Currency Transactions
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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).
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 83 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
3. Loan Participations and Assignments
The Fund may invest in direct debt instruments which are interests in amounts owed to lenders or lending syndicates by corporate, governmental, or other borrowers, either in the form of participations at the time the loan is originated (“Participations”) or by buying an interest in the loan in the secondary market from a financial institution or institutional investor (“Assignments”). A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution (the “Lender”) that acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan as specified in the loan agreement. When investing in Participations, the Fund generally has no right to enforce compliance with the terms of the loan agreement with the borrower. In addition, when investing in Participations, the Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender and only upon receipt of payments by the Lender from the borrower. As a result, the Fund may be subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender. When the Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders, it will typically acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan. These loans may include participations in “bridge loans”, which are loans taken out by borrowers for a short period (typically less than six months) pending arrangement of more permanent financing through, for example, the issuance of bonds, frequently high-yield bonds issued for the purpose of acquisitions. The Fund may also participate in unfunded loan commitments, which are contractual obligations for investing in future Participations, and may receive a commitment fee based on the amount of the commitment. Under these arrangements, the Fund may receive a fixed rate commitment fee and, if and to the extent the borrower borrows under the facility, the Fund may receive an additional funding fee.
Unfunded loan commitments and funded loans are marked to market daily.
As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had the following unfunded loan commitment which could be extended at the option of borrower pursuant to the respective loan agreement. The unrealized appreciation on such loan was $134.
Borrower | Unfunded Loan Participation Commitment | Funded | ||
Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management, Inc. Delayed Draw Term Loan (Second Lien) | $ 5,000 | $ – 0 – |
As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had no bridge loan commitments outstanding.
During the period ended October 31, 2021, the Fund received commitment fees or additional funding fees in the amount of $25.
84 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE E
Capital Stock
Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021(a) | Year Ended December 31, 2020 | Year Ended 2019 | January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021(a) | Year Ended December 31, 2020 | Year Ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 15,725 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | $ | 157,857 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 90 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 899 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 15,815 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | $ | 158,756 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 3,689,392 | 1,342,319 | 1,524,045 | $ | 36,953,019 | $ | 12,290,493 | $ | 14,445,357 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 90,586 | 121,319 | 88,873 | 905,458 | 1,122,225 | 846,590 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (1,335,401 | ) | (1,709,250 | ) | (867,925 | ) | (13,332,322 | ) | (15,689,987 | ) | (8,250,021 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 2,444,577 | (245,612 | ) | 744,993 | $ | 24,526,155 | $ | (2,277,269 | ) | $ | 7,041,926 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Z* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 5,880 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | $ | 59,180 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 5,880 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | $ | 59,180 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | |||||||||||||||||||
|
(a) | The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31. |
* | Commenced distributions on April 30, 2021. |
NOTE F
Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund
Market Risk—The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond or stock market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Interest-Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 85 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk—Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility, due to such factors as specific corporate developments, negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Duration Risk—Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater if the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk—When the Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts,
86 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid as well as being subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities denominated in foreign currencies or reduce the Fund’s returns.
Illiquid Investments Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
LIBOR Transition and Associated Risk—A Fund may be exposed to debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various interest rate calculations. In 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The FCA and LIBOR’s administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration, have since announced that most LIBOR settings (which reflect LIBOR rates quoted in different currencies over various time periods) will no longer be published after the end of 2021 but that the most widely used U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published until June 30, 2023. However, banks were strongly encouraged to cease entering into agreements with counterparties referencing LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is possible that a subset of LIBOR settings will be published after these dates on a “synthetic” basis, but any such publications would be considered non-representative of the underlying market. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 87 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (referred to as SOFR), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates.
The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related investments or investments in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of hedging strategies, potentially adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. The potential effects of a phase out of LIBOR on LIBOR-based investments are currently unknown.
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. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
Management Risk—The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively-managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
NOTE G
Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing related to redemptions and other
88 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
short term liquidity requirements, subject to certain restrictions. 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 period ended October 31, 2021.
NOTE H
Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal period ended October 31, 2021 and tax years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows:
October 2021 | December 2020 | December 2019 | ||||||||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 2,144,305 | $ | 2,379,537 | $ | 2,205,237 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total taxable distributions paid | $ | 2,144,305 | $ | 2,379,537 | $ | 2,205,237 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2020, the Fund’s most recent tax year-end, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income | $ | 189,428 | ||
Accumulated capital and other losses | (9,990,151 | )(a) | ||
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | 1,321,144 | (b) | ||
|
| |||
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | $ | (8,479,579 | )(c) | |
|
|
(a) | As of December 31, 2020, the Fund’s most recent tax year end, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $9,990,151. During the tax year, the Fund utilized $3,705 of capital loss carry forwards to offset current year net realized gains. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, the tax treatment of callable bonds, the tax treatment of swaps, the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, and the tax treatment of partnership investments. |
(c) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) are attributable primarily to the accrual of foreign capital gains tax, the tax treatment of defaulted securities, and dividends payable. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2020, the Fund’s most recent tax year end, the Fund had a net short-term capital loss carryforward of $5,227,619 and a net long-term capital loss carryforward of $4,762,532, which may be carried forward for an indefinite period.
During the current fiscal period, there were no permanent differences that resulted in adjustments to accumulated loss or additional paid-in capital.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 89 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE I
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU 2020-04.
NOTE J
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.
90 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class A | ||||||||||||
April 30, 2021(a) to October 31, 2021(b) | November 1, 2017 to February 26, 2018(a) | Year Ended October 31, 2017 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.98 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.46 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||
Net investment income(c)(d) | .17 | .15 | .46 | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | .05 | (.18 | ) | .25 | ||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (e) | ||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net increase in net asset value from operations | .22 | (.03 | ) | .71 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.22 | ) | (.12 | ) | (.42 | ) | ||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.98 | $ 9.56 | $ 9.71 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(f)* | 2.23 | % | (.02 | )% | 7.61 | %+ | ||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $158 | $3,131 | $5,150 | |||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(g)(h)† | .85 | %^ | .95 | %^ | .95 | % | ||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(g)(h)† | 2.28 | %^ | 3.27 | %^ | 2.64 | % | ||||||
Net investment income(d) | 3.43 | %^ | 4.70 | %^ | 4.82 | % | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate+++ | 36 | % | 75 | % | 65 | % | ||||||
† Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||
portfolios | .00 | %^ | .00 | %^ | .01 | % |
See footnote summary on page 93-94.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 91 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
January 1, October 31, 2021(b) | Year Ended December 31, | November 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018(i) | Year Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.86 | $ 9.63 | $ 8.90 | $ 9.36 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.46 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(c)(d) | .38 | .50 | .52 | .09 | .50 | .49 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions. | .16 | .30 | .77 | (.41 | ) | (.37 | ) | .24 | ||||||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (e) | .00 | (e) | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .54 | .80 | 1.29 | (.32 | ) | .13 | .73 | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.42 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.56 | ) | (.14 | ) | (.48 | ) | (.43 | ) | ||||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.05 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.42 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.56 | ) | (.14 | ) | (.48 | ) | (.48 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.98 | $ 9.86 | $ 9.63 | $ 8.90 | $ 9.36 | $ 9.71 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(f)* | 5.56 | % | 8.95 | %+ | 14.77 | %+ | (3.45 | )% | 1.32 | %** | 7.89 | %+ | ||||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $63,608 | $38,751 | $40,218 | $30,509 | $33,990 | $4,185 | ||||||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(g)(h)† | .51 | %^ | .70 | % | .29 | %++ | .29 | %^++ | .33 | % | .71 | % | ||||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(g)(h)† | 1.74 | %^ | 2.17 | % | 1.84 | %++ | 3.25 | %^++ | 2.56 | % | 2.49 | % | ||||||||||||
Net investment income(d) | 4.60 | %^ | 5.41 | % | 5.45 | % | 5.73 | %^ | 5.20 | % | 5.11 | % | ||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate+++ | 36 | % | 75 | % | 40 | % | 5 | % | 75 | % | 65 | % | ||||||||||||
† Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
portfolios | .00 | %^ | .00 | % | .01 | % | .01 | %^ | .01 | % | .01 | % |
See footnote summary on page 93-94.
92 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class Z | ||||||||||||
April 30, October 31 2021(b) | November 1, | Year Ended October 31, 2017 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.98 | $ 9.70 | $ 9.45 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||
Net investment income(c)(d) | .18 | .16 | .49 | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .05 | (.18 | ) | .24 | ||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (e) | ||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net increase in net asset value from operations | .23 | (.02 | ) | .73 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.23 | ) | (.13 | ) | (.43 | ) | ||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.05 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.98 | $ 9.55 | $ 9.70 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(f)* | 2.36 | % | .14 | % | 7.91 | %+ | ||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $59 | $417 | $499 | |||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(g)(h)† | .60 | %^ | .70 | %^ | .73 | % | ||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(g)(h)† | 1.92 | %^ | 2.78 | %^ | 1.41 | % | ||||||
Net investment income(d) | 3.61 | %^ | 5.04 | %^ | 5.12 | % | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate+++ | 36 | % | 75 | % | 65 | % | ||||||
† Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of affiliated/unaffiliated underlying |
| |||||||||||
portfolios | .00 | %^ | .00 | %^ | .01 | % |
(a) | Class A and Class Z shares of the Fund were not in operation from February 26, 2018 until April 30, 2021. |
(b) | The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31. |
(c) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(d) | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(e) | Amount is less than $.005. |
(f) | 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. Total investment 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 for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 93 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
(g) | The expense ratios presented below exclude interest expense: |
January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021(b) | Year Ended | November 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018(k) | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | October 31, 2018 | October 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/ reimbursements | .85 | %^ | N/A | N/A | N/A | .95 | %(a)^ | .95 | % | |||||||||||||||
Before waivers/ reimbursements | 2.28 | %^ | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3.27 | %(a)^ | 2.69 | % | |||||||||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/ reimbursements | .51 | %^ | .70 | % | .29 | % | .29 | %^ | .31 | % | .70 | % | ||||||||||||
Before waivers/ reimbursements | 1.74 | %^ | 2.17 | % | 1.84 | % | 3.25 | %^ | 2.54 | % | 2.54 | % | ||||||||||||
Class Z | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/ reimbursements | .60 | %^ | N/A | N/A | N/A | .70 | %(a)^ | .73 | % | |||||||||||||||
Before waivers/ reimbursements | 1.92 | %^ | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2.77 | %(a)^ | 1.47 | % |
(h) | In connection with the Fund’s investments in affiliated underlying portfolios, the Fund incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses, and for the year ended December 31, 2019, period ended December 31, 2018, years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017, such waivers amounted to .01%, .01% (annualized), .01% and .01%, respectively. |
(i) | The Fund changed its fiscal year end from October 31 to December 31. |
‡ | Due to timing of sales and repurchase of capital shares, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share is not in accord with the Fund’s change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions for the period. |
^ | Annualized. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Fund resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Fund’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2019, October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 by .01%, .03% and .07%, respectively. |
** | Includes the impact of reimbursements from the Adviser which enhanced the Fund’s performance for the year ended October 31, 2018 by .01%. |
+ | The net asset value and total return include adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for financial reporting purposes. As such, the net asset value and total return for shareholder transactions may differ from financial statements. |
+++ | Portfolio turnover is calculated for the Fund as a whole for the full fiscal year or period, as applicable, and is not annualized. |
See notes to financial statements.
94 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of
AB High Yield Portfolio
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AB High Yield Portfolio, formerly known as AB FlexFee High Yield Portfolio (the “Fund”), (one of the portfolios constituting the AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2021, and the related statements of operations for the period from January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, the statements of changes in net assets for the period from January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, the financial highlights for each of the periods in the five years ended October 31, 2021 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the portfolios constituting the AB Bond Fund, Inc.) at October 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the period from January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, the changes in its net assets for the period from January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021 and each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and its financial highlights for each of the periods in the five years ended October 31 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 95 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more of the AB investment companies since 1968.
New York, New York
December 29, 2021
96 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
2021 FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
(unaudited)
For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during the tax year ended December 31, 2020. For foreign shareholders, 69.00% of ordinary income dividends paid may be considered to be qualifying to be taxed as interest-related dividends.
Shareholders should not use the above information to prepare their income tax returns. The information necessary to complete your income tax returns will be included with your Form 1099-DIV which will be sent to you separately in January 2022.
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 97 |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marshall C. Turner, Jr(1), Chairman Jorge A. Bermudez(1) Michael J. Downey(1) Onur Erzan, President and Chief Executive Officer | Nancy P. Jacklin(1) Jeanette W. Loeb(1) Carol C. McMullen(1) Garry L. Moody(1) Earl D. Weiner(1),* |
OFFICERS
Gershon M. Distenfeld(2), Vice President William Smith(2), Vice President Jacqueline Pincus(2), Vice President Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary | Michael B. Reyes, Senior Analyst Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Phyllis J. Clarke, Controller Vincent S. Noto, Chief Compliance Officer |
Custodian and Accounting Agent Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. 50 Post Office Square Boston, MA 02110
Principal Underwriter AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. 501 Commerce Street Nasvhille, TN 37203
Transfer Agent AllianceBernstein P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278 Toll-Free (800) 221-5672 | Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young LLP One Manhattan West New York, NY 10001
Legal Counsel Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 |
1 | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee. |
2 | The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s High Yield Investment Team. Messrs. Distenfeld and Smith and Ms. Pincus are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. |
* | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
98 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INTERESTED DIRECTOR | ||||||||
Onur Erzan,+ 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105 45 (2021) | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and Head of the Global Client Group overseeing AB’s institutional and retail businesses, where he is responsible for all client services, sales and marketing, as well as product strategy, management and development worldwide. Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AB Mutual Funds as of April 1, 2021. Prior to joining the firm in January 2021, he spent 20 years with McKinsey (management consulting firm), most recently as a senior partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice. In addition, he co-led McKinsey’s Banking & Securities Solutions (a portfolio of data, analytics, and digital assets and capabilities) globally. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 99 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS | ||||||||
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.# Chairman of the Board 80 (2014) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Former Chairman and CEO of Dupont Photomasks, Inc. (components of semi-conductor manufacturing). He was a Director of Xilinx, Inc. (programmable logic semi-conductors and adaptable, intelligent computing) from 2007 through August 2020, and is a former director of 33 other companies and organizations. He has extensive operating leadership and venture capital investing experience, including five interim or full-time CEO roles, and prior service as general partner of institutional venture capital partnerships. He also has extensive non-profit board leadership experience, and currently serves on the boards of two education and science-related non-profit organizations. He has served as a director of one AB Fund since 1992, and director or trustee of all AB Funds since 2005. He has been Chairman of the AB Funds since January 2014, and the Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of the AB Funds since February 2014. | 74 | None |
100 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Jorge A. Bermudez,# 70 (2020) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, from November 2007 to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s Commercial Business Group in North America and Citibank Texas from 2005 to 2007, and a variety of other executive and leadership roles at various businesses within Citigroup prior to then; Chairman (2018) of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees (Trustee since 2013) and Chairman of the Smart Grid Center Board at Texas A&M University since 2012; director of, among others, Citibank N.A. from 2005 to 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch from 2009 to 2011, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2011 to 2017, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas from 2010 to 2016. He has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since January 2020. | 74 | Moody’s Corporation since April 2011 | |||||
Michael J. Downey,# 77 (2014) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chairman of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (registered investment company) since prior to 2016 until January 2019. From 1987 until 1993, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management, director of the Prudential mutual funds, and member of the Executive Committee of Prudential Securities Inc. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2005. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 101 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Nancy P. Jacklin,# 73 (2014) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Professorial Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (2008-2015). U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (which is responsible for ensuring the stability of the international monetary system), (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2006 and has been Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds since August 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
Jeanette W. Loeb,# 69 (2020) | Chief Executive Officer of PetCareRx (e-commerce pet pharmacy) from 2002 to 2011 and 2015 to present. Director of New York City Center since 2005. She was a director of AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund, Inc. (fund of hedge funds) from 2012 to 2018. Formerly, affiliated with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (financial services) from 1977 to 1994, including as a partner thereof from 1986 to 1994. She has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since April 2020. | 74 | Apollo Investment Corp. (business development company) since August 2011 |
102 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Carol C. McMullen,# 66 (2016) | Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) since 2014, private investor and a member of the Advisory Board of Butcher Box (since 2018). Formerly, member, Partners Healthcare Investment Committee (2010-2019); Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016; and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 to 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Chief Investment Officer, Core and Growth and Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards, and as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since June 2016. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 103 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Garry L. Moody,# 69 (2014) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995) where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975-1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax department. He is a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of BoardIQ, a biweekly publication focused on issues and news affecting directors of mutual funds. He is also a member of the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and the Independent Directors Council’s Governing Council. He has served as a director or trustee, and as Chairman of the Audit Committees, of the AB Funds since 2008. | 74 | None | |||||
104 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Earl D. Weiner,# ^ 82 (2014) | Senior Counsel since 2017, Of Counsel from 2007 to 2016, and Partner prior to then, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. He is a former member of the ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force to draft editions of the Fund Director’s Guidebook. He also serves as a director or trustee of various non-profit organizations and has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of a number of them. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2007 and served as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds from 2007 until August 2014. | 72 | None |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention: Legal and Compliance Dept.—Mutual Fund Legal, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors. |
*** | The information above includes each Director’s principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes and skills relevant to each Director’s qualifications to serve as a Director, which led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director for the Fund. |
+ | Mr. Erzan is an “interested person” of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, due to his position as a Senior Vice President of the Adviser. |
# | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee. |
^ | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 105 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
Officer Information
Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.
NAME, ADDRESS*, AND AGE | POSITION(S) HELD WITH FUND | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST 5 YEARS | ||
Onur Erzan 45 | President and Chief Executive Officer | See biography above. | ||
Gershon M. Distenfeld 46 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also Co-Head of Fixed-Income. | ||
Jacqueline Pincus 35 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since 2016. | ||
William Smith 34 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also a Director of US High Yield Credit. | ||
Emilie D. Wrapp 66 | Secretary | Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Michael B. Reyes 45 | Senior Analyst | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Joseph J. Mantineo 62 | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Senior Vice President of ABIS**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Stephen M. Woetzel 50 | Controller | Senior Vice President of ABIS**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Vincent S. Noto 57 | Chief Compliance Officer | Senior Vice President and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser** since prior to 2016. |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Fund. |
The Fund’s statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AB at (800) 227-4618, or visit www.abfunds.com for a free prospectus or SAI.
106 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
Operation and Effectiveness of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program:
In October 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the open-end fund liquidity rule (the “Liquidity Rule”). In June 2018 the SEC adopted a requirement that funds disclose information about the operation and effectiveness of their Liquidity Risk Management Program (“LRMP”) in their reports to shareholders.
One of the requirements of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund to designate an Administrator of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The Administrator of the Fund’s LRMP is AllianceBernstein L.P., the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser has delegated the responsibility to its Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).
Another requirement of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Fund Board”) to receive an annual written report from the Administrator of the LRMP, which addresses the operation of the fund’s LRMP and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness. The Adviser provided the Fund Board with such annual report during the first quarter of 2021, which covered the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the “Program Reporting Period”).
The LRMP’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner.
Pursuant to the LRMP, the Fund classifies the liquidity of its portfolio investments into one of the four categories defined by the SEC: Highly Liquid, Moderately Liquid, Less Liquid, and Illiquid. These classifications are reported to the SEC on Form N-PORT.
During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end structure, incorporating any holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. If the Fund participated in derivative transactions, the exposure from such transactions were considered in the LRMP.
The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether the Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”). The Committee also incorporated the following information when determining the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size for purposes of liquidity monitoring: historical net redemption activity, a Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, investment performance, total net assets, and distribution channels.
The Adviser informed the Fund Board that the Committee believes the Fund’s LRMP is adequately designed, has been implemented as intended,
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 107 |
and has operated effectively since its inception. No material exceptions have been noted since the implementation of the LRMP. During the Program Reporting Period, beginning in March 2020, all financial markets experienced extreme levels of price volatility and relative illiquidity resulting from the COVID-19 impacts on the global economy. This extreme relative illiquidity resulted in significantly wider bid-ask spreads to transact in securities, including many of those securities held by the Fund, and in a diminished depth of liquidity in most markets, to varying degrees. Nonetheless, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions during the Program Reporting Period.
108 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
Board Consideration of Amendment to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement
At the Board Meeting held by video conference on November 3-5, 2020, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board of Directors (the “Board” or “Directors”) of AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) consider and approve an amendment to the Company’s then-current Advisory Agreement with the Adviser (the “Amended Agreement”) in respect of AB FlexFeeTM High Yield Portfolio (the “Fund”)* to implement an advisory fee with breakpoints at specific asset levels (based on the Fund’s average daily net assets) and eliminate the performance-based advisory fee. The Adviser cited the following reasons for its recommendation:
• | The performance-based fee structure has failed to increase investor demand and attract significant assets for the Fund, making it more difficult for the Fund to achieve economies of scale. The Adviser also observed that the Fund’s then-current advisory fee structure was not in line with those of peer funds, noting that few other firms had made a substantial effort to launch fulcrum fee funds since implementation of the performance-based fee structure for the Fund in 2018. |
• | The methodology used to calculate the performance-based fee is complex, preventing the Fund from being more competitive in the mutual fund marketplace. |
• | The performance-based fee structure creates uncertainty for investors in reasonably predicting Fund expenses, due to significant fluctuations in advisory fees and total expense ratios that can result from fund performance fluctuations. This was a particular issue in the qualified plan context, where uncertainty about the amount of future fees has been a concern. |
At the recommendation of the Adviser, the Board, including a majority of the Directors who are not interested persons of the Company (the “Independent Directors”) as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), approved the Amended Agreement between the Company, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser, for an initial two-year period, at the Board Meeting. The Board, including the Independent Directors, also recommended approval of the Amended Agreement by stockholders.
At the Board Meeting, the Board also approved, upon recommendation of the Adviser, (i) changing the Fund’s name to “AB High Yield Portfolio”; (ii) changing the benchmark against which the Fund’s performance is compared in the Fund’s prospectus and shareholder reports from the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index to the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index, the index used by the Fund
* | Effective April 30, 2021, the Fund changed its name to AB High Yield Portfolio. |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 109 |
prior to the implementation of the performance-based fee structure; (iii) changing the Fund’s fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31, to be consistent with the other fixed-income mutual funds advised by the Adviser with conventional asset-based advisory fees; and (iv) changing the Fund’s dividend policy to declare dividends daily instead of monthly. The Directors also noted the Adviser’s intent, in connection with these changes, to offer Class A and Class Z shares in addition to Advisor Class shares. Implementation of the foregoing changes and actions was conditioned upon approval by stockholders of the Amended Agreement and would be effective on or about May 1, 2021.
The Directors also considered that the Fund would not bear the expenses relating to the above-referenced changes, including expenses relating to the special meeting of stockholders called to approve the Amended Agreement and the preparation, printing and mailing of the proxy materials and of all related solicitations, in light of the applicable expense limitation agreement and the Adviser’s agreement to bear such expenses to the extent not subject to such expense limitation agreement.
At the Board Meeting, the Directors also approved the continuance of the Fund’s then-current Advisory Agreement for an additional annual term or, if earlier, until such time as the Amended Agreement takes effect.
Prior to their approval of the Amended Agreement and the continuance of the then-current Advisory Agreement, the Directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed Amended Agreement and the proposed continuance of the then-current Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The Directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The Directors also discussed the proposed approvals in private sessions with counsel.
The Directors considered the fact that the Amended Agreement would have terms and conditions substantially identical to those of the then-current Advisory Agreement, except for (i) the absence of the performance-based advisory fee and adoption of a more conventional advisory fee, which would consist of an advisory fee with breakpoints at specific asset levels (based on the Fund’s average daily net assets) under the Amended Agreement and (ii) the change in the name of the Fund.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the Directors and its
110 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the Directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests a portion of its assets.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the then-current and proposed management fees. In connection with their consideration of the then-current management fee, the Directors considered materials presented to them concerning the SEC’s published guidance on factors that should be considered in connection with fulcrum fee arrangements, including the following factors: (1) the fairness of the fulcrum fee; (2) selection of an appropriate index against which fund performance should be measured; (3) variations in periods used for computing average asset values and performance; (4) length of period over which performance is computed; (5) computation of performance over a rolling period; (6) performance for transitional periods; (7) computation of the performance of the fund and the index with respect to payment of dividends and capital gains distributions; and (8) avoidance of basing significant fee adjustments upon random or insignificant differences. The Directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different Directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund, and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the then-current Advisory Agreement and the Amended Agreement, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the then-current Advisory Agreement and to be provided under the Amended Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 111 |
management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Amended Agreement, similar to the then-current Advisory Agreement, provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser had not requested any reimbursements from the Fund in 2020 through the date of the Board Meeting, in the Fund’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, in the two-month fiscal period ended December 31, 2018 and in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the then-current Advisory Agreement and to be provided to the Fund under the Amended Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
In connection with their approval of the continuance of the Fund’s then-current Advisory Agreement the Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2018 and 2019 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant at the request of the Directors. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency and distribution services to the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the then-current Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that the Fund was not profitable to the Adviser in the periods reviewed. The Directors noted that, due to the performance fee component of the advisory fee under the then-current Advisory Agreement, profitability would tend to be higher with better performance relative to the Fund’s benchmark index, which they considered to create an appropriate alignment of incentives. The Directors noted that, due to the elimination of the performance fee, profitability in respect of periods after the effective date of the Amended Agreement (if it becomes effective) would no longer be directly affected by investment performance relative to the Fund’s benchmark index.
112 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
The Adviser agreed to provide the Directors with profitability information in connection with future proposed continuances of the Amended Agreement and the Directors recognized that such information for 2021 and subsequent years would differ from that reviewed previously as a result of the elimination of the performance fee.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests. including, but not limited to, benefits relating to 12b-1 fees and sales charges to be received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of Class A shares to be offered with the implementation of the Amended Agreement, and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board Meeting, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Board Meeting, the Directors reviewed performance information for the Fund’s operations prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Advisor Class shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Advisor Class shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year period ended July 31, 2020. Based on their review, the Directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable. In connection with their consideration of the Amended Agreement, the Directors noted that the Fund’s performance would have been different had the fee schedule in the Amended Agreement been in effect during such periods.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser under the then-current Advisory Agreement and the proposed advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser under the Amended Agreement, and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees payable by other funds. The Directors considered the
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 113 |
Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate under the then-current Advisory Agreement against a peer group median. The Directors also compared the Fund’s proposed contractual effective advisory fee rate under the Amended Agreement with a peer group median. The information reviewed by the Directors showed that its proposed contractual effective advisory fee rate under the Amended Agreement was lower than the peer group median.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule under the then-current Advisory Agreement and the Amended Agreement, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to any sub-advised funds utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the Fund, on the other. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore or sub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that the Fund invests in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their
114 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
advisory contracts, and that the Adviser had provided, and they had reviewed, information about the expense ratios of the relevant ETFs. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Fund is for services that are in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s operations under the then-current performance-based advisory fee structure, the Directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Advisor Class shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Advisor Class expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the Directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund. The Directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The Directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the Directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
With respect to the Fund’s proposed implementation of an asset-based advisory fee with breakpoints at specific asset levels as provided in the Amended Agreement, the Directors considered the proposed total expense ratio of the Advisor Class shares of the Fund (Class A and Class Z shares will also be offered) in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s proposed expense cap for the Fund’s Advisor Class shares, with corresponding expense caps for the other classes of shares, for an initial period to end no earlier than April 30, 2022. The Directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the Directors concluded that the Fund’s proposed expense ratios were acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the proposed advisory fee schedule for the Fund in the Amended Agreement, unlike the advisory fee schedule in the then-current Advisory Agreement, contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 115 |
scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board Meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the Directors concluded that the Fund’s stockholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
116 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.
AB FAMILY OF FUNDS
US EQUITY
CORE
Core Opportunities Fund
Select US Equity Portfolio
Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio1
GROWTH
Concentrated Growth Fund
Discovery Growth Fund
Growth Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
VALUE
Discovery Value Fund
Equity Income Fund
Relative Value Fund
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value Fund
INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY
CORE
Global Core Equity Portfolio
International Strategic Core Portfolio
Sustainable Global Thematic Fund
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
GROWTH
Concentrated International Growth Portfolio
Sustainable International Thematic Fund
VALUE
All China Equity Portfolio
International Value Fund
FIXED INCOME
MUNICIPAL
High Income Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio
Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
National Portfolio
Arizona Portfolio
California Portfolio
Massachusetts Portfolio
Minnesota Portfolio
New Jersey Portfolio
New York Portfolio
Ohio Portfolio
Pennsylvania Portfolio
Virginia Portfolio
TAXABLE
Bond Inflation Strategy
Global Bond Fund
High Income Fund
High Yield Portfolio1
Income Fund
Intermediate Duration Portfolio
Limited Duration High Income Portfolio
Short Duration Income Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Total Return Bond Portfolio
ALTERNATIVES
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Select US Long/Short Portfolio
MULTI-ASSET
All Market Income Portfolio
All Market Total Return Portfolio
Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio
Global Risk Allocation Fund
Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio1
Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio
CLOSED-END FUNDS
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund
We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB mutual funds. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
1 | Prior to December 1, 2021, Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio was named Conservative Wealth Strategy. Prior to August 23, 2021, Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio was named FlexFee™ US Thematic Portfolio. Prior to April 30, 2021, High Yield Portfolio was named FlexFee™ High Yield Portfolio. |
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 117 |
NOTES
118 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES
abfunds.com | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | 119 |
NOTES
120 | AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
AB HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800 221 5672
HY-0151-1021
OCT 10.31.21
ANNUAL REPORT
AB INCOME FUND
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically requested paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper form free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call the Fund at (800) 221 5672. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly, to all AB Mutual Funds you hold.
Investment Products Offered | • Are Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
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 AB’s website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB 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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT 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. AB publishes full portfolio holdings for the Fund monthly at www.abfunds.com.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
FROM THE PRESIDENT |
Dear Shareholder,
We’re pleased to provide this report for the AB Income Fund (the “Fund”). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Fund’s investment strategy.
At AB, we’re striving to help our clients achieve better outcomes by:
+ | Fostering diverse perspectives that give us a distinctive approach to navigating global capital markets |
+ | Applying differentiated investment insights through a connected global research network |
+ | Embracing innovation to design better ways to invest and leading-edge mutual-fund solutions |
Whether you’re an individual investor or a multibillion-dollar institution, we’re putting our knowledge and experience to work for you every day.
For more information about AB’s comprehensive range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.
Thank you for your investment in AB mutual funds—and for placing your trust in our firm.
Sincerely,
Onur Erzan
President and Chief Executive Officer, AB Mutual Funds
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 1 |
ANNUAL REPORT
December 10, 2021
This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for the AB Income Fund for the annual reporting period ended October 31, 2021.
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek high current income consistent with preservation of capital.
NAV RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
6 Months | 12 Months | |||||||
AB INCOME FUND1 | ||||||||
Class A Shares | 0.48% | 2.48% | ||||||
Class C Shares | 0.22% | 1.71% | ||||||
Advisor Class Shares2 | 0.73% | 2.73% | ||||||
Class Z Shares2 | 0.75% | 2.78% | ||||||
Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index | 1.06% | -0.48% |
1 | Includes the impact of proceeds received by the Fund in connection with a trade-error reimbursement from the Adviser, which enhanced performance for the six- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2021, by 0.04% and 0.04%, respectively. |
2 | 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 Fund, or through other limited or special arrangements approved by the Adviser, such as purchases by shareholders of the Fund’s Predecessor Fund. |
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The table above shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index, for the six- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2021.
During the 12-month period, all share classes outperformed the benchmark, before sales charges. Security selection was the primary contributor, relative to the benchmark, as gains within commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), emerging-market sovereign and quasi-sovereign bonds, as well as investment-grade corporate bonds more than offset a loss within US agency mortgages. Sector allocation also contributed, mostly from beneficial off-benchmark allocations to emerging-market corporate and sovereign bonds, credit risk-transfer securities, bank loans and collateralized loan obligations that exceeded losses from an underweight to investment-grade corporate bonds and an overweight to US Treasuries. Currency decisions were a minor contributor to performance. Yield-curve positioning detracted due to an overweight to the five- to 10-year part of the curve, while an underweight to the 20- to 30-year part of
2 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
the curve contributed. Country allocation also detracted due to off-benchmark allocations to Brazil, Australia, Colombia and Canada.
During the six-month period, all share classes underperformed the benchmark, before sales charges. Yield-curve positioning detracted most, as losses from an underweight to the 20- to 30-year part of the curve exceeded gains from being overweight to the 10-year part of the curve. Off-benchmark country allocation to Australia, Brazil and Canada also detracted. Security selection within high-yield corporate bonds, CMBS and investment-grade corporates contributed. Sector allocation and currency decisions were minor contributors to performance during the period.
During both periods, the Fund utilized derivatives in the form of futures, interest rate swaptions and interest rate swaps to manage and hedge duration risk and/or to take active yield-curve positioning. Currency forwards were used to hedge foreign currency exposure and to take active currency risk. Credit default swaps, both single name and index, were used to create synthetic exposure in investment-grade and high-yield credit risk.
MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Fixed-income market returns were mixed for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2021. Longer-term treasury returns fell in most major developed markets on rising yields—particularly in Australia, Canada, and the UK. Global inflation-linked bonds outperformed US Treasuries. Relatively low interest rates set the stage for the continued outperformance of risk assets, led by the performance of high-yield corporate bonds—particularly in the US, eurozone, and emerging markets. Emerging-market hard-currency sovereign bonds also had strong performance, mostly from the high-yield component. Emerging- and developed-market investment-grade corporate bonds also posted positive performance, with the US outperforming the eurozone. Securitized assets outperformed, especially CMBS. Local-currency sovereign bonds trailed, as the US dollar was mixed against emerging-market currencies and fell versus most developed-market currencies except the yen and South Korean won. Commodity prices were strong, with Brent crude oil and copper climbing from pandemic-related lows.
The Fund’s Senior Investment Management Team (the “Team”) continues to pursue high income, while preserving capital by investing primarily in government bonds from both US and non-US issuers as well as corporate bonds, with scope to invest a select amount in below investment-grade bonds. The Team manages the Fund with a core fixed-income strategy through a global, multi-sector approach that seeks an attractive risk/return profile.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 3 |
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in income-producing securities. The Fund also normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in securities of US and foreign governments, their agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements relating to US government securities.
The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in US dollar-denominated securities. The Fund may also invest up to 35% of its total assets in non-government fixed-income securities, including corporate debt securities, non-government mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, certificates of deposit and commercial paper. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in below investment-grade securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest no more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one country other than the US. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may include investments in securities of emerging-market countries or of issuers in emerging markets.
The Adviser selects securities for purchase or sale based on its assessment of the securities’ risks and return characteristics as well as the securities’ impact on the overall risks and return characteristics of the Fund. In making this assessment, the Adviser takes into account various factors, including the credit quality and sensitivity to interest rates of the securities under consideration and of the Fund’s other holdings. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with any maturity or duration.
The Fund utilizes derivatives, such as options, futures contracts, forwards and swaps to a significant extent, subject to the limits of applicable law. The Fund may, for example, use credit default, interest rate and total return swaps to establish exposure to the fixed-income markets or particular fixed-income securities. Derivatives may provide a more efficient and economical exposure to market segments than direct investments, and may also be a more efficient way to alter the Fund’s exposure. The Fund may also enter into transactions such as reverse repurchase agreements that are similar to borrowings for investment purposes. The Fund’s use of derivatives and these borrowing transactions may create aggregate exposure that is substantially in excess of its net assets, effectively leveraging the Fund.
4 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS
Benchmark Disclosure
The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index is unmanaged and does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index represents the performance of securities within the US investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The index is not leveraged, whereas the Fund utilizes leverage. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Fund.
A Word About Risk
Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk: Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments and negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Interest-Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Duration Risk: Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 5 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to the full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk: This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline, as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Foreign (Non-US) Risk: Investments in securities of non-US issuers may involve more risk than those of US issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging-Market Risk: Investments in emerging-market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid as well as being subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Leverage Risk: To the extent the Fund uses leveraging techniques, its net asset value (“NAV”) may be more volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of changes in interest rates and any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments.
Currency Risk: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.
Illiquid Investments Risk: Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest-rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Mortgage-Related and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk: Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers
6 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Active Trading Risk: The Fund expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate may greatly exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Fund’s return. In addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in substantial short-term gains, which may have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders.
Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
An Important Note About Historical Performance
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown in this report 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.abfunds.com.
All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Fund have been deducted. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 7 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
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 and 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.
The Fund commenced operations on April 22, 2016. The Fund acquired the assets and liabilities of the AllianceBernstein Income Fund, Inc., a closed-end fund (the “Predecessor Fund”), effective at the close of business on April 21, 2016 (the “Reorganization”). The Fund has the same investment objective that the Predecessor Fund had and similar investment strategies and policies. In addition, the Fund has higher expenses (including transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees), and a different advisory fee arrangement than the Predecessor Fund had.
Performance information prior to April 22, 2016 shown in this report reflects the historical performance of the Predecessor Fund based on its NAV. Such performance information may not be representative of performance the Fund would have achieved as an open-end fund under its current investment strategies and policies and expense levels.
8 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE FUND (unaudited)
10/31/2011 TO 10/31/2021
This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AB Income Fund Advisor Class shares (from 10/31/2011 to 10/31/2021) as compared to the performance of the Fund’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
1 | Performance returns of Advisor Class shares for the periods prior to April 21, 2016 are based on the NAV per share of the Predecessor Fund. Please note that this share class is 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 Fund, or through other limited or special arrangements approved by the Adviser, such as purchases by shareholders of the Fund’s Predecessor Fund. |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 9 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
NAV Returns | SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | SEC Yields1 | ||||||||||
CLASS A SHARES | 2.54% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 2.48% | -1.84% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 3.90% | 3.00% | ||||||||||
Since Inception2 | 4.10% | 3.30% | ||||||||||
CLASS C SHARES | 1.91% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 1.71% | 0.72% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 3.12% | 3.12% | ||||||||||
Since Inception2 | 3.34% | 3.34% | ||||||||||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES3,4 | 2.92% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 2.73% | 2.73% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 4.15% | 4.15% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 4.73% | 4.73% | ||||||||||
CLASS Z SHARES4 | 2.99% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 2.78% | 2.78% | ||||||||||
Since Inception2 | 3.42% | 3.42% |
The Fund’s current prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.80%, 1.55%, 0.55% and 0.48% for Class A, Class C, Advisor Class and Class Z shares, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Fund’s annual operating expense ratios, exclusive of acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, to 0.77%, 1.52%, 0.52% and 0.52% for Class A, Class C, Advisor Class and Class Z shares, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements may not be terminated before January 31, 2022. Any fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser through April 22, 2018 under the expense limitations in effect prior to that date may be reimbursed by the Fund until the end of the third fiscal year after the fiscal period in which the fee was waived or the expense was borne, provided that no reimbursement payment will be made that would cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to exceed the expense limitations. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower. 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.
1 | SEC yields are calculated based on SEC guidelines for the 30-day period ended October 31, 2021. |
2 | Inception dates: 4/21/2016 for all share classes except Class Z; 11/20/2019 for Class Z shares. |
3 | Performance returns of Advisor Class shares for the periods prior to April 21, 2016 are based on the NAV per share of the Predecessor Fund. |
4 | These share classes are offered at NAV to eligible investors and the 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 Fund, or through other limited or special arrangements approved by the Adviser, such as purchases by shareholders of the Fund’s Predecessor Fund. |
10 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 (unaudited)
SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | ||||
CLASS A SHARES | ||||
1 Year | -1.85% | |||
5 Years | 3.02% | |||
Since Inception1 | 3.42% | |||
CLASS C SHARES | ||||
1 Year | 0.79% | |||
5 Years | 3.14% | |||
Since Inception1 | 3.48% | |||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES2,3 | ||||
1 Year | 2.81% | |||
5 Years | 4.18% | |||
10 Years | 4.89% | |||
CLASS Z SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 2.99% | |||
Since Inception1 | 3.78% |
1 | Inception dates: 4/21/2016 for all share classes except Class Z; 11/20/2019 for Class Z shares. |
2 | Performance returns of Advisor Class shares for the periods prior to April 21, 2016 are based on the NAV per share of the Predecessor Fund. |
3 | 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 Fund, or through other limited or special arrangements approved by the Adviser, such as purchases by shareholders of the Fund’s Predecessor Fund. |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 11 |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
(unaudited)
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 first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, 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 in the first line 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 second line of the table below 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.
Beginning Account Value May 1, 2021 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2021 | Expenses Paid During Period* | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,004.80 | $ | 3.99 | 0.79 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.22 | $ | 4.02 | 0.79 | % | ||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,002.20 | $ | 7.77 | 1.54 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,017.44 | $ | 7.83 | 1.54 | % | ||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,007.30 | $ | 2.73 | 0.54 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.48 | $ | 2.75 | 0.54 | % | ||||||||
Class Z | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,007.50 | $ | 2.48 | 0.49 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.74 | $ | 2.50 | 0.49 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
** | Assumes 5% annual return before expenses. |
12 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $4,643.7
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). “Other” security type weightings represent 0.7% or less in the following types: Agencies, Asset-Backed Securities, Common Stocks, Local Governments–US Municipal Bonds, Preferred Stocks and Warrants. |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 13 |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY (continued)
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). “Other” country weightings represent 0.4% or less in the following: Angola, Bahrain, Bermuda, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zambia. |
14 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2021
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
GOVERNMENTS - | ||||||||||||
Australia – 2.4% | ||||||||||||
Australia Government Bond | AUD | 62,528 | $ | 44,966,614 | ||||||||
Series 163 | 95,515 | 65,705,025 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
110,671,639 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Canada – 3.8% | ||||||||||||
Canadian Government Bond | CAD | 225,418 | 177,882,779 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Colombia – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Colombian TES | COP | 120,958,800 | 29,390,624 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Mexico – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Mexican Bonos | MXN | 645,000 | 33,198,875 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Peru – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Peru Government Bond | PEN | 4,469 | 1,131,289 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Russia – 0.9% | ||||||||||||
Russian Federal Bond – OFZ | RUB | 3,026,338 | 41,822,563 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
United States – 64.2% | ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Bonds | U.S.$ | 37,958 | 32,750,292 | |||||||||
1.25%, 05/15/2050 | 33,090 | 27,960,797 | ||||||||||
4.50%, 02/15/2036 | 17,631 | 24,220,586 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 08/15/2028(b)(c)(d) | 161,400 | 203,817,937 | ||||||||||
6.00%, 02/15/2026 | 30,903 | 37,257,068 | ||||||||||
6.125%, 11/15/2027(b) | 398,327 | 509,236,046 | ||||||||||
6.125%, 08/15/2029 | 47,418 | 63,725,347 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 05/15/2030(b) | 122,903 | 169,835,892 | ||||||||||
6.375%, 08/15/2027 | 45,300 | 58,140,232 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 11/15/2026 | 39,144 | 49,248,045 | ||||||||||
6.625%, 02/15/2027(b) | 106,822 | 136,264,431 | ||||||||||
6.875%, 08/15/2025 | 66,714 | 81,265,869 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 11/15/2024 | 20,000 | 24,031,250 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 15 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Notes | U.S.$ | 48,083 | $ | 46,910,879 | ||||||||
0.625%, 05/15/2030(b) | 118,567 | 110,249,156 | ||||||||||
1.50%, 08/15/2026(d) | 161,051 | 163,567,523 | ||||||||||
1.625%, 10/31/2026(b) | 249,722 | 255,145,956 | ||||||||||
1.625%, 08/15/2029 | 14,595 | 14,777,235 | ||||||||||
1.75%, 11/15/2029(b) | 78,385 | 80,148,662 | ||||||||||
2.125%, 07/31/2024(d) | 304,188 | 315,975,389 | ||||||||||
2.125%, 05/31/2026(b) | 274,370 | 286,588,248 | ||||||||||
2.25%, 11/15/2025(d)(e) | 192,514 | 201,838,792 | ||||||||||
2.375%, 08/15/2024 | 33,381 | 34,909,224 | ||||||||||
2.625%, 02/15/2029 | 9,944 | 10,748,843 | ||||||||||
3.125%, 11/15/2028 | 39,000 | 43,399,688 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,982,013,387 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Governments - Treasuries | 3,376,111,156 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
CORPORATES - INVESTMENT GRADE – 12.5% | ||||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 7.1% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 4.1% | ||||||||||||
AIB Group PLC | 5,750 | 6,116,102 | ||||||||||
Ally Financial, Inc. | 1,497 | 1,706,969 | ||||||||||
8.00%, 11/01/2031 | 75 | 107,377 | ||||||||||
American Express Co. | 576 | 576,000 | ||||||||||
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | 200 | 221,154 | ||||||||||
4.50%, 03/19/2024(a) | 2,577 | 2,774,811 | ||||||||||
Banco de Credito del Peru | 3,765 | 3,723,773 | ||||||||||
Banco Santander Mexico SA Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santand | 3,998 | 4,415,991 | ||||||||||
Banco Santander SA | 4,000 | 4,489,320 | ||||||||||
Bank of America Corp. | 2,526 | 2,907,754 | ||||||||||
Series X | 6,520 | 7,123,491 |
16 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series Z | U.S.$ | 2,072 | $ | 2,298,698 | ||||||
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The) | 844 | 846,414 | ||||||||
Series G | 992 | 1,079,822 | ||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | 656 | 886,755 | ||||||||
Barclays PLC | GBP | 333 | 502,932 | |||||||
7.25%, 03/15/2023(a)(f) | 1,350 | 1,945,075 | ||||||||
7.875%, 03/15/2022(a)(f) | U.S.$ | 205 | 209,551 | |||||||
BBVA Bancomer SA/Texas | 5,343 | 5,809,845 | ||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | 1,296 | 1,319,808 | ||||||||
CIT Group, Inc. | 1,568 | 1,631,661 | ||||||||
Citigroup, Inc. | 3,286 | 3,324,939 | ||||||||
5.95%, 01/30/2023(f) | 2,055 | 2,136,234 | ||||||||
Series T | 1,388 | 1,602,557 | ||||||||
Series U | 2,540 | 2,625,471 | ||||||||
Series V | 1,811 | 1,845,119 | ||||||||
Series W | 2,865 | 2,920,782 | ||||||||
Comerica, Inc. | 8,000 | 8,878,880 | ||||||||
Credit Agricole SA | 4,972 | 5,968,041 | ||||||||
Danske Bank A/S | 200 | 210,178 | ||||||||
5.00%, 01/12/2022(a) | 478 | 481,934 | ||||||||
5.375%, 01/12/2024(a) | 1,459 | 1,586,487 | ||||||||
5.875%, 04/06/2022(a)(f) | EUR | 3,302 | 3,891,011 | |||||||
Discover Bank | U.S.$ | 500 | 536,275 | |||||||
4.682%, 08/09/2028 | 8,350 | 8,828,538 | ||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) | 760 | 833,811 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 17 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
HSBC Holdings PLC | EUR | 558 | $ | 696,523 | ||||||
6.375%, 03/30/2025(f) | U.S.$ | 1,942 | 2,115,576 | |||||||
ING Groep NV | 6,341 | 6,968,949 | ||||||||
6.75%, 04/16/2024(a)(f) | 3,383 | 3,681,008 | ||||||||
6.875%, 04/16/2022(a)(f) | 515 | 527,236 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 3,123 | 3,134,212 | ||||||||
Series S | 2,998 | 3,270,188 | ||||||||
Series V | 1,561 | 1,565,308 | ||||||||
Series Z | 2,673 | 2,689,546 | ||||||||
Lloyds Banking Group PLC | 4,360 | 4,745,032 | ||||||||
Morgan Stanley | 724 | 727,367 | ||||||||
Nationwide Building Society | 2,000 | 2,227,020 | ||||||||
Nordea Bank Abp | 8,725 | 9,962,379 | ||||||||
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) | 1,247 | 1,251,315 | ||||||||
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. | 463 | 515,213 | ||||||||
Societe Generale SA | 8,825 | 9,665,493 | ||||||||
Standard Chartered PLC | 7,800 | 7,511,088 | ||||||||
7.75%, 04/02/2023(a)(f) | 265 | 283,606 | ||||||||
Swedbank AB | 200 | 203,484 | ||||||||
Series NC5 | 8,600 | 9,246,204 | ||||||||
Truist Financial Corp. | 10,721 | 11,664,662 |
18 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series Q | U.S.$ | 2,924 | $ | 3,294,266 | ||||||||
UBS Group AG | 3,569 | 3,880,221 | ||||||||||
UniCredit SpA | 4,320 | 4,344,926 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
190,534,382 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Brokerage – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Charles Schwab Corp. (The) | 6,567 | 7,228,954 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Finance – 1.2% | ||||||||||||
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust | 373 | 386,305 | ||||||||||
3.00%, 10/29/2028 | 3,281 | 3,330,576 | ||||||||||
3.30%, 01/23/2023 | 150 | 154,207 | ||||||||||
3.875%, 01/23/2028 | 582 | 623,980 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 07/15/2025 | 861 | 997,675 | ||||||||||
Aircastle Ltd. | 1,242 | 1,251,253 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 05/01/2024 | 678 | 716,280 | ||||||||||
4.25%, 06/15/2026 | 163 | 176,684 | ||||||||||
4.40%, 09/25/2023 | 1,716 | 1,816,849 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 04/01/2023 | 140 | 147,811 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 08/11/2025(a) | 5,846 | 6,476,199 | ||||||||||
Aviation Capital Group LLC | 5,809 | 5,709,809 | ||||||||||
3.50%, 11/01/2027(a) | 1,437 | 1,498,949 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 08/01/2025(a) | 1,592 | 1,700,383 | ||||||||||
4.375%, 01/30/2024(a) | 1,694 | 1,798,096 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 10/01/2025(a) | 1,315 | 1,437,939 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 12/15/2024(a) | 4,722 | 5,246,284 | ||||||||||
GE Capital Funding LLC | 3,510 | 4,105,647 | ||||||||||
Huarong Finance 2017 Co., Ltd. | 400 | 390,125 | ||||||||||
Huarong Finance II Co., Ltd. | 7,507 | 7,546,881 | ||||||||||
Synchrony Financial | 8,904 | 9,704,381 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
55,216,313 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Insurance – 1.1% | ||||||||||||
ACE Capital Trust II | 750 | 1,120,470 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 19 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Assicurazioni Generali SpA | EUR | 6,630 | $ | 9,274,544 | ||||||||
Credit Agricole Assurances SA | 3,200 | 4,456,463 | ||||||||||
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. | U.S.$ | 5,000 | 6,116,800 | |||||||||
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) | 3,275 | 3,157,002 | ||||||||||
MetLife Capital Trust IV | 4,117 | 5,727,365 | ||||||||||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | 4,029 | 4,294,390 | ||||||||||
5.625%, 06/15/2043 | 2,868 | 3,017,681 | ||||||||||
Voya Financial, Inc. | 12,065 | 12,669,094 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
49,833,809 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Finance – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust | 710 | 774,120 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
REITs – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Brixmor Operating Partnership LP | 2,215 | 2,445,537 | ||||||||||
GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc. | 886 | 983,859 | ||||||||||
5.375%, 04/15/2026 | 283 | 319,422 | ||||||||||
Kite Realty Group LP | 515 | 548,429 | ||||||||||
MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp. | 1,047 | 1,108,679 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 10/15/2027 | 75 | 78,933 | ||||||||||
Office Properties Income Trust | 2,398 | 2,341,647 | ||||||||||
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. | 336 | 363,216 | ||||||||||
Regency Centers LP | 1,700 | 1,849,566 | ||||||||||
Spirit Realty LP | 2,453 | 2,584,677 | ||||||||||
3.40%, 01/15/2030 | 1,800 | 1,896,048 | ||||||||||
4.45%, 09/15/2026 | 1,010 | 1,117,605 |
20 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
STORE Capital Corp. | U.S.$ | 1,143 | $ | 1,289,441 | ||||||||
Trust Fibra Uno | 4,814 | 5,139,848 | ||||||||||
VEREIT Operating Partnership LP | 2,588 | 2,777,907 | ||||||||||
4.625%, 11/01/2025 | 1,286 | 1,434,083 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 06/01/2026 | 459 | 518,849 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
26,797,746 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
330,385,324 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Industrial – 4.7% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Anglo American Capital PLC | 3,960 | 4,731,705 | ||||||||||
ArcelorMittal SA | 1,180 | 1,646,124 | ||||||||||
Arconic Corp. | 1,765 | 1,853,321 | ||||||||||
CF Industries, Inc. | 75 | 91,489 | ||||||||||
Gold Fields Orogen Holdings BVI Ltd. | 1,445 | 1,538,744 | ||||||||||
GTL Trade Finance, Inc. | 274 | 363,786 | ||||||||||
GTL Trade Finance, Inc./Gerdau Holdings, Inc. | 328 | 356,761 | ||||||||||
GUSAP III LP | 1,491 | 1,565,736 | ||||||||||
Industrias Penoles SAB de CV | 970 | 1,175,701 | ||||||||||
MEGlobal Canada ULC | 1,988 | 2,174,748 | ||||||||||
Nexa Resources SA | 5,600 | 5,942,300 | ||||||||||
Suzano Austria GmbH | 1,304 | 1,300,740 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 01/15/2030 | 2,100 | 2,247,630 | ||||||||||
7.00%, 03/16/2047(a) | 478 | 598,599 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
25,587,384 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
General Electric Co. | 1,203 | 1,172,949 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 21 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. | U.S.$ | 2,060 | $ | 2,364,365 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,537,314 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Prosus NV | 5,224 | 5,321,297 | ||||||||||
4.027%, 08/03/2050(a) | 1,123 | 1,050,005 | ||||||||||
Weibo Corp. | 4,574 | 4,734,547 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
11,105,849 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Sprint Spectrum Co. LLC/Sprint Spectrum Co. II LLC/Sprint Spectrum Co. III LLC | 1,741 | 1,840,066 | ||||||||||
5.152%, 03/20/2028(a) | 1,990 | 2,246,431 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,086,497 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
General Motors Co. | 1,290 | 1,495,304 | ||||||||||
6.80%, 10/01/2027 | 1,832 | 2,257,445 | ||||||||||
General Motors Financial Co., Inc. | 146 | 165,202 | ||||||||||
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. | 7,173 | 7,565,363 | ||||||||||
Lear Corp. | 855 | 910,772 | ||||||||||
3.80%, 09/15/2027 | 1,378 | 1,504,707 | ||||||||||
4.25%, 05/15/2029 | 545 | 608,662 | ||||||||||
Nissan Motor Acceptance Co. LLC | 225 | 225,875 | ||||||||||
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | 4,615 | 5,003,306 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
19,736,636 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Lennar Corp. | 75 | 85,523 | ||||||||||
Marriott International, Inc./MD | 1,526 | 1,729,828 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,815,351 | ||||||||||||
|
|
22 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Altria Group, Inc. | U.S.$ | 3,205 | $ | 3,653,155 | ||||||||
BAT Capital Corp. | 2,470 | 2,407,904 | ||||||||||
4.906%, 04/02/2030 | 5,400 | 6,121,710 | ||||||||||
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV | 1,267 | 1,252,747 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
13,435,516 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 1.6% | ||||||||||||
Boardwalk Pipelines LP | 1,798 | 2,088,413 | ||||||||||
Cenovus Energy, Inc. | 2,000 | 2,240,480 | ||||||||||
Continental Resources, Inc./OK | 2,501 | 2,996,048 | ||||||||||
Ecopetrol SA | 1,135 | 1,126,488 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 09/18/2023-05/28/2045 | 813 | 837,950 | ||||||||||
6.875%, 04/29/2030 | 4,658 | 5,368,345 | ||||||||||
Empresa Electrica Cochrane SpA | 884 | 901,852 | ||||||||||
Enable Midstream Partners LP | 8,139 | 8,897,962 | ||||||||||
4.95%, 05/15/2028 | 452 | 505,508 | ||||||||||
Energy Transfer LP | 7,425 | 8,601,714 | ||||||||||
Eni SpA | 1,969 | 2,230,562 | ||||||||||
Hess Corp. | 8,898 | 11,977,242 | ||||||||||
Hunt Oil Co. of Peru LLC Sucursal Del Peru | 1,143 | 1,123,212 | ||||||||||
Oleoducto Central SA | 1,169 | 1,194,791 | ||||||||||
ONEOK, Inc. | 3,952 | 4,398,536 | ||||||||||
5.85%, 01/15/2026 | 7,452 | 8,671,296 | ||||||||||
6.35%, 01/15/2031 | 1,880 | 2,390,100 | ||||||||||
Plains All American Pipeline LP/PAA Finance Corp. | 1,287 | 1,418,544 | ||||||||||
4.65%, 10/15/2025 | 3,902 | 4,284,396 | ||||||||||
Raizen Fuels Finance SA | 2,218 | 2,429,819 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
73,683,258 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 23 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Services – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Expedia Group, Inc. | U.S.$ | 2,340 | $ | 2,408,866 | ||||||||
6.25%, 05/01/2025(a) | 708 | 808,735 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,217,601 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Baidu, Inc. | 797 | 827,589 | ||||||||||
3.425%, 04/07/2030 | 225 | 234,562 | ||||||||||
Broadcom, Inc. | 8,786 | 8,623,371 | ||||||||||
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp. | 4,940 | 5,632,291 | ||||||||||
NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC | 3,499 | 3,996,077 | ||||||||||
5.55%, 12/01/2028(a) | 1,130 | 1,363,351 | ||||||||||
VMware, Inc. | 5,333 | 5,880,646 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
26,557,887 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Airlines – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 4,659 | 5,450,611 | ||||||||||
Delta Air Lines, Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd. | 1,640 | 1,822,597 | ||||||||||
Mileage Plus Holdings LLC/Mileage Plus Intellectual Property Assets Ltd. | 8,739 | 9,508,125 | ||||||||||
Southwest Airlines Co. | 9,941 | 11,144,060 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
27,925,393 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Railroads – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Lima Metro Line 2 Finance Ltd. | 378 | 402,643 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 07/05/2034(a) | 1,672 | 1,925,703 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,328,346 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Services – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. | 4,585 | 4,722,183 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
217,739,215 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Adani Transmission Ltd. | 3,064 | 3,229,265 |
24 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
AES Panama Generation Holdings SRL | U.S.$ | 2,474 | $ | 2,540,952 | ||||||||
Chile Electricity PEC SpA | 3,169 | 2,577,387 | ||||||||||
Colbun SA | 209 | 209,758 | ||||||||||
ComEd Financing III | 3,462 | 4,251,405 | ||||||||||
Empresas Publicas de Medellin ESP | 3,775 | 3,668,356 | ||||||||||
4.375%, 02/15/2031(a) | 5,315 | 5,134,955 | ||||||||||
Engie Energia Chile SA | 6,432 | 6,427,176 | ||||||||||
Kallpa Generacion SA | 2,562 | 2,655,353 | ||||||||||
LLPL Capital Pte Ltd. | 3,129 | 3,589,712 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
34,284,319 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates - Investment Grade | 582,408,858 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
CORPORATES - NON-INVESTMENT GRADE – 12.4% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 9.9% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Axalta Coating Systems LLC | 801 | 762,096 | ||||||||||
Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. | 962 | 1,002,702 | ||||||||||
Diamond BC BV | 1,004 | 1,011,811 | ||||||||||
ERP Iron Ore, LLC | 118 | 89,745 | ||||||||||
Glatfelter Corp. | 1,687 | 1,718,614 | ||||||||||
Graham Packaging Co., Inc. | 454 | 467,075 | ||||||||||
Graphic Packaging International LLC | 1,032 | 1,117,016 | ||||||||||
Illuminate Buyer LLC/Illuminate Holdings IV, Inc. | 2,965 | 3,212,548 | ||||||||||
INEOS Group Holdings SA | EUR | 3,215 | 3,718,435 | |||||||||
INEOS Quattro Finance 1 PLC | 107 | 124,850 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 25 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Intelligent Packaging Ltd. Finco, Inc./Intelligent Packaging Ltd. Co-Issuer LLC | U.S.$ | 626 | $ | 644,567 | ||||||||
Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc. | 1,808 | 2,019,229 | ||||||||||
Kleopatra Finco SARL | EUR | 2,779 | 3,081,421 | |||||||||
Magnetation LLC/Mag Finance Corp. | U.S.$ | 1,407 | – 0 | – | ||||||||
Peabody Energy Corp. | 1,038 | 977,070 | ||||||||||
PIC AU Holdings LLC/PIC AU Holdings Corp. | 1,158 | 1,185,120 | ||||||||||
Roller Bearing Co. of America, Inc. | 667 | 680,120 | ||||||||||
SCIL IV LLC/SCIL USA Holdings LLC | 3,282 | 3,317,413 | ||||||||||
Unifrax Escrow Issuer Corp. | 360 | 360,162 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 09/30/2029(a) | 280 | 278,379 | ||||||||||
Valvoline, Inc. | 1,485 | 1,507,290 | ||||||||||
WR Grace Holdings LLC | 1,194 | 1,204,077 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
28,479,740 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
ARD Finance SA | 5,393 | 5,648,574 | ||||||||||
Bombardier, Inc. | 2,675 | 2,764,169 | ||||||||||
7.875%, 04/15/2027(a) | 1,946 | 2,023,782 | ||||||||||
Cleaver-Brooks, Inc. | 1,258 | 1,241,608 | ||||||||||
F-Brasile SpA/F-Brasile US LLC | 2,778 | 2,819,726 | ||||||||||
Gates Global LLC/Gates Corp. | 1,047 | 1,082,336 | ||||||||||
GFL Environmental, Inc. | 2,642 | 2,580,362 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 12/15/2026(a) | 273 | 285,877 | ||||||||||
LSB Industries, Inc. | 1,035 | 1,045,888 |
26 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Madison IAQ LLC | U.S.$ | 3,460 | $ | 3,434,050 | ||||||||
TK Elevator Holdco GmbH | 1,008 | 1,068,803 | ||||||||||
TransDigm, Inc. | 33 | 34,470 | ||||||||||
Triumph Group, Inc. | 1,309 | 1,307,704 | ||||||||||
7.75%, 08/15/2025 | 362 | 367,922 | ||||||||||
8.875%, 06/01/2024(a) | 1,479 | 1,629,740 | ||||||||||
Trivium Packaging Finance BV | EUR | 100 | 116,236 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
27,451,247 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 1.1% | ||||||||||||
Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc. | U.S.$ | 1,290 | 1,297,243 | |||||||||
6.50%, 11/15/2028(a) | 5,620 | 5,863,121 | ||||||||||
Altice Financing SA | 7,170 | 7,061,446 | ||||||||||
AMC Networks, Inc. | 4,309 | 4,246,045 | ||||||||||
Arches Buyer, Inc. | 879 | 888,898 | ||||||||||
Banijay Entertainment SASU | EUR | 600 | 693,378 | |||||||||
5.375%, 03/01/2025(a) | U.S.$ | 1,955 | 2,012,262 | |||||||||
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. | 10,147 | 10,167,261 | ||||||||||
CSC Holdings LLC | 459 | 417,901 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 11/15/2031(a) | 2,775 | 2,577,586 | ||||||||||
DISH DBS Corp. | 45 | 50,088 | ||||||||||
iHeartCommunications, Inc. | 0 | ** | 367 | |||||||||
8.375%, 05/01/2027 | 147 | 157,031 | ||||||||||
LCPR Senior Secured Financing DAC | 753 | 794,498 | ||||||||||
Mav Acquisition Corp. | 4,782 | 4,704,819 | ||||||||||
Meredith Corp. | 293 | 303,730 | ||||||||||
National CineMedia LLC | 2,267 | 2,100,942 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 27 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Scripps Escrow II, Inc. | U.S.$ | 2,163 | $ | 2,120,865 | ||||||||
Sinclair Television Group, Inc. | 2,251 | 2,152,654 | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Radio, Inc. | 1,093 | 1,100,356 | ||||||||||
Summer BC Bidco B LLC | 876 | 890,708 | ||||||||||
Univision Communications, Inc. | 10 | 10,822 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
49,612,021 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Altice France SA/France | 1,446 | 1,408,100 | ||||||||||
Connect Finco SARL/Connect US Finco LLC | 1,823 | 1,890,269 | ||||||||||
Frontier Communications Holdings LLC | 1,042 | 1,079,523 | ||||||||||
Iliad Holding SAS | 1,880 | 1,937,096 | ||||||||||
7.00%, 10/15/2028(a) | 1,525 | 1,570,887 | ||||||||||
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA | 4,941 | 2,494,217 | ||||||||||
Kaixo Bondco Telecom SA | EUR | 3,266 | 3,744,725 | |||||||||
Telecom Italia Capital SA | U.S.$ | 75 | 96,080 | |||||||||
Vmed O2 UK Financing I PLC | 6,529 | 6,563,734 | ||||||||||
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. | 2,496 | 2,438,792 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
23,223,423 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Clarios Global LP/Clarios US Finance Co. | EUR | 360 | 425,898 | |||||||||
Dealer Tire LLC/DT Issuer LLC | U.S.$ | 2,682 | 2,803,119 | |||||||||
Exide Technologies (Exchange Priority) | 2,273 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
(First Lien) | 933 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
Ford Motor Co. | 800 | 876,640 |
28 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
IHO Verwaltungs GmbH | EUR | 560 | $ | 657,276 | ||||||||
3.875% (3.875% Cash or 4.625% PIK), 05/15/2027(a)(l) | 623 | 736,860 | ||||||||||
Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC | U.S.$ | 4,207 | 4,059,461 | |||||||||
5.875%, 01/15/2028(a) | 546 | 544,449 | ||||||||||
7.75%, 10/15/2025(a) | 1,661 | 1,793,299 | ||||||||||
Mclaren Finance PLC | 6,471 | 6,466,729 | ||||||||||
PM General Purchaser LLC | 1,509 | 1,573,585 | ||||||||||
Tenneco, Inc. | 680 | 663,109 | ||||||||||
7.875%, 01/15/2029(a) | 1,764 | 1,928,652 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
22,529,077 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 0.9% | ||||||||||||
Carnival Corp. | 3,341 | 3,338,862 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 03/01/2027(a) | 6,142 | 6,249,485 | ||||||||||
9.875%, 08/01/2027(a) | 1,508 | 1,737,985 | ||||||||||
Cedar Fair LP | 996 | 1,032,215 | ||||||||||
Cedar Fair LP/Canada’s Wonderland Co./Magnum Management Corp./Millennium Op | 9,553 | 9,935,025 | ||||||||||
NCL Corp., Ltd. | 2,194 | 2,202,995 | ||||||||||
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | 4,699 | 4,780,988 | ||||||||||
10.875%, 06/01/2023(a) | 2,193 | 2,455,064 | ||||||||||
11.50%, 06/01/2025(a) | 2,358 | 2,684,418 | ||||||||||
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. | 4,017 | 4,302,448 | ||||||||||
Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. | 820 | 872,086 | ||||||||||
Viking Cruises Ltd. | 1,057 | 1,025,015 | ||||||||||
13.00%, 05/15/2025(a) | 1,888 | 2,164,573 | ||||||||||
Viking Ocean Cruises Ship VII Ltd. | 1,376 | 1,370,537 | ||||||||||
VOC Escrow Ltd. | 75 | 74,594 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
44,226,290 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 29 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Adams Homes, Inc. | U.S.$ | 2,232 | $ | 2,334,002 | ||||||||
Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc./Brookfield Residential US LLC | 937 | 939,783 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 09/15/2027(a) | 1,846 | 1,926,744 | ||||||||||
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. | 1,713 | 1,723,227 | ||||||||||
Empire Communities Corp. | 1,386 | 1,442,188 | ||||||||||
Everi Holdings, Inc. | 614 | 628,810 | ||||||||||
Forterra Finance LLC/FRTA Finance Corp. | 1,383 | 1,473,517 | ||||||||||
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc. | 314 | 327,637 | ||||||||||
Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow LLC/Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Esc | 1,896 | 1,890,084 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 06/01/2029(a) | 682 | 696,001 | ||||||||||
Installed Building Products, Inc. | 846 | 887,869 | ||||||||||
Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc. | 810 | 850,743 | ||||||||||
Premier Entertainment Sub LLC/Premier Entertainment Finance Corp. | 2,392 | 2,436,850 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 09/01/2031(a) | 2,392 | 2,439,912 | ||||||||||
Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Prop Mezz LP/Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Finance Corp. | 688 | 682,482 | ||||||||||
Travel + Leisure Co. | 717 | 743,386 | ||||||||||
6.625%, 07/31/2026(a) | 2,404 | 2,683,754 | ||||||||||
Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp. | 75 | 76,303 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
24,183,292 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Restaurants – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc. | 3,046 | 3,038,537 |
30 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
IRB Holding Corp. | U.S.$ | 1,031 | $ | 1,055,105 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,093,642 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Arko Corp. | 2,345 | 2,286,469 | ||||||||||
Bath & Body Works, Inc. | 252 | 271,903 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 07/01/2036 | 704 | 845,567 | ||||||||||
6.875%, 11/01/2035 | 2,210 | 2,684,399 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 06/15/2029 | 236 | 266,647 | ||||||||||
9.375%, 07/01/2025(a) | 185 | 230,260 | ||||||||||
Dufry One BV | EUR | 1,810 | 2,061,791 | |||||||||
Foundation Building Materials, Inc. | U.S.$ | 1,143 | 1,106,744 | |||||||||
Gap, Inc. (The) | 956 | 937,597 | ||||||||||
3.875%, 10/01/2031(a) | 718 | 704,408 | ||||||||||
Michaels Cos, Inc. (The) | 2,159 | 2,182,360 | ||||||||||
7.875%, 05/01/2029(a) | 4,529 | 4,588,556 | ||||||||||
PetSmart, Inc./PetSmart Finance Corp. | 1,480 | 1,601,789 | ||||||||||
Rite Aid Corp. | 2,417 | 2,429,061 | ||||||||||
Specialty Building Products Holdings LLC/SBP Finance Corp. | 1,365 | 1,421,497 | ||||||||||
SRS Distribution, Inc. | 548 | 563,695 | ||||||||||
Staples, Inc. | 1,173 | 1,187,932 | ||||||||||
10.75%, 04/15/2027(a) | 1,108 | 1,057,708 | ||||||||||
TPro Acquisition Corp. | 1,216 | 1,323,944 | ||||||||||
William Carter Co. (The) | 154 | 161,143 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
27,913,470 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
AdaptHealth LLC | 241 | 238,689 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 03/01/2030(a) | 1,286 | 1,293,279 | ||||||||||
6.125%, 08/01/2028(a) | 1,265 | 1,341,672 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 31 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Albertsons Cos., Inc./Safeway, Inc./New Albertsons LP/Albertsons LLC | U.S.$ | 799 | $ | 835,978 | ||||||||
4.875%, 02/15/2030(a) | 82 | 87,882 | ||||||||||
Bausch Health Americas, Inc. | 223 | 237,301 | ||||||||||
Bausch Health Cos., Inc. | 363 | 369,980 | ||||||||||
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. | 2,079 | 2,138,605 | ||||||||||
Cidron Aida Finco SARL | EUR | 496 | 564,718 | |||||||||
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. | U.S.$ | 642 | 619,292 | |||||||||
Grifols Escrow Issuer SA | 1,399 | 1,421,720 | ||||||||||
Jazz Securities DAC | 1,278 | 1,314,679 | ||||||||||
Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/Mallinckrodt CB LLC | 548 | 246,682 | ||||||||||
5.625%, 10/15/2023(a)(j)(n) | 107 | 48,027 | ||||||||||
Mozart Debt Merger Sub, Inc. | 1,420 | 1,413,170 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 10/01/2029(a) | 2,874 | 2,921,105 | ||||||||||
Option Care Health, Inc. | 2,912 | 2,940,567 | ||||||||||
Organon & Co./Organon Foreign Debt Co-Issuer BV | 1,527 | 1,574,948 | ||||||||||
Radiology Partners, Inc. | 3,294 | 3,492,826 | ||||||||||
RegionalCare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc./LifePoint Health, Inc. | 4,840 | 5,107,119 | ||||||||||
Sunshine Mid BV | EUR | 2,077 | 2,471,265 | |||||||||
Triton Water Holdings, Inc. | U.S.$ | 1,264 | 1,263,140 | |||||||||
US Acute Care Solutions LLC | 656 | 680,475 | ||||||||||
US Foods, Inc. | 3,990 | 4,038,598 | ||||||||||
Vizient, Inc. | 561 | 587,030 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
37,248,747 | ||||||||||||
|
|
32 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Energy – 2.1% | ||||||||||||
Antero Resources Corp. | U.S.$ | 655 | $ | 737,150 | ||||||||
Athabasca Oil Corp. | 3,771 | 3,799,094 | ||||||||||
Blue Racer Midstream LLC/Blue Racer Finance Corp. | 2,125 | 2,284,290 | ||||||||||
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. | 2,069 | 2,089,773 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 04/30/2026 | 55 | 55,712 | ||||||||||
Callon Petroleum Co. | 3,229 | 3,253,347 | ||||||||||
Citgo Holding, Inc. | 737 | 752,661 | ||||||||||
CITGO Petroleum Corp. | 2,880 | 2,965,622 | ||||||||||
CNX Resources Corp. | 1,514 | 1,597,648 | ||||||||||
Comstock Resources, Inc. | 2,852 | 2,966,508 | ||||||||||
CQP Holdco LP/BIP-V Chinook Holdco LLC | 2,348 | 2,452,204 | ||||||||||
Diamond Foreign Asset Co./Diamond Finance LLC | 87 | 87,678 | ||||||||||
9.00% (9.00% Cash or 13.00 % PIK), 04/22/2027(l) | 76 | 76,680 | ||||||||||
Encino Acquisition Partners Holdings LLC | 1,100 | 1,149,841 | ||||||||||
EnLink Midstream LLC | 4,206 | 4,462,061 | ||||||||||
EnLink Midstream Partners LP | 318 | 332,320 | ||||||||||
Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp. | 1,149 | 1,112,588 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 10/01/2025 | 179 | 176,351 | ||||||||||
7.75%, 02/01/2028 | 4,346 | 4,299,976 | ||||||||||
8.00%, 01/15/2027 | 1,356 | 1,362,861 | ||||||||||
Global Partners LP/GLP Finance Corp. | 1,924 | 1,993,149 | ||||||||||
Gulfport Energy Corp. | 438 | 24,090 | ||||||||||
6.375%, 05/15/2025-01/15/2026(j) | 2,545 | 139,975 | ||||||||||
6.625%, 05/01/2023(j) | 236 | 12,980 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 33 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Gulfport Energy Operating Corp. | U.S.$ | 943 | $ | 1,043,534 | ||||||
Harbour Energy PLC | 2,591 | 2,593,539 | ||||||||
Hess Midstream Operations LP | 636 | 636,343 | ||||||||
5.625%, 02/15/2026(a) | 2,739 | 2,836,070 | ||||||||
Independence Energy Finance LLC | 2,362 | 2,458,866 | ||||||||
Ithaca Energy North Sea PLC | 2,194 | 2,261,663 | ||||||||
ITT Holdings LLC | 3,258 | 3,266,210 | ||||||||
Nabors Industries Ltd. | 1,294 | 1,262,012 | ||||||||
7.50%, 01/15/2028(a) | 1,372 | 1,314,966 | ||||||||
New Fortress Energy, Inc. | 3,422 | 3,334,534 | ||||||||
NGL Energy Operating LLC/NGL Energy Finance Corp. | 6,150 | 6,243,664 | ||||||||
NGL Energy Partners LP/NGL Energy Finance Corp. | 1,441 | 1,390,147 | ||||||||
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | 771 | 783,714 | ||||||||
5.875%, 09/01/2025 | 1,121 | 1,244,310 | ||||||||
8.00%, 07/15/2025 | 1,755 | 2,076,025 | ||||||||
8.50%, 07/15/2027 | 891 | 1,113,937 | ||||||||
8.875%, 07/15/2030 | 891 | 1,208,339 | ||||||||
PBF Holding Co. LLC/PBF Finance Corp. | 2,420 | 2,348,150 | ||||||||
Renewable Energy Group, Inc. | 550 | 578,358 | ||||||||
Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp. | 1,560 | 1,570,405 | ||||||||
Sunnova Energy Corp. | 1,566 | 1,598,463 | ||||||||
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp. | 4,769 | 4,919,319 | ||||||||
6.50%, 07/15/2027 | 775 | 833,133 | ||||||||
Transocean Phoenix 2 Ltd. | 400 | 407,123 | ||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | 1,061 | 855,261 | ||||||||
8.00%, 02/01/2027(a) | 2,513 | 1,921,390 |
34 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Vantage Drilling International | U.S.$ | 3,068 | $ | – 0 | – | |||||||
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC | 1,325 | 1,372,488 | ||||||||||
Western Midstream Operating LP | 207 | 218,108 | ||||||||||
4.65%, 07/01/2026 | 3,058 | 3,312,640 | ||||||||||
4.75%, 08/15/2028 | 1,490 | 1,639,089 | ||||||||||
5.30%, 02/01/2030 | 1,254 | 1,374,409 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
96,200,768 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Industrial – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
KAR Auction Services, Inc. | 75 | 75,352 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp. | 1,258 | 1,238,979 | ||||||||||
9.75%, 07/15/2027(a) | 1,513 | 1,632,920 | ||||||||||
ANGI Group LLC | 458 | 448,093 | ||||||||||
APX Group, Inc. | 5,817 | 5,766,043 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 02/15/2027(a) | 3,506 | 3,709,839 | ||||||||||
Cars.com, Inc. | 2,427 | 2,537,162 | ||||||||||
eDreams ODIGEO SA | EUR | 1,227 | 1,410,157 | |||||||||
Garda World Security Corp. | U.S.$ | 3,358 | 3,623,584 | |||||||||
ION Trading Technologies SARL | 1,784 | 1,836,949 | ||||||||||
Millennium Escrow Corp. | 3,319 | 3,373,764 | ||||||||||
MoneyGram International, Inc. | 1,284 | 1,290,343 | ||||||||||
Monitronics International, Inc. | 1,835 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC | 1,698 | 1,687,371 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 11/01/2028(a) | 4,123 | 3,761,042 | ||||||||||
Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc. | 473 | 484,910 | ||||||||||
TripAdvisor, Inc. | 1,231 | 1,305,709 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 35 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Verscend Escrow Corp. | U.S.$ | 4,000 | $ | 4,238,160 | ||||||||
WASH Multifamily Acquisition, Inc. | 1,252 | 1,295,795 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
39,640,820 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Austin BidCo, Inc. | 947 | 977,834 | ||||||||||
Avaya, Inc. | 3,860 | 4,019,032 | ||||||||||
Cablevision Lightpath LLC | 1,847 | 1,826,960 | ||||||||||
CommScope, Inc. | 2,381 | 2,335,428 | ||||||||||
8.25%, 03/01/2027(a) | 1,061 | 1,081,276 | ||||||||||
NCR Corp. | 2,517 | 2,574,639 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 09/01/2027(a) | 473 | 497,052 | ||||||||||
6.125%, 09/01/2029(a) | 366 | 393,410 | ||||||||||
Presidio Holdings, Inc. | 165 | 168,404 | ||||||||||
8.25%, 02/01/2028(a) | 1,836 | 1,955,120 | ||||||||||
Veritas US, Inc./Veritas Bermuda Ltd. | 6,350 | 6,581,838 | ||||||||||
Xerox Corp. | 27 | 27,881 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
22,438,874 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Airlines – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Air Canada | 667 | 675,791 | ||||||||||
Hawaiian Brand Intellectual Property Ltd./HawaiianMiles Loyalty Ltd. | 2,470 | 2,593,079 | ||||||||||
Spirit Loyalty Cayman Ltd./Spirit IP Cayman Ltd. | 449 | 502,778 | ||||||||||
United Airlines, Inc. | 767 | 790,961 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,562,609 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Services – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Albion Financing 1 SARL/Aggreko Holdings, Inc. | 2,342 | 2,363,101 | ||||||||||
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc. | 787 | 822,714 |
36 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
BCP V Modular Services Finance II PLC | EUR | 264 | $ | 305,178 | ||||||||
BCP V Modular Services Finance PLC | 1,991 | 2,253,308 | ||||||||||
EC Finance PLC | 869 | 1,015,795 | ||||||||||
Modulaire Global Finance PLC | U.S.$ | 1,258 | 1,281,940 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,042,036 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
459,921,408 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 2.1% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
Alliance Data Systems Corp. | 4,513 | 4,618,424 | ||||||||||
7.00%, 01/15/2026(a) | 824 | 874,833 | ||||||||||
Ally Financial, Inc. | 5,227 | 5,420,922 | ||||||||||
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA | 1,800 | 1,933,218 | ||||||||||
CaixaBank SA | EUR | 2,400 | 3,170,334 | |||||||||
Credit Suisse Group AG | U.S.$ | 640 | 690,726 | |||||||||
6.375%, 08/21/2026(a)(f) | 3,961 | 4,314,004 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 07/17/2023-12/11/2023(a)(f) | 7,239 | 7,764,142 | ||||||||||
Discover Financial Services | 2,197 | 2,453,038 | ||||||||||
Exide Global Holding NETH | 1,124 | 1,102,696 | ||||||||||
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 999 | 1,076,702 | ||||||||||
Societe Generale SA | 2,015 | 2,350,840 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
35,769,879 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Brokerage – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Advisor Group Holdings, Inc. | 4,330 | 4,810,154 | ||||||||||
NFP Corp. | 2,285 | 2,323,525 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,133,679 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 37 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Finance – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Aircastle Ltd. | U.S.$ | 2,825 | $ | 2,898,676 | ||||||||
Castlelake Aviation Finance DAC | 3,299 | 3,290,489 | ||||||||||
Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC | 157 | 163,244 | ||||||||||
Curo Group Holdings Corp. | 3,140 | 3,190,805 | ||||||||||
Enova International, Inc. | 3,418 | 3,477,336 | ||||||||||
goeasy Ltd. | 2,145 | 2,205,768 | ||||||||||
Jefferies Finance LLC/JFIN Co-Issuer Corp. | 578 | 586,260 | ||||||||||
Lincoln Financing SARL | EUR | 759 | 881,721 | |||||||||
Navient Corp. | U.S.$ | 71 | 72,995 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
16,767,294 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Insurance – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Acrisure LLC/Acrisure Finance, Inc. | 4,241 | 4,289,517 | ||||||||||
10.125%, 08/01/2026(a) | 831 | 924,678 | ||||||||||
Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer | 2,948 | 3,049,824 | ||||||||||
Ardonagh Midco 2 PLC | 2,521 | 2,764,066 | ||||||||||
AssuredPartners, Inc. | 3,179 | 3,164,790 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
14,192,875 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Finance – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Altice France Holding SA | 3,024 | 3,276,655 | ||||||||||
Intrum AB | EUR | 1,490 | 1,666,081 | |||||||||
3.50%, 07/15/2026(a) | 1,040 | 1,199,499 | ||||||||||
Nordic Aviation Capital | U.S.$ | 12,727 | 9,354,596 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
15,496,831 | ||||||||||||
|
|
38 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
REITs – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Brookfield Property REIT, Inc./BPR Cumulus LLC/BPR Nimbus LLC/GGSI Sellco LL | U.S.$ | 1,488 | $ | 1,451,990 | ||||||||
5.75%, 05/15/2026(a) | 621 | 642,207 | ||||||||||
Diversified Healthcare Trust | 1,389 | 1,508,829 | ||||||||||
Iron Mountain, Inc. | 75 | 77,339 | ||||||||||
MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc. | 628 | 675,954 | ||||||||||
Park Intermediate Holdings LLC/PK Domestic Property LLC/PK Finance Co-Issuer | 1,270 | 1,289,279 | ||||||||||
Realogy Group LLC/Realogy Co-Issuer Corp. | 2,979 | 3,258,490 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,904,088 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
98,264,646 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
NRG Energy, Inc. | 23 | 23,905 | ||||||||||
Talen Energy Supply LLC | 1,092 | 667,332 | ||||||||||
7.25%, 05/15/2027(a) | 850 | 814,070 | ||||||||||
10.50%, 01/15/2026(a) | 6,486 | 4,293,927 | ||||||||||
Vistra Corp. | 7,597 | 7,974,495 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
13,773,729 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Utility – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Solaris Midstream Holdings LLC | 1,727 | 1,821,968 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
15,595,697 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates - Non-Investment Grade | 573,781,751 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 39 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS – 7.1% |
| |||||||||||
Agency Fixed Rate 30-Year – 7.1% | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | U.S.$ | 102,523 | $ | 106,166,118 | ||||||||
4.50%, 02/01/2050 | 4,702 | 5,183,804 | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association | 3 | 3,156 | ||||||||||
Series 1999 | 7 | 8,099 | ||||||||||
Series 2020 | 9,023 | 9,896,488 | ||||||||||
Government National Mortgage Association | 78,250 | 80,432,439 | ||||||||||
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security | 13,429 | 14,190,449 | ||||||||||
3.00%, 11/01/2051, TBA | 110,847 | 115,628,062 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Mortgage Pass-Throughs | 331,508,615 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS – 5.5% | ||||||||||||
Risk Share Floating Rate – 4.8% | ||||||||||||
Bellemeade Re Ltd. | 944 | 944,098 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-1A, Class M2 | 1,340 | 1,345,392 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-2A, Class M1C | 9,029 | 9,051,625 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-3A, Class M1C | 15,567 | 15,566,994 | ||||||||||
Eagle RE Ltd. | 513 | 513,672 |
40 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes | U.S.$ | 1,713 | $ | 1,766,531 | ||||||
Series 2014-DN3, Class M3 | 1,121 | 1,147,813 | ||||||||
Series 2014-HQ2, Class M3 | 580 | 599,519 | ||||||||
Series 2015-DN1, Class B | 2,035 | 2,072,636 | ||||||||
Series 2015-DNA2, Class B | 1,483 | 1,598,974 | ||||||||
Series 2015-DNA3, Class B | 2,464 | 2,673,675 | ||||||||
Series 2015-HQA1, Class B | 1,571 | 1,674,663 | ||||||||
Series 2016-DNA1, Class B | 2,221 | 2,479,728 | ||||||||
Series 2016-DNA2, Class M3 | 3,978 | 4,124,982 | ||||||||
Series 2016-DNA4, Class M3 | 4,419 | 4,569,068 | ||||||||
Series 2016-HQA2, Class M3 | 6,210 | 6,444,751 | ||||||||
Series 2017-DNA1, Class M2 | 2,414 | 2,489,036 | ||||||||
Series 2017-DNA2, Class B1 | 5,178 | 5,660,792 | ||||||||
Series 2017-DNA2, Class M2 | 1,168 | 1,205,662 | ||||||||
Series 2017-DNA3, Class B1 | 4,550 | 4,836,057 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 41 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 2017-HQA3, Class B1 | U.S.$ | 9,090 | $ | 9,605,467 | ||||||
Series 2018-DNA2, Class B1 | 7,000 | 7,287,527 | ||||||||
Series 2018-HQA1, Class B1 | 4,520 | 4,715,622 | ||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities | 2,439 | 2,517,358 | ||||||||
Series 2014-C04, Class 1M2 | 3,307 | 3,440,055 | ||||||||
Series 2014-C04, Class 2M2 | 311 | 316,783 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C02, Class 2M2 | 141 | 141,158 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C03, Class 1M2 | 1,367 | 1,406,810 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C03, Class 2M2 | 145 | 146,342 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C04, Class 1M2 | 3,255 | 3,443,889 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C04, Class 2M2 | 1,619 | 1,697,962 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C01, Class 1M2 | 1,902 | 2,008,109 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C01, Class 2M2 | 734 | 778,241 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C02, Class 1M2 | 4,703 | 4,918,877 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C04, Class 1M2 | 421 | 436,216 |
42 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 2016-C05, Class 2B | U.S.$ | 2,742 | $ | 2,956,726 | ||||||
Series 2016-C05, Class 2M2 | 3,626 | 3,774,003 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C07, Class 2B | 1,188 | 1,276,043 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C07, Class 2M2 | 474 | 494,218 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C01, Class 1B1 | 11,579 | 12,775,185 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C02, Class 2B1 | 4,031 | 4,435,658 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C03, Class 1B1 | 7,080 | 7,647,494 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C05, Class 1B1 | 7,280 | 7,611,719 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C07, Class 2B1 | 4,276 | 4,467,244 | ||||||||
Series 2018-C01, Class 1B1 | 8,575 | 8,844,617 | ||||||||
Series 2018-C03, Class 1B1 | 7,250 | 7,560,254 | ||||||||
Series 2018-C05, Class 1B1 | 6,873 | 7,229,918 | ||||||||
Home Re Ltd. | 2,000 | 2,060,317 | ||||||||
Series 2020-1, Class M2 | 4,734 | 4,887,530 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 499 | 483,294 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 43 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
JPMorgan Madison Avenue Securities Trust | U.S.$ | 893 | $ | 899,578 | ||||||||
Mortgage Insurance-Linked Notes | 10,015 | 10,017,504 | ||||||||||
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust | 1,328 | 1,327,842 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-2R, Class A | 1,962 | 1,942,660 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-3R, Class A | 636 | 635,942 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-1R, Class A | 3,049 | 3,048,565 | ||||||||||
Radnor Re Ltd. | 721 | 725,506 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-1, Class M1B | 2,673 | 2,675,016 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-1, Class M2 | 6,106 | 6,160,432 | ||||||||||
Traingle Re Ltd. | 8,174 | 8,194,093 | ||||||||||
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust | 313 | 300,787 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
226,058,229 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Agency Floating Rate – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMICs | 1,159 | 283,387 |
44 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 3856, Class KS | U.S.$ | 7,029 | $ | 1,308,834 | ||||||
Series 4248, Class SL | 647 | 102,430 | ||||||||
Series 4372, Class JS | 3,519 | 713,689 | ||||||||
Series 4570, Class ST | 1,569 | 361,451 | ||||||||
Series 4735, Class SA | 7,904 | 1,871,234 | ||||||||
Series 4763, Class SB | 11,578 | 2,544,230 | ||||||||
Series 4774, Class BS | 6,076 | 1,048,618 | ||||||||
Series 4774, Class SL | 7,987 | 1,411,009 | ||||||||
Series 4927, Class SJ | 3,266 | 677,317 | ||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association REMICs | 2,267 | 441,469 | ||||||||
Series 2014-88, Class BS | 1,934 | 424,702 | ||||||||
Series 2015-90, Class SA | 16,937 | 3,988,514 | ||||||||
Series 2016-69, Class DS | 25,803 | 4,125,635 | ||||||||
Series 2017-49, Class SP | 2,263 | 527,654 | ||||||||
Series 2018-32, Class SB | 4,478 | 1,029,989 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 45 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series 2018-45, Class SL | U.S.$ | 3,138 | $ | 760,926 | ||||||||
Series 2018-57, Class SL | 10,415 | 1,922,081 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-58, Class SA | 4,314 | 785,378 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-59, Class HS | 11,002 | 1,996,965 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-25, Class SA | 4,123 | 837,410 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-60, Class SJ | 3,770 | 793,422 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
27,956,344 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Non-Agency Fixed Rate – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Alternative Loan Trust | 973 | 742,372 | ||||||||||
CHL Mortgage Pass-Through Trust | 517 | 353,174 | ||||||||||
Series 2007-HY4, Class 1A1 | 189 | 181,684 | ||||||||||
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust | 117 | 117,226 | ||||||||||
CSMC Mortgage-Backed Trust | 360 | 217,880 | ||||||||||
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust | 719 | 719,939 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,332,275 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Non-Agency Floating Rate – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust | 367 | 98,164 |
46 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Lehman XS Trust | U.S.$ | 264 | $ | 46,177 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
144,341 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Agency Fixed Rate – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association REMICs | 1,309 | 35,735 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-26, Class IO | 467 | 79,078 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
114,813 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 256,606,002 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - SOVEREIGNS – 5.0% | ||||||||||||
Angola – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Angolan Government International Bond | 6,780 | 6,715,590 | ||||||||||
8.25%, 05/09/2028(a) | 460 | 461,955 | ||||||||||
9.125%, 11/26/2049(a) | 11,122 | 10,818,230 | ||||||||||
9.50%, 11/12/2025(a) | 4,256 | 4,593,288 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
22,589,063 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Bahrain – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Bahrain Government International Bond | 7,434 | 7,259,766 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 09/20/2029(a) | 1,709 | 1,843,370 | ||||||||||
7.00%, 10/12/2028(a) | 2,107 | 2,305,190 | ||||||||||
7.375%, 05/14/2030(a) | 1,961 | 2,181,367 | ||||||||||
CBB International Sukuk Programme Co. WLL | 1,087 | 1,140,874 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 11/14/2024(a) | 2,362 | 2,556,570 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
17,287,137 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Costa Rica – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Costa Rica Government International Bond | 4,214 | 4,320,140 | ||||||||||
7.158%, 03/12/2045(a) | 3,804 | 3,836,810 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,156,950 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Dominican Republic – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Dominican Republic International Bond | 9,442 | 9,541,141 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 47 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
4.875%, 09/23/2032(a) | U.S.$ | 3,361 | $ | 3,414,146 | ||||||||
6.40%, 06/05/2049(a) | 2,287 | 2,423,934 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
15,379,221 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Ecuador – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Ecuador Government International Bond | 626 | 333,416 | ||||||||||
0.50%, 07/31/2040(a) | 1,114 | 665,466 | ||||||||||
1.00%, 07/31/2035(a) | 13,152 | 8,663,694 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 07/31/2030(a) | 2,144 | 1,771,778 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
11,434,354 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Egypt – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Egypt Government International Bond | 6,333 | 6,515,074 | ||||||||||
6.125%, 01/31/2022(a) | 581 | 583,905 | ||||||||||
6.20%, 03/01/2024(a) | 4,724 | 4,918,865 | ||||||||||
6.588%, 02/21/2028(a) | 1,000 | 977,500 | ||||||||||
7.053%, 01/15/2032(a) | 2,597 | 2,424,949 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 01/31/2027(a) | 6,064 | 6,278,135 | ||||||||||
7.60%, 03/01/2029(a) | 217 | 217,271 | ||||||||||
7.625%, 05/29/2032(a) | 5,226 | 5,043,090 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
26,958,789 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
El Salvador – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
El Salvador Government International Bond | 628 | 446,390 | ||||||||||
8.625%, 02/28/2029(a) | 7,640 | 6,060,908 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
6,507,298 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Ghana – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Ghana Government International Bond | 13,133 | 11,688,370 | ||||||||||
7.75%, 04/07/2029(a) | 2,161 | 1,912,485 | ||||||||||
7.875%, 03/26/2027(a) | 2,415 | 2,221,800 | ||||||||||
8.625%, 04/07/2034(a) | 1,769 | 1,547,875 | ||||||||||
8.627%, 06/16/2049(a) | 238 | 199,920 | ||||||||||
8.95%, 03/26/2051(a) | 1,313 | 1,112,767 | ||||||||||
10.75%, 10/14/2030(a) | 693 | 800,415 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
19,483,632 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Honduras – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Honduras Government International Bond | 1,555 | 1,623,809 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Ivory Coast – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Ivory Coast Government International Bond | EUR | 1,195 | 1,350,597 | |||||||||
6.125%, 06/15/2033(a) | U.S.$ | 1,654 | 1,737,527 |
48 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
6.375%, 03/03/2028(a) | U.S.$ | 1,377 | $ | 1,501,188 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,589,312 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Kenya – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Republic of Kenya Government International Bond | 620 | 666,500 | ||||||||||
7.00%, 05/22/2027(a) | 1,680 | 1,774,500 | ||||||||||
7.25%, 02/28/2028(a) | 1,639 | 1,757,827 | ||||||||||
8.00%, 05/22/2032(a) | 3,420 | 3,693,600 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,892,427 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Lebanon – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Lebanon Government International Bond | 1,284 | 192,998 | ||||||||||
6.65%, 04/22/2024(a)(j)(n) | 507 | 74,782 | ||||||||||
6.85%, 03/23/2027(a)(j)(n) | 1,053 | 158,498 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
426,278 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Nigeria – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Nigeria Government International Bond | 5,399 | 5,351,759 | ||||||||||
7.625%, 11/21/2025-11/28/2047(a) | 11,691 | 12,235,794 | ||||||||||
7.696%, 02/23/2038(a) | 1,729 | 1,656,922 | ||||||||||
7.875%, 02/16/2032(a) | 426 | 432,337 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
19,676,812 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Oman – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Oman Government International Bond | 3,371 | 3,517,006 | ||||||||||
5.375%, 03/08/2027(a) | 4,550 | 4,766,978 | ||||||||||
6.00%, 08/01/2029(a) | 4,272 | 4,574,511 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 01/25/2031(a) | 2,630 | 2,841,222 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
15,699,717 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Pakistan – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Pakistan Government International Bond | 2,282 | 2,287,956 | ||||||||||
6.875%, 12/05/2027(a) | 245 | 250,099 | ||||||||||
7.375%, 04/08/2031(a) | 3,816 | 3,859,350 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
6,397,405 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Senegal – 0.3% |
| |||||||||||
Senegal Government International Bond | 5,158 | 5,313,707 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 03/13/2048(a) | 6,453 | 6,399,763 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
11,713,470 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
South Africa – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Republic of South Africa Government International Bond | 425 | 428,134 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 49 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
4.85%, 09/30/2029 | U.S.$ | 9,846 | $ | 10,084,766 | ||||||||
5.65%, 09/27/2047 | 2,762 | 2,614,060 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 09/30/2049 | 10,390 | 9,901,670 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 06/22/2030(b) | 2,797 | 3,064,988 | ||||||||||
6.30%, 06/22/2048 | 2,368 | 2,431,344 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
28,524,962 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Sri Lanka – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Sri Lanka Government International Bond | 285 | 178,535 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Ukraine – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Ukraine Government International Bond | 4,689 | 4,766,075 | ||||||||||
7.375%, 09/25/2032(a) | 3,586 | 3,690,891 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,456,966 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Emerging Markets - Sovereigns | 232,976,137 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS – 3.0% | ||||||||||||
CLO - Floating Rate – 3.0% |
| |||||||||||
Ares XXXIV CLO Ltd. | 9,437 | 9,443,229 | ||||||||||
Balboa Bay Loan Funding Ltd. | 1,900 | 1,903,505 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-1A, Class D | 2,750 | 2,750,236 | ||||||||||
Ballyrock CLO 15 Ltd. | 2,750 | 2,750,437 | ||||||||||
Black Diamond CLO Ltd. | 5,300 | 5,281,938 | ||||||||||
BlueMountain Fuji US CLO Ltd. | 3,300 | 3,256,377 |
50 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
CBAM Ltd. | U.S.$ | 1,996 | $ | 1,996,663 | ||||||
CIFC Funding 2020-IV Ltd. | 300 | 301,009 | ||||||||
Dryden 49 Senior Loan Fund | 605 | 603,382 | ||||||||
Dryden CLO Ltd. | 1,480 | 1,482,022 | ||||||||
Series 2020-78A, Class D | 6,824 | 6,834,178 | ||||||||
Elevation CLO Ltd. | 4,490 | 4,500,915 | ||||||||
Elmwood CLO VII Ltd. | 4,200 | 4,223,759 | ||||||||
Elmwood CLO VIII Ltd. | 1,000 | 998,461 | ||||||||
Elmwood CLO XII Ltd. | 4,850 | 4,850,000 | ||||||||
Generate CLO 7 Ltd. | 4,400 | 4,401,690 | ||||||||
GoldenTree Loan Opportunities IX Ltd. | 2,815 | 2,811,127 | ||||||||
Greywolf CLO VI Ltd. | 5,300 | 5,300,647 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 51 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding Ltd. | U.S.$ | 1,826 | $ | 1,825,945 | ||||||
Series 2018-1A, Class C | 2,000 | 1,900,714 | ||||||||
Kayne CLO 7 Ltd. | 2,663 | 2,668,155 | ||||||||
Madison Park Funding LI Ltd. | 3,650 | 3,650,325 | ||||||||
Magnetite XXV Ltd. | 3,000 | 3,003,849 | ||||||||
Marble Point CLO XI Ltd. | 2,400 | 2,398,809 | ||||||||
Northwoods Capital Ltd. | 1,350 | 1,323,842 | ||||||||
OCP CLO Ltd. | 4,750 | 4,738,571 | ||||||||
Octagon Investment Partners 29 Ltd. | 6,571 | 6,548,482 | ||||||||
OZLM Ltd. | 1,000 | 985,173 | ||||||||
Series 2018-18A, Class B | 5,450 | 5,447,210 | ||||||||
Palmer Square CLO Ltd. | 2,400 | 2,400,000 |
52 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Regatta XX Funding Ltd. | U.S.$ | 3,500 | $ | 3,500,241 | ||||||||
Rockford Tower CLO Ltd. | 4,444 | 4,444,908 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-3A, Class A | 1,931 | 1,931,187 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-2A, Class D | 950 | 951,104 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-3A, Class D | 8,550 | 8,551,282 | ||||||||||
Sixth Street CLO XVI Ltd. | 3,250 | 3,250,585 | ||||||||||
Sixth Street CLO XVII Ltd. | 2,400 | 2,390,753 | ||||||||||
Sound Point CLO XIX Ltd. | 7,931 | 7,939,312 | ||||||||||
Venture CLO Ltd. | 1,591 | 1,592,076 | ||||||||||
Voya CLO Ltd. | 4,595 | 4,502,064 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Collateralized Loan Obligations | 139,634,162 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - CORPORATE BONDS – 2.7% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 2.3% |
| |||||||||||
Basic – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Braskem Idesa SAPI | 2,058 | 2,104,922 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 53 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
7.45%, 11/15/2029(a) | U.S.$ | 2,459 | $ | 2,594,983 | ||||||||
CSN Inova Ventures | 445 | 472,034 | ||||||||||
CSN Resources SA | 4,293 | 4,211,433 | ||||||||||
7.625%, 04/17/2026(a) | 1,967 | 2,071,251 | ||||||||||
Eldorado Gold Corp. | 2,385 | 2,423,637 | ||||||||||
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. | 2,310 | 2,476,464 | ||||||||||
7.25%, 04/01/2023(a) | 1,952 | 1,988,112 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 04/01/2025(a) | 410 | 422,813 | ||||||||||
Indika Energy Capital IV Pte Ltd. | 4,123 | 4,370,380 | ||||||||||
OCP SA | 1,011 | 990,780 | ||||||||||
Sasol Financing USA LLC | 1,467 | 1,545,118 | ||||||||||
Vedanta Resources Finance II PLC | 4,716 | 5,099,175 | ||||||||||
Volcan Cia Minera SAA | 667 | 649,616 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
31,420,718 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Cemex SAB de CV | 2,796 | 2,885,539 | ||||||||||
Embraer Netherlands Finance BV | 4,430 | 4,622,705 | ||||||||||
6.95%, 01/17/2028(a) | 2,058 | 2,280,264 | ||||||||||
Klabin Austria Gmbh | 1,084 | 1,246,600 | ||||||||||
Odebrecht Holdco Finance Ltd. | 5,578 | 13,946 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
11,049,054 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Globo Comunicacao e Participacoes SA | 996 | 961,140 | ||||||||||
VTR Finance NV | 307 | 328,180 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,289,320 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
C&W Senior Financing DAC | 247 | 260,274 | ||||||||||
Digicel Group Holdings Ltd. | 84 | 76,659 |
54 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
8.00% (5.00% Cash and 3.00% PIK), 04/01/2025(a)(l) | U.S.$ | 342 | $ | 328,851 | ||||||||
10.00% (8.00% Cash and 2.00% PIK), 04/01/2024(l) | 6,051 | 6,073,717 | ||||||||||
Digicel International Finance Ltd./Digicel international Holdings Ltd. | 339 | 351,810 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,091,311 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Melco Resorts Finance Ltd. | 200 | 196,413 | ||||||||||
MGM China Holdings Ltd. | 895 | 881,183 | ||||||||||
5.375%, 05/15/2024(a) | 569 | 568,573 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 05/15/2026(a) | 598 | 596,991 | ||||||||||
Studio City Finance Ltd. | 1,088 | 1,055,632 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 01/15/2028(a) | 998 | 958,392 | ||||||||||
Wynn Macau Ltd. | 2,168 | 2,041,714 | ||||||||||
5.625%, 08/26/2028(a) | 1,919 | 1,774,365 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,073,263 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
BRF GmbH | 941 | 950,292 | ||||||||||
BRF SA | 4,401 | 4,366,937 | ||||||||||
Natura Cosmeticos SA | 2,828 | 2,799,154 | ||||||||||
Tonon Luxembourg SA | 867 | 8,930 | ||||||||||
Ulker Biskuvi Sanayi AS | 609 | 638,803 | ||||||||||
Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA | 4,738 | 47,498 | ||||||||||
10.875%, 01/13/2020(j)(k)(m) | 750 | 93,750 | ||||||||||
11.75%, 02/09/2022(j)(m)(n) | 1,690 | 8,471 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,913,835 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Gran Tierra Energy, Inc. | 1,998 | 1,855,662 | ||||||||||
Investment Energy Resources Ltd. | 1,306 | 1,390,890 | ||||||||||
Kosmos Energy Ltd. | 1,388 | 1,353,300 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 55 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Leviathan Bond Ltd. | U.S.$ | 4,992 | $ | 5,153,616 | ||||||||
6.125%, 06/30/2025(a) | 1,763 | 1,895,861 | ||||||||||
Medco Oak Tree Pte Ltd. | 1,031 | 1,102,203 | ||||||||||
Medco Platinum Road Pte Ltd. | 3,831 | 3,989,747 | ||||||||||
MV24 Capital BV | 1,673 | 1,725,921 | ||||||||||
Peru LNG Srl | 4,293 | 3,598,071 | ||||||||||
Petrobras Global Finance BV | 7,273 | 7,624,686 | ||||||||||
SEPLAT Energy PLC | 2,065 | 2,115,180 | ||||||||||
SierraCol Energy Andina LLC | 602 | 591,202 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
32,396,339 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Bidvest Group UK PLC (The) | 1,667 | 1,669,000 | ||||||||||
StoneCo Ltd. | 736 | 656,328 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,325,328 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
CA Magnum Holdings | 1,397 | 1,433,671 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
103,992,839 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Fidelity Bank PLC | 575 | 602,959 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Insurance – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Highlands Holdings Bond Issuer Ltd./Highlands Holdings Bond Co-Issuer, Inc. | 1,938 | 2,051,694 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Finance – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
OEC Finance Ltd. | 3,648 | 278,023 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 12/27/2033(a)(l) | 1,130 | 87,913 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
365,936 | ||||||||||||
|
|
56 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
REITs – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Agile Group Holdings Ltd. | U.S.$ | 800 | $ | 596,000 | ||||||||
6.05%, 10/13/2025(a) | 250 | 187,500 | ||||||||||
Central China Real Estate Ltd. | 1,629 | 754,850 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 07/14/2025(a) | 403 | 173,290 | ||||||||||
7.75%, 05/24/2024(a) | 222 | 99,900 | ||||||||||
7.90%, 11/07/2023(a) | 204 | 104,040 | ||||||||||
China Aoyuan Group Ltd. | 200 | 92,000 | ||||||||||
5.88%, 03/01/2027(a) | 1,299 | 493,620 | ||||||||||
7.95%, 02/19/2023(a) | 644 | 276,920 | ||||||||||
China SCE Group Holdings Ltd. | 468 | 379,080 | ||||||||||
6.00%, 02/04/2026(a) | 1,319 | 1,009,035 | ||||||||||
Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd. | 480 | 134,400 | ||||||||||
9.95%, 07/23/2025(a) | 1,280 | 371,200 | ||||||||||
11.65%, 06/01/2026(a) | 200 | 56,000 | ||||||||||
KWG Group Holdings Ltd. | 447 | 335,250 | ||||||||||
6.00%, 08/14/2026(a) | 400 | 302,000 | ||||||||||
7.40%, 01/13/2027(a) | 245 | 183,750 | ||||||||||
Logan Group Co., Ltd. | 200 | 169,000 | ||||||||||
Powerlong Real Estate Holdings Ltd. | 200 | 173,000 | ||||||||||
5.95%, 04/30/2025(a) | 403 | 360,685 | ||||||||||
RKPF Overseas Ltd. | 218 | 185,300 | ||||||||||
5.90%, 03/05/2025(a) | 275 | 250,250 | ||||||||||
Ronshine China Holdings Ltd. | 470 | 192,847 | ||||||||||
7.10%, 01/25/2025(a) | 1,355 | 542,423 | ||||||||||
8.10%, 06/09/2023(a) | 231 | 97,092 | ||||||||||
Seazen Group Ltd. | 945 | 791,438 | ||||||||||
Sunac China Holdings Ltd. | 588 | 426,300 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 01/26/2026(a) | 305 | 213,500 | ||||||||||
7.00%, 07/09/2025(a) | 205 | 143,500 | ||||||||||
Times China Holdings Ltd. | 234 | 183,690 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 01/14/2027(a) | 887 | 643,075 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 07/08/2025(a) | 434 | 332,010 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 57 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Yango Justice International Ltd. | U.S.$ | 898 | $ | 179,600 | ||||||||
7.875%, 09/04/2024(a) | 569 | 113,800 | ||||||||||
8.25%, 11/25/2023(a) | 400 | 80,000 | ||||||||||
10.25%, 03/18/2022(a) | 215 | 53,750 | ||||||||||
Yuzhou Group Holdings Co., Ltd. | 1,068 | 427,200 | ||||||||||
7.375%, 01/13/2026(a) | 428 | 175,480 | ||||||||||
7.70%, 02/20/2025(a) | 200 | 84,000 | ||||||||||
7.85%, 08/12/2026(a) | 250 | 102,500 | ||||||||||
8.375%, 10/30/2024(a) | 308 | 132,440 | ||||||||||
Zhenro Properties Group Ltd. | 997 | 578,260 | ||||||||||
6.70%, 08/04/2026(a) | 400 | 232,000 | ||||||||||
7.10%, 09/10/2024(a) | 233 | 139,800 | ||||||||||
7.35%, 02/05/2025(a) | 200 | 118,000 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
12,669,775 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
15,690,364 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
AES Gener SA | 1,816 | 1,889,775 | ||||||||||
Light Servicos de Eletricidade SA/Light Energia SA | 2,245 | 2,190,699 | ||||||||||
Star Energy Geothermal Wayang Windu Ltd. | 776 | 865,887 | ||||||||||
Terraform Global Operating LLC | 289 | 296,184 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
5,242,545 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Emerging Markets - Corporate Bonds | 124,925,748 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
BANK LOANS – 2.6% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 2.2% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Nouryon Finance B.V. | 139 | 138,142 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Apex Tool Group, LLC | 4,778 | 4,778,481 |
58 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Granite US Holdings Corporation | U.S.$ | 3,562 | $ | 3,553,348 | ||||||||
The Chamberlain Group, LLC | 230 | 229,522 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,561,351 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Coral-US Co-Borrower LLC | 1,550 | 1,538,654 | ||||||||||
iHeartCommunications, Inc. (fka Clear Channel Communications, Inc.) | 222 | 220,071 | ||||||||||
Univision Communications, Inc. | 920 | 919,274 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,677,999 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Crown Subsea Communications Holding, Inc. | 3,967 | 3,994,866 | ||||||||||
DIRECTV Financing, LLC | 2,280 | 2,281,094 | ||||||||||
Proofpoint, Inc. | 6,000 | 6,120,000 | ||||||||||
Zacapa SARL | 3,316 | 3,319,961 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
15,715,921 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Clarios Global LP | 347 | 344,224 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
American Tire Distributors, Inc. | 3,369 | 3,376,480 | ||||||||||
Caesars Resort Collection, LLC | 4,518 | 4,494,816 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 59 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Inc. | U.S.$ | 111 | $ | 119,310 | ||||||||
Scientific Games International, Inc. | 2,544 | 2,532,235 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
10,522,841 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Restaurants – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
IRB Holding Corp. | 555 | 553,801 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Great Outdoors Group, LLC | 1,201 | 1,204,123 | ||||||||||
PetSmart LLC | 4,359 | 4,360,644 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
5,564,767 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Global Medical Response, Inc. | 1,143 | 1,137,103 | ||||||||||
Kronos Acquisition Holdings, Inc. | 1,896 | 1,837,118 | ||||||||||
LifePoint Health, Inc. (fka Regionalcare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc.) | 1,018 | 1,015,195 | ||||||||||
Padagis LLC | 1,420 | 1,421,775 | ||||||||||
U.S. Renal Care, Inc. | 5,931 | 5,888,460 | ||||||||||
US Radiology Specialists, Inc. (US Outpatient Imaging Services, Inc.) | 4,298 | 4,308,269 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
15,607,920 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
CITGO Petroleum Corporation | 1,587 | 1,586,949 | ||||||||||
|
|
60 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Other Industrial – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Dealer Tire, LLC | U.S.$ | 1,307 | $ | 1,306,072 | ||||||||
KAR Auction Services, Inc. | 198 | 192,232 | ||||||||||
Rockwood Service Corporation | 176 | 175,321 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,673,625 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Amentum Government Services Holdings LLC | 444 | 441,784 | ||||||||||
Parexel International Corporation | 2,660 | 2,658,270 | ||||||||||
Team Health Holdings, Inc. | 2,621 | 2,496,862 | ||||||||||
Verscend Holding Corp. | 1,940 | 1,942,532 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,539,448 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
athenahealth, Inc. | 4,935 | 4,947,451 | ||||||||||
Banff Guarantor Inc. | 1,050 | 1,061,813 | ||||||||||
Boxer Parent Company, Inc. | 3,423 | 3,397,489 | ||||||||||
Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. | 9,736 | 9,561,138 | ||||||||||
Loyalty Ventures Inc. | 4,738 | 4,708,855 | ||||||||||
Peraton Corp. | 1,652 | 1,653,500 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 61 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Presidio Holdings Inc. | U.S.$ | 85 | $ | 84,647 | ||||||||
3.630% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.50%), 01/22/2027(q) | 1,542 | 1,538,438 | ||||||||||
Veritas US, Inc. | 5,703 | 5,717,383 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
32,670,714 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
103,157,702 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Finance – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Equiniti Group PLC | 380 | 380,000 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Insurance – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Hub International Limited | 7 | 7,147 | ||||||||||
4.000% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.25%), 04/25/2025(q) | 2,834 | 2,830,172 | ||||||||||
Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management, Inc. | CAD | 5,923 | 4,806,838 | |||||||||
Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. (Lightning Cayman Merger Sub, Ltd.) | U.S.$ | 2,231 | 2,224,891 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
9,869,048 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
10,249,048 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Generation Bridge Acquisition, LLC | 3,040 | 3,047,600 | ||||||||||
Granite Generation LLC | 3,233 | 3,175,169 | ||||||||||
4.750% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.75%), 11/09/2026(q) | 632 | 621,017 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
6,843,786 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Bank Loans | 120,250,536 | |||||||||||
|
|
62 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 2.0% | ||||||||||||
Non-Agency Fixed Rate CMBS – 1.6% | ||||||||||||
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust | U.S.$ | 372 | $ | 402,806 | ||||||||
BANK | 65,723 | 4,075,855 | ||||||||||
Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust | 10,866 | 919,092 | ||||||||||
Benchmark Mortgage Trust | 44,286 | 3,023,472 | ||||||||||
CD Mortgage Trust | 14,121 | 621,343 | ||||||||||
CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust | 13,503 | 808,260 | ||||||||||
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust | 516 | 533,754 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-C3, Class XA | 34,321 | 1,430,636 | ||||||||||
Commercial Mortgage Trust | 33,648 | 494,710 | ||||||||||
Series 2015-CR27, Class XA | 6,385 | 201,492 | ||||||||||
CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust | 670 | 495,911 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-C15, Class B | 960 | 1,071,832 | ||||||||||
GS Mortgage Securities Trust | 375 | 319,688 | ||||||||||
Series 2011-GC5, Class D | 14,025 | 6,731,774 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-GS3, Class XA | 30,475 | 1,472,616 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-GC39, Class XA | 15,679 | 1,005,429 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 63 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | U.S.$ | 1,599 | $ | 1,684,851 | ||||||
Series 2014-C24, Class C 4.403%, 11/15/2047 | 5,869 | 5,706,593 | ||||||||
JPMCC Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 10,580 | 467,087 | ||||||||
JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 37,176 | 2,232,759 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 2,411 | 2,441,623 | ||||||||
Series 2012-C8, Class E | 2,103 | 1,882,479 | ||||||||
Series 2012-LC9, Class E | 7,500 | 6,463,932 | ||||||||
Series 2012-LC9, Class G | 831 | 634,663 | ||||||||
Series 2016-JP2, Class XA | 15,698 | 1,105,446 | ||||||||
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | 632 | 285,481 | ||||||||
LCCM | 44,472 | 2,499,299 | ||||||||
Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust | 680 | 627,447 | ||||||||
Series 2014-C18, Class C | 4,408 | 4,529,025 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C22, Class XA | 11,891 | 314,656 | ||||||||
UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | 2,000 | 1,892,501 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C1, Class XA | 7,285 | 493,424 | ||||||||
Series 2019-C16, Class XA | 16,761 | 1,476,429 |
64 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series 2019-C18, Class XA | U.S.$ | 44,175 | $ | 2,769,551 | ||||||||
UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust | 2,414 | 2,438,799 | ||||||||||
Series 2013-C5, Class C | 782 | 776,577 | ||||||||||
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust | 8,027 | 267,104 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-C36, Class XA | 46,938 | 2,341,912 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-LC24, Class XA | 29,347 | 1,874,565 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-LC25, Class XA | 17,972 | 632,831 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-C52, Class XA | 19,387 | 1,872,599 | ||||||||||
WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2011-C4, Class E | 489 | 367,838 | ||||||||||
Series 2014-LC14, Class C | 134 | 139,439 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
71,827,580 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Non-Agency Floating Rate CMBS – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
BFLD Trust | 11,227 | 11,086,030 | ||||||||||
DBWF Mortgage Trust | 1,994 | 1,983,874 | ||||||||||
Great Wolf Trust | 5,005 | 4,954,698 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust | 1,651 | 1,379,828 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
19,404,430 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 65 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Agency CMBS – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Government National Mortgage Association | U.S.$ | 149 | $ | 338 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | 91,232,348 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
QUASI-SOVEREIGNS – 1.4% | ||||||||||||
Quasi-Sovereign Bonds – 1.4% | ||||||||||||
Bahrain – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Oil and Gas Holding Co. BSCC (The) 7.625%, 11/07/2024(a) | 668 | 722,609 | ||||||||||
8.375%, 11/07/2028(a) | 3,912 | 4,510,536 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
5,233,145 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Chile – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Corp. Nacional del Cobre de Chile | 212 | 224,932 | ||||||||||
Empresa de Transporte de Pasajeros Metro SA | 200 | 212,725 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
437,657 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Indonesia – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Indonesia Asahan Aluminium Persero PT | 2,044 | 2,190,146 | ||||||||||
5.71%, 11/15/2023(a) | 277 | 301,030 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,491,176 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Kazakhstan – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
KazMunayGas National Co. JSC | 768 | 843,984 | ||||||||||
5.375%, 04/24/2030(a) | 1,940 | 2,274,825 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,118,809 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Malaysia – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Petronas Capital Ltd. | 3,739 | 4,030,979 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Mexico – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Petroleos Mexicanos | 13,565 | 13,314,048 | ||||||||||
6.49%, 01/23/2027 | 1,455 | 1,545,065 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 01/23/2029 | 403 | 418,626 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 09/21/2047 | 10,176 | 8,967,600 | ||||||||||
6.84%, 01/23/2030 | 645 | 672,896 | ||||||||||
6.95%, 01/28/2060 | 4,846 | 4,283,864 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
29,202,099 | ||||||||||||
|
|
66 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Oman – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Lamar Funding Ltd. | U.S.$ | 3,297 | $ | 3,284,224 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Panama – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen SA | 2,057 | 2,069,599 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 08/11/2061(a) | 1,569 | 1,634,996 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,704,595 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
South Africa – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. | 1,169 | 1,212,545 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Ukraine – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
NAK Naftogaz Ukraine via Kondor Finance PLC | 2,168 | 2,145,886 | ||||||||||
State Agency of Roads of Ukraine | 7,856 | 7,701,335 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
9,847,221 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
United Arab Emirates – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
DP World Crescent Ltd. | 296 | 314,592 | ||||||||||
DP World Ltd./United Arab Emirates | 696 | 845,640 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,160,232 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Quasi-Sovereigns | 63,722,682 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
GOVERNMENTS - SOVEREIGN BONDS – 1.2% | ||||||||||||
Colombia – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Colombia Government International Bond | 864 | 810,702 | ||||||||||
3.25%, 04/22/2032 | 8,612 | 8,039,302 | ||||||||||
5.625%, 02/26/2044 | 1,372 | 1,446,860 | ||||||||||
6.125%, 01/18/2041 | 3,473 | 3,843,743 | ||||||||||
7.375%, 09/18/2037 | 790 | 975,798 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
15,116,405 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Israel – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Israel Government International Bond | 7,916 | 8,356,327 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Mexico – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Mexico Government International Bond | 1,205 | 1,305,768 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 67 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
4.75%, 04/27/2032 | U.S.$ | 2,706 | $ | 3,041,375 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,347,143 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Panama – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Panama Notas del Tesoro | 5,330 | 5,654,131 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Peru – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Peruvian Government International Bond | 247 | 251,446 | ||||||||||
2.783%, 01/23/2031 | 719 | 717,787 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
969,233 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Qatar – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Qatar Government International Bond | 4,399 | 4,643,144 | ||||||||||
3.40%, 04/16/2025(a) | 1,074 | 1,147,368 | ||||||||||
3.75%, 04/16/2030(a) | 1,810 | 2,019,055 | ||||||||||
3.875%, 04/23/2023(a) | 861 | 902,597 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,712,164 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Saudi Arabia – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Saudi Government International Bond | 3,031 | 3,199,220 | ||||||||||
3.25%, 10/22/2030(a) | 3,774 | 4,013,649 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,212,869 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
United Arab Emirates – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Abu Dhabi Government International Bond | 2,587 | 2,700,828 | ||||||||||
3.125%, 04/16/2030(a) | 4,640 | 4,997,280 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,698,108 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Governments - Sovereign Bonds | 58,066,380 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - TREASURIES – 1.1% | ||||||||||||
Brazil – 1.1% | ||||||||||||
Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional | BRL | 298,397 | 51,416,321 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
68 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 0.9% | ||||||||||||
Other ABS - Fixed Rate – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
CLUB Credit Trust | U.S.$ | 302 | $ | 303,163 | ||||||||
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Certificate Issuer Trust I | 444 | 445,406 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-36, Class PT | 890 | 895,323 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-43, Class PT | 393 | 389,197 | ||||||||||
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Credit Trust | 1,495 | 1,513,710 | ||||||||||
Marlette Funding Trust | 2,169 | 2,171,945 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-4A, Class C | 503 | 503,378 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-2A, Class C | 2,692 | 2,724,088 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-3A, Class C | 4,413 | 4,469,272 | ||||||||||
SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC | 761 | 639,503 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-5, Class R1 | 17 | 351,099 | ||||||||||
SoFi Consumer Loan Program Trust | 37 | 861,203 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-2, Class C | 1,400 | 1,420,447 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-2, Class D | 1,000 | 1,025,262 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-3, Class D | ||||||||||||
3.89%, 05/25/2028(a) | 5,378 | 5,501,930 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-4, Class D | ||||||||||||
3.48%, 08/25/2028(a) | 3,000 | 3,045,630 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
26,260,556 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Autos - Fixed Rate – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP LLC | 2,372 | 2,489,766 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 69 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
CPS Auto Trust | U.S.$ | 4,200 | $ | 4,250,048 | ||||||||
Flagship Credit Auto Trust | 1,000 | 1,006,915 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-3, Class D | 670 | 696,709 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-4, Class E | 2,970 | 3,098,463 | ||||||||||
Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust | 2,551 | 2,653,722 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
14,195,623 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Asset-Backed Securities | 40,456,179 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
AGENCIES – 0.9% | ||||||||||||
Agency Debentures – 0.9% | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Banks | 8,695 | 12,672,455 | ||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | 10,400 | 14,977,352 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 03/15/2031 | 4,000 | 5,759,400 | ||||||||||
Series GDIF | 4,606 | 6,433,246 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Agencies | 39,842,453 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||
COMMON STOCKS – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Energy – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Berry Corp. | 137,884 | 1,325,065 | ||||||||||
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. | 5,127 | 287,830 | ||||||||||
Denbury, Inc.(j) | 13,032 | 1,103,289 | ||||||||||
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.(j) | 107,934 | 593,637 | ||||||||||
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.(j)(m) | 22,730 | 125,015 | ||||||||||
Golden Energy Offshore Services AS(j) | 1,497,659 | 144,485 | ||||||||||
Gulfport Energy Operating Corp.(j) | 35,393 | 2,903,642 | ||||||||||
SandRidge Energy, Inc.(j) | 105 | 1,344 | ||||||||||
Vantage Drilling International(j) | 16,001 | 84,005 | ||||||||||
Whiting Petroleum Corp.(j) | 12,942 | 842,912 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,411,224 | ||||||||||||
|
|
70 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Consumer Discretionary – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Auto Components – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
ATD New Holdings, Inc.(h)(j) | 29,486 | $ | 2,034,534 | |||||||||
Exide Corp.(h)(i)(j) | 497 | 1,018,850 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,053,384 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
GOLO Mobile, Inc.(h)(i)(j) | 30,264 | 734 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,054,118 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Staples – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Food & Staples Retailing – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Southeastern Grocers, Inc.(h)(i)(j) | 71,086 | 1,626,092 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Information Technology – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Software – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Monitronics International, Inc.(j) | 68,348 | 410,088 | ||||||||||
Paysafe AG Tracker(h)(j) | 79,682 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
Paysafe Ltd.(j) | 100,908 | 787,083 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,197,171 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communication Services – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Media – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
iHeartMedia, Inc. – Class A(j) | 14,385 | 278,781 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Common Stocks | 13,567,386 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Principal Amount (000) | ||||||||||||
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - US MUNICIPAL BONDS – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
United States – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Texas Transportation Commission State Highway Fund | U.S.$ | 2,560 | 3,109,272 | |||||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 6,915 | 7,321,998 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Local Governments - US Municipal Bonds | 10,431,270 | |||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 71 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Company | Shares | U.S. $ Value | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
US Bancorp | 187,450 | $ | 4,757,481 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Industrial – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Auto Components – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Exide Corp. | 3,093 | 2,497,597 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Gulfport Energy Operating Corp. | 113 | 661,050 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,158,647 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Preferred Stocks | 7,916,128 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
WARRANTS – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Avaya Holdings Corp., | 2,936 | 4,111 | ||||||||||
Encore Automotive Acceptance, | 12 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
Flexpath Capital, Inc., | 17,195 | – 0 | – | |||||||||
SandRidge Energy, Inc., A-CW22, | 2,566 | 128 | ||||||||||
SandRidge Energy, Inc., B-CW22, | 1,080 | 52 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Warrants | 4,291 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 2.4% | ||||||||||||
Investment Companies – 2.4% | ||||||||||||
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. – Government Money Market Portfolio – Class AB, 0.01%(s)(t)(u) | 111,172,521 | 111,172,521 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Investments – 134.1% | 6,226,030,924 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other assets less liabilities – (34.1)% | (1,582,327,028 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $ | 4,643,703,896 | ||||||||||
|
|
72 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
FUTURES (see Note D)
Description | Number of Contracts | Expiration Month | Current Notional | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
Purchased Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||
Long Gilt Futures | 13 | December 2021 | $ | 2,222,472 | $ | (63,884 | ) | |||||||||
U.S. T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures | 2,436 | December 2021 | 318,392,812 | (3,872,214 | ) | |||||||||||
U.S. Ultra Bond (CBT) Futures | 1,454 | December 2021 | 285,574,687 | (2,506,463 | ) | |||||||||||
Sold Contracts | ||||||||||||||||
Euro Buxl 30 Yr Bond Futures | 16 | December 2021 | 3,865,294 | 1,093 | ||||||||||||
Euro-BOBL Futures | 22 | December 2021 | 3,401,784 | 52,113 | ||||||||||||
Euro-Bund Futures | 55 | December 2021 | 10,689,068 | 263,685 | ||||||||||||
Euro-Schatz Futures | 297 | December 2021 | 38,439,446 | 112,593 | ||||||||||||
U.S. 10 Yr Ultra Futures | 1,724 | December 2021 | 250,033,875 | 3,873,166 | ||||||||||||
U.S. T-Note 2 Yr (CBT) Futures | 1,271 | December 2021 | 278,666,750 | 1,180,055 | ||||||||||||
U.S. T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures | 3,971 | December 2021 | 483,469,250 | 6,521,228 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | 5,561,372 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bank of America, NA | USD | 26,689 | EUR | 22,921 | 11/08/2021 | $ | (188,441 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | EUR | 2,097 | USD | 2,445 | 11/08/2021 | 20,783 | ||||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | IDR | 23,323,000 | USD | 1,616 | 01/27/2022 | (8,084 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | BRL | 467,032 | USD | 86,765 | 11/03/2021 | 4,014,043 | ||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 82,763 | BRL | 467,032 | 11/03/2021 | (11,732 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | AUD | 150,952 | USD | 108,784 | 11/09/2021 | (4,773,727 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | COP | 134,121,322 | USD | 34,927 | 11/12/2021 | (665,204 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | EUR | 3,161 | USD | 3,660 | 11/08/2021 | 5,017 | ||||||||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | RUB | 3,986,167 | USD | 54,093 | 12/15/2021 | (1,613,441 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | BRL | 68,943 | USD | 12,217 | 11/03/2021 | 1,732 | ||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 12,399 | BRL | 68,943 | 11/03/2021 | (183,276 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | GBP | 1,204 | USD | 1,654 | 11/10/2021 | 5,930 | ||||||||||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 42,828 | CAD | 52,908 | 11/19/2021 | (77,656 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | BRL | 398,089 | USD | 70,546 | 11/03/2021 | 10,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | USD | 11,011 | BRL | 62,412 | 11/03/2021 | 47,410 | ||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | USD | 60,125 | BRL | 335,677 | 11/03/2021 | (647,718 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | CAD | 290,541 | USD | 227,025 | 11/19/2021 | (7,734,316 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | BRL | 335,677 | USD | 59,773 | 12/02/2021 | 639,931 | ||||||||||||||||||
Natwest Markets PLC | MXN | 735,624 | USD | 36,026 | 01/13/2022 | 690,874 | ||||||||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | EUR | 72,127 | USD | 85,705 | 11/08/2021 | 2,315,511 | ||||||||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | USD | 14,424 | EUR | 12,270 | 11/08/2021 | (238,366 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | ZAR | 1,022 | USD | 71 | 11/24/2021 | 4,170 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (8,386,560 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 73 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
INTEREST RATE SWAPTIONS WRITTEN (see Note D)
Description | Index | Counterparty | Strike Rate | Expiration | Notional | Premiums Received | Market Value | |||||||||||||||||||||
Put | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
OTC – 1 Year Interest Rate Swap | | 3 Month LIBOR | | | JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | 1.56 | % | 11/01/2021 | USD | 25,200 | $ | 206,010 | $ | (62,024 | ) | ||||||||||||
OTC – 1 Year Interest Rate Swap | | 3 Month LIBOR | | | Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | | 1.68 | % | 11/22/2021 | USD | 24,617 | 205,552 | (91,051 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 411,562 | $ | (153,075 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Description | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-NAHY Series 37, 5 Year Index, 12/20/2026* | 5.00 | % | Quarterly | 3.05 | % | USD | 6,120 | $ | 577,574 | $ | 563,347 | $ | 14,227 | |||||||||||||||
iTraxxx Xover Series 36, 5 Year Index, 12/20/2026* | 5.00 | Quarterly | 2.62 | EUR | 13,220 | 1,790,010 | 1,832,386 | (42,376 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Russian Federation, 7.500%, 03/31/2030, 12/20/2026* | 1.00 | Quarterly | 0.83 | USD | 5,872 | 57,124 | 46,164 | 10,960 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 2,424,708 | $ | 2,441,897 | $ | (17,189 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 109,350 | 04/20/2023 | 2.850% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | $ | (3,899,309 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (3,899,309 | ) | ||||||||||||
USD | 46,860 | 04/02/2024 | 2.851% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (2,387,771 | ) | – 0 | – | (2,387,771 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 30,755 | 02/10/2025 | 2.034% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (1,147,434 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,147,434 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 6,010 | 06/09/2025 | 2.491% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (362,460 | ) | – 0 | – | (362,460 | ) |
74 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 10,000 | 01/11/2027 | 2.285% | | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | $ | (589,191 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (589,191 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 11,920 | 04/26/2027 | 2.287% | | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | (640,219 | ) | – 0 | – | (640,219 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (9,026,384 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (9,026,384 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BB | 5.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 4,810 | $ | (2,107,851 | ) | $ | (114,954 | ) | $ | (1,992,897 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BB | 5.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 3,848 | (1,686,281 | ) | (568,003 | ) | (1,118,278 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,187 | (329,294 | ) | (308,999 | ) | (20,295 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 162 | (45,011 | ) | (9,882 | ) | (35,129 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 2,227 | (617,807 | ) | (536,788 | ) | (81,019 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 2,227 | (617,807 | ) | (531,420 | ) | (86,387 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 643 | (178,379 | ) | (70,157 | ) | (108,222 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 2,969 | (823,650 | ) | (708,480 | ) | (115,170 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,146 | (317,920 | ) | (176,688 | ) | (141,232 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,529 | (424,170 | ) | (150,026 | ) | (274,144 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 3,250 | (901,604 | ) | (324,074 | ) | (577,530 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 5,000 | (1,387,083 | ) | (586,901 | ) | (800,182 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 5,000 | (1,387,083 | ) | (494,685 | ) | (892,398 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 5,000 | (1,387,084 | ) | (487,529 | ) | (899,555 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 5,300 | (1,470,309 | ) | (320,480 | ) | (1,149,829 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 9,557 | (2,651,272 | ) | (932,344 | ) | (1,718,928 | ) |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 75 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 9,557 | $ | (2,651,271 | ) | $ | (922,960 | ) | $ | (1,728,311 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 9,557 | (2,651,271 | ) | (922,960 | ) | (1,728,311 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 9,029 | (2,504,795 | ) | (752,631 | ) | (1,752,164 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 12,000 | (3,329,000 | ) | (1,468,360 | ) | (1,860,640 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 9,564 | (2,653,213 | ) | (579,608 | ) | (2,073,605 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 11,206 | (3,108,731 | ) | (674,207 | ) | (2,434,524 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 13,500 | (3,745,125 | ) | (1,153,390 | ) | (2,591,735 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 13,543 | (3,757,054 | ) | (1,123,231 | ) | (2,633,823 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 567 | (56,820 | ) | (21,670 | ) | (35,150 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,136 | (113,840 | ) | (44,239 | ) | (69,601 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 2,839 | (284,499 | ) | (108,501 | ) | (175,998 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 6,500 | (651,372 | ) | (338,648 | ) | (312,724 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 15,000 | (1,503,166 | ) | (408,721 | ) | (1,094,445 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 9,220 | (2,557,782 | ) | (1,075,676 | ) | (1,482,106 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 17,343 | (4,811,238 | ) | (2,073,307 | ) | (2,737,931 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 23,700 | (2,375,003 | ) | (1,001,641 | ) | (1,373,362 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 5.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 15,873 | (6,955,907 | ) | (3,460,672 | ) | (3,495,235 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 6,323 | (1,754,106 | ) | (989,218 | ) | (764,888 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 8,827 | (2,448,757 | ) | (1,400,834 | ) | (1,047,923 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 10,000 | (2,774,167 | ) | (1,529,011 | ) | (1,245,156 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 9,029 | (2,504,795 | ) | (749,038 | ) | (1,755,757 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 11,909 | (3,303,755 | ) | (1,333,965 | ) | (1,969,790 | ) |
76 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 13,000 | $ | (3,606,417 | ) | $ | (1,272,222 | ) | $ | (2,334,195 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 14,291 | (3,964,562 | ) | (1,603,825 | ) | (2,360,737 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 20,000 | (5,548,334 | ) | (2,787,401 | ) | (2,760,933 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 30,184 | (8,373,544 | ) | (4,058,276 | ) | (4,315,268 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Securities, LLC |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 5.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 3,606 | (1,580,045 | ) | (674,835 | ) | (905,210 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 5.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 3,722 | (1,631,054 | ) | (686,556 | ) | (944,498 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 3,000 | (832,250 | ) | (182,715 | ) | (649,535 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 4,514 | (1,252,259 | ) | (374,383 | ) | (877,876 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 9,543 | (2,647,387 | ) | (1,038,837 | ) | (1,608,550 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 293 | (29,366 | ) | (11,606 | ) | (17,760 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 547 | (151,747 | ) | (43,998 | ) | (107,749 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 7,808 | (2,166,069 | ) | (464,046 | ) | (1,702,023 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (104,611,306 | ) | $ | (41,652,598 | ) | $ | (62,958,708 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (see Note D)
Broker | Interest Rate | Maturity | U.S. $ Value at October 31, 2021 | |||||||||
First Boston† | (2.00 | )%* | — | $ | 589,570 | |||||||
First Boston† | (0.50 | )%* | — | 2,771,590 | ||||||||
First Boston† | (0.25 | )%* | — | 3,107,786 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 117,719,355 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 236,591,099 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 266,943,981 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank† | 0.07 | % | — | 40,316,973 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank† | 0.10 | % | — | 100,482,825 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank† | 0.13 | % | — | 542,728,445 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
$ | 1,311,251,624 | |||||||||||
|
|
* | Interest payment due from counterparty. |
† | The reverse repurchase agreement matures on demand. Interest rate resets daily and the rate shown is the rate in effect on October 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 77 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
The type of underlying collateral and the remaining maturity of open reverse repurchase agreements on the statements of assets and liabilities is as follows:
Overnight and Continuous | Up to 30 Days | 31-90 Days | Greater than 90 Days | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Government – Treasuries | $ | 1,304,782,678 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1,304,782,678 | |||||||
Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | 589,570 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 589,570 | ||||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Sovereigns | 3,107,786 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 3,107,786 | ||||||||||||
Governments – Sovereign Bonds | 2,771,590 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 2,771,590 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,311,251,624 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1,311,251,624 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
** | Principal amount less than 500. |
(a) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration. At October 31, 2021, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $1,563,711,663 or 33.7% of net assets. |
(b) | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize reverse repurchase agreements. |
(c) | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for open centrally cleared swaps. |
(d) | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize OTC derivatives outstanding. |
(e) | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for open futures contracts. |
(f) | Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date. |
(g) | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest/floor/ceiling rate was in effect at October 31, 2021. |
(h) | Security in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. |
(i) | Fair valued by the Adviser. |
(j) | Non-income producing security. |
(k) | Defaulted matured security. |
(l) | Pay-In-Kind Payments (PIK). The issuer may pay cash interest and/or interest in additional debt securities. Rates shown are the rates in effect at October 31, 2021. |
(m) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 0.34% of net assets as of October 31, 2021, are considered illiquid and restricted. Additional information regarding such securities follows: |
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
Athabasca Oil Corp. | 10/07/2021 | $ | 3,658,349 | $ | 3,799,094 | 0.08 | % | |||||||||
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Certificate Issuer Trust I | 09/27/2018 | 444,129 | 445,406 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Certificate Issuer Trust I | 09/04/2019 | 887,748 | 895,323 | 0.02 | % |
78 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Certificate Issuer Trust I | 10/09/2019 | $ | 393,482 | $ | 389,197 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. | 04/26/2021 | 467,814 | 125,015 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||
Digicel Group Holdings Ltd. | 06/19/2020 | 13,245 | 76,659 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||
Exide Global Holding NETH | 10/23/2020 | 948,245 | 1,102,696 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||||
Exide Technologies (Exchange Priority) | 10/26/2020 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 0.00 | % | |||||||||
Exide Technologies (First Lien) | 06/21/2019 | 692,006 | – 0 | – | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
Home Re Ltd. | 12/20/2019 | 2,068,354 | 2,060,317 | 0.04 | % | |||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 11/06/2015 | 496,124 | 483,294 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
JPMorgan Madison Avenue Securities Trust | 09/18/2015 | 889,198 | 899,578 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||||
Magnetation LLC/Mag Finance Corp. | 02/19/2015 | 861,787 | – 0 | – | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust | 02/11/2020 | 3,048,562 | 3,048,565 | 0.07 | % | |||||||||||
SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC | 07/19/2017 | 244,630 | 639,503 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC | 09/18/2017 | 351,099 | 351,099 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
SoFi Consumer Loan Program Trust | 02/01/2018 | 861,203 | 861,203 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||||
Terraform Global Operating LLC | 02/08/2018 | 289,000 | 296,184 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
Tonon Luxembourg SA | 01/16/2013 | 1,804,783 | 8,930 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||
Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA | 06/19/2013 | 3,510,948 | 47,498 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||
Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA | 06/09/2014 | 745,965 | 93,750 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||
Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA | 01/29/2014 | 916,308 | 8,471 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust | 09/06/2016 | 314,990 | 300,787 | 0.01 | % |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 79 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
(n) | Defaulted. |
(o) | Inverse interest only security. |
(p) | IO – Interest Only. |
(q) | The stated coupon rate represents the greater of the LIBOR or the LIBOR floor rate plus a spread at October 31, 2021. |
(r) | This position or a portion of this position represents an unsettled loan purchase. The coupon rate will be determined at the time of settlement and will be based upon the London-Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a premium which was determined at the time of purchase. |
(s) | Affiliated investments. |
(t) | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618. |
(u) | The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD – Australian Dollar
BRL – Brazilian Real
CAD – Canadian Dollar
COP – Colombian Peso
EUR – Euro
GBP – Great British Pound
IDR – Indonesian Rupiah
MXN – Mexican Peso
PEN – Peruvian Sol
RUB – Russian Ruble
USD – United States Dollar
ZAR – South African Rand
Glossary:
ABS – Asset-Backed Securities
BOBL – Bundesobligationen
CBT – Chicago Board of Trade
CDOR – Canadian Dealer Offered Rate
CDX-CMBX.NA – North American Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index
CDX-NAHY – North American High Yield Credit Default Swap Index
CLO – Collateralized Loan Obligations
CMBS – Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
JSC – Joint Stock Company
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
REMICs – Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits
SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TBA – To Be Announced
See notes to financial statements.
80 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
October 31, 2021
Assets |
| |||
Investments in securities, at value | ||||
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $6,109,077,556) | $ | 6,114,858,403 | ||
Affiliated issuers (cost $111,172,521) | 111,172,521 | |||
Cash | 2,080,085 | |||
Cash collateral due from broker | 2,773,000 | |||
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $22,000,275) | 22,289,330 | |||
Unaffiliated interest and dividends receivable | 65,721,394 | |||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 12,184,269 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 7,755,401 | |||
Receivable for investment securities sold | 4,160,954 | |||
Receivable for variation margin on futures | 703,759 | |||
Affiliated dividends receivable | 753 | |||
Other assets | 25,977 | |||
|
| |||
Total assets | 6,343,725,846 | |||
|
| |||
Liabilities | ||||
Swaptions written, at value (premiums received $411,562) | 153,075 | |||
Payable for reverse repurchase agreements | 1,311,251,624 | |||
Payable for investment securities purchased | 244,516,447 | |||
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums received $41,652,598) | 104,611,306 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 16,141,961 | |||
Payable for capital stock repurchased | 16,021,495 | |||
Cash collateral due to broker | 2,780,000 | |||
Advisory fee payable | 1,795,957 | |||
Dividends payable | 1,085,199 | |||
Foreign capital gains tax payable | 428,860 | |||
Distribution fee payable | 224,892 | |||
Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 72,986 | |||
Transfer Agent fee payable | 68,756 | |||
Administrative fee payable | 32,857 | |||
Directors’ fees payable | 6,359 | |||
Accrued expenses | 830,176 | |||
|
| |||
Total liabilities | 1,700,021,950 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 4,643,703,896 | ||
|
| |||
Composition of Net Assets | ||||
Capital stock, at par | $ | 587,836 | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 4,677,656,560 | |||
Accumulated loss | (34,540,500 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 4,643,703,896 | ||
|
|
Net Asset Value Per Share—33 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
Class | Net Assets | Shares Outstanding | Net Asset Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||||
A | $ | 265,989,547 | 33,708,052 | $ | 7.89 | * | ||||||
| ||||||||||||
C | $ | 194,362,531 | 24,601,562 | $ | 7.90 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Advisor | $ | 4,153,233,549 | 525,713,107 | $ | 7.90 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Z | $ | 30,118,269 | 3,813,544 | $ | 7.90 | |||||||
|
* | The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $8.24 which reflects a sales charge of 4.25%. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 81 |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended October 31, 2021
Investment Income | ||||||||
Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $78,811) | $ | 180,504,832 | ||||||
Dividends | ||||||||
Unaffiliated issuers | 560,638 | |||||||
Affiliated issuers | 6,114 | |||||||
Other income | 69,585 | $ | 181,141,169 | |||||
|
| |||||||
Expenses | ||||||||
Advisory fee (see Note B) | 20,199,894 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class A | 734,504 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class C | 2,128,683 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class A | 231,443 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class C | 167,399 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Advisor Class | 3,306,833 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class Z | 5,482 | |||||||
Custody and accounting | 309,892 | |||||||
Printing | 274,451 | |||||||
Audit and tax | 156,010 | |||||||
Registration fees | 146,231 | |||||||
Legal | 107,914 | |||||||
Administrative | 91,610 | |||||||
Directors’ fees | 80,350 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 143,927 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses before interest expense | 28,084,623 | |||||||
Interest expense | 904,556 | |||||||
Total expenses | 28,989,179 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | (626,044 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net expenses | �� | 28,363,135 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net investment income | 152,778,034 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment and Foreign Currency Transactions | ||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
Investment transactions(a) | 39,773,158 | |||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | (5,015,142 | ) | ||||||
Futures | (6,545,012 | ) | ||||||
Swaps | 14,313,751 | |||||||
Swaptions written | (51,432 | ) | ||||||
Foreign currency transactions | 7,743,352 | |||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | ||||||||
Investments(b) | (103,184,245 | ) | ||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | (10,514,739 | ) | ||||||
Futures | 7,682,398 | |||||||
Swaps | 22,431,504 | |||||||
Swaptions written | 258,487 | |||||||
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | 357,304 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | (32,750,616 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Contributions from Affiliates (see Note B) | 1,723,972 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations | $ | 121,751,390 | ||||||
|
|
(a) | Net of foreign realized capital gains taxes of $177,355. |
(b) | Net of decrease in accrued foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized gains of $109,037. |
See notes to financial statements.
82 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 152,778,034 | $ | 150,562,614 | ||||
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | 50,218,675 | 34,435,875 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | (82,969,291 | ) | (55,441,926 | ) | ||||
Contributions from Affiliates (see Note B) | 1,723,972 | – 0 | – | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net increase in net assets from operations | 121,751,390 | 129,556,563 | ||||||
Distributions to Shareholders | ||||||||
Class A | (9,801,938 | ) | (10,178,007 | ) | ||||
Class C | (5,496,599 | ) | (5,915,916 | ) | ||||
Advisor Class | (150,065,239 | ) | (156,640,759 | ) | ||||
Class Z(a) | (986,960 | ) | (437,740 | ) | ||||
Capital Stock Transactions | ||||||||
Net increase | 65,001,121 | 699,536,203 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total increase | 20,401,775 | 655,920,344 | ||||||
Net Assets | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 4,623,302,121 | 3,967,381,777 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
End of period | $ | 4,643,703,896 | $ | 4,623,302,121 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(a) | Commenced distribution on November 20, 2019 |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 83 |
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended October 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations | $ | 121,751,390 | ||||||
Reconciliation of net increase in net assets from operations to net decrease in cash from operating activities | ||||||||
Purchases of long-term investments | $ | (10,531,727,929 | ) | |||||
Purchases of short-term investments | (1,341,267,473 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments | 10,418,684,852 | |||||||
Proceeds from disposition of short-term investments | 1,267,160,834 | |||||||
Net realized gain on investment transactions and foreign currency transactions | (50,218,675 | ) | ||||||
Net realized loss on forward currency exchange contracts | (5,015,142 | ) | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | 82,969,291 | |||||||
Net accretion of bond discount and amortization of bond premium | 69,742,873 | |||||||
Inflation index adjustment | (993,974 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in receivable for investments sold | 119,001,149 | |||||||
Increase in interest receivable | (7,365,654 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in affiliated dividends receivable | 462 | |||||||
Increase in other assets | (25,977 | ) | ||||||
Increase in cash collateral due from broker | (782,000 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in payable for investments purchased | (793,304,536 | ) | ||||||
Increase in cash collateral due to broker | 1,570,000 | |||||||
Increase in advisory fee payable | 327,799 | |||||||
Increase in administrative fee payable | 6,098 | |||||||
Increase in Foreign capital gains tax payable | 428,860 | |||||||
Increase in Transfer Agent fee payable | 1,517 | |||||||
Decrease in distribution fee payable | (19,968 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in Directors’ fee payable | (833 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in accrued expenses | (306,400 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from swaptions written, net | 360,130 | |||||||
Proceeds on swaps, net | 9,723,850 | |||||||
Proceeds for exchange-traded derivatives settlements, net | 7,736,778 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total adjustments | (753,314,068 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (631,562,678 | ) | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
Redemptions of capital stock, net | (40,890,059 | ) | ||||||
Cash dividends paid (net of dividend reinvestments)† | (54,973,209 | ) | ||||||
Increase in reverse repurchase agreements | 740,624,508 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 644,761,240 | |||||||
Effect of exchange rate on cash | 8,100,656 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net increase in cash | 21,299,218 | |||||||
Cash at beginning of year | 3,070,197 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Cash at end of year | $ | 24,369,415 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||||||
† Reinvestment of dividends | $ | 111,191,049 | ||||||
Interest expense paid during the year | $ | 1,039,091 |
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Fund has included a Statement of Cash Flows as a result of its significant investments in reverse repurchase agreements throughout the year.
See notes to financial statements.
84 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2021
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Company, which is a Maryland corporation, operates as a series company comprised of 10 portfolios currently in operation. Each portfolio is considered to be a separate entity for financial reporting and tax purposes. This report relates only to the AB Income Fund (the “Fund”), a diversified portfolio. The Fund has authorized the issuance of Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class Z, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2 shares. Effective November 20, 2019, the Fund commenced offering Class Z shares. Class B, Class K, Class R, Class I, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2 shares have not been issued. 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 C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase, and 0% after the first year of purchase. Effective May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Prior to May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Advisor Class and Class Z shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. All eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”), which require 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 Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. 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 Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 85 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
In general, the market values 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures 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; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. 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, 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. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this
86 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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. To account for this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
• | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
• | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
• | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates,
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 87 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3.
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Options are valued using market-based inputs to models, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency, where such inputs and models are available. Alternatively, the values may be obtained through unobservable management determined inputs and/or management’s proprietary models. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value an option depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the option as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, measures of volatility and correlations of such inputs. Exchange traded options generally will be classified as Level 2. For options that do not trade on an exchange but trade in liquid markets, inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. Options are classified within Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy when all of the significant inputs can be corroborated to market evidence. Otherwise such instruments are classified as Level 3.
Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar
88 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
collateral and risk profiles, including relevant indices. Mortgage and asset-backed securities for which management has collected current observable data through pricing services are generally categorized within Level 2. Those investments for which current observable data has not been provided are classified as Level 3.
Bank loan prices are provided by third party pricing services and consist of a composite of the quotes received by the vendor into a consensus price. Certain bank loans are classified as Level 3, as a significant input used in the fair value measurement of these instruments is the market quotes that are received by the vendor and these inputs are not observable.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of October 31, 2021:
Investments in | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Governments – Treasuries | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 3,376,111,156 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 3,376,111,156 | ||||||
Corporates – Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 582,408,858 | – 0 | – | 582,408,858 | ||||||||||
Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 563,234,714 | 10,547,037 | (a) | 573,781,751 | ||||||||||
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | – 0 | – | 331,508,615 | – 0 | – | 331,508,615 | ||||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | – 0 | – | 256,606,002 | – 0 | – | 256,606,002 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Sovereigns | – 0 | – | 232,976,137 | – 0 | – | 232,976,137 | ||||||||||
Collateralized Loan Obligations | – 0 | – | 139,634,162 | – 0 | – | 139,634,162 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Corporate Bonds | – 0 | – | 124,916,818 | 8,930 | 124,925,748 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 89 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Investments in | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Bank Loans | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 95,725,257 | $ | 24,525,279 | $ | 120,250,536 | |||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 91,232,348 | – 0 | – | 91,232,348 | ||||||||||
Quasi-Sovereigns | – 0 | – | 63,722,682 | – 0 | – | 63,722,682 | ||||||||||
Governments – Sovereign Bonds | – 0 | – | 58,066,380 | – 0 | – | 58,066,380 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Treasuries | – 0 | – | 51,416,321 | – 0 | – | 51,416,321 | ||||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 38,604,374 | 1,851,805 | 40,456,179 | |||||||||||
Agencies | – 0 | – | 39,842,453 | – 0 | – | 39,842,453 | ||||||||||
Common Stocks | 8,168,524 | 718,652 | 4,680,210 | (a) | 13,567,386 | |||||||||||
Local Governments – US Municipal Bonds | – 0 | – | 10,431,270 | – 0 | – | 10,431,270 | ||||||||||
Preferred Stocks | 4,757,481 | – 0 | – | 3,158,647 | 7,916,128 | |||||||||||
Warrants | 4,291 | – 0 | – | 0 | (a) | 4,291 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Investments | 111,172,521 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 111,172,521 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total Investments in Securities | 124,102,817 | 6,057,156,199 | 44,771,908 | 6,226,030,924 | ||||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments(b): | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Futures | 12,003,933 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 12,003,933 | (c) | |||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | 7,755,401 | – 0 | – | 7,755,401 | ||||||||||
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | 2,424,708 | – 0 | – | 2,424,708 | (c) | |||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Futures | (6,442,561 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (6,442,561 | )(c) | ||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | (16,141,961 | ) | – 0 | – | (16,141,961 | ) | ||||||||
Interest Rate Swaptions Written | – 0 | – | (153,075 | ) | – 0 | – | (153,075 | ) | ||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | (9,026,384 | ) | – 0 | – | (9,026,384 | )(c) | ||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | (104,611,306 | ) | – 0 | – | (104,611,306 | ) | ||||||||
Reverse Repurchase Agreements | (1,311,251,624 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (1,311,251,624 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | (1,181,587,435 | ) | $ | 5,937,403,582 | $ | 44,771,908 | $ | 4,800,588,055 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(a) | The Fund held securities with zero market value at period end. |
(b) | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(c) | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 91 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. 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. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income. The Fund accounts for distributions received from REIT investments or from regulated investment companies as dividend income, realized gain, or return of capital based on information provided by the REIT or the investment company. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
6. 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. Expenses of the Company are charged proportionately to each fund or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. 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. GAAP. 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 .45% of the first $2.5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets, .40% of the excess over $2.5 billion up to $5 billion and .35% in excess of $5 billion, of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs) on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to .77%, 1.52%, .52%, and .52% of daily average net assets for Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, and Class Z
92 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
shares, respectively. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such reimbursement/waivers amounted to $599,105. The Expense Caps may not be terminated by the Adviser before January 31, 2022. Any fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser through April 22, 2018 are subject to repayment by the Fund until the end of the third fiscal year after the fiscal period in which the fee was waived or the expense was borne; such waivers that are subject to repayment amounted to $396,862 for the year ended October 31, 2018. In any case, no reimbursement payment will be made that would cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to exceed the Expense Caps’ net fee percentage set forth above.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $91,610.
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 $836,849 for the year ended October 31, 2021.
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 $27,325 from the sale of Class A shares and received $63,572 and $19,974 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2022. In connection with the investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such waiver amounted to $26,939.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 93 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
A summary of the Fund’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021 is as follows:
Fund | Market Value 10/31/20 (000) | Purchases at Cost (000) | Sales Proceeds (000) | Market Value 10/31/21 (000) | Dividend Income (000) | |||||||||||||||
Government Money Market Portfolio | $ | 26,220 | $ | 1,336,392 | $ | 1,251,439 | $ | 111,173 | $ | 6 |
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund $1,723,972 for trading losses incurred due to a trade entry error.
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 up to ..25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares and 1% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on the Advisor Class and Class Z shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. Since the commencement of the Fund’s operations, the Distributor has incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the amount of $920,786 for Class C shares. 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.
NOTE D
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended October 31, 2021 were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | $ | 1,450,161,774 | $ | 1,145,999,967 | ||||
U.S. government securities | 9,081,090,927 | 9,167,268,843 |
94 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
Cost | $ | 6,220,585,984 | ||
|
| |||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 257,023,891 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (243,595,992 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 13,427,899 | ||
|
|
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
• | Futures |
The Fund may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Fund bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Fund may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
At the time the Fund enters into futures, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 95 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Use of long futures subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held futures for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Fund may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Fund. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Option Transactions |
For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities, including government securities, and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. Among other things, the Fund may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.
96 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. 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. The Fund’s maximum payment for written put options equates to the number of shares multiplied by the strike price. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract. 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 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.
The Fund may also invest in options on swap agreements, also called “swaptions”. A swaption is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market-based “premium”. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return on a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties. The Fund’s
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 97 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
maximum payment for written put swaptions equates to the notional amount of the underlying swap. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held purchased swaptions for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held written swaptions for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Swaps |
The Fund may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk, equity markets or currencies. The Fund may also enter into swaps for non-hedging purposes as a means of gaining market exposures, making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions.” A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Fund in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Fund or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Fund accrues for the interim payments on swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for swaps
98 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Fund enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for centrally cleared swaps is generally less than non-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Interest Rate Swaps:
The Fund is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Fund holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Fund may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or, receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional amount.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 99 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
In addition, the Fund may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or “notional”) amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held interest rate swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Credit Default Swaps:
The Fund may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Fund, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Fund may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap, the Fund receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. If the Fund is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation. In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Fund for the same referenced obligations with the same counterparty.
Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Fund is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the
100 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Fund coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Fund.
Implied credit spreads over U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held credit default swaps for non-hedging purposes.
The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Fund’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Fund decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty table below for additional details.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 101 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund had entered into the following derivatives:
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative Type | Statement of | Fair Value | Statement of | Fair Value | ||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 12,003,933 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 6,442,561 | * | ||||
Credit contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 25,187 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 42,376 | * | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps |
| 9,026,384 | * | ||||||||
Foreign currency contracts |
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
|
7,755,401 |
|
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
|
16,141,961 |
| ||||
Interest rate contracts | Swaptions written, at value |
| 153,075 |
| ||||||||
Credit contracts | Market value on credit default swaps | 104,611,306 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 19,784,521 | $ | 136,417,663 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
102 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Derivative Type | Location of Gain | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | $ | (6,545,012 | ) | $ | 7,682,398 | ||||
Foreign currency contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | (5,015,142 | ) | (10,514,739 | ) | |||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | (109,751 | ) | (141,652 | ) | |||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaptions written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaptions written | (51,432 | ) | 258,487 | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | (5,359,284 | ) | 7,566,168 | ||||||
Credit contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | 19,673,035 | 14,865,336 | |||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | 2,592,414 | $ | 19,715,998 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Fund’s derivative transactions during the year ended October 31, 2021:
Futures: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 547,404,500 | ||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 520,763,706 | ||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | ||||
Average principal amount of buy contracts | $ | 165,919,761 | ||
Average principal amount of sale contracts | $ | 662,521,625 |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 103 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Purchased Swaptions: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 22,443,667 | (a) | |
Swaptions Written: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 57,797,333 | (b) | |
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 214,895,000 | ||
Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 396,824,922 | ||
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 4,254,000 | (b) | |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 49,697,402 |
(a) | Positions were open for two months during the year. |
(b) | Positions were open for six months during the year. |
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Received* | Security Collateral Received* | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | $ | 20,783 | $ | (20,783 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | ||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | 4,014,043 | (4,014,043 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 5,017 | (5,017 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 7,662 | (7,662 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | 697,341 | (697,341 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Natwest Markets PLC | 690,874 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 690,874 | ||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | 2,319,681 | (238,366 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 2,081,315 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 7,755,401 | $ | (4,983,212 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 2,772,189 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Security Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Bank of America, NA | $ | 188,441 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 188,441 | |||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | 2,115,935 | (20,783 | ) | – 0 | – | (2,095,152 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | 44,075,877 | (4,014,043 | ) | – 0 | – | (37,360,572 | ) | 2,701,262 | ||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | 9,978,717 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (9,978,717 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 1,613,441 | (5,017 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,608,424 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 43,792,623 | (7,662 | ) | (370,000 | ) | (43,414,961 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | 77,656 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 77,656 | ||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA/JPMorgan Securities, LLC | 8,005,019 | – 0 | – | (280,000 | ) | (7,725,019 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | 10,820,267 | (697,341 | ) | – 0 | – | (2,614,101 | ) | 7,508,825 | ||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | 238,366 | (238,366 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 120,906,342 | $ | (4,983,212 | ) | $ | (650,000 | ) | $ | (104,796,946 | ) | $ | 10,476,184 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
2. Currency Transactions
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 105 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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).
3. TBA and Dollar Rolls
The Fund may invest in TBA mortgage-backed securities. A TBA, or “To Be Announced”, trade represents a contract for the purchase or sale of mortgage-backed securities to be delivered at a future agree-upon date; however, the specific mortgage pool numbers or the number of pools that will be delivered to fulfill the trade obligation or terms of the contract are unknown at the time of the trade. Mortgage pools (including fixed-rate or variable-rate mortgages) guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association, or GNMA, the Federal National Mortgage Association, or FNMA, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or FHLMC, are subsequently allocated to the TBA transactions.
The Fund may enter into certain TBA transactions known as dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Fund of securities for delivery in the current month and the Fund’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund earned drop income of $2,073,501 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.
4. Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase transactions (“RVP”) in accordance with the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement (“MRA”), under which the Fund sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish a segregated account with the custodian containing liquid assets having a value comparable to the repurchase price. Under the MRA and other Master Agreements, the Fund is permitted to offset payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted to the counterparty and create one single net payment due to or from the Fund in the event of a default. In the event of a default by a MRA counterparty, the Fund may be considered an unsecured creditor with respect to any excess collateral (collateral with a market value in excess of
106 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
the repurchase price) held by and/or posted to the counterparty, and as such the return of such excess collateral may be delayed or denied. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding was $960,918,550 and the daily weighted average interest rate was 0.08%. At October 31, 2021, the Fund had reverse repurchase agreements outstanding in the amount of $1,311,251,624 as reported on the statement of assets and liabilities.
The following table presents the Fund’s RVP liabilities by counterparty net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021:
Counterparty | RVP Liabilities Subject to a MRA | Securities Collateral Pledged†* | Net Amount of RVP Liabilities | |||||||||
First Boston | $ | 6,468,946 | $ | (6,468,946 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | ||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc. | 621,254,435 | (620,753,902 | ) | 500,533 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank | 683,528,243 | (683,528,243 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | 1,311,251,624 | $ | (1,310,751,091 | ) | $ | 500,533 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
† | Including accrued interest. |
* | The actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount reported due to overcollateralization. |
5. Loan Participations and Assignments
The Fund may invest in direct debt instruments which are interests in amounts owed to lenders or lending syndicates by corporate, governmental, or other borrowers, either in the form of participations at the time the loan is originated (“Participations”) or by buying an interest in the loan in the secondary market from a financial institution or institutional investor (“Assignments”). A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution (the “Lender”) that acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the term of the loan as specified in the loan agreement. When investing in Participations, the Fund generally has no right to enforce compliance with the terms of the loan agreement with the borrower. In addition, when investing in Participations, the Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender and only upon receipt of payments by the Lender from the borrower. As a result, the Fund may be subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender. When the Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders, it will typically acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan. These loans may include participations in “bridge loans”, which are loans taken out by borrowers for a short period (typically less than six months) pending arrangement of more permanent financing through, for example, the issuance of bonds, frequently high-yield bonds issued for the purpose of acquisitions. The Fund may also participate in unfunded loan
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 107 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
commitments, which are contractual obligations for investing in future Participations, and may receive a commitment fee based on the amount of the commitment. Under these arrangements, the Fund may receive a fixed rate commitment fee and, if and to the extent the borrower borrows under the facility, the Fund may receive an additional funding fee.
Unfunded loan commitments and funded loans are marked to market daily.
As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had the following unfunded loan commitment which could be extended at the option of the borrower pursuant to the respective loan agreement. The unrealized appreciation on such loan commitment was $14,658.
Loan | Unfunded Loan Participation Commitments | Funded | ||||||
Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management, Inc. | $ | 472,267 | $ – 0 | – |
As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had no bridge loan commitments outstanding.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund received $50 of commitment fees.
NOTE E
Capital Stock
Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 12,693,420 | 21,145,246 | $ | 102,684,240 | $ | 167,807,929 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 794,420 | 794,985 | 6,379,937 | 6,292,343 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted from Class C | 356,137 | 197,566 | 2,859,271 | 1,553,543 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (16,512,385 | ) | (15,889,560 | ) | (132,616,025 | ) | (124,259,840 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | (2,668,408 | ) | 6,248,237 | $ | (20,692,577 | ) | $ | 51,393,975 | ||||||||||||||||
|
108 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 3,077,054 | 11,945,989 | $ | 24,874,379 | $ | 95,198,555 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 456,339 | 508,293 | 3,671,010 | 4,029,036 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted to Class A | (355,698 | ) | (197,320 | ) | (2,859,271 | ) | (1,553,543 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (5,920,156 | ) | (5,477,623 | ) | (47,610,467 | ) | (42,721,251 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | (2,742,461 | ) | 6,779,339 | $ | (21,924,349 | ) | $ | 54,952,797 | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advisor Class |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 167,986,666 | 265,870,110 | $ | 1,352,943,498 | $ | 2,104,021,251 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 12,483,656 | 12,977,218 | 100,377,691 | 102,871,686 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (168,770,779 | ) | (210,433,650 | ) | (1,357,710,463 | ) | (1,630,716,915 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 11,699,543 | 68,413,678 | $ | 95,610,726 | $ | 576,176,022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Z(a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 2,157,210 | 2,554,455 | $ | 17,350,447 | $ | 18,769,036 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 94,970 | 37,721 | 762,411 | 298,182 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (759,196 | ) | (271,616 | ) | (6,105,537 | ) | (2,053,809 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 1,492,984 | 2,320,560 | $ | 12,007,321 | $ | 17,013,409 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
(a) | Commenced distribution on November 20, 2019. |
NOTE F
Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund
Market Risk—The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 109 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk—Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments and negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Interest-Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Duration Risk—Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid as well as being subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Leverage Risk—When the Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in
110 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.
Illiquid Investments Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Mortgage-Related and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk—Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.
Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Active Trading Risk—The Fund expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate may greatly exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Fund’s return. In addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in substantial short-term gains, which may have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 111 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
LIBOR Transition and Associated Risk—A Fund may be exposed to debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various interest rate calculations. In 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The FCA and LIBOR’s administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration, have since announced that most LIBOR settings (which reflect LIBOR rates quoted in different currencies over various time periods) will no longer be published after the end of 2021 but that the most widely used U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published until June 30, 2023. However, banks were strongly encouraged to cease entering into agreements with counterparties referencing LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is possible that a subset of LIBOR settings will be published after these dates on a “synthetic” basis, but any such publications would be considered non-representative of the underlying market. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (referred to as SOFR), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates.
The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related investments or investments in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of hedging strategies, potentially adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. The potential effects of a phase out of LIBOR on LIBOR-based investments are currently unknown.
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
112 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
Management Risk—The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively-managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
NOTE G
Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing related to redemptions and other short term liquidity requirements, subject to certain restrictions. 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 year ended October 31, 2021.
NOTE H
Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020 were as follows:
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 166,350,736 | $ | 173,172,422 | ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total taxable distributions paid | $ | 166,350,736 | $ | 173,172,422 | ||||
|
|
|
|
As of October 31, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Accumulated capital and other losses | $ | (25,821,866 | )(a) | |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | 8,964,995 | (b) | ||
|
| |||
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | $ | (16,856,871 | )(c) | |
|
|
(a) | As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $6,276,058. During the fiscal year, the Fund utilized $49,285,069 of capital loss carry forwards to offset current year net realized gains. As of October 31, 2021, the cumulative deferred loss on straddles was $19,545,808. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, the tax treatment of grantor trusts, the tax treatment of callable bonds, the tax treatment of swaps, the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, and the tax treatment of partnership investments. |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 113 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(c)The | differences between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) are attributable primarily to the accrual of foreign capital gains tax, the tax treatment of defaulted securities, and dividends payable. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of October 31, 2021, the fund had a net long-term capital loss carryforward of $6,276,058, which may be carried forward for an indefinite period.
During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to contributions from the Adviser, the tax treatment of swaps, and taxable over distributions resulted in a net decrease in accumulated loss and a net decrease in additional paid-in capital. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets.
NOTE I
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU 2020-04.
NOTE J
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.
114 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.96 | $ 7.98 | $ 7.49 | $ 8.09 | $ 8.08 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .24 | .26 | .31 | .29 | .36 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.04 | ) | .02 | (c) | .53 | (.50 | ) | .05 | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | .00 | (d) | – 0 | – | .00 | (d) | .00 | (d) | .00 | (d) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .20 | .28 | .84 | (.21 | ) | .41 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.27 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.36 | ) | (.40 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.05 | ) | (.03 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.27 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.35 | ) | (.39 | ) | (.40 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 7.89 | $ 7.96 | $ 7.98 | $ 7.49 | $ 8.09 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e)* | 2.48 | % | 3.55 | % | 11.50 | % | (2.71 | )% | 5.17 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $265,990 | $289,619 | $240,567 | $232,931 | $165,294 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(f) | .79 | % | .78 | % | .77 | % | 1.08 | % | 1.03 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(f) | .80 | % | .80 | % | .83 | % | 1.16 | % | 1.11 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 3.04 | % | 3.24 | % | 4.02 | % | 3.73 | % | 4.42 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 166 | % | 246 | % | 270 | % | 105 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 119.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 115 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.97 | $ 7.99 | $ 7.50 | $ 8.10 | $ 8.09 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .18 | .20 | .25 | .23 | .30 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.04 | ) | .02 | (c) | .53 | (.50 | ) | .05 | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | .00 | (d) | – 0 | – | .00 | (d) | .00 | (d) | .00 | (d) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .14 | .22 | .78 | (.27 | ) | .35 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.21 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.34 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | (.03 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.21 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.33 | ) | (.34 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 7.90 | $ 7.97 | $ 7.99 | $ 7.50 | $ 8.10 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e)* | 1.71 | % | 2.77 | % | 10.65 | % | (3.43 | )% | 4.37 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $194,363 | $217,968 | $164,413 | $82,283 | $62,121 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(f) | 1.54 | % | 1.53 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.83 | % | 1.78 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(f) | 1.55 | % | 1.55 | % | 1.57 | % | 1.92 | % | 1.87 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 2.29 | % | 2.49 | % | 3.21 | % | 2.98 | % | 3.68 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 166 | % | 246 | % | 270 | % | 105 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 119.
116 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.97 | $ 7.99 | $ 7.50 | $ 8.10 | $ 8.09 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .26 | .27 | .33 | .31 | .41 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.04 | ) | .03 | (c) | .53 | (.50 | ) | .02 | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | .00 | (d) | – 0 | – | .00 | (d) | .00 | (d) | .00 | (d) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .22 | .30 | .86 | (.19 | ) | .43 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.29 | ) | (.32 | ) | (.31 | ) | (.38 | ) | (.42 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.06 | ) | (.03 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.29 | ) | (.32 | ) | (.37 | ) | (.41 | ) | (.42 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 7.90 | $ 7.97 | $ 7.99 | $ 7.50 | $ 8.10 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e)* | 2.73 | % | 3.80 | % | 11.76 | % | (2.46 | )% | 5.44 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000,000’s omitted) | $4,152 | $4,097 | $3,562 | $2,222 | $1,806 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(f) | .54 | % | .53 | % | .52 | % | .83 | % | .81 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(f) | .55 | % | .55 | % | .58 | % | .91 | % | .93 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 3.28 | % | 3.48 | % | 4.24 | % | 3.98 | % | 5.11 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 166 | % | 246 | % | 270 | % | 105 | % | 42 | % |
See footnote summary on page 119.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 117 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class Z | ||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | November 20, 2019(g) to October 31, 2020 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 7.97 | $ 7.97 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .27 | .27 | ||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.05 | ) | .03 | (c) | ||||
|
| |||||||
Net increase in net asset value from operations | .22 | .30 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.29 | ) | (.30 | ) | ||||
|
| |||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 7.90 | $ 7.97 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Return | ||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e)* | 2.78 | % | 3.89 | % | ||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $30,118 | $18,492 | ||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(f) | .49 | % | .48 | %^ | ||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(f) | .49 | % | .48 | %^ | ||||
Net investment income(b) | 3.32 | % | 3.49 | %^ | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 166 | % | 246 | % |
See footnote summary on page 119.
118 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(c) | Due to timing of sales and repurchase of capital shares, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share is not in accordance with the Fund’s change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions for the period. |
(d) | Amount is less than $.005. |
(e) | 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. |
(f) | The expense ratios, excluding interest expense are: |
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .77 | % | .77 | % | .77 | % | .77 | % | .77 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .78 | % | .79 | % | .82 | % | .85 | % | .85 | % | ||||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.52 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.52 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.53 | % | 1.54 | % | 1.57 | % | 1.60 | % | 1.61 | % | ||||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .52 | % | .52 | % | .52 | % | .52 | % | .54 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .53 | % | .54 | % | .57 | % | .60 | % | .65 | % | ||||||||||
Class Z | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .47 | % | .46 | % | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .47 | % | .46 | % | N/A | N/A | N/A |
(g) | Commencement of distributions. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received by the Fund in connection with a trade-error reimbursement from the Adviser, which enhanced performance by .04% for the year ended October 31, 2021. |
** | The Fund accounts for dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 119 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of AB Income Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AB Income Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2021, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc.) at October 31, 2021, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and
120 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)
disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more of the AB investment companies since 1968.
New York, New York
December 29, 2021
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 121 |
2021 FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
(unaudited)
For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during the taxable year ended October 31, 2021. For foreign shareholders, 66.43% of ordinary income dividends paid may be considered to be qualifying to be taxed as interest-related dividends.
Shareholders should not use the above information to prepare their income tax returns. The information necessary to complete your income tax returns will be included with your Form 1099-DIV which will be sent to you separately in January 2022.
122 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1), Chairman Jorge A. Bermudez(1) Michael J. Downey(1) Onur Erzan, President and Chief Executive Officer | Nancy P. Jacklin(1) Jeanette W. Loeb(1) Carol C. McMullen(1) Garry L. Moody(1) Earl D. Weiner(1)* |
OFFICERS
Scott A. DiMaggio(2), Vice President Gershon M. Distenfeld(2), Matthew S. Sheridan(2), Vice President Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary | Michael B. Reyes, Senior Analyst Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Phyllis J. Clarke, Controller |
Custodian and Accounting Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company State Street Corporation CCB/5 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02210
Principal Underwriter AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. 501 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203
Transfer Agent AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278 Toll-Free (800) 221-5672 | Independent Registered Public Ernst & Young LLP One Manhattan West
Legal Counsel Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 |
1 | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee. |
2 | The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s U.S. Investment Grade: Core Fixed Income Investment Team. Messrs. DiMaggio, Distenfeld, and Sheridan are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. |
* | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 123 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Directors Information
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INTERESTED DIRECTOR | ||||||||
Onur Erzan,# 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105 45 (2021) | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and Head of the Global Client Group overseeing AB’s institutional and retail businesses, where he is responsible for all client services, sales and marketing, as well as product strategy, management and development worldwide. Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AB Mutual Funds as of April 1, 2021. Prior to joining the firm in January 2021, he spent 20 years with McKinsey (management consulting firm), most recently as a senior partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice. In addition, he co-led McKinsey’s Banking & Securities Solutions (a portfolio of data, analytics, and digital assets and capabilities) globally. | 74 | None | |||||
124 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS | ||||||||
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,## Chairman of the Board 80 (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Former Chairman and CEO of Dupont Photomasks, Inc. (components of semi-conductor manufacturing). He was a Director of Xilinx, Inc. (programmable logic semi-conductors and adaptable, intelligent computing) from 2007 through August 2020, and is a former director of 33 other companies and organizations. He has extensive operating leadership and venture capital investing experience, including five interim or full-time CEO roles, and prior service as general partner of institutional venture capital partnerships. He also has extensive non-profit board leadership experience, and currently serves on the boards of two education and science-related non-profit organizations. He has served as a director of one AB Fund since 1992, and director or trustee of all AB Funds since 2005. He has been Chairman of the AB Funds since January 2014, and the Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of such AB Funds since February 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 125 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Jorge A. Bermudez,## 70 (2020) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, from November 2007 to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s Commercial Business Group in North America and Citibank Texas from 2005 to 2007, and a variety of other executive and leadership roles at various businesses within Citigroup prior to then; Chairman (2018) of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees (Trustee since 2013) and Chairman of the Smart Grid Center Board at Texas A&M University since 2012; director of, among others, Citibank N.A. from 2005 to 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch from 2009 to 2011, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2011 to 2017, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas from 2010 to 2016. He has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since January 2020. | 74 | Moody’s Corporation since April 2011 |
126 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Michael J. Downey,## 77 | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chairman of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (registered investment company) since prior to 2016 until January 2019. From 1987 until 1993, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management, director of the Prudential mutual funds, and member of the Executive Committee of Prudential Securities Inc. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2005. | 74 | None | |||||
Nancy P. Jacklin,## 73 (2006) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Professorial Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (2008-2015). U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (which is responsible for ensuring the stability of the international monetary system), (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2006 and has been Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds since August 2014. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 127 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Jeanette W. Loeb,## 69 (2020) | Chief Executive Officer of PetCareRx (e-commerce pet pharmacy) from 2002 to 2011 and 2015 to present. Director of New York City Center since 2005. She was a director of AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund, Inc. (fund of hedge funds) from 2012 to 2018. Formerly, affiliated with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (financial services) from 1977 to 1994, including as a partner thereof from 1986 to 1994. She has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since April 2020. | 74 | Apollo Investment Corp. (business development company) since August 2011 |
128 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Carol C. McMullen,## 66 (2016) | Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) since 2014, private investor and a member of the Advisory Board of Butcher Box (since 2018). Formerly, member, Partners Healthcare Investment Committee (2010-2019); Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011 until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016; and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 to 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Chief Investment Officer, Core and Growth and Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards, and as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since June 2016. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 129 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Garry L. Moody,## 69 (2008) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995), where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975-1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax department. He is a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of BoardIQ, a biweekly publication focused on issues and news affecting directors of mutual funds. He is also a member of the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and the Independent Directors Council’s Governing Council. He has served as a director or trustee, and as Chairman of the Audit Committees, of the AB Funds since 2008. | 74 | None | |||||
130 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Earl D. Weiner,##^ (2007) | Senior Counsel since 2017, Of Counsel from 2007 to 2016, and Partner prior to then, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. He is a former member of the ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force to draft editions of the Fund Director’s Guidebook. He also serves as a director or trustee of various non-profit organizations and has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of a number of them. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2007 and served as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds from 2007 until August 2014. | 72 | None |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention: Legal & Compliance Dept. Mutual Fund Legal, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105 |
** | There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors. |
*** | The information above includes each Director’s principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to each Director’s qualifications to serve as a Director, which led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director for the Fund. |
# | Mr. Erzan is an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to this position as a Senior Vice President of the Adviser. |
## | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee. |
^ | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 131 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
Officer Information
Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE | POSITION(S) HELD WITH FUND | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS | ||
Onur Erzan 45 | President and Chief Executive Officer | See biography above. | ||
Scott A. DiMaggio 50 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also co-Head of Fixed-Income. | ||
Gershon M. Distenfeld 46 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also co-Head of Fixed Income. | ||
Matthew S. Sheridan 47 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Emilie D. Wrapp 66 | Secretary | Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Michael B. Reyes 45 | Senior Analyst | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Joseph J. Mantineo 62 | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”**), with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Phyllis J. Clarke 60 | Controller | Vice President of ABIS**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Vincent S. Noto 57 | Chief Compliance Officer | Senior Vice President and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser** since prior to 2016. |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Fund. |
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AB at (800) 227-4618, or visit www.abfunds.com for a free prospectus or SAI.
132 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
Operation and Effectiveness of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program:
In October 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the open-end fund liquidity rule (the “Liquidity Rule”). In June 2018 the SEC adopted a requirement that funds disclose information about the operation and effectiveness of their Liquidity Risk Management Program (“LRMP”) in their reports to shareholders.
One of the requirements of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund to designate an Administrator of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The Administrator of the Fund’s LRMP is AllianceBernstein L.P., the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser has delegated the responsibility to its Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).
Another requirement of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Fund Board”) to receive an annual written report from the Administrator of the LRMP, which addresses the operation of the Fund’s LRMP and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness. The Adviser provided the Fund Board with such annual report during the first quarter of 2021, which covered the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the “Program Reporting Period”).
The LRMP’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner.
Pursuant to the LRMP, the Fund classifies the liquidity of its portfolio investments into one of the four categories defined by the SEC: Highly Liquid, Moderately Liquid, Less Liquid, and Illiquid. These classifications are reported to the SEC on Form N-PORT.
During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end structure, incorporating any holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. If the Fund participated in derivative transactions, the exposure from such transactions were considered in the LRMP.
The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether the Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”). The Committee also incorporated the following information when determining the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size for purposes of liquidity monitoring: historical net redemption activity, a Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, investment performance, total net assets, and distribution channels.
The Adviser informed the Fund Board that the Committee believes the Fund’s LRMP is adequately designed, has been implemented as intended,
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 133 |
and has operated effectively since its inception. No material exceptions have been noted since the implementation of the LRMP. During the Program Reporting Period, beginning in March 2020, all financial markets experienced extreme levels of price volatility and relative illiquidity resulting from the COVID-19 impacts on the global economy. This extreme relative illiquidity resulted in significantly wider bid-ask spreads to transact in securities, including many of those securities held by the Fund, and in a diminished depth of liquidity in most markets, to varying degrees. Nonetheless, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions during the Program Reporting Period.
134 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Income Fund (the “Fund”) at a meeting held by video conference on November 3-5, 2020 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests a portion of its assets.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 135 |
judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2018 and 2019 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution
136 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of certain classes of the Fund’s shares; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1- and 3-year periods ended July 31, 2020 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees payable by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and noted that the fee rate for the period reviewed was above the median but that, due to subsequent increases in assets, the Fund had crossed a breakpoint and the effective fee rate was currently equal to the median. The directors took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 137 |
The Adviser informed the directors that there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that utilize investment strategies similar to those of the Fund.
The directors noted that the Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts, and that the Adviser had provided, and they had reviewed, information about the expense ratios of the relevant ETFs. The directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Fund would be for services in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels and that the Fund’s net assets were above the first breakpoint level. Accordingly, the Fund’s current effective advisory fee rate reflected a reduction due to the breakpoint and would be further reduced to the extent the net assets of the Fund increase. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that
138 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s breakpoint arrangements were acceptable and provide a means for sharing economies of scale.
abfunds.com | AB INCOME FUND | 139 |
This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.
AB FAMILY OF FUNDS
US EQUITY
CORE
Core Opportunities Fund
Select US Equity Portfolio
Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio1
GROWTH
Concentrated Growth Fund
Discovery Growth Fund
Growth Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
VALUE
Discovery Value Fund
Equity Income Fund
Relative Value Fund
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value Fund
INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY
CORE
Global Core Equity Portfolio
International Strategic Core Portfolio
Sustainable Global Thematic Fund
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
GROWTH
Concentrated International Growth Portfolio
Sustainable International Thematic Fund
VALUE
All China Equity Portfolio
International Value Fund
FIXED INCOME
MUNICIPAL
High Income Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio
Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
National Portfolio
Arizona Portfolio
California Portfolio
Massachusetts Portfolio
Minnesota Portfolio
New Jersey Portfolio
New York Portfolio
Ohio Portfolio
Pennsylvania Portfolio
Virginia Portfolio
TAXABLE
Bond Inflation Strategy
Global Bond Fund
High Income Fund
High Yield Portfolio1
Income Fund
Intermediate Duration Portfolio
Limited Duration High Income Portfolio
Short Duration Income Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Total Return Bond Portfolio
ALTERNATIVES
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Select US Long/Short Portfolio
MULTI-ASSET
All Market Income Portfolio
All Market Total Return Portfolio
Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio
Global Risk Allocation Fund
Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio1
Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio
CLOSED-END FUNDS
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund
We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB mutual funds. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
1 | Prior to December 1, 2021, Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio was named Conservative Wealth Strategy. Prior to August 23, 2021, Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio was named FlexFee™ US Thematic Portfolio. Prior to April 30, 2021, High Yield Portfolio was named FlexFee™ High Yield Portfolio. |
140 | AB INCOME FUND | abfunds.com |
AB INCOME FUND
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800 221 5672
IF-0151-1021
OCT 10.31.21
ANNUAL REPORT
AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically requested paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper form free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call the Fund at (800) 221 5672. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly, to all AB Mutual Funds you hold.
Investment Products Offered | • Are Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
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 AB’s website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB 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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT 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. AB publishes full portfolio holdings for the Fund monthly at www.abfunds.com.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
FROM THE PRESIDENT |
Dear Shareholder,
We’re pleased to provide this report for the AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy (the “Fund”). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Fund’s investment strategy.
At AB, we’re striving to help our clients achieve better outcomes by:
+ | Fostering diverse perspectives that give us a distinctive approach to navigating global capital markets |
+ | Applying differentiated investment insights through a connected global research network |
+ | Embracing innovation to design better ways to invest and leading-edge mutual-fund solutions |
Whether you’re an individual investor or a multibillion-dollar institution, we’re putting our knowledge and experience to work for you every day.
For more information about AB’s comprehensive range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.
Thank you for your investment in AB mutual funds—and for placing your trust in our firm.
Sincerely,
Onur Erzan
President and Chief Executive Officer, AB Mutual Funds
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 1 |
ANNUAL REPORT
December 8, 2021
This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for the AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy for the annual period ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize real after-tax return for investors subject to federal income taxes, without undue risk to principal.
NAV RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
6 Months | 12 Months | |||||||
AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY1 | ||||||||
Class 1 Shares2 | 2.63% | 9.01% | ||||||
Class 2 Shares2 | 2.68% | 9.21% | ||||||
Class A Shares | 2.54% | 8.89% | ||||||
Class C Shares | 2.17% | 8.12% | ||||||
Advisor Class Shares3 | 2.66% | 9.14% | ||||||
Bloomberg 1-10 Year TIPS Index | 3.55% | 7.05% |
1 | Includes the impact of proceeds received by the Fund in connection with a trade-error reimbursement from the Adviser, which enhanced performance for the six- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2021, by 0.03% and 0.03%, respectively. |
2 | Class 1 shares are only available to Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts. Class 2 shares are only available to large Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts and the Adviser’s institutional clients or through other limited arrangements. |
3 | Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The table above shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg 1-10 Year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”) Index, for the six- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2021.
All share classes of the Fund outperformed the benchmark for the 12-month period, but underperformed for the six-month period, before sales charges. The Fund invests primarily in municipal bonds and uses tax-efficient hedges for inflation protection. During the 12-month period, the Fund’s allocation to municipal bonds and overweight to municipal credit contributed, while the Fund’s allocation to municipals detracted during the six-month period as Treasuries outperformed. The use of Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) swaps, a more tax-efficient way of achieving inflation protection, contributed to absolute performance over both periods, was
2 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
neutral relative to the benchmark over the 12-month period and was positive relative to the benchmark over the six-month period.
The Fund utilized derivatives in the form of CPI swaps for hedging purposes, which added to absolute performance for both periods. Interest rate swaps were utilized for hedging purposes and had no material impact on performance for either period. Credit default swaps were utilized for investment purposes and had no material impact on performance for either period.
MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Yields have risen so far in 2021, particularly late in the reporting period, as investors have begun to digest the implications of the US Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) tapering of its asset purchase program and the likelihood of short-term interest-rate hikes next year. Even with the expected change in policy from the Fed, municipals continued to perform well over both the six- and 12-month time periods ending October 31, 2021. Heavy investor demand was a key driver of relative outperformance versus other investment-grade fixed-income sectors. Industry-wide flows into municipal bond funds were positive in 76 of the last 77 weeks of the period. Through October, investors added $92 billion into muni funds this year, just a few billion shy of the calendar-year record set back in 2019.
Additionally, strengthening credit fundamentals and attractive credit spreads caused excess demand for municipal credit. BBB and high-yield rated municipal indices outperformed more highly rated bonds significantly as credit spreads compressed. Toward the end of the period, the market began to experience some modest spread widening in certain idiosyncratic issuers and sectors. The Fund’s Senior Investment Management Team (the “Team”) views this spread widening as a reflection of spreads being too tight in certain sectors and not reflective of weakening fundamentals.
The Team continues to focus on real after-tax return by investing in municipal bonds that generate income exempt from federal income taxes. In seeking to manage volatility and interest-rate risk, the Team focuses on intermediate-term bonds and seeks to provide inflation protection by entering into inflation swap agreements or investing in other inflation-protected instruments.
The Fund may purchase municipal securities that are insured under policies issued by certain insurance companies. Historically, insured municipal securities typically received a higher credit rating, which meant that the issuer of the securities paid a lower interest rate. As a result of declines in the credit quality and associated downgrades of most bond insurers, insurance has less value than it did in the past. The market now values insured municipal securities primarily based on the credit quality of the issuer of the security with little value given to the insurance feature. In purchasing such insured securities, the Adviser evaluates the risk and
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 3 |
return of municipal securities through its own research. If an insurance company’s rating is downgraded or the company becomes insolvent, the prices of municipal securities insured by the insurance company may decline. As of October 31, 2021, the Fund’s percentages of investments in municipal bonds that are insured and in insured municipal bonds that have been pre-refunded or escrowed to maturity were 3.30% and 0.00%, respectively.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund seeks real after-tax return for investors subject to federal income taxes. Real return is the rate of return after adjusting for inflation. The Fund pursues its objective by investing principally in high-quality, predominantly investment-grade, municipal securities that pay interest exempt from federal taxation. As a fundamental policy, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities. These securities may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for some taxpayers.
The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in fixed-income securities rated A or better or the equivalent by one or more national rating agencies or deemed to be of comparable credit quality by the Adviser. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in fixed-income securities rated BB or B or the equivalent by one or more national rating agencies (or deemed to be of comparable credit quality by the Adviser), which are not investment grade (“junk bonds”). If the rating of a fixed-income security falls below investment-grade, the Fund will not be obligated to sell the security and may continue to hold it if, in the Adviser’s opinion, the investment is appropriate under the circumstances.
The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with any maturity and duration.
To provide inflation protection, the Fund will typically enter into inflation swaps. The Fund may use other inflation-indexed instruments. Payments to the Fund pursuant to swaps will result in taxable income, either ordinary income or capital gains, rather than income exempt from federal income taxation. It is expected that the Fund’s primary use of derivatives will be for the purpose of inflation protection.
The Fund may also invest in forward commitments; zero-coupon municipal securities and variable-, floating- and inverse-floating-rate municipal securities; certain types of mortgage-related securities; and derivatives, such as options, futures contracts, forwards and swaps.
(continued on next page)
4 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
The Fund may utilize leverage for investment purposes through the use of tender option bond (“TOB”) transactions. The Adviser considers the impact of TOB transactions, swaps and other derivatives in making its assessments of the Fund’s risks. The resulting exposures to markets, sectors, issuers or specific securities will be continuously monitored by the Adviser.
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 5 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS
Benchmark Disclosure
The Bloomberg 1-10 Year TIPS Index is unmanaged and does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Bloomberg 1-10 Year TIPS Index represents the performance of inflation-protected securities issued by the US Treasury. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Fund.
A Word About Risk
Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond market fluctuates. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security. Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations.
Municipal Market Risk: This is the risk that special factors may adversely affect the value of municipal securities and have a significant effect on the yield or value of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities. These factors include economic conditions, political or legislative changes, public health crises, uncertainties related to the tax status of municipal securities, or the rights of investors in these securities. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in a particular state’s municipal securities, the Fund is vulnerable to events adversely affecting that state, including economic, political and regulatory occurrences, court decisions, terrorism, public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness) and catastrophic natural disasters, such as hurricanes, fires or earthquakes. For example, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly stressed the financial resources of many issuers of municipal securities, which could impair any such issuer’s ability to meet its financial obligations when due and adversely impact the value of its securities held by the Fund. As the full effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on state and local economies and on issuers of municipal securities are still
6 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
uncertain, the financial difficulties of issuers of municipal securities may continue or worsen, adversely affecting the performance of the Fund. The Fund’s investments in certain municipal securities with principal and interest payments that are made from the revenues of a specific project or facility, and not general tax revenues, may have increased risks. Factors affecting the project or facility, such as local business or economic conditions, could have a significant effect on the project’s ability to make payments of principal and interest on these securities.
Congress has previously considered making changes to the municipal securities provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that could change the US federal income tax treatment of certain types of municipal securities.
Interest-Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Duration Risk: Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk: This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk: To the extent the Fund uses leveraging techniques, such as TOB transactions, its net asset value (“NAV”) may be more volatile because
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 7 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of changes in interest rates and any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments.
Illiquid Investments Risk: Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest-rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally go down.
Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
An Important Note About Historical Performance
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown in this report 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.abfunds.com. For Class 1 shares, go to www.bernstein.com and click on “Investments”, found in the footer, then “Mutual Fund Information—Mutual Fund Performance at a Glance.”
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 3.00% maximum front-end sales charge for Class A shares and a 1% 1-year contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares. Class 1 and 2 shares do not carry sales charges. 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.
8 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE FUND (unaudited)
10/31/2011 TO 10/31/2021
This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy Class A shares (from 10/31/2011 to 10/31/2021) as compared to the performance of the Fund’s benchmark. The chart reflects the deduction of the maximum 3.00% sales charge from the initial $10,000 investment in the Fund and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 9 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
NAV Returns | SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | SEC Yields1 | Taxable Equivalent Yields2 | |||||||||||||
CLASS 1 SHARES3 | 0.37% | 0.57% | ||||||||||||||
1 Year | 9.01% | 9.01% | ||||||||||||||
5 Years | 3.63% | 3.63% | ||||||||||||||
10 Years | 2.61% | 2.61% | ||||||||||||||
CLASS 2 SHARES3 | 0.47% | 0.72% | ||||||||||||||
1 Year | 9.21% | 9.21% | ||||||||||||||
5 Years | 3.75% | 3.75% | ||||||||||||||
10 Years | 2.71% | 2.71% | ||||||||||||||
CLASS A SHARES | 0.18% | 0.28% | ||||||||||||||
1 Year | 8.89% | 5.60% | ||||||||||||||
5 Years | 3.48% | 2.85% | ||||||||||||||
10 Years | 2.43% | 2.12% | ||||||||||||||
CLASS C SHARES | -0.55% | -0.85% | ||||||||||||||
1 Year | 8.12% | 7.12% | ||||||||||||||
5 Years | 2.72% | 2.72% | ||||||||||||||
10 Years4 | 1.69% | 1.69% | ||||||||||||||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES5 | 0.43% | 0.66% | ||||||||||||||
1 Year | 9.14% | 9.14% | ||||||||||||||
5 Years | 3.74% | 3.74% | ||||||||||||||
10 Years | 2.71% | 2.71% |
The Fund’s current prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.67%, 0.57%, 0.85%, 1.61% and 0.60% for Class 1, Class 2, Class A, Class C and Advisor Class shares, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Fund’s annual operating expense ratios, exclusive of extraordinary expenses, interest expense, and acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, to 0.60%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.50% and 0.50% for Class 1, Class 2, Class A, Class C and Advisor Class shares, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements may not be terminated prior to January 31, 2022, and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower. 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.
1 | SEC yields are calculated based on SEC guidelines for the 30-day period ended October 31, 2021. |
2 | Taxable equivalent yields are based on SEC yields and a 35% marginal federal income tax rate and maximum state taxes where applicable. |
3 | Class 1 shares are only available to Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts. Class 2 shares are only available to large Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts and the Adviser’s institutional clients or through other limited arrangements. |
4 | Assumes conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares after eight years. |
5 | This share class is offered at NAV to eligible investors and the SEC returns are the same as the NAV returns. Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
10 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 (unaudited)
SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | ||||
CLASS 1 SHARES1 | ||||
1 Year | 8.40% | |||
5 Years | 3.51% | |||
10 Years | 2.52% | |||
CLASS 2 SHARES1 | ||||
1 Year | 8.50% | |||
5 Years | 3.63% | |||
10 Years | 2.63% | |||
CLASS A SHARES | ||||
1 Year | 4.92% | |||
5 Years | 2.73% | |||
10 Years | 2.05% | |||
CLASS C SHARES | ||||
1 Year | 6.41% | |||
5 Years | 2.60% | |||
10 Years2 | 1.61% | |||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES3 | ||||
1 Year | 8.54% | |||
5 Years | 3.64% | |||
10 Years | 2.63% |
1 | Class 1 shares are only available to Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts. Class 2 shares are only available to large Bernstein Global Wealth Management private client accounts and the Adviser’s institutional clients or through other limited arrangements. |
2 | Assumes conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares after eight years. |
3 | Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 11 |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
(unaudited)
As a shareholder of a mutual fund, you may 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 in this line, 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 in the first line 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 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.
12 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (continued)
Beginning Account Value May 1, 2021 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2021 | Expenses Paid During Period* | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,025.40 | $ | 3.83 | 0.75 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.42 | $ | 3.82 | 0.75 | % | ||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.70 | $ | 7.64 | 1.50 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,017.64 | $ | 7.63 | 1.50 | % | ||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,026.60 | $ | 2.55 | 0.50 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.68 | $ | 2.55 | 0.50 | % | ||||||||
Class 1 | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,026.30 | $ | 3.06 | 0.60 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.18 | $ | 3.06 | 0.60 | % | ||||||||
Class 2 | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,026.80 | $ | 2.55 | 0.50 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.68 | $ | 2.55 | 0.50 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
** | Assumes 5% annual return before expenses. |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 13 |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $2,015.8
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s quality rating breakdown is expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s total investments in municipal securities and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). The quality ratings are determined by using the S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Services, Inc.(“Moody’s”) and Fitch Ratings, Ltd.(“Fitch”). The Fund considers the credit ratings issued by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch and uses the highest rating issued by the agencies. These ratings are a measure of the quality and safety of a bond or portfolio, based on the issuer’s financial condition. AAA is the highest (best) and D is the lowest (worst). If applicable, the pre-refunded category includes bonds which are secured by U.S. Government securities and therefore are deemed high-quality investment grade by the Adviser. If applicable, Not Applicable (N/A) includes non-creditworthy investments such as equities, currency contracts, futures and options. If applicable, the Not Rated category includes bonds that are not rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. The Adviser evaluates the creditworthiness of non-rated securities based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, cash flows, enterprise value and economic environment. |
14 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2021
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS – 95.4% |
| |||||||
Long-Term Municipal Bonds – 90.7% |
| |||||||
Alabama – 1.1% |
| |||||||
Alabama Special Care Facilities Financing Authority-Birmingham AL | $ | 3,905 | $ | 4,458,180 | ||||
Infirmary Health System Special Care Facilities Financing Authority of Mobile | 2,110 | 2,399,963 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 1,675 | 1,957,330 | ||||||
Special Care Facilities Financing Authority of the City of Pell City Alabama | 11,235 | 11,278,393 | ||||||
Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority | 1,468 | 1,567,870 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
21,661,736 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
American Samoa – 0.1% |
| |||||||
American Samoa Economic Development Authority | 1,335 | 1,550,512 | ||||||
Series 2018 | 295 | 359,369 | ||||||
7.125%, 09/01/2038(a) | 280 | 361,673 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,271,554 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Arizona – 2.3% |
| |||||||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority | 500 | 530,535 | ||||||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority | 935 | 1,118,205 | ||||||
5.00%, 11/01/2031-11/01/2033 | 2,350 | 2,989,642 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 15 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority | $ | 1,800 | $ | 2,126,403 | ||||
5.00%, 02/01/2026-02/01/2031(b) | 4,750 | 5,921,968 | ||||||
Arizona State University | 3,220 | 3,349,158 | ||||||
City of Glendale AZ | 4,000 | 3,994,354 | ||||||
City of Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. | 1,995 | 2,058,931 | ||||||
City of Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. | 3,945 | 4,760,784 | ||||||
City of Tempe AZ | 2,400 | 2,343,606 | ||||||
Maricopa County Special Health Care District | 4,595 | 4,742,249 | ||||||
Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District | 3,140 | 3,152,257 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 2,750 | 3,506,318 | ||||||
State of Arizona Lottery Revenue | 5,000 | 6,301,524 | ||||||
Tempe Industrial Development Authority | 65 | 65,019 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
46,960,953 | ||||||||
|
|
16 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Arkansas – 0.5% |
| |||||||
University of Arkansas | $ | 9,335 | $ | 9,558,994 | ||||
|
| |||||||
California – 8.0% |
| |||||||
California Community Housing Agency | 3,315 | 3,456,318 | ||||||
California Housing Finance | 992 | 1,142,874 | ||||||
Series 2021-2 | 2,500 | 167,698 | ||||||
3.75%, 03/25/2035 | 4,995 | 5,909,678 | ||||||
California Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank | 1,750 | 1,749,753 | ||||||
California Pollution Control Financing Authority | 250 | 204,794 | ||||||
California State Public Works Board | 10,000 | 10,592,441 | ||||||
California State University | 1,000 | 992,389 | ||||||
City of Los Angeles Department of Airports | 1,000 | 1,225,334 | ||||||
Series 2021-A | 4,000 | 5,076,886 | ||||||
CMFA Special Finance Agency VII | 1,000 | 1,034,259 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 17 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
CMFA Special Finance Agency VIII Elan Huntington Beach | $ | 1,500 | $ | 1,550,139 | ||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 2,300 | 2,310,046 | ||||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 2,000 | 2,069,534 | ||||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 2,000 | 1,986,785 | ||||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 1,500 | 1,375,350 | ||||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 1,000 | 942,129 | ||||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 2,000 | 2,051,412 | ||||||
Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp. | 1,175 | 1,187,497 | ||||||
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power | 10,000 | 12,886,716 | ||||||
Los Angeles Unified School District/CA | 6,935 | 8,556,257 | ||||||
Orange County Transportation Authority | 3,505 | 3,975,999 |
18 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Sacramento County Water Financing Authority | $ | 5,000 | $ | 4,969,442 | ||||
San Francisco Intl Airport | 13,235 | 16,962,307 | ||||||
State of California | 4,250 | 4,634,291 | ||||||
Series 2020 | 12,110 | 15,853,528 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 25,345 | 29,055,640 | ||||||
5.00%, 09/01/2023 | 6,000 | 6,517,581 | ||||||
University of California | 12,000 | 13,799,448 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
162,236,525 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Colorado – 3.2% |
| |||||||
Centerra Metropolitan District No. 1 | 1,510 | 1,591,644 | ||||||
City & County of Denver Co. Airport System Revenue | 10,395 | 10,890,637 | ||||||
5.00%, 11/15/2025 | 3,000 | 3,143,041 | ||||||
Series 2018-A | 16,555 | 20,502,041 | ||||||
Colorado Health Facilities Authority | 2,600 | 3,346,884 | ||||||
Colorado Health Facilities Authority | 640 | 800,165 | ||||||
5.00%, 08/01/2033 | 2,250 | 2,804,035 | ||||||
Colorado Health Facilities Authority | 1,525 | 1,934,604 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 19 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Denver City & County School District No. 1 | $ | 4,730 | $ | 5,189,412 | ||||
Series 2021 | 6,785 | 8,780,376 | ||||||
Denver Urban Renewal Authority | 1,640 | 1,712,359 | ||||||
E-470 Public Highway Authority | 2,000 | 2,004,267 | ||||||
Sterling Ranch Community Authority Board | 1,050 | 1,139,708 | ||||||
Vauxmont Metropolitan District | 260 | 294,195 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
64,133,368 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Connecticut – 3.1% |
| |||||||
City of New Haven CT | 1,920 | 2,368,536 | ||||||
Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority | 5,500 | 6,303,565 | ||||||
Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority | 10,105 | 10,209,306 | ||||||
State of Connecticut | 5,035 | 5,496,840 | ||||||
Series 2014-A | 2,230 | 2,459,785 | ||||||
Series 2014-F | 1,275 | 1,446,689 | ||||||
Series 2015-B | 7,170 | 8,302,554 | ||||||
Series 2016-A | 11,320 | 11,865,775 |
20 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Series 2018-B | $ | 1,440 | $ | 1,802,290 | ||||
State of Connecticut Clean Water Fund – State Revolving Fund | 4,360 | 4,636,983 | ||||||
State of Connecticut Special Tax Revenue | 6,000 | 7,627,357 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
62,519,680 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Delaware – 0.4% |
| |||||||
State of Delaware | 6,810 | 8,518,952 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
District of Columbia – 0.9% |
| |||||||
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Aviation Revenue | 8,565 | 10,040,641 | ||||||
Series 2021-A | 2,500 | 2,930,646 | ||||||
5.00%, 10/01/2036 | 1,695 | 2,168,789 | ||||||
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | 2,450 | 2,922,968 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
18,063,044 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Florida – 5.2% |
| |||||||
Capital Trust Agency, Inc. | 300 | 321,027 | ||||||
Central Florida Expressway Authority | 13,255 | 16,731,601 | ||||||
AGM Series 2021-D | 8,685 | 11,332,823 | ||||||
Citizens Property Insurance, Inc. | 7,315 | 7,517,530 | ||||||
City of Jacksonville FL | 6,140 | 6,408,367 | ||||||
5.00%, 10/01/2026 (Pre-refunded/ETM) | 4,050 | 4,227,017 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 21 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
City of South Miami Health Facilities Authority, Inc. | $ | 4,500 | $ | 5,227,437 | ||||
County of Broward FL Airport System Revenue | 1,000 | 1,128,311 | ||||||
Series 2019-C | 2,600 | 2,701,887 | ||||||
County of Miami-Dade FL | 1,500 | 1,565,888 | ||||||
County of Miami-Dade FL | 18,500 | 20,664,464 | ||||||
County of Miami-Dade Seaport Department | 8,000 | 9,348,625 | ||||||
County of Osceola FL Transportation | 595 | 455,776 | ||||||
Florida Municipal Power Agency | 1,500 | 1,632,972 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 500 | 499,349 | ||||||
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority | 4,420 | 5,446,154 | ||||||
5.00%, 10/01/2033 | 4,000 | 4,826,882 | ||||||
Mid-Bay Bridge Authority | 1,000 | 1,140,705 | ||||||
Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority | 375 | 381,103 |
22 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Polk County Industrial Development Authority | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,241,684 | ||||
State of Florida Department of Transportation Turnpike System Revenue | 2,810 | 2,900,239 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
105,699,841 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Georgia – 1.9% |
| |||||||
Augusta Development Authority | 9,555 | 10,921,931 | ||||||
Cobb County Kennestone Hospital Authority | 1,650 | 1,898,096 | ||||||
Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. | 2,075 | 2,429,538 | ||||||
Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. | 9,370 | 9,936,643 | ||||||
Series 2018-C | 6,850 | 7,317,696 | ||||||
Richmond County Board of Education | 3,400 | 3,706,200 | ||||||
State of Georgia | 2,380 | 2,946,921 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
39,157,025 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Guam – 0.3% |
| |||||||
Territory of Guam | 145 | 166,404 | ||||||
Territory of Guam | 3,970 | 4,476,227 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 23 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Series 2021-F | $ | 500 | $ | 602,485 | ||||
|
| |||||||
5,245,116 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Hawaii – 0.3% |
| |||||||
City & County of Honolulu HI | 1,500 | 1,735,218 | ||||||
State of Hawaii Airports System Revenue | 4,010 | 5,037,081 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,772,299 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Illinois – 4.1% |
| |||||||
Chicago Board of Education | 1,200 | 1,446,655 | ||||||
Series 2018-C | 3,165 | 3,176,786 | ||||||
Series 2019-B | 500 | 614,364 | ||||||
Chicago Housing Authority | 8,760 | 10,266,183 | ||||||
Chicago O’Hare International Airport | 5,000 | 5,675,332 | ||||||
Series 2016-C | 5,000 | 5,828,913 | ||||||
Series 2017-B | 1,475 | 1,758,423 | ||||||
Chicago O’Hare International Airport | 2,500 | 2,634,802 | ||||||
5.50%, 01/01/2025 | 2,250 | 2,376,478 | ||||||
County of Cook IL | 2,560 | 2,682,257 | ||||||
Illinois Finance Authority | 1,630 | 1,802,714 | ||||||
Illinois Finance Authority | 800 | 943,214 |
24 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Illinois Finance Authority | $ | 7,000 | $ | 10,047,116 | ||||
Illinois State Toll Highway Authority | 1,080 | 1,365,862 | ||||||
State of Illinois | 1,670 | 1,794,455 | ||||||
Series 2014 | 4,180 | 4,598,983 | ||||||
Series 2017-B | 5,050 | 5,698,350 | ||||||
Series 2017-D | 14,515 | 15,931,289 | ||||||
Series 2018-A | 2,785 | 3,020,886 | ||||||
Series 2018-B | 1,730 | 1,876,529 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
83,539,591 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Indiana – 1.3% |
| |||||||
Indiana Finance Authority | 9,955 | 13,199,470 | ||||||
Indiana Finance Authority | 1,210 | 1,369,567 | ||||||
Indiana Finance Authority | 8,150 | 8,115,041 | ||||||
Indiana Finance Authority | 495 | 495,880 | ||||||
Indiana Finance Authority | 2,380 | 2,221,699 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
25,401,657 | ||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 25 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Iowa – 1.1% |
| |||||||
Iowa Finance Authority | $ | 2,250 | $ | 2,447,661 | ||||
Iowa Finance Authority | 5,200 | 6,800,455 | ||||||
Iowa Higher Education Loan Authority | 2,275 | 2,514,444 | ||||||
Iowa Tobacco Settlement Authority | 3,515 | 4,127,704 | ||||||
5.00%, 06/01/2031 | 900 | 1,180,118 | ||||||
Series 2021-B | 2,000 | 2,212,820 | ||||||
PEFA, Inc. | 2,360 | 2,789,621 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
22,072,823 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Kansas – 0.4% |
| |||||||
Kansas Development Finance Authority | 6,000 | 7,568,419 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Kentucky – 2.4% |
| |||||||
City of Ashland KY | 650 | 786,854 | ||||||
Kentucky Municipal Power Agency | 4,875 | 5,132,738 | ||||||
Kentucky Public Energy Authority | 7,260 | 8,217,770 | ||||||
Kentucky Public Energy Authority | 20,000 | 21,648,682 |
26 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Series 2019-C | $ | 9,015 | $ | 10,470,540 | ||||
Kentucky Turnpike Authority | 2,275 | 2,348,152 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
48,604,736 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Louisiana – 1.2% |
| |||||||
City of New Orleans LA | 9,300 | 11,804,452 | ||||||
Jefferson Sales Tax District | 1,800 | 2,206,528 | ||||||
Parish of St. James LA | 340 | 383,876 | ||||||
6.10%, 06/01/2038-12/01/2040(a) | 845 | 1,090,680 | ||||||
State of Louisiana Gasoline & Fuels Tax Revenue | 2,860 | 2,928,903 | ||||||
5.00%, 05/01/2027 | 6,225 | 6,372,153 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
24,786,592 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Maryland – 6.5% |
| |||||||
County of Baltimore MD | 11,475 | 11,650,313 | ||||||
County of Montgomery MD | 5,925 | 7,184,752 | ||||||
County of Prince George’s MD | 10,000 | 12,325,305 | ||||||
Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District | 15,000 | 15,398,410 | ||||||
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority | 500 | 570,847 | ||||||
State of Maryland | 13,990 | 14,383,175 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 27 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Series 2017-B | $ | 5,790 | $ | 6,529,467 | ||||
Series 2020-B | 9,315 | 11,780,552 | ||||||
Series 2021-A | 21,715 | 27,365,951 | ||||||
Series 2022-C | 11,500 | 13,408,910 | ||||||
Series 2022-D | 4,500 | 5,333,566 | ||||||
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 4,140 | 4,354,500 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
130,285,748 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Massachusetts – 2.4% |
| |||||||
Commonwealth of Massachusetts | 2,450 | 2,664,043 | ||||||
Series 2020-B | 7,380 | 8,293,639 | ||||||
CIFGNA Series 2007-A | 3,275 | 3,233,893 | ||||||
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Sales Tax Revenue | 3,520 | 3,812,029 | ||||||
Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (The) | 3,240 | 3,332,102 | ||||||
5.99% (CPI + 0.99%), 08/01/2023(c) | 2,275 | 2,421,331 | ||||||
Series 2021-2 | 1,645 | 1,722,619 | ||||||
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency | 1,655 | 2,038,096 | ||||||
Massachusetts Port Authority | 11,280 | 14,356,978 |
28 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Massachusetts School Building Authority | $ | 2,475 | $ | 2,568,278 | ||||
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority | 2,865 | 2,968,251 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
47,411,259 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Michigan – 1.6% |
| |||||||
City of Detroit MI | 1,055 | 1,228,529 | ||||||
City of Detroit MI Sewage Disposal System Revenue | 2,605 | 2,608,006 | ||||||
Michigan Finance Authority | 2,735 | 3,278,378 | ||||||
Michigan Finance Authority | 10,545 | 11,790,611 | ||||||
Michigan Finance Authority | 1,785 | 2,130,593 | ||||||
Michigan Strategic Fund | 9,090 | 11,261,497 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
32,297,614 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Minnesota – 0.3% |
| |||||||
City of Minneapolis MN/St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority | 25 | 25,000 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 29 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
County of Hennepin MN | $ | 2,035 | $ | 2,473,247 | ||||
State of Minnesota | 3,305 | 3,357,932 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,856,179 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Mississippi – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Mississippi Development Bank | 1,000 | 1,174,984 | ||||||
Mississippi Hospital Equipment & Facilities Authority | 1,500 | 1,752,567 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,927,551 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Missouri – 0.6% |
| |||||||
Howard Bend Levee District | 255 | 284,289 | ||||||
Lee’s Summit Industrial Development Authority | 1,675 | 1,812,058 | ||||||
Missouri State Environmental Improvement & Energy Resources Authority | 9,785 | 10,331,482 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
12,427,829 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Montana – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Montana Facility Finance Authority | 3,275 | 3,889,999 | ||||||
|
|
30 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Nebraska – 0.8% |
| |||||||
Central Plains Energy Project | $ | 15,000 | $ | 16,317,810 | ||||
|
| |||||||
Nevada – 2.9% |
| |||||||
City of Sparks NV | 360 | 364,732 | ||||||
Clark County School District | 10,085 | 12,137,208 | ||||||
5.00%, 06/15/2027-06/15/2028 | 8,780 | 10,843,270 | ||||||
Series 2021-B | 16,800 | 20,899,063 | ||||||
BAM Series 2020-B | 4,305 | 5,270,933 | ||||||
State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry | 1,000 | 999,982 | ||||||
Tahoe-Douglas Visitors Authority | 1,200 | 1,326,989 | ||||||
5.00%, 07/01/2029-07/01/2035 | 5,465 | 6,437,778 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
58,279,955 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
New Hampshire – 0.1% |
| |||||||
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority | 1,518 | 1,792,875 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
New Jersey – 5.2% |
| |||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Enhanced Receipt | 12,363 | 14,082,540 | ||||||
New Jersey Economic Development Authority | 1,150 | 1,275,479 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 31 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
New Jersey Economic Development Authority | $ | 3,810 | $ | 4,528,439 | ||||
New Jersey Economic Development Authority | 1,365 | 1,417,667 | ||||||
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority | 4,390 | 5,151,238 | ||||||
Series 2018-A | 26,170 | 30,695,225 | ||||||
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority | 2,960 | 3,360,395 | ||||||
Series 2020-A | 1,140 | 1,437,101 | ||||||
New Jersey Turnpike Authority | 1,600 | 1,689,165 | ||||||
5.00%, 01/01/2023 | 200 | 210,783 | ||||||
Series 2014-A | 4,785 | 5,338,054 | ||||||
Series 2014-C | 1,590 | 1,675,726 | ||||||
Series 2017-A | ||||||||
5.00%, 01/01/2033 | 7,300 | 8,753,173 | ||||||
Series 2020-D | 4,375 | 5,160,669 | ||||||
Series 2021-B | 1,000 | 994,377 | ||||||
1.713%, 01/01/2029 | 1,350 | 1,333,594 | ||||||
State of New Jersey | 10,000 | 12,587,955 |
32 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp./NJ | $ | 4,750 | $ | 5,778,031 | ||||
|
| |||||||
105,469,611 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
New York – 6.9% |
| |||||||
City of New York NY | 3,220 | 3,231,490 | ||||||
Series 2020-A | 3,940 | 4,726,957 | ||||||
Series 2020-B | 3,000 | 3,713,339 | ||||||
Series 2020-C | 6,920 | 8,796,810 | ||||||
Series 2021-A | 2,000 | 2,346,709 | ||||||
5.00%, 08/01/2033 | 2,000 | 2,618,433 | ||||||
Series 2021-D | 3,150 | 3,085,298 | ||||||
Series 2021-F | 2,500 | 2,880,884 | ||||||
County of Monroe NY | 4,070 | 5,115,297 | ||||||
Metropolitan Transportation Authority | 4,065 | 4,269,019 | ||||||
5.00%, 11/15/2025 (Pre-refunded/ETM) | 5,000 | 5,250,946 | ||||||
Series 2012-F | 3,635 | 3,803,164 | ||||||
Series 2013-A | 2,300 | 2,466,727 | ||||||
Series 2013-E | 8,510 | 9,332,864 | ||||||
Series 2016-A | 1,130 | 1,276,901 | ||||||
Series 2016-B | 1,370 | 1,627,862 | ||||||
Series 2017-B | 3,600 | 4,124,720 | ||||||
Series 2017-C | 4,020 | 4,858,172 | ||||||
Series 2020-A | 5,120 | 6,464,786 | ||||||
Series 2020-E | 1,000 | 1,143,972 | ||||||
5.00%, 11/15/2028 | 4,000 | 4,915,191 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 33 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Series 2021-D | $ | 2,090 | $ | 2,084,350 | ||||
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue | 6,830 | 7,154,936 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 1,000 | 1,315,881 | ||||||
New York State Dormitory Authority | 6,565 | 7,236,802 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 2,000 | 1,993,429 | ||||||
2.252%, 03/15/2032 | 2,000 | 1,993,642 | ||||||
New York State Thruway Authority | 2,000 | 2,338,919 | ||||||
5.00%, 03/15/2025 | 2,225 | 2,562,781 | ||||||
New York Transportation Development Corp. | 9,255 | 11,117,080 | ||||||
Series 2020 | 1,500 | 1,738,538 | ||||||
New York Transportation Development Corp. | 345 | 382,206 | ||||||
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey | 1,025 | 1,270,133 | ||||||
Suffolk Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp. | 4,510 | 5,749,353 | ||||||
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority | 2,945 | 3,114,952 | ||||||
2.591%, 05/15/2036 | 2,000 | 2,007,650 | ||||||
2.917%, 05/15/2040 | 1,000 | 1,004,110 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
139,114,303 | ||||||||
|
|
34 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
North Carolina – 1.2% |
| |||||||
City of Charlotte NC Water & Sewer System Revenue | $ | 2,230 | $ | 2,301,766 | ||||
Fayetteville State University | 655 | 788,074 | ||||||
State of North Carolina | 2,995 | 3,061,977 | ||||||
State of North Carolina | 6,710 | 7,687,496 | ||||||
Series 2019 | 3,780 | 4,812,212 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 1,175 | 1,465,527 | ||||||
State of North Carolina | 3,255 | 3,333,601 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
23,450,653 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
North Dakota – 0.0% |
| |||||||
County of Grand Forks ND | 425 | 426,342 | ||||||
7.00%, 12/15/2043(a) | 440 | 440,055 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
866,397 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Ohio – 1.6% |
| |||||||
American Municipal Power, Inc. | 5,000 | 5,813,648 | ||||||
Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority | 1,000 | 1,136,683 | ||||||
City of Chillicothe OH | 3,385 | 4,025,530 | ||||||
City of Cleveland OH Airport System Revenue | 2,585 | 2,774,834 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 35 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
City of Cleveland OH Income Tax Revenue | $ | 7,585 | $ | 9,373,952 | ||||
Series 2017-B2 | 1,485 | 1,839,450 | ||||||
County of Cuyahoga OH | 5,600 | 6,548,909 | ||||||
Ohio Air Quality Development Authority | 235 | 238,579 | ||||||
Ohio Water Development Authority Water Pollution Control Loan Fund | 420 | 426,397 | ||||||
Series 2016-B | 825 | 837,565 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
33,015,547 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Oklahoma – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Oklahoma Development Finance Authority | 500 | 503,404 | ||||||
Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority | 1,140 | 1,148,970 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,652,374 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Oregon – 0.3% |
| |||||||
Deschutes County Hospital Facilities Authority | 1,000 | 1,102,606 | ||||||
Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon | 1,960 | 2,237,806 | ||||||
5.00%, 10/01/2029 | 1,910 | 2,336,763 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,677,175 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Other – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | 3,820 | 4,029,304 | ||||||
|
|
36 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Pennsylvania – 4.2% |
| |||||||
Allegheny County Airport Authority | $ | 7,005 | $ | 8,035,183 | ||||
5.00%, 01/01/2035 | 5,205 | 6,583,201 | ||||||
Bucks County Industrial Development Authority | 4,500 | 5,626,038 | ||||||
City of Philadelphia PA | 12,990 | 15,924,159 | ||||||
City of Philadelphia PA Airport Revenue | 3,035 | 3,740,350 | ||||||
City of Philadelphia PA Water & Wastewater Revenue | 2,135 | 2,611,590 | ||||||
Montgomery County Higher Education and Health Authority | 1,500 | 1,840,016 | ||||||
Moon Industrial Development Authority | 1,690 | 1,806,991 | ||||||
Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority | 2,000 | 2,291,669 | ||||||
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission | 3,005 | 3,696,102 | ||||||
Series 2017-B | 7,580 | 9,056,965 | ||||||
Series 2019 | 4,250 | 4,653,461 | ||||||
Series 2021-B | 2,000 | 2,329,707 | ||||||
5.00%, 12/01/2034-12/01/2035 | 2,850 | 3,702,221 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 37 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,198,182 | ||||
School District of Philadelphia (The) | 5,000 | 5,911,119 | ||||||
State Public School Building Authority | 2,400 | 2,446,967 | ||||||
5.00%, 04/01/2026 (Pre-refunded/ETM) | 2,750 | 2,803,816 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
84,257,737 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Puerto Rico – 0.3% |
| |||||||
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority | 970 | 1,070,598 | ||||||
Puerto Rico Highway & Transportation Authority | 790 | 859,675 | ||||||
AGC Series 2007-N | 2,105 | 2,273,253 | ||||||
AGM Series 2007-C | 100 | 107,738 | ||||||
Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority | 100 | 109,621 | ||||||
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue | 1,024 | 978,807 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,399,692 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
South Carolina – 1.6% |
| |||||||
County of Richland SC | 13,020 | 16,311,982 | ||||||
Renewable Water Resources | 2,570 | 2,590,455 | ||||||
South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority | 1,000 | 1,026,306 |
38 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
South Carolina Public Service Authority | $ | 2,535 | $ | 2,970,196 | ||||
Series 2016-B | 5,040 | 5,983,935 | ||||||
Series 2016-C | 930 | 1,106,517 | ||||||
Series 2021-B | 1,975 | 2,324,055 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
32,313,446 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Tennessee – 0.8% |
| |||||||
Bristol Industrial Development Board | 1,410 | 1,368,337 | ||||||
City of Pigeon Forge TN | 4,545 | 5,087,390 | ||||||
Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facilities Board | 5,095 | 6,528,539 | ||||||
Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County TN | 2,385 | 2,461,191 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
15,445,457 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Texas – 7.4% |
| |||||||
Birdville Independent School District | 3,825 | 3,878,270 | ||||||
Board of Regents of the University of Texas System | 6,225 | 6,461,935 | ||||||
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority | 7,400 | 9,398,755 | ||||||
Series 2021-C | 5,000 | 5,817,286 | ||||||
City of Houston TX | 6,680 | 8,047,305 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 39 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
City of Houston TX Airport System Revenue | $ | 2,285 | $ | 2,571,027 | ||||
5.00%, 07/01/2028-07/01/2033 | 4,905 | 6,256,919 | ||||||
City of Houston TX Airport System Revenue | 2,465 | 2,670,386 | ||||||
City of Houston TX Combined Utility System Revenue | 1,100 | 1,230,333 | ||||||
Series 2020-C | 4,330 | 4,543,413 | ||||||
City of San Antonio TX Electric & Gas Systems Revenue | 6,220 | 7,979,055 | ||||||
Conroe Local Government Corp. | 905 | 1,037,184 | ||||||
Dallas Area Rapid Transit | 6,425 | 6,885,799 | ||||||
Fort Worth Independent School District | 5,250 | 6,292,728 | ||||||
Harris County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. | 2,000 | 2,377,776 | ||||||
Lewisville Independent School District | 4,725 | 5,224,606 | ||||||
Lower Colorado River Authority | 800 | 1,016,059 | ||||||
New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. | 1,000 | 1,117,867 |
40 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Newark Higher Education Finance Corp. | $ | 1,690 | $ | 1,797,281 | ||||
North Texas Tollway Authority | 3,000 | 3,159,938 | ||||||
Series 2021-B | 1,080 | 1,306,550 | ||||||
Port Beaumont Navigation District | 240 | 246,722 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 550 | 547,583 | ||||||
San Antonio Water System | 9,505 | 12,334,574 | ||||||
Spring Independent School District | 1,430 | 1,755,922 | ||||||
State of Texas | 2,355 | 2,645,437 | ||||||
5.00%, 08/01/2026-08/01/2029 | 7,970 | 9,689,771 | ||||||
Series 2021-B | 2,340 | 2,921,203 | ||||||
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. | 900 | 513,000 | ||||||
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. | 13,405 | 16,589,654 | ||||||
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. | 1,105 | 884,000 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 41 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Texas Water Development Board | $ | 10,410 | $ | 12,609,156 | ||||
|
| |||||||
149,807,494 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Utah – 0.5% |
| |||||||
City of Salt Lake City UT Airport Revenue | ||||||||
Series 2021-A | 2,915 | 3,386,901 | ||||||
5.00%, 07/01/2033 | 4,000 | 5,128,809 | ||||||
Military Installation Development Authority | ||||||||
Series 2021-A | 1,000 | 999,299 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
9,515,009 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Virginia – 0.6% |
| |||||||
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority | 1,255 | 1,531,700 | ||||||
Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission | 2,685 | 3,210,831 | ||||||
Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board | 4,305 | 4,416,372 | ||||||
5.00%, 05/15/2029 (Pre-refunded/ETM) | 2,250 | 2,308,208 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
11,467,111 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Washington – 4.1% |
| |||||||
Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority | 7,815 | 7,908,497 | ||||||
City of Seattle WA Municipal Light & Power Revenue | 4,080 | 4,994,797 | ||||||
City of Seattle WA Water System Revenue | 4,020 | 4,354,432 |
42 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Port of Seattle WA | $ | 4,820 | $ | 5,180,579 | ||||
Series 2019 | 3,000 | 3,698,933 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 2,000 | 2,330,108 | ||||||
5.00%, 08/01/2022-08/01/2023 | 10,285 | 10,731,710 | ||||||
State of Washington | 13,325 | 15,160,760 | ||||||
Series 2021-D | 4,380 | 5,624,327 | ||||||
Series 2021-F | 3,165 | 4,057,476 | ||||||
Series 2021-R | 15,880 | 16,454,746 | ||||||
Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District | 1,600 | 1,825,026 | ||||||
Washington State Housing Finance Commission | 994 | 1,140,121 | ||||||
Series 2021-1, Class X | 994 | 60,343 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
83,521,855 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
West Virginia – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority/WV | 2,600 | 2,712,827 | ||||||
West Virginia Economic Development Authority | 265 | 278,675 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,991,502 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Wisconsin – 2.2% |
| |||||||
St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin | 1,000 | 963,324 | ||||||
State of Wisconsin | 11,850 | 14,621,127 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 43 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
UMA Education, Inc. | $ | 2,535 | $ | 2,927,954 | ||||
Wisconsin Department of Transportation | 5,500 | 5,935,401 | ||||||
5.00%, 07/01/2024 (Pre-refunded/ETM) | 6,500 | 7,011,699 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 1,975 | 2,487,175 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 5,000 | 5,294,286 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 1,220 | 1,433,213 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 1,500 | 1,488,347 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 1,725 | 2,138,534 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
44,301,060 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Long-Term Municipal Bonds | 1,828,555,451 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Short-Term Municipal Notes – 4.7% |
| |||||||
California – 0.7% |
| |||||||
City of Los Angeles CA | 13,070 | 13,580,233 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Connecticut – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Connecticut State Development Authority | ||||||||
0.06%, 10/01/2037(i) | 1,400 | 1,400,000 | ||||||
|
|
44 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Delaware – 0.5% |
| |||||||
State of Delaware | $ | 11,265 | $ | 11,400,341 | ||||
|
| |||||||
District of Columbia – 0.1% |
| |||||||
District of Columbia | 2,500 | 2,500,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Florida – 1.3% |
| |||||||
Florida Development Finance Corp. | 3,655 | 3,661,396 | ||||||
Halifax Hospital Medical Center | 1,685 | 1,685,000 | ||||||
School Board of Miami-Dade County (The) | 20,425 | 20,573,700 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
25,920,096 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Illinois – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Illinois Development Finance Authority | 2,565 | 2,565,000 | ||||||
Illinois Finance Authority | 1,300 | 1,300,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,865,000 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Maryland – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority | 1,250 | 1,250,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Massachusetts – 0.1% |
| |||||||
City of Quincy MA | 1,330 | 1,333,670 | ||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 45 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
New York – 0.0% |
| |||||||
New York City Health and Hospitals Corp. | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,000,000 | ||||
|
| |||||||
South Carolina – 0.5% |
| |||||||
Beaufort County School District/SC | 7,355 | 7,472,797 | ||||||
South Carolina Association of Governmental Organizations | 2,960 | 2,988,387 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
10,461,184 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Texas – 1.1% |
| |||||||
Austin Independent School District | 4,880 | 5,055,870 | ||||||
County of Collin TX | 5,500 | 5,576,597 | ||||||
Dallas Independent School District | 5,300 | 5,373,502 | ||||||
Hays Consolidated Independent School District | 6,255 | 6,342,112 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
22,348,081 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Short-Term Municipal Notes | 95,058,605 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Municipal Obligations | 1,923,614,056 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
CORPORATES - INVESTMENT GRADE – 0.8% |
| |||||||
Industrial – 0.8% |
| |||||||
Capital Goods – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp. | 2,500 | 2,502,400 | ||||||
John Deere Capital Corp. | 1,435 | 1,435,172 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,937,572 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.5% |
| |||||||
Baylor Scott & White Holdings | ||||||||
Series 2021 | 1,000 | 969,760 | ||||||
1.777%, 11/15/2030 | 1,000 | 974,970 |
46 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Sutter Health | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,039,020 | ||||
Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana | 2,300 | 2,249,745 | ||||||
UPMC | 5,600 | 5,992,112 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
11,225,607 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Services – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Hackensack Meridian Health, Inc. | ||||||||
2.675%, 09/01/2041 | 1,790 | 1,776,504 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Corporates – Investment Grade | 16,939,683 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
CORPORATES - NON-INVESTMENT GRADE – 0.3% |
| |||||||
Industrial – 0.3% |
| |||||||
Communications - Media – 0.1% |
| |||||||
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. | 1,933 | 1,876,131 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Mozart Debt Merger Sub, Inc. | 2,000 | 1,990,380 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Transportation - Airlines – 0.1% |
| |||||||
American Airlines, Inc./AAdvantage Loyalty IP Ltd. | 650 | 681,629 | ||||||
5.75%, 04/20/2029(a) | 575 | 618,896 | ||||||
United Airlines, Inc. | 600 | 621,252 | ||||||
4.625%, 04/15/2029(a) | 275 | 283,591 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,205,368 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | 6,071,879 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
GOVERNMENTS - TREASURIES – 0.3% |
| |||||||
United States – 0.3% |
| |||||||
U.S. Treasury Notes | 5,000 | 5,404,687 | ||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 47 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Risk Share Floating Rate – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes | $ | 130 | $ | 134,432 | ||||
Series 2014-DN3, Class M3 | 55 | 56,654 | ||||||
Series 2016-DNA4, Class M3 | 208 | 215,251 | ||||||
Series 2017-DNA3, Class M2 | 270 | 275,767 | ||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities | 92 | 93,909 | ||||||
Series 2015-C02, Class 1M2 | 86 | 87,839 | ||||||
Series 2016-C03, Class 2M2 | 172 | 180,849 | ||||||
Series 2017-C01, Class 1M2 | 304 | 313,397 | ||||||
Series 2017-C02, Class 2M2 | 146 | 150,618 | ||||||
Series 2017-C03, Class 1M2 | 440 | 452,879 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 1,961,595 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITY – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Agency CMBS – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | 997 | 1,012,961 | ||||||
|
|
48 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Shares | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 3.4% |
| |||||||
Investment Companies – 3.1% |
| |||||||
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. – Government Money Market Portfolio – Class AB, | 63,363,666 | $ | 63,363,666 | |||||
|
| |||||||
Commercial Paper – 0.3% |
| |||||||
City of San Antonio TX | 5,600 | 5,600,031 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Short-Term Investments | 68,963,697 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Investments – 100.4% | 2,023,968,558 | |||||||
Other assets less liabilities – (0.4)% | (8,194,643 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $ | 2,015,773,915 | ||||||
|
|
CENTRALLY CLEARED INFLATION (CPI) SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 15,000 | 04/29/2024 | 2.765% | CPI# | Maturity | $ | 597,603 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 597,603 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 30,000 | 08/06/2024 | 2.815% | CPI# | Maturity | 749,133 | – 0 | – | 749,133 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 20,000 | 11/02/2024 | 3.310% | CPI# | Maturity | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||||||
USD | 5,345 | 01/15/2025 | 2.565% | CPI# | Maturity | 287,256 | – 0 | – | 287,256 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 2,673 | 01/15/2025 | 2.585% | CPI# | Maturity | 141,406 | – 0 | – | 141,406 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 2,672 | 01/15/2025 | 2.613% | CPI# | Maturity | 138,259 | – 0 | – | 138,259 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 10,000 | 04/01/2026 | 2.508% | CPI# | Maturity | 566,551 | – 0 | – | 566,551 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 30,000 | 08/06/2026 | 2.689% | CPI# | Maturity | 928,755 | – 0 | – | 928,755 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 25,000 | 10/04/2026 | 2.725% | CPI# | Maturity | 464,102 | – 0 | – | 464,102 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 13,600 | 01/15/2027 | CPI# | 3.466% | Maturity | 19,652 | (19,279 | ) | 38,931 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 13,000 | 01/15/2027 | CPI# | 3.320% | Maturity | (108,707 | ) | – 0 | – | (108,707 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 19,310 | 01/15/2028 | 1.230% | CPI# | Maturity | 3,038,682 | – 0 | – | 3,038,682 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 14,770 | 01/15/2028 | 0.735% | CPI# | Maturity | 2,908,223 | – 0 | – | 2,908,223 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 25,000 | 10/04/2028 | 2.661% | CPI# | Maturity | 501,156 | – 0 | – | 501,156 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 12,000 | 08/29/2029 | 1.748% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,590,355 | – 0 | – | 1,590,355 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 15,000 | 12/23/2029 | 1.979% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,631,487 | – 0 | – | 1,631,487 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 4,825 | 01/15/2030 | 1.572% | CPI# | Maturity | 727,804 | – 0 | – | 727,804 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 4,825 | 01/15/2030 | 1.587% | CPI# | Maturity | 720,285 | – 0 | – | 720,285 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,670 | 01/15/2030 | 1.714% | CPI# | Maturity | 227,128 | – 0 | – | 227,128 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,670 | 01/15/2030 | 1.731% | CPI# | Maturity | 224,141 | – 0 | – | 224,141 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 7,850 | 01/15/2031 | 2.782% | CPI# | Maturity | 248,547 | – 0 | – | 248,547 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 49 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 6,150 | 01/15/2031 | 2.680% | CPI# | Maturity | $ | 265,650 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 265,650 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 5,500 | 04/15/2032 | CPI# | 2.909% | Maturity | (34,273 | ) | – 0 | – | (34,273 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 5,000 | 04/15/2032 | CPI# | 2.748% | Maturity | (132,830 | ) | – 0 | – | (132,830 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 15,000 | 12/02/2035 | 2.074% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,932,864 | – 0 | – | 1,932,864 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 25,000 | 04/01/2036 | 2.438% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,597,414 | – 0 | – | 1,597,414 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 32,000 | 04/29/2036 | 2.503% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,625,523 | – 0 | – | 1,625,523 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 10,000 | 05/01/2036 | 2.510% | CPI# | Maturity | 493,690 | – 0 | – | 493,690 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 30,000 | 08/03/2036 | 2.488% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,129,187 | – 0 | – | 1,129,187 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 20,000 | 08/06/2036 | 2.440% | CPI# | Maturity | 895,949 | – 0 | – | 895,949 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 40,000 | 10/04/2036 | 2.510% | CPI# | Maturity | 840,378 | – 0 | – | 840,378 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 35,000 | 11/02/2036 | 2.638% | CPI# | Maturity | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||||||
USD | 4,088 | 02/15/2041 | CPI# | 2.500% | Maturity | (188,824 | ) | – 0 | – | (188,824 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 4,022 | 02/15/2041 | CPI# | 2.505% | Maturity | (180,955 | ) | – 0 | – | (180,955 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 1,650 | 02/15/2041 | CPI# | 2.553% | Maturity | (55,154 | ) | – 0 | – | (55,154 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 23,790,437 | $ | (19,279 | ) | $ | 23,809,716 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
# | Variable interest rate based on the rate of inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). |
CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 30,000 | 07/22/2023 | 0.275% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | $ | 138,934 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 138,934 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 20,000 | 01/15/2031 | 1.537% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (19,014 | ) | – 0 | – | (19,014 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 15,000 | 07/22/2031 | 1.227% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual /Quarterly | 428,601 | – 0 | – | 428,601 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 13,000 | 07/22/2036 | 1.440% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | 417,199 | – 0 | – | 417,199 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 965,720 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 965,720 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 69 | $ | (19,142 | ) | $ | (6,593 | ) | $ | (12,549 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 598 | (165,896 | ) | (73,716 | ) | (92,180 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 40 | (11,097 | ) | (4,782 | ) | (6,315 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 38 | (10,541 | ) | (3,664 | ) | (6,877 | ) |
50 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 471 | $ | (130,663 | ) | $ | (45,474 | ) | $ | (85,189 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 708 | (196,411 | ) | (66,601 | ) | (129,810 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,216 | (337,339 | ) | (144,406 | ) | (192,933 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 231 | (64,083 | ) | (28,356 | ) | (35,727 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 614 | (170,334 | ) | (56,062 | ) | (114,272 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (1,105,506 | ) | $ | (429,654 | ) | $ | (675,852 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
INFLATION (CPI) SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swap Counterparty | Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank of America, NA | USD | 25,000 | 02/02/2032 | 2.403% | CPI# | Maturity | $ | 1,377,175 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1,377,175 | |||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 14,000 | 04/03/2022 | 2.663% | CPI# | Maturity | (1,059,427 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,059,427 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 16,700 | 10/05/2022 | 2.765% | CPI# | Maturity | (1,284,647 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,284,647 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 25,000 | 08/07/2024 | 2.573% | CPI# | Maturity | (710,411 | ) | – 0 | – | (710,411 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 19,000 | 05/05/2025 | 2.125% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,169,008 | – 0 | – | 1,169,008 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 5,400 | 03/06/2027 | 2.695% | CPI# | Maturity | (400,882 | ) | – 0 | – | (400,882 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 20,000 | 06/06/2032 | 2.145% | CPI# | Maturity | 2,041,983 | – 0 | – | 2,041,983 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 14,000 | 09/01/2032 | 2.128% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,524,279 | – 0 | – | 1,524,279 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | USD | 22,000 | 08/29/2033 | 2.368% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,299,812 | – 0 | – | 1,299,812 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 9,000 | 06/29/2022 | 2.398% | CPI# | Maturity | (406,306 | ) | – 0 | – | (406,306 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 5,400 | 07/19/2022 | 2.400% | CPI# | Maturity | (233,909 | ) | – 0 | – | (233,909 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 4,000 | 08/10/2022 | 2.550% | CPI# | Maturity | (235,668 | ) | – 0 | – | (235,668 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 15,500 | 12/07/2022 | 2.748% | CPI# | Maturity | (1,247,638 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,247,638 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 47,000 | 05/24/2023 | 2.533% | CPI# | Maturity | (2,068,356 | ) | – 0 | – | (2,068,356 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 30,000 | 10/29/2023 | 2.524% | CPI# | Maturity | (911,647 | ) | – 0 | – | (911,647 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 30,000 | 09/19/2024 | 2.070% | CPI# | Maturity | 2,176,845 | – 0 | – | 2,176,845 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 25,000 | 07/03/2025 | 2.351% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,208,075 | – 0 | – | 1,208,075 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 15,800 | 02/08/2028 | 2.940% | CPI# | Maturity | (1,814,071 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,814,071 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 12,000 | 11/05/2033 | 2.273% | CPI# | Maturity | 938,052 | – 0 | – | 938,052 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | USD | 25,000 | 09/02/2025 | 1.880% | CPI# | Maturity | 2,168,676 | – 0 | – | 2,168,676 |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 51 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swap Counterparty | Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 19,000 | 08/17/2022 | 2.523% | CPI# | Maturity | $ | (1,029,483 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (1,029,483 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 1,400 | 06/30/2026 | 2.890% | CPI# | Maturity | (173,501 | ) | – 0 | – | (173,501 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 3,300 | 07/21/2026 | 2.935% | CPI# | Maturity | (446,347 | ) | – 0 | – | (446,347 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 2,400 | 10/03/2026 | 2.485% | CPI# | Maturity | (89,737 | ) | – 0 | – | (89,737 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 5,400 | 11/14/2026 | 2.488% | CPI# | Maturity | (208,399 | ) | – 0 | – | (208,399 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 4,850 | 12/23/2026 | 2.484% | CPI# | Maturity | (169,259 | ) | – 0 | – | (169,259 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 13,000 | 03/01/2027 | 2.279% | CPI# | Maturity | 818,317 | – 0 | – | 818,317 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 21,350 | 02/20/2028 | 2.899% | CPI# | Maturity | (2,248,358 | ) | – 0 | – | (2,248,358 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 12,000 | 03/26/2028 | 2.880% | CPI# | Maturity | (1,193,737 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,193,737 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 10,000 | 07/03/2028 | 2.356% | CPI# | Maturity | 584,388 | – 0 | – | 584,388 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 25,000 | 11/05/2028 | 2.234% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,840,544 | – 0 | – | 1,840,544 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 18,000 | 04/17/2030 | 2.378% | CPI# | Maturity | 1,019,560 | – 0 | – | 1,019,560 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 24,000 | 11/17/2032 | 2.183% | CPI# | Maturity | 2,329,830 | – 0 | – | 2,329,830 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | USD | 10,000 | 04/16/2023 | 2.690% | CPI# | Maturity | (638,671 | ) | – 0 | – | (638,671 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | USD | 5,000 | 08/15/2026 | 2.885% | CPI# | Maturity | (615,838 | ) | – 0 | – | (615,838 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 3,310,252 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 3,310,252 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
# | Variable interest rate based on the rate of inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). |
INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swap Counterparty | Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 11,075 | 10/09/2029 | 1.120% | SIFMA* | Quarterly | $ | (1,712 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (1,712 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 11,075 | 10/09/2029 | 1.125% | SIFMA* | Quarterly | (6,395 | ) | – 0 | – | (6,395 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (8,107 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (8,107 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Variable interest rate based on the Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Index. |
(a) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration. At October 31, 2021, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $68,687,464 or 3.4% of net assets. |
(b) | When-Issued or delayed delivery security. |
(c) | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest/floor/ceiling rate was in effect at October 31, 2021. |
52 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
(d) | An auction rate security whose interest rate resets at each auction date. Auctions are typically held every week or month. The rate shown is as of October 31, 2021 and the aggregate market value of this security amounted to $25,000 or 0.00% of net assets. |
(e) | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize OTC derivatives outstanding. |
(f) | Non-income producing security. |
(g) | Defaulted. |
(h) | IO – Interest Only. |
(i) | Variable Rate Demand Notes are instruments whose interest rates change on a specific date (such as coupon date or interest payment date) or whose interest rates vary with changes in a designated base rate (such as the prime interest rate). This instrument is payable on demand and is secured by letters of credit or other credit support agreements from major banks. |
(j) | Affiliated investments. |
(k) | The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
(l) | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618. |
As of October 31, 2021, the Fund’s percentages of investments in municipal bonds that are insured and in insured municipal bonds that have been pre-refunded or escrowed to maturity are 3.3% and 0.0%, respectively.
Glossary:
AGC – Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM – Assured Guaranty Municipal
BAM – Build American Mutual
CCRC – Congregate Care Retirement Center
CDX-CMBX.NA – North American Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index
CIFGNA – CIFG Assurance North America, Inc.
CMBS – Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
COP – Certificate of Participation
CPI – Consumer Price Index
ETM – Escrowed to Maturity
FHLMC – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
NATL – National Interstate Corporation
SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate
SRF – State Revolving Fund
UPMC – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
XLCA – XL Capital Assurance Inc.
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 53 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
October 31, 2021
Assets | ||||
Investments in securities, at value | ||||
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $1,915,615,945) | $ | 1,960,604,892 | ||
Affiliated issuers (cost $63,363,666) | 63,363,666 | |||
Cash collateral due from broker | 24,300,948 | |||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 42,553,855 | |||
Interest receivable | 22,175,581 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on inflation swaps | 20,496,544 | |||
Receivable for investment securities sold | 180,200 | |||
Affiliated dividends receivable | 434 | |||
|
| |||
Total assets | 2,133,676,120 | |||
|
| |||
Liabilities | ||||
Due to custodian | 7 | |||
Payable for investment securities purchased | 92,117,328 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on inflation swaps | 17,186,292 | |||
Cash collateral due to broker | 2,263,000 | |||
Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 2,245,393 | |||
Payable for capital stock redeemed | 1,829,340 | |||
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums received $429,654) | 1,105,506 | |||
Advisory fee payable | 611,894 | |||
Distribution fee payable | 134,922 | |||
Administrative fee payable | 32,865 | |||
Transfer Agent fee payable | 11,854 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps | 8,107 | |||
Directors’ fees payable | 3,154 | |||
Accrued expenses | 352,543 | |||
|
| |||
Total liabilities | 117,902,205 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 2,015,773,915 | ||
|
| |||
Composition of Net Assets | ||||
Capital stock, at par | $ | 183,077 | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,966,858,939 | |||
Distributable earnings | 48,731,899 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 2,015,773,915 | ||
|
|
Net Asset Value Per Share—30 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
Class | Net Assets | Shares Outstanding | Net Asset Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||||
A | $ | 364,598,662 | 33,052,751 | $ | 11.03 | * | ||||||
| ||||||||||||
C | $ | 20,086,234 | 1,823,212 | $ | 11.02 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Advisor | $ | 837,132,064 | 75,839,263 | $ | 11.04 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
1 | $ | 555,641,971 | 50,652,411 | $ | 10.97 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
2 | $ | 238,314,984 | 21,709,462 | $ | 10.98 | |||||||
|
* | The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $11.37 which reflects a sales charge of 3.00%. |
See notes to financial statements.
54 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended October 31, 2021
Investment Income | ||||||||
Interest | $ | 30,576,570 | ||||||
Dividends—Affiliated issuers | 7,180 | $ | 30,583,750 | |||||
|
| |||||||
Expenses | ||||||||
Advisory fee (see Note B) | 6,726,535 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class A | 547,254 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class C | 115,971 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class 1 | 483,166 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class A | 61,696 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class C | 3,337 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Advisor Class | 118,213 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class 1 | 21,777 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class 2 | 9,886 | |||||||
Registration fees | 270,429 | |||||||
Custody and accounting | 171,581 | |||||||
Administrative | 94,067 | |||||||
Audit and tax | 88,883 | |||||||
Legal | 42,331 | |||||||
Directors’ fees | 35,058 | |||||||
Printing | 27,266 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 36,837 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses | 8,854,287 | |||||||
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | (1,013,493 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net expenses | 7,840,794 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net investment income | 22,742,956 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Transactions | ||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
Investment transactions | 483,787 | |||||||
Swaps | (974,117 | ) | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | ||||||||
Investments | (2,176,969 | ) | ||||||
Swaps | 83,804,246 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net gain on investment transactions | 81,136,947 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Contributions from Affiliates (see Note B) | 555,677 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations | $ | 104,435,580 | ||||||
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 55 |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 22,742,956 | $ | 23,188,235 | ||||
Net realized loss on investment transactions | (490,330 | ) | (7,961,649 | ) | ||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | 81,627,277 | 3,188,257 | ||||||
Contributions from Affiliates (see Note B) | 555,677 | – 0 | – | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net increase in net assets from operations | 104,435,580 | 18,414,843 | ||||||
Distributions to Shareholders |
| |||||||
Class A | (3,352,419 | ) | (2,027,901 | ) | ||||
Class C | (95,535 | ) | (102,182 | ) | ||||
Advisor Class | (6,909,813 | ) | (4,764,682 | ) | ||||
Class 1 | (8,721,933 | ) | (11,346,428 | ) | ||||
Class 2 | (4,212,452 | ) | (5,676,606 | ) | ||||
Capital Stock Transactions |
| |||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 943,374,359 | (7,977,474 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total increase (decrease) | 1,024,517,787 | (13,480,430 | ) | |||||
Net Assets |
| |||||||
Beginning of period | 991,256,128 | 1,004,736,558 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
End of period | $ | 2,015,773,915 | $ | 991,256,128 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
56 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2021
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Company, which is a Maryland corporation, operates as a series company comprised of 10 portfolios currently in operation. Each portfolio is considered to be a separate entity for financial reporting and tax purposes. This report relates only to the AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy (the “Fund”), a diversified portfolio. The Fund offers Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class 1 and Class 2 shares. Class 1 shares are sold only to the private clients of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC by its registered representatives. Class B, Class R, Class K, Class I and Class T shares have been authorized but currently are not offered. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 3.0% for purchases not exceeding $500,000. With respect to purchases of $500,000 or more, Class A shares redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase, and 0% after the first year of purchase. Effective May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Prior to May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Advisor Class and Class 2 shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. Class 1 shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge, but are subject to ongoing distribution expenses. All ten 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 (“U.S. GAAP”), which require 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 Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. 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
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 57 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
In general, the market values 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures 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; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. 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, 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. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
58 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. 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. To account for this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
• | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
• | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
• | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 59 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rates, coupon rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which is then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of October 31, 2021:
Investments in | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Municipal Bonds | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1,828,555,451 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1,828,555,451 | ||||||
Short-Term Municipal Notes | – 0 | – | 95,058,605 | – 0 | – | 95,058,605 | ||||||||||
Corporates – Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 16,939,683 | – 0 | – | 16,939,683 | ||||||||||
Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 6,071,879 | – 0 | – | 6,071,879 | ||||||||||
Governments – Treasuries | – 0 | – | 5,404,687 | – 0 | – | 5,404,687 | ||||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | – 0 | – | 1,961,595 | – 0 | – | 1,961,595 | ||||||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security | – 0 | – | 1,012,961 | – 0 | – | 1,012,961 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Investment Companies | 63,363,666 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 63,363,666 | ||||||||||
Commercial Paper | – 0 | – | 5,600,031 | – 0 | – | 5,600,031 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total Investments in Securities | 63,363,666 | 1,960,604,892 | – 0 | – | 2,023,968,558 | |||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments(a): | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Centrally Cleared Inflation (CPI) Swaps | – 0 | – | 24,491,180 | – 0 | – | 24,491,180 | (b) | |||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | 984,734 | – 0 | – | 984,734 | (b) | |||||||||
Inflation (CPI) Swaps | – 0 | – | 20,496,544 | – 0 | – | 20,496,544 |
60 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Investments in | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
Centrally Cleared Inflation (CPI) Swaps | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (700,743 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (700,743 | )(b) | ||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | (19,014 | ) | – 0 | – | (19,014 | )(b) | ||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | (1,105,506 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,105,506 | ) | ||||||||
Inflation (CPI) Swaps | – 0 | – | (17,186,292 | ) | – 0 | – | (17,186,292 | ) | ||||||||
Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | (8,107 | ) | – 0 | – | (8,107 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 63,363,666 | $ | 1,987,557,688 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 2,050,921,354 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(b) | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
3. 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.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
4. 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. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes original issue and market discounts as adjustments to interest income. The Fund accounts for distributions received from REIT investments or from regulated investment companies as dividend income, realized gain, or return of capital based on information provided by the REIT or the investment company.
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 61 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. 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. Expenses of the Company are charged proportionately to each fund or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
6. 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. GAAP. 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 .50% 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. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses (excluding extraordinary expenses, interest expense, and acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest) on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to .75%, 1.50%, .50%, .60% and .50% of the daily average net assets for the Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class 1 and Class 2 shares, respectively. This fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement agreement will remain in effect until January 31, 2022 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such reimbursements/waivers amounted to $980,227.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $94,067.
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
62 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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 $71,741 for the year ended October 31, 2021.
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 $0 from the sale of Class A shares and received $31,113 and $357 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of ..20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2022. In connection with the investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such waiver amounted to $33,266.
A summary of the Fund’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021 is as follows:
Fund | Market Value 10/31/20 (000) | Purchases at Cost (000) | Sales Proceeds (000) | Market Value 10/31/21 (000) | Dividend Income (000) | |||||||||||||||
Government Money Market Portfolio | $ | 4,637 | $ | 847,394 | $ | 788,667 | $ | 63,364 | $ | 7 |
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund $555,677 for trading losses incurred due to a trade entry error.
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 up to .30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 63 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
attributable to Class A shares, 1% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares and .10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class 1 shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on the Advisor Class and Class 2 shares. Payments under the Agreement in respect of Class A shares are currently limited to an annual rate of .25% of Class A shares’ average daily net assets. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. Since the commencement of the Fund’s operations, the Distributor has incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the amount of $527,752 and $1,796,920 for Class C and Class 1 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.
NOTE D
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended October 31, 2021 were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | $ | 914,215,026 | $ | 125,971,923 | ||||
U.S. government securities | 1,039,913 | 217,309 |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
Cost | $ | 1,978,979,611 | ||
|
| |||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 100,931,687 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (27,552,984 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 73,378,703 | ||
|
|
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
64 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The principal type of derivative utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
• | Swaps |
The Fund may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates or credit risk. A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Fund in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Fund or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Fund accrues for the interim payments on swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for swaps are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 65 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Fund enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for centrally cleared swaps is generally less than non-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Interest Rate Swaps:
The Fund is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Fund holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Fund may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or, receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional amount.
In addition, the Fund may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or “notional”) amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).
66 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held interest rate swaps for hedging purposes.
Inflation (CPI) Swaps:
Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index (the Consumer Price Index with respect to CPI swaps) over the term of the swap (with some lag on the inflation index), and the other pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swaps may be used to protect the net asset value, or NAV, of a Fund against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index since the value of these agreements is expected to increase if there are unexpected inflation increases.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held inflation (CPI) swaps for hedging purposes.
Credit Default Swaps:
The Fund may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Fund, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Fund may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap, the Fund receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. If the Fund is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation. In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Fund for the same referenced obligations with the same counterparty.
Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Fund is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 67 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Fund coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Fund.
Implied credit spreads over U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held credit default swaps for non-hedging purposes.
The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Fund’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Fund decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty table below for additional details.
68 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund had entered into the following derivatives:
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative Type | Statement of | Fair Value | Statement of | Fair Value | ||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | $ | 25,495,193 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | $ | 719,757 | * | ||||
Interest rate contracts | Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps | | 8,107 | |||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Unrealized appreciation on inflation swaps | | 20,496,544 | Unrealized depreciation on inflation swaps | | 17,186,292 | ||||||
Credit contracts | Market value on credit default swaps | | 1,105,506 | |||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 45,991,737 | $ | 19,019,662 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
Derivative Type | Location of | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | $ | (1,104,330 | ) | $ | 83,630,585 | ||||
Credit contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | 130,213 | 173,661 | |||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | (974,117 | ) | $ | 83,804,246 | |||||
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 69 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Fund’s derivative transactions during the year ended October 31, 2021:
Interest Rate Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 22,150,000 | ||
Inflation Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 605,500,000 | ||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 91,484,615 | ||
Centrally Cleared Inflation Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 202,719,231 | ||
Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 3,985,000 |
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Received* | Security Collateral Received* | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |||||||||||||||
Bank of America, NA | $ | 1,377,175 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (1,377,175 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | ||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | 6,035,082 | (3,455,367 | ) | – 0 | – | (2,579,715 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | 4,322,972 | (4,322,972 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 2,168,676 | – 0 | – | (2,168,676 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | 6,592,639 | (5,558,821 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,033,818 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 20,496,544 | $ | (13,337,160 | ) | $ | (2,168,676 | ) | $ | (4,990,708 | ) | $ | 0 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Security Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | $ | 3,455,367 | $ | (3,455,367 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | ||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | 7,110,740 | (4,322,972 | ) | – 0 | – | (2,519,316 | ) | 268,452 | ||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | 686,051 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (652,886 | ) | 33,165 | ||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | 234,417 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (234,417 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | 5,558,821 | (5,558,821 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | 1,254,509 | – 0 | – | (1,254,509 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 18,299,905 | $ | (13,337,160 | ) | $ | (1,254,509 | ) | $ | (3,406,619 | ) | $ | 301,617 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
NOTE E
Capital Stock
Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class 1 and Class 2 were as follows:
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 26,407,533 | 11,006,167 | $ | 286,981,285 | $ | 112,859,024 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 200,012 | 137,840 | 2,153,486 | 1,399,084 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted from Class C | 137,753 | 103,132 | 1,489,456 | 1,038,373 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (7,132,735 | ) | (3,113,475 | ) | (77,134,430 | ) | (30,512,727 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 19,612,563 | 8,133,664 | $ | 213,489,797 | $ | 84,783,754 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 71 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class C |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 1,415,025 | 124,879 | $ | 15,365,751 | $ | 1,270,546 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 7,049 | 8,149 | 75,748 | 82,474 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted to Class A | (137,881 | ) | (103,270 | ) | (1,489,456 | ) | (1,038,373 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (112,864 | ) | (132,691 | ) | (1,219,898 | ) | (1,341,016 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 1,171,329 | (102,933 | ) | $ | 12,732,145 | $ | (1,026,369 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advisor Class |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 63,621,228 | 10,882,277 | $ | 693,291,421 | $ | 111,180,666 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 446,488 | 347,975 | 4,831,370 | 3,533,343 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (6,255,946 | ) | (13,275,084 | ) | (67,976,037 | ) | (129,905,882 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 57,811,770 | (2,044,832 | ) | $ | 630,146,754 | $ | (15,191,873 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class 1 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 12,539,527 | 5,864,797 | $ | 135,703,463 | $ | 59,213,283 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 601,091 | 844,734 | 6,424,253 | 8,522,724 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (5,865,521 | ) | (12,308,849 | ) | (62,849,375 | ) | (121,433,030 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 7,275,097 | (5,599,318 | ) | $ | 79,278,341 | $ | (53,697,023 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class 2 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 3,793,264 | 2,839,197 | $ | 41,218,325 | $ | 28,434,563 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 297,652 | 411,526 | 3,180,510 | 4,153,907 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (3,422,732 | ) | (5,591,380 | ) | (36,671,513 | ) | (55,434,433 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 668,184 | (2,340,657 | ) | $ | 7,727,322 | $ | (22,845,963 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
NOTE F
Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund
Market Risk—The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond market fluctuates. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
72 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security. Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations.
Municipal Market Risk—This is the risk that special factors may adversely affect the value of municipal securities and have a significant effect on the yield or value of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities. These factors include economic conditions, political or legislative changes, public health crises, uncertainties related to the tax status of municipal securities, or the rights of investors in these securities. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in a particular state’s municipal securities, the Fund is vulnerable to events adversely affecting that state, including economic, political and regulatory occurrences, court decisions, terrorism, public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness) and catastrophic natural disasters, such as hurricanes, fires or earthquakes. For example, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly stressed the financial resources of many issuers of municipal securities, which could impair any such issuer’s ability to meet its financial obligations when due and adversely impact the value of its securities held by the Fund. As the full effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on state and local economies and on issuers of municipal securities are still uncertain, the financial difficulties of issuers of municipal securities may continue or worsen, adversely affecting the performance of the Fund. The Fund’s investments in certain municipal securities with principal and interest payments that are made from the revenues of a specific project or facility, and not general tax revenues, may have increased risks. Factors affecting the project or facility, such as local business or economic conditions, could have a significant effect on the project’s ability to make payments of principal and interest on these securities.
Congress has previously considered making changes to the municipal securities provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that could change the U.S. federal income tax treatment of certain types of municipal securities.
Interest-Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 73 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Duration Risk—Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk—When the Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Illiquid Investments Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally go down.
74 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
LIBOR Transition and Associated Risk—A Fund may be exposed to debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various interest rate calculations. In 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The FCA and LIBOR’s administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration, have since announced that most LIBOR settings (which reflect LIBOR rates quoted in different currencies over various time periods) will no longer be published after the end of 2021 but that the most widely used U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published until June 30, 2023. However, banks were strongly encouraged to cease entering into agreements with counterparties referencing LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is possible that a subset of LIBOR settings will be published after these dates on a “synthetic” basis, but any such publications would be considered non-representative of the underlying market. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (referred to as SOFR), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates.
The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related investments or investments in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of hedging strategies, potentially adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. The potential effects of a phase out of LIBOR on LIBOR-based investments are currently unknown.
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
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 75 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
Management Risk—The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively-managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
NOTE G
Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing related to redemptions and other short term liquidity requirements, subject to certain restrictions. 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 year ended October 31, 2021.
NOTE H
Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020 were as follows:
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 1,319,862 | $ | 1,229,449 | ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total taxable distributions | $ | 1,319,862 | $ | 1,229,449 | ||||
Tax-exempt distributions | 21,972,290 | 22,688,350 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total distributions paid | $ | 23,292,152 | $ | 23,917,799 | ||||
|
|
|
|
As of October 31, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed tax-exempt income | $ | 195,296 | ||
Accumulated capital and other losses | (24,842,412 | )(a) | ||
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | 73,379,015 | (b) | ||
|
| |||
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | $ | 48,731,899 | ||
|
|
(a) | As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $24,842,412. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax treatment of swaps. |
76 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had a net short-term capital loss carryforward of $7,409,262 and a net long-term capital loss carryforward of $17,433,150, which may be carried forward for an indefinite period.
During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to contributions from the Adviser resulted in a net increase in distributable earnings and a net decrease in additional paid-in capital. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets.
NOTE I
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU 2020-04.
NOTE J
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no other material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 77 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.30 | $ 10.24 | $ 10.02 | $ 10.28 | $ 10.29 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .16 | .22 | .24 | .22 | .19 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | .75 | .07 | (c) | .21 | (.26 | ) | (.01 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | .00 | (d) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .91 | .29 | .45 | (.04 | ) | .18 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.18 | ) | (.23 | ) | (.23 | ) | (.22 | ) | (.19 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.03 | $ 10.30 | $ 10.24 | $ 10.02 | $ 10.28 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e)* | 8.89 | % | 2.85 | % | 4.58 | % | (.42 | )% | 1.75 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $364,599 | $138,454 | $54,316 | $75,127 | $58,270 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | .84 | % | .85 | % | .86 | % | .86 | % | .86 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.51 | % | 2.14 | % | 2.32 | % | 2.13 | % | 1.90 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 10 | % | 29 | % | 12 | % | 15 | % | 9 | % |
See footnote summary on page 83.
78 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.29 | $ 10.22 | $ 10.01 | $ 10.26 | $ 10.27 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .08 | .14 | .16 | .14 | .12 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | .74 | .08 | (c) | .20 | (.25 | ) | (.02 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | .01 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .83 | .22 | .36 | (.11 | ) | .10 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.10 | ) | (.15 | ) | (.15 | ) | (.14 | ) | (.11 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.02 | $ 10.29 | $ 10.22 | $ 10.01 | $ 10.26 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e)* | 8.12 | % | 2.16 | % | 3.63 | % | (1.09 | )% | .99 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $20,086 | $6,710 | $7,717 | $10,681 | $12,693 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | 1.59 | % | 1.61 | % | 1.61 | % | 1.61 | % | 1.61 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | .75 | % | 1.43 | % | 1.57 | % | 1.37 | % | 1.15 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 10 | % | 29 | % | 12 | % | 15 | % | 9 | % |
See footnote summary on page 83.
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 79 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.31 | $ 10.24 | $ 10.03 | $ 10.29 | $ 10.30 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .18 | .25 | .26 | .24 | .22 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | .75 | .07 | (c) | .21 | (.26 | ) | (.02 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | .01 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .94 | .32 | .47 | (.02 | ) | .20 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.21 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.26 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.21 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.04 | $ 10.31 | $ 10.24 | $ 10.03 | $ 10.29 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e)* | 9.14 | % | 3.19 | % | 4.76 | % | (.17 | )% | 2.00 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $837,132 | $185,829 | $205,541 | $226,145 | $199,635 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | .59 | % | .60 | % | .61 | % | .61 | % | .61 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.70 | % | 2.43 | % | 2.57 | % | 2.37 | % | 2.15 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 10 | % | 29 | % | 12 | %�� | 15 | % | 9 | % |
See footnote summary on page 83.
80 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.25 | $ 10.19 | $ 9.98 | $ 10.25 | $ 10.26 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .18 | .23 | .25 | .23 | .21 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | .74 | .07 | (c) | .22 | (.26 | ) | (.01 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | .00 | (d) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .92 | .30 | .47 | (.03 | ) | .20 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.20 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.26 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.21 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.97 | $ 10.25 | $ 10.19 | $ 9.98 | $ 10.25 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e)* | 9.01 | % | 3.04 | % | 4.72 | % | (.32 | )% | 1.94 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $555,642 | $444,500 | $498,857 | $485,386 | $424,291 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | .60 | % | .60 | % | .60 | % | .60 | % | .60 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | .66 | % | .67 | % | .67 | % | .67 | % | .67 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.72 | % | 2.33 | % | 2.47 | % | 2.27 | % | 2.05 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 10 | % | 29 | % | 12 | % | 15 | % | 9 | % |
See footnote summary on page 83.
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 81 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.25 | $ 10.19 | $ 9.99 | $ 10.25 | $ 10.26 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .20 | .24 | .26 | .24 | .22 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | .74 | .07 | (c) | .21 | (.25 | ) | (.01 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | .00 | (d) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .94 | .31 | .47 | (.01 | ) | .21 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.21 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.22 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.98 | $ 10.25 | $ 10.19 | $ 9.99 | $ 10.25 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e)* | 9.21 | % | 3.14 | % | 4.73 | % | (.12 | )% | 2.04 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $238,315 | $215,763 | $238,306 | $231,109 | $213,880 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | .56 | % | .57 | % | .57 | % | .57 | % | .57 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.84 | % | 2.43 | % | 2.57 | % | 2.37 | % | 2.14 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate. | 10 | % | 29 | % | 12 | % | 15 | % | 9 | % |
See footnote summary on page 83.
82 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(c) | Due to timing of sales and repurchase of capital shares, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share is not in accordance with the Fund’s change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions for the period. |
(d) | Amount is less than $.005. |
(e) | 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 portfolio distributions or the redemption of portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received by the Fund in connection with a trade-error reimbursement from the Adviser, which enhanced performance by .03% for the year ended October 31, 2021. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 83 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy (the “Fund”) (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2021, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc.) on October 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and
84 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)
disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more of the AB investment companies since 1968.
New York, New York
December 29, 2021
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 85 |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1), Jorge A. Bermudez(1) Michael J. Downey(1) Onur Erzan, President and Chief Executive Officer | Nancy P. Jacklin(1) Jeanette W. Loeb(1) Carol C. McMullen(1) Garry L. Moody(1) Earl D. Weiner(1),* |
OFFICERS
Terrance T. Hults(2), Vice President Matthew J. Norton(2), Vice President Andrew D. Potter(2), Vice President Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary | Michael B. Reyes, Senior Analyst Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Phyllis J. Clarke, Controller Vincent S. Noto, Chief Compliance Officer |
Custodian and Accounting Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company State Street Corporation CCB/5 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02210
Principal Underwriter AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. 501 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203
Transfer Agent AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278 Toll-Free (800) 221-5672 | Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young LLP One Manhattan West New York, NY 10001
Legal Counsel Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 |
1 | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, and the Independent Directors Committee. |
2 | The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s Municipal Bond Investment Team. Messrs. Hults, Norton and Potter are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. |
* | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
86 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Directors Information
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INTERESTED DIRECTOR | ||||||||
Onur Erzan,# 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105 45 (2021) | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and Head of the Global Client Group overseeing AB’s institutional and retail businesses, where he is responsible for all client services, sales and marketing, as well as product strategy, management and development worldwide. Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AB Mutual Funds as of April 1, 2021. Prior to joining the firm in January 2021, he spent 20 years with McKinsey (management consulting firm), most recently as a senior partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice. In addition, he co-led McKinsey’s Banking & Securities Solutions (a portfolio of data, analytics, and digital assets and capabilities) globally. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 87 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS | ||||||||
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,## Chairman of the Board 80 (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Former Chairman and CEO of Dupont Photomasks, Inc. (components of semi-conductor manufacturing). He was a Director of Xilinx, Inc. (programmable logic semi-conductors and adaptable, intelligent computing) from 2007 through August 2020, and is a former director of 33 other companies and organizations. He has extensive operating leadership and venture capital investing experience, including five interim or full-time CEO roles, and prior service as general partner of institutional venture capital partnerships. He also has extensive non-profit board leadership experience, and currently serves on the boards of two education and science-related non-profit organizations. He has served as a director of one AB Fund since 1992, and director or trustee of all AB Funds since 2005. He has been Chairman of the AB Funds since January 2014, and the Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of such AB Funds since February 2014. | 74 | None |
88 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Jorge A. Bermudez,## 70 (2020) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, from November 2007 to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s Commercial Business Group in North America and Citibank Texas from 2005 to 2007, and a variety of other executive and leadership roles at various businesses within Citigroup prior to then; Chairman (2018) of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees (Trustee since 2013) and Chairman of the Smart Grid Center Board at Texas A&M University since 2012; director of, among others, Citibank N.A. from 2005 to 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch from 2009 to 2011, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2011 to 2017, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas from 2010 to 2016. He has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since January 2020. | 74 | Moody’s Corporation since April 2011 | |||||
Michael J. Downey,## (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chairman of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (registered investment company) since prior to 2016 until January 2019. From 1987 until 1993, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management, director of the Prudential mutual funds, and member of the Executive Committee of Prudential Securities, Inc. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2005. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 89 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Nancy P. Jacklin,## (2006) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Professorial Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (2008-2015). U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (which is responsible for ensuring the stability of the international monetary system), (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2006 and has been Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds since August 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
Jeanette W. Loeb,## 69 (2020) | Chief Executive Officer of PetCareRx (e-commerce pet pharmacy) from 2002 to 2011 and 2015 to present. Director of New York City Center since 2005. She was a director of AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund, Inc. (fund of hedge funds) from 2012 to 2018. Formerly, affiliated with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (financial services) from 1977 to 1994, including as a partner thereof from 1986 to 1994. She has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since April 2020. | 74 | Apollo Investment Corp. (business development company) since August 2011 |
90 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Carol C. McMullen,## 66 (2016) | Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) since 2014, private investor and a member of the Advisory Board of Butcher Box (since 2018). Formerly, member, Partners Healthcare Investment Committee (2010-2019); Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011 until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016; and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 until 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Chief Investment Officer, Core and Growth and Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards, and as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since June 2016. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 91 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Garry L. Moody,## (2008) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995), where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975-1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax department. He is a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of BoardIQ, a biweekly publication focused on issues and news affecting directors of mutual funds. He is also a member of the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and the Independent Directors Council’s Governing Council. He has served as a director or trustee, and as Chairman of the Audit Committees, of the AB Funds since 2008. | 74 | None | |||||
92 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Earl D. Weiner,## ^ 82 (2007) | Senior Counsel since 2017, Of Counsel from 2007 to 2016, and Partner prior to then, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. He is a former member of the ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force to draft editions of the Fund Director’s Guidebook. He also serves as a director or trustee of various non-profit organizations and has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of a number of them. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2007 and served as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds from 2007 until August 2014. | 72 | None |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention: Legal and Compliance Department—Mutual Fund Legal, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors. |
*** | The information above includes each Director’s principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes and skills relevant to each Director’s qualifications to serve as a Director, which led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director for the Fund. |
# | Mr. Erzan is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the “40 Act,” due to his position as a Senior Vice President of the Adviser. |
## | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, and the Independent Directors Committee. |
^ | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 93 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
Officer Information
Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE | PRINCIPAL POSITION(S) HELD WITH FUND | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST 5 YEARS | ||
Onur Erzan 45 | President and Chief Executive Officer | See biography above. | ||
Terrance T. Hults 55 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also Co-Head—Municipal Portfolio Management. | ||
Matthew J. Norton 38 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also Co-Head—Municipal Portfolio Management. | ||
Andrew D. Potter 36 | Vice President | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Emilie D. Wrapp 66 | Secretary | Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Michael B. Reyes 45 | Senior Analyst | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Joseph J. Mantineo 62 | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Phyllis J. Clarke 60 | Controller | Vice President of ABIS**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Vincent S. Noto 57 | Chief Compliance Officer | Senior Vice President and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser** since prior to 2016. |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Fund. |
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AB at (800) 227-4618, or visit www.abfunds.com, for a free prospectus or SAI.
94 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
Operation and Effectiveness of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program:
In October 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the open-end fund liquidity rule (the “Liquidity Rule”). In June 2018 the SEC adopted a requirement that funds disclose information about the operation and effectiveness of their Liquidity Risk Management Program (“LRMP”) in their reports to shareholders.
One of the requirements of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund to designate an Administrator of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The Administrator of the Fund’s LRMP is AllianceBernstein L.P., the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser has delegated the responsibility to its Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).
Another requirement of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Fund Board”) to receive an annual written report from the Administrator of the LRMP, which addresses the operation of the Fund’s LRMP and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness. The Adviser provided the Fund Board with such annual report during the first quarter of 2021, which covered the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the “Program Reporting Period”).
The LRMP’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner.
Pursuant to the LRMP, the Fund classifies the liquidity of its portfolio investments into one of the four categories defined by the SEC: Highly Liquid, Moderately Liquid, Less Liquid, and Illiquid. These classifications are reported to the SEC on Form N-PORT.
During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end structure, incorporating any holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. If the Fund participated in derivative transactions, the exposure from such transactions were considered in the LRMP.
The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether the Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”). The Committee also incorporated the following information when determining the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size for purposes of liquidity monitoring: historical net redemption activity, a Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, investment performance, total net assets, and distribution channels.
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 95 |
The Adviser informed the Fund Board that the Committee believes the Fund’s LRMP is adequately designed, has been implemented as intended, and has operated effectively since its inception. No material exceptions have been noted since the implementation of the LRMP. During the Program Reporting Period, beginning in March 2020, all financial markets experienced extreme levels of price volatility and relative illiquidity resulting from the COVID-19 impacts on the global economy. This extreme relative illiquidity resulted in significantly wider bid-ask spreads to transact in securities, including many of those securities held by the Fund, and in a diminished depth of liquidity in most markets, to varying degrees. Nonetheless, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions during the Program Reporting Period.
96 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy (the “Fund”) at a meeting held by video conference on November 3-5, 2020 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests a portion of its assets.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 97 |
judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2018 and 2019 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency and distribution services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution
98 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of certain classes of the Fund’s shares; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended July 31, 2020 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. In evaluating the Fund’s investment performance, the directors noted that the Fund lagged its peers in the one- year period. The directors took into account their understanding that only one of the funds in the Fund’s peer group is managed with a significant inflation component and that the Fund’s investment portfolio has a longer duration than that of most of its peers. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees payable by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and noted
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 99 |
that it was above the median. The directors took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Adviser informed the directors that there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that utilize investment strategies similar to those of the Fund.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. The directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was above the medians. After reviewing and discussing the Adviser’s explanations of the reasons for this, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
100 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.
AB FAMILY OF FUNDS
US EQUITY
CORE
Core Opportunities Fund
Select US Equity Portfolio
Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio1
GROWTH
Concentrated Growth Fund
Discovery Growth Fund
Growth Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
VALUE
Discovery Value Fund
Equity Income Fund
Relative Value Fund
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value Fund
INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY
CORE
Global Core Equity Portfolio
International Strategic Core Portfolio
Sustainable Global Thematic Fund
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
GROWTH
Concentrated International Growth Portfolio
Sustainable International Thematic Fund
VALUE
All China Equity Portfolio
International Value Fund
FIXED INCOME
MUNICIPAL
High Income Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio
Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
National Portfolio
Arizona Portfolio
California Portfolio
Massachusetts Portfolio
Minnesota Portfolio
New Jersey Portfolio
New York Portfolio
Ohio Portfolio
Pennsylvania Portfolio
Virginia Portfolio
TAXABLE
Bond Inflation Strategy
Global Bond Fund
High Income Fund
High Yield Portfolio1
Income Fund
Intermediate Duration Portfolio
Limited Duration High Income Portfolio
Short Duration Income Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Total Return Bond Portfolio
ALTERNATIVES
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Select US Long/Short Portfolio
MULTI-ASSET
All Market Income Portfolio
All Market Total Return Portfolio
Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio
Global Risk Allocation Fund
Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio1
Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio
CLOSED-END FUNDS
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund
We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB mutual funds. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
1 | Prior to December 1, 2021, Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio was named Conservative Wealth Strategy. Prior to August 23, 2021, Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio was named FlexFee™ US Thematic Portfolio. Prior to April 30, 2021, High Yield Portfolio was named FlexFee™ High Yield Portfolio. |
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 101 |
NOTES
102 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
NOTES
abfunds.com | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | 103 |
NOTES
104 | AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY | abfunds.com |
AB MUNICIPAL BOND INFLATION STRATEGY
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800 221 5672
MBIS-0151-1021
OCT 10.31.21
ANNUAL REPORT
AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically requested paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper form free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call the Fund at (800) 221 5672. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly, to all AB Mutual Funds you hold.
Investment Products Offered | • Are Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
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 AB’s website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB 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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT 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. AB publishes full portfolio holdings for the Fund monthly at www.abfunds.com.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
FROM THE PRESIDENT |
Dear Shareholder,
We’re pleased to provide this report for the AB Short Duration Income Portfolio (the “Fund”). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Fund’s investment strategy.
At AB, we’re striving to help our clients achieve better outcomes by:
+ | Fostering diverse perspectives that give us a distinctive approach to navigating global capital markets |
+ | Applying differentiated investment insights through a connected global research network |
+ | Embracing innovation to design better ways to invest and leading-edge mutual-fund solutions |
Whether you’re an individual investor or a multibillion-dollar institution, we’re putting our knowledge and experience to work for you every day.
For more information about AB’s comprehensive range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.
Thank you for your investment in AB mutual funds—and for placing your trust in our firm.
Sincerely,
Onur Erzan
President and Chief Executive Officer, AB Mutual Funds
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 1 |
ANNUAL REPORT
December 8, 2021
This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for the AB Short Duration Income Portfolio for the annual reporting period ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income consistent with preservation of capital.
NAV RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
6 Months | 12 Months | |||||||
AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | ||||||||
Class A Shares | -0.04% | 2.37% | ||||||
Class C Shares | -0.44% | 1.46% | ||||||
Advisor Class Shares1 | 0.16% | 2.48% | ||||||
Bloomberg 1-5 Year US Government/Credit Index | -0.43% | -0.39% |
1 | Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The table above shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg 1-5 Year US Government/Credit Index, for the six- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2021.
During the 12-month period, all share classes of the Fund outperformed the benchmark, before sales charges. Sector allocation was the primary contributor, relative to the benchmark, due to gains from off-benchmark US allocations to high-yield corporate bonds, high-yield credit default swaps, commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and credit risk-transfer securities that were greater than losses from off-benchmark high-yield corporate bonds in the eurozone and an underweight to US investment-grade corporate bonds. Security selection within investment-grade corporate bonds in the US and quasi-sovereign bonds also contributed. Currency decisions were a minor contributor to performance. Yield-curve positioning in the US detracted, the result of being underweight duration relative to the benchmark. Country allocation was a minor detractor due to exposures in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Colombia that were mostly offset by beneficial allocations to countries in the eurozone.
In the six-month period, all share classes except Class C outperformed the benchmark, before sales charges. Sector allocation contributed the most
2 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
to performance, due to off-benchmark allocation to US high-yield corporate bonds, CMBS and credit risk-transfer securities that added more than a loss from US agency mortgages. An underweight to duration in the US also added to returns from a yield-curve perspective. Security selection contributed because of selection among US investment-grade corporate bonds. Country allocation detracted, as losses within Australia, Canada and New Zealand were partially offset by beneficial exposure to eurozone countries. Currency decisions did not materially impact performance during the period.
During both periods, the Fund utilized derivatives in the form of futures, interest rate swaptions and interest rate swaps to manage and hedge duration risk and to take active yield-curve positioning. Currency forwards were used to hedge foreign currency exposure and to take active currency risk. Credit default swaps, both single name and index, were used to take active exposure and to hedge investment-grade and high-yield credit risk. Total return swaps were used to create synthetic high-yield exposure in the Fund.
MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Fixed-income market returns were mixed for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2021. Longer-term treasury returns fell in most major developed markets on rising yields—particularly in Australia, Canada, and the UK. Global inflation-linked bonds outperformed US Treasuries. Relatively low interest rates set the stage for the continued outperformance of risk assets, led by the performance of high-yield corporate bonds—particularly in the US, eurozone, and emerging markets. Emerging-market hard-currency sovereign bonds also had strong performance, mostly from the high-yield component. Emerging- and developed-market investment-grade corporate bonds also posted positive performance, with the US outperforming the eurozone. Securitized assets outperformed, especially CMBS. Local-currency sovereign bonds trailed, as the US dollar was mixed against emerging-market currencies and fell versus most developed-market currencies except the yen and South Korean won. Commodity prices were strong, with Brent crude oil and copper climbing from pandemic-related lows.
The Fund’s Senior Investment Management Team (the “Team”) continues to pursue high income, while preserving capital by investing primarily in government bonds from both US and non-US issuers as well as corporate bonds, with scope to invest a select amount in below investment-grade bonds. The Team manages the Fund with a core fixed-income strategy through a global, multi-sector approach that seeks an attractive risk/return profile.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 3 |
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, primarily in income-producing securities. The Fund also normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in securities of US and foreign governments and their agencies and instrumentalities (including mortgage-backed securities), derivatives related to such securities, and repurchase agreements relating to US government securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will maintain a dollar-weighted average duration of less than three years, although it may invest in securities of any duration or maturity.
The Fund may invest in non-government fixed-income securities, including corporate debt securities, non-government mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, certificates of deposit and commercial paper. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in below investment-grade securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”). The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may include both government and corporate securities, and securities of emerging-market countries or of issuers in emerging markets.
The Adviser selects securities for purchase or sale based on its assessment of the securities’ risks and return characteristics as well as the securities’ impact on the overall risks and return characteristics of the Fund. In making this assessment, the Adviser takes into account various factors, including the credit quality and sensitivity to interest rates of the securities under consideration and of the Fund’s other holdings.
The Fund may utilize derivatives, such as options, futures contracts, forwards and swaps. The Fund may, for example, use interest rate futures contracts and swaps to establish exposure to the fixed-income markets or particular fixed-income securities. Derivatives may provide a more efficient and economical exposure to market segments than direct investments, and may also be a more efficient way to alter the Fund’s exposure. The Fund may also enter into transactions such as reverse repurchase agreements that are similar to borrowings for investment purposes. The Fund’s use of derivatives and these borrowing transactions may create aggregate exposure that is substantially in excess of its net assets, effectively leveraging the Fund.
The Adviser may hedge the foreign currency exposure resulting from the Fund’s security positions, and may take long or short positions in currencies, through the use of currency-related derivatives.
4 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS
Benchmark Disclosure
The Bloomberg 1-5 Year US Government/Credit Index is unmanaged and does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Bloomberg 1-5 Year US Government/Credit Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the nonsecuritized component of the Bloomberg US Aggregate Index. It includes investment-grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate Treasuries and government-related and corporate securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than five years. 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
Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk: Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments and negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Interest-Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Duration Risk: Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 5 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk: This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Mortgage-Related and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk: Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.
Foreign (Non-US) Risk: Investments in securities of non-US issuers may involve more risk than those of US issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging-Market Risk: Investments in emerging-market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid as well as being subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
6 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
Leverage Risk: To the extent the Fund uses leveraging techniques, its net asset value (“NAV”) may be more volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of changes in interest rates and any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments.
Currency Risk: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.
Illiquid Investments Risk: Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest-rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Non-Diversification Risk: The Fund may have more risk because it is “non-diversified”, meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers. Accordingly, changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV.
Active Trading Risk: The Fund expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate may greatly exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Fund’s return. In addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in substantial short-term gains, which may have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders.
Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 7 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
An Important Note About Historical Performance
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown in this report 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.abfunds.com.
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 and 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.
8 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE FUND (unaudited)
12/12/20181 TO 10/31/2021
This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AB Short Duration Income Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/12/20181 to 10/31/2021) as compared to the performance of the Fund’s benchmark. The chart reflects the deduction of the maximum 4.25% sales charge from the initial $10,000 investment in the Fund and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
1 | Inception date: 12/12/2018. |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 9 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
NAV Returns | SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | SEC Yields1 | ||||||||||
CLASS A SHARES | 2.53% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 2.37% | -1.96% | ||||||||||
Since Inception2 | 3.66% | 2.12% | ||||||||||
CLASS C SHARES | 1.83% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 1.46% | 0.46% | ||||||||||
Since Inception2 | 2.81% | 2.81% | ||||||||||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES3 | 2.84% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 2.48% | 2.48% | ||||||||||
Since Inception2 | 3.81% | 3.81% |
The Fund’s current prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total annual operating expense ratios as 1.77%, 2.57% and 1.68% for Class A, Class C and Advisor Class shares, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Fund’s annual operating expense ratios, exclusive of acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, to 0.65%, 1.45% and 0.45% for Class A, Class C and Advisor Class shares, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements may not be terminated before January 31, 2022. Any fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser may be reimbursed by the Fund until the end of the third fiscal year after the fiscal period in which the fee was waived or the expense was borne, provided that no reimbursement payment will be made that would cause the Fund’s total operating expenses to exceed the applicable expense limitations. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower. 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.
1 | SEC yields are calculated based on SEC guidelines for the 30-day period ended October 31, 2021. |
2 | Inception date: 12/12/2018. |
3 | This share class is offered at NAV to eligible investors and the SEC returns are the same as the NAV returns. Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
10 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 (unaudited)
SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | ||||
CLASS A SHARES | ||||
1 Year | -1.36% | |||
Since Inception1 | 2.47% | |||
CLASS C SHARES | ||||
1 Year | 1.06% | |||
Since Inception1 | 3.21% | |||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES2 | ||||
1 Year | 3.09% | |||
Since Inception1 | 4.21% |
1 | Inception date: 12/12/2018. |
2 | Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 11 |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
(unaudited)
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 first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, 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 in the first line 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 second line of the table below 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.
Beginning Account Value May 1, 2021 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2021 | Expenses Paid During Period* | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 999.60 | $ | 3.48 | 0.69 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.73 | $ | 3.52 | 0.69 | % | ||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 995.60 | $ | 7.39 | 1.47 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,017.80 | $ | 7.48 | 1.47 | % | ||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,001.60 | $ | 2.37 | 0.47 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.84 | $ | 2.40 | 0.47 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (interest expense incurred) multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Fund’s operating expenses are borne by the Adviser or its affiliates. |
** | Assumes 5% annual return before expenses. |
12 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
October 31, 2021
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $62.9
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 13 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2021
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
GOVERNMENTS - TREASURIES – 95.1% | ||||||||||||
Australia – 9.8% | ||||||||||||
Australia Government Bond | AUD | 4,199 | $ | 3,373,395 | ||||||||
Series 164 | 3,937 | 2,826,382 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
6,199,777 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Colombia – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Colombian TES | COP | 1,177,700 | 286,158 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Mexico – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Mexican Bonos | MXN | 3,550 | 173,239 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
New Zealand – 4.0% | ||||||||||||
New Zealand Government Bond | NZD | 3,778 | 2,496,550 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Peru – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Peru Government Bond | PEN | 880 | 233,307 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Russia – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Russian Federal Bond – OFZ | RUB | 32,513 | 449,314 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Spain – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Spain Government Bond | EUR | 356 | 428,018 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
United States – 78.8% | ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Bonds | U.S.$ | 859 | 1,097,794 | |||||||||
6.875%, 08/15/2025(b) | 2,177 | 2,651,371 | ||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Notes | 294 | 279,477 | ||||||||||
0.625%, 05/15/2030(b)(c) | 1,784 | 1,658,934 | ||||||||||
1.50%, 08/15/2026(b) | 5,275 | 5,356,914 | ||||||||||
1.625%, 10/31/2026-08/15/2029(b)(c) | 11,870 | 12,100,124 | ||||||||||
2.00%, 08/15/2025(b) | 3,030 | 3,145,934 | ||||||||||
2.125%, 07/31/2024(b) | 3,962 | 4,115,216 | ||||||||||
2.125%, 05/31/2026 | 5,401 | 5,641,095 |
14 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
2.25%, 11/15/2024 | U.S.$ | 4,126 | $ | 4,308,987 | ||||||||
2.25%, 11/15/2025(b) | 2,792 | 2,926,713 | ||||||||||
2.375%, 08/15/2024 | 614 | 641,901 | ||||||||||
2.875%, 08/15/2028(b) | 743 | 813,223 | ||||||||||
3.125%, 11/15/2028(b) | 4,298 | 4,782,757 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
49,520,440 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Governments - Treasuries | 59,786,803 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
CORPORATES - NON-INVESTMENT GRADE – 14.1% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 12.9% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Arconic Corp. | 6 | 6,330 | ||||||||||
Graphic Packaging International LLC | 6 | 6,494 | ||||||||||
Hecla Mining Co. | 29 | 31,214 | ||||||||||
Kleopatra Finco SARL | EUR | 100 | 110,882 | |||||||||
Unifrax Escrow Issuer Corp. | U.S.$ | 10 | 10,005 | |||||||||
WR Grace Holdings LLC | 72 | 73,136 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
238,061 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Bombardier, Inc. | 28 | 28,892 | ||||||||||
Cleaver-Brooks, Inc. | 7 | 6,909 | ||||||||||
Energizer Holdings, Inc. | 16 | 15,948 | ||||||||||
Gates Global LLC/Gates Corp. | 61 | 63,059 | ||||||||||
GFL Environmental, Inc. | 10 | 10,282 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 12/15/2026(a) | 2 | 2,094 | ||||||||||
LSB Industries, Inc. | 26 | 26,274 | ||||||||||
Renk AG/Frankfurt am Main | EUR | 100 | 119,679 | |||||||||
Tervita Corp. | U.S.$ | 14 | 16,070 | |||||||||
TransDigm, Inc. | 35 | 37,227 |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 15 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Triumph Group, Inc. | U.S.$ | 13 | $ | 14,325 | ||||||||
Wesco Distribution, Inc. | 16 | 17,022 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
357,781 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 1.5% | ||||||||||||
Altice Financing SA | 200 | 192,670 | ||||||||||
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. | 26 | 26,457 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 05/01/2027(a) | 159 | 164,946 | ||||||||||
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc. | 161 | 165,228 | ||||||||||
DISH DBS Corp. | 8 | 8,278 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 11/15/2024 | 53 | 56,556 | ||||||||||
Mav Acquisition Corp. | 56 | 55,096 | ||||||||||
Meredith Corp. | 8 | 8,293 | ||||||||||
Scripps Escrow II, Inc. | 21 | 20,591 | ||||||||||
Sinclair Television Group, Inc. | 100 | 102,311 | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Radio, Inc. | 56 | 56,128 | ||||||||||
4.00%, 07/15/2028(a) | 28 | 28,188 | ||||||||||
TEGNA, Inc. | 25 | 26,043 | ||||||||||
Univision Communications, Inc. | 4 | 4,072 | ||||||||||
9.50%, 05/01/2025(a) | 20 | 21,727 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
936,584 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Consolidated Communications, Inc. | 35 | 35,442 | ||||||||||
Frontier Communications Holdings LLC | 10 | 10,360 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
45,802 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Adient US LLC | 88 | 94,303 | ||||||||||
Clarios Global LP/Clarios US Finance Co. | 45 | 47,083 |
16 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Ford Motor Co. | U.S.$ | 27 | $ | 32,470 | ||||||||
Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC | EUR | 116 | 143,483 | |||||||||
Meritor, Inc. | U.S.$ | 5 | 5,244 | |||||||||
Tenneco, Inc. | 26 | 28,427 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
351,010 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 1.7% | ||||||||||||
Boyne USA, Inc. | 16 | 16,412 | ||||||||||
Carnival Corp. | ||||||||||||
4.00%, 08/01/2028(a) | 36 | 35,977 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 03/01/2027(a) | 62 | 63,085 | ||||||||||
10.50%, 02/01/2026(a) | 107 | 124,300 | ||||||||||
Cedar Fair LP/Canada’s Wonderland Co./Magnum Management Corp./Millennium Op | 159 | 165,358 | ||||||||||
Mattel, Inc. | 144 | 147,424 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 12/15/2027(a) | 102 | 109,858 | ||||||||||
NCL Corp., Ltd. | 33 | 33,135 | ||||||||||
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | 108 | 110,952 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 08/31/2026(a) | 31 | 31,611 | ||||||||||
10.875%, 06/01/2023(a) | 47 | 52,617 | ||||||||||
11.50%, 06/01/2025(a) | 47 | 53,506 | ||||||||||
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. | 20 | 21,421 | ||||||||||
Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. | 58 | 61,684 | ||||||||||
Vail Resorts, Inc. | 11 | 11,592 | ||||||||||
Viking Cruises Ltd. | 12 | 11,637 | ||||||||||
13.00%, 05/15/2025(a) | 16 | 18,344 | ||||||||||
Viking Ocean Cruises Ship VII Ltd. | 14 | 13,944 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,082,857 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 1.0% | ||||||||||||
Adams Homes, Inc. | 13 | 13,594 | ||||||||||
Boyd Gaming Corp. | 6 | 6,490 |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 17 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc./Brookfield Residential US LLC | U.S.$ | 125 | $ | 130,468 | ||||||||
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. | 18 | 18,947 | ||||||||||
Churchill Downs, Inc. | 29 | 30,051 | ||||||||||
Empire Communities Corp. | 143 | 148,797 | ||||||||||
Five Point Operating Co. LP/Five Point Capital Corp. | 85 | 88,570 | ||||||||||
Forestar Group, Inc. | 41 | 41,014 | ||||||||||
Forterra Finance LLC/FRTA Finance Corp. | 11 | 11,720 | ||||||||||
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc. | 7 | 7,304 | ||||||||||
Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc. | 12 | 12,604 | ||||||||||
Shea Homes LP/Shea Homes Funding Corp. | 11 | 11,087 | ||||||||||
Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc. | 15 | 16,837 | ||||||||||
Travel + Leisure Co. | 20 | 22,327 | ||||||||||
Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp. | 33 | 33,573 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
593,383 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Restaurants – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc. | 17 | 16,958 | ||||||||||
5.75%, 04/15/2025(a) | 25 | 26,070 | ||||||||||
IRB Holding Corp. | 26 | 27,543 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
70,571 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Bath & Body Works, Inc. | 6 | 7,468 | ||||||||||
Dufry One BV | EUR | 100 | 113,911 | |||||||||
Hanesbrands, Inc. | U.S.$ | 135 | 141,144 | |||||||||
Michaels Cos, Inc. (The) | 73 | 73,790 |
18 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Rite Aid Corp. | U.S.$ | 12 | $ | 12,060 | ||||||||
Specialty Building Products Holdings LLC/SBP Finance Corp. | 30 | 31,241 | ||||||||||
SRS Distribution, Inc. | 39 | 39,907 | ||||||||||
Staples, Inc. | 15 | 15,191 | ||||||||||
William Carter Co. (The) | 22 | 23,020 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
457,732 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 1.5% | ||||||||||||
Albertsons Cos., Inc./Safeway, Inc./New Albertsons LP/Albertsons LLC | 154 | 156,758 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 02/15/2028(a) | 87 | 92,547 | ||||||||||
Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc. | 119 | 123,510 | ||||||||||
CD&R Smokey Buyer, Inc. | 29 | 30,716 | ||||||||||
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. | 11 | 11,482 | ||||||||||
Horizon Therapeutics USA, Inc. | 204 | 215,877 | ||||||||||
Legacy LifePoint Health LLC | 23 | 22,877 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 04/15/2025(a) | 48 | 50,400 | ||||||||||
ModivCare, Inc. | 9 | 9,457 | ||||||||||
Newell Brands, Inc. | 26 | 28,481 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 06/01/2025 | 7 | 7,664 | ||||||||||
Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. | 24 | 24,212 | ||||||||||
RegionalCare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc./LifePoint Health, Inc. | 7 | 7,386 | ||||||||||
RP Escrow Issuer LLC | 39 | 39,026 | ||||||||||
Tenet Healthcare Corp. | 9 | 9,254 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 02/01/2027(a) | 24 | 24,927 | ||||||||||
7.50%, 04/01/2025(a) | 29 | 30,772 | ||||||||||
US Acute Care Solutions LLC | 81 | 84,022 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
969,368 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 19 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Energy – 2.1% |
| |||||||||
Antero Resources Corp. | U.S.$ | 14 | $ | 15,756 | ||||||
Apache Corp. | 6 | 6,462 | ||||||||
4.875%, 11/15/2027 | 12 | 13,054 | ||||||||
Athabasca Oil Corp. | 50 | 50,373 | ||||||||
Blue Racer Midstream LLC/Blue Racer Finance Corp. | 177 | 190,268 | ||||||||
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. | 59 | 59,592 | ||||||||
Callon Petroleum Co. | 28 | 28,211 | ||||||||
CITGO Petroleum Corp. | 33 | 33,981 | ||||||||
CNX Resources Corp. | 33 | 34,823 | ||||||||
EnLink Midstream LLC | 48 | 50,922 | ||||||||
EnLink Midstream Partners LP | 134 | 140,034 | ||||||||
4.85%, 07/15/2026 | 31 | 32,179 | ||||||||
EQT Corp. | 31 | 39,697 | ||||||||
Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp. | 15 | 14,841 | ||||||||
8.00%, 01/15/2027 | 29 | 29,147 | ||||||||
Independence Energy Finance LLC | 51 | 53,092 | ||||||||
Nabors Industries Ltd. | 15 | 14,629 | ||||||||
New Fortress Energy, Inc. | 122 | 118,882 | ||||||||
NGL Energy Operating LLC/NGL Energy Finance Corp. | 58 | 58,883 | ||||||||
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | 75 | �� | 76,237 | |||||||
5.875%, 09/01/2025 | 10 | 11,100 | ||||||||
8.00%, 07/15/2025 | 18 | 21,293 | ||||||||
PBF Holding Co. LLC/PBF Finance Corp. | 40 | 38,813 | ||||||||
Range Resources Corp. | 3 | 3,083 |
20 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Renewable Energy Group, Inc. | U.S.$ | 7 | $ | 7,361 | ||||||||
Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp. | 40 | 40,267 | ||||||||||
Sunnova Energy Corp. | 25 | 25,518 | ||||||||||
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp. | 46 | 47,450 | ||||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | 23 | 17,585 | ||||||||||
Western Midstream Operating LP | 5 | 5,268 | ||||||||||
4.75%, 08/15/2028 | 24 | 26,402 | ||||||||||
5.30%, 02/01/2030 | 20 | 21,920 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,327,123 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Industrial – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
Avient Corp. | 16 | 16,776 | ||||||||||
IAA, Inc. | 5 | 5,207 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
21,983 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 1.4% |
| |||||||||||
Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp. | 57 | 59,947 | ||||||||||
APX Group, Inc. | 53 | 56,081 | ||||||||||
Aramark Services, Inc. | 42 | 44,210 | ||||||||||
Garda World Security Corp. | 59 | 58,565 | ||||||||||
Gartner, Inc. | 63 | 65,660 | ||||||||||
Millennium Escrow Corp. | 50 | 50,825 | ||||||||||
MoneyGram International, Inc. | 25 | 25,124 | ||||||||||
MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC | 78 | 71,152 | ||||||||||
Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc. | 168 | 161,010 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 01/15/2028(a) | 82 | 84,065 | ||||||||||
Sabre GLBL, Inc. | 84 | 97,070 |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 21 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Square, Inc. | U.S.$ | 81 | $ | 81,954 | ||||||||
TripAdvisor, Inc. | 12 | 12,728 | ||||||||||
WASH Multifamily Acquisition, Inc. | 15 | 15,525 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
883,916 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.7% |
| |||||||||||
Austin BidCo, Inc. | 10 | 10,326 | ||||||||||
Avaya, Inc. | 81 | 84,337 | ||||||||||
Boxer Parent Co., Inc. | 39 | 41,376 | ||||||||||
Microchip Technology, Inc. | 91 | 94,620 | ||||||||||
NCR Corp. | 105 | 106,927 | ||||||||||
Presidio Holdings, Inc. | 56 | 57,155 | ||||||||||
8.25%, 02/01/2028(a) | 2 | 2,130 | ||||||||||
Science Applications International Corp. | 4 | 4,125 | ||||||||||
Veritas US, Inc./Veritas Bermuda Ltd. | 60 | 62,190 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
463,186 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Airlines – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Air Canada | 12 | 12,158 | ||||||||||
Hawaiian Brand Intellectual Property Ltd./HawaiianMiles Loyalty Ltd. | 24 | 24,997 | ||||||||||
Spirit Loyalty Cayman Ltd./Spirit IP Cayman Ltd. | 41 | 45,342 | ||||||||||
United Airlines, Inc. | 91 | 94,223 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
176,720 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Services – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc. | 2 | 2,091 | ||||||||||
EC Finance PLC | EUR | 100 | 116,892 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
118,983 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,095,060 | ||||||||||||
|
|
22 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 1.0% |
| |||||||||||
Banking – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Alliance Data Systems Corp. | U.S.$ | 35 | $ | 35,817 | ||||||||
7.00%, 01/15/2026(a) | 7 | 7,432 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
43,249 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Brokerage – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Advisor Group Holdings, Inc. | 52 | 57,766 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Finance – 0.7% |
| |||||||||||
Castlelake Aviation Finance DAC | 62 | 61,840 | ||||||||||
Curo Group Holdings Corp. | 53 | 53,858 | ||||||||||
goeasy Ltd. | 76 | 78,158 | ||||||||||
Jefferies Finance LLC/JFIN Co-Issuer Corp. | 200 | 202,858 | ||||||||||
Navient Corp. | 14 | 14,393 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
411,107 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Insurance – 0.0% |
| |||||||||||
Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer | 21 | 20,996 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
REITs – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Diversified Healthcare Trust | 36 | 39,106 | ||||||||||
MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc. | 31 | 33,367 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
72,473 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
605,591 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
Electric – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Calpine Corp. | 8 | 7,980 | ||||||||||
Talen Energy Supply LLC | 5 | 4,789 | ||||||||||
Vistra Operations Co. LLC | 68 | 70,071 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
82,840 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 23 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Other Utility – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Solaris Midstream Holdings LLC | U.S.$ | 72 | $ | 75,959 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
158,799 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates - Non-Investment Grade | 8,859,450 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS – 7.3% | ||||||||||||
Risk Share Floating Rate – 6.8% | ||||||||||||
Bellemeade Re Ltd. | 145 | 145,148 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-1A, Class M2 | 152 | 152,562 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-4A, Class M2 | 150 | 151,771 | ||||||||||
Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust | 6 | 6,093 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-R03, Class 1M2 | 9 | 9,088 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-R05, Class 1M2 | 4 | 3,593 | ||||||||||
Eagle Re Ltd. | 150 | 150,000 | ||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes | 166 | 171,905 | ||||||||||
Series 2015-HQA1, Class M3 | 152 | 155,319 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-DNA4, Class M3 | 208 | 215,251 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-DNA1, Class M2 | 232 | 239,330 |
24 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 2017-DNA2, Class M2 | U.S.$ | 400 | $ | 412,868 | ||||||
Series 2019-DNA3, Class M2 | 10 | 10,539 | ||||||||
Series 2019-DNA4, Class M2 | 11 | 10,593 | ||||||||
Series 2020-DNA1, Class M2 | 71 | 71,612 | ||||||||
Series 2021-DNA5, Class M2 | 77 | 77,298 | ||||||||
Series 2021-DNA6, Class M2 | 150 | 150,242 | ||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities | 124 | 128,877 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C02, Class 1M2 | 28 | 28,328 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C02, Class 2M2 | 5 | 5,467 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C03, Class 1M2 | 33 | 34,077 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C04, Class 2M2 | 4 | 3,673 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C01, Class 1M2 | 112 | 117,945 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C01, Class 2M2 | 15 | 15,467 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C04, Class 1B | 118 | 132,796 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C05, Class 2M2 | 110 | 114,689 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C02, Class 2B1 | 24 | 26,409 |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 25 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series 2017-C05, Class 1M2 | U.S.$ | 53 | $ | 53,822 | ||||||||
Series 2018-C01, Class 1B1 | 180 | 185,660 | ||||||||||
Home Re Ltd. | 150 | 154,865 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-1, Class M1B | 250 | 249,384 | ||||||||||
Mortgage Insurance-Linked Notes | 110 | 110,242 | ||||||||||
Oaktown Re II Ltd. | 31 | 30,984 | ||||||||||
Oaktown Re III Ltd. | 150 | 150,000 | ||||||||||
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust | 42 | 41,185 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-3R, Class A | 25 | 25,030 | ||||||||||
Radnor Re Ltd. | 96 | 95,841 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-1, Class M1C | 150 | 148,512 | ||||||||||
Triangle Re Ltd. | 150 | 151,120 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-3, Class M1A | 137 | 137,034 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,274,619 | ||||||||||||
|
|
26 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Agency Fixed Rate – 0.3% |
| |||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMICs | U.S.$ | 96 | $ | 21,953 | ||||||||
Series 5080, Class IJ | 707 | 104,232 | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association REMICs | 218 | 10,115 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-26, Class IO | 213 | 36,051 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-31, Class IO | 279 | 44,676 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-64, Class BI | 37 | 5,752 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
222,779 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Agency Floating Rate – 0.2% |
| |||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMICs | 118 | 23,829 | ||||||||||
Series 4906, Class SA | 118 | 24,174 | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association REMICs | 108 | 12,257 | ||||||||||
Series 2012-17, Class SE | 80 | 19,214 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-25, Class SA | 60 | 12,137 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-42, Class SQ | 55 | 10,091 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
101,702 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 4,599,100 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
GOVERNMENTS - SOVEREIGN AGENCIES – 6.6% | ||||||||||||
Canada – 6.6% | ||||||||||||
Canada Housing Trust No. 1 | CAD | 5,065 | 4,145,557 | |||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 27 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
CORPORATES - INVESTMENT GRADE – 6.1% | ||||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 4.1% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 3.3% | ||||||||||||
Banco de Credito del Peru | U.S.$ | 119 | $ | 117,697 | ||||||||
Bank of America Corp. | 134 | 146,403 | ||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | 200 | 216,394 | ||||||||||
CIT Group, Inc. | 15 | 15,609 | ||||||||||
Credit Agricole SA | 200 | 240,066 | ||||||||||
HSBC Holdings PLC | 200 | 217,876 | ||||||||||
ING Groep NV | 200 | 204,752 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley | 7 | 7,033 | ||||||||||
Nordea Bank Abp | 200 | 228,364 | ||||||||||
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) | 12 | 12,041 | ||||||||||
Swedbank AB | 200 | 215,028 | ||||||||||
Truist Financial Corp. | 241 | 262,213 | ||||||||||
UBS Group AG | 200 | 216,966 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,100,442 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Finance – 0.6% |
| |||||||||||
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust | 150 | 158,810 | ||||||||||
Aircastle Ltd. | 5 | 5,037 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 05/01/2024 | 8 | 8,452 | ||||||||||
4.25%, 06/15/2026 | 2 | 2,168 | ||||||||||
4.40%, 09/25/2023 | 16 | 16,940 |
28 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
5.00%, 04/01/2023 | U.S.$ | 3 | $ | 3,167 | ||||||||
5.25%, 08/11/2025(a) | 52 | 57,606 | ||||||||||
Aviation Capital Group LLC | 60 | 58,983 | ||||||||||
3.50%, 11/01/2027(a) | 8 | 8,345 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 08/01/2025(a) | 16 | 17,089 | ||||||||||
4.375%, 01/30/2024(a) | 26 | 27,598 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
364,195 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
REITs – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Office Properties Income Trust | 115 | 115,059 | ||||||||||
3.45%, 10/15/2031 | 30 | 29,295 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
144,354 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,608,991 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Industrial – 1.7% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Arconic Corp. | 15 | 15,751 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. | 7 | 7,406 | ||||||||||
4.40%, 03/15/2024 | 8 | 8,547 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
15,953 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Netflix, Inc. | 216 | 240,468 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Las Vegas Sands Corp. | 165 | 168,729 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. | 250 | 263,492 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Cenovus Energy, Inc. | 16 | 17,977 | ||||||||||
Continental Resources, Inc./OK | 41 | 49,116 | ||||||||||
Ecopetrol SA | 15 | 14,888 | ||||||||||
5.375%, 06/26/2026 | 55 | 59,479 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 05/28/2045 | 4 | 4,035 | ||||||||||
6.875%, 04/29/2030 | 45 | 51,862 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
197,357 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 29 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Services – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Expedia Group, Inc. | U.S.$ | 4 | $ | 4,569 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Broadcom, Inc. | 22 | 21,669 | ||||||||||
4.11%, 09/15/2028 | 78 | 85,973 | ||||||||||
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp. | 36 | 36,641 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
144,283 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,050,602 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Chile Electricity PEC SpA | 200 | 162,663 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates - Investment Grade | 3,822,256 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 5.5% | ||||||||||||
Non-Agency Fixed Rate CMBS – 4.8% | ||||||||||||
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 100 | 91,354 | ||||||||||
BANK | 2,082 | 272,904 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-BN29, Class XA | 993 | 98,878 | ||||||||||
Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust | 992 | 83,872 | ||||||||||
Bbcms Mortgage Trust | 1,461 | 89,363 | ||||||||||
CD Mortgage Trust | 1,614 | 85,140 | ||||||||||
CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust | 90 | 5,370 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-C8, Class XA | 292 | 19,527 | ||||||||||
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust | 975 | 44,446 |
30 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Commercial Mortgage Trust | U.S.$ | 100 | $ | 99,734 | ||||||
Series 2014-CR16, Class D | 100 | 95,037 | ||||||||
Series 2016-DC2, Class XA | 2,648 | 88,645 | ||||||||
CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust | 100 | 74,017 | ||||||||
GS Mortgage Securities Trust | ||||||||||
Series 2013-GC13, Class D | 100 | 48,753 | ||||||||
Series 2016-GS3, Class XA | 1,313 | 63,453 | ||||||||
Series 2017-GS5, Class XA | 1,471 | 59,148 | ||||||||
Series 2017-GS7, Class XA | 3,403 | 165,755 | ||||||||
Series 2019-GC39, Class XA | 4,670 | 299,497 | ||||||||
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 75 | 45,998 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 100 | 89,514 | ||||||||
Series 2012-LC9, Class G | 100 | 76,399 | ||||||||
Series 2013-LC11, Class B | 110 | 111,881 | ||||||||
UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | 125 | 118,281 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C1, Class XA | 1,113 | 75,372 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C2, Class XA | 2,589 | 119,392 | ||||||||
Series 2018-C14, Class XA | 976 | 56,569 | ||||||||
Series 2018-C15, Class XA | 900 | 47,524 | ||||||||
Series 2019-C18, Class XA | 1,280 | 80,271 | ||||||||
UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust | 81 | 70,998 |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 31 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust | U.S.$ | 1,119 | $ | 80,455 | ||||||||
Series 2016-LC24, Class XA | 866 | 55,324 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-C48, Class XA | 825 | 48,585 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-C52, Class XA | 962 | 92,872 | ||||||||||
WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | 60 | 56,998 | ||||||||||
Series 2011-C4, Class E | ||||||||||||
4.887%, 06/15/2044(a) | 25 | 18,796 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,030,122 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Non-Agency Floating Rate CMBS – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
BFLD Trust | 59 | 58,555 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-DPLO, Class E | 10 | 9,874 | ||||||||||
CLNY Trust | 120 | 119,398 | ||||||||||
Great Wolf Trust | 45 | 44,548 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust | 133 | 111,155 | ||||||||||
Starwood Retail Property Trust | 89 | 54,067 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
397,597 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | 3,427,719 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
32 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - SOVEREIGNS – 3.8% | ||||||||||||
Bahrain – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Bahrain Government International Bond | U.S.$ | 200 | $ | 218,813 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Dominican Republic – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Dominican Republic International Bond | 357 | 397,720 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Ecuador – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Ecuador Government International Bond | 97 | 79,947 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Egypt – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Egypt Government International Bond | 212 | 218,095 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
El Salvador – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
El Salvador Government International Bond | 24 | 18,972 | ||||||||||
8.625%, 02/28/2029(a) | 90 | 71,398 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
90,370 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Ghana – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Ghana Government International Bond | 200 | 178,000 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Ivory Coast – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Ivory Coast Government International Bond | EUR | 100 | 119,704 | |||||||||
6.375%, 03/03/2028(a) | U.S.$ | 200 | 218,037 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
337,741 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Lebanon – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Lebanon Government International Bond | 16 | 2,360 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Nigeria – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Nigeria Government International Bond | 200 | 198,250 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Senegal – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Senegal Government International Bond | EUR | 100 | 117,717 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
South Africa – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Republic of South Africa Government International Bond | U.S.$ | 200 | 201,475 | |||||||||
5.875%, 09/16/2025 | 200 | 223,725 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
425,200 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 33 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Ukraine – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Ukraine Government International Bond | U.S.$ | 100 | $ | 107,925 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Emerging Markets - Sovereigns | 2,372,138 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS – 3.2% | ||||||||||||
CLO - Floating Rate – 3.2% | ||||||||||||
Ballyrock CLO 15 Ltd. | 250 | 250,040 | ||||||||||
Neuberger Berman Loan Advisers CLO 33 Ltd. | 250 | 249,999 | ||||||||||
New Mountain CLO Ltd. | 250 | 250,024 | ||||||||||
Palmer Square CLO Ltd. | 250 | 250,000 | ||||||||||
Prudential PLC | 250 | 250,037 | ||||||||||
Rockford Tower CLO Ltd. | 250 | 250,291 | ||||||||||
Sixth Street CLO XIX Ltd. | 250 | 250,047 | ||||||||||
Sixth Street CLO XVII Ltd. | 250 | 249,037 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Collateralized Loan Obligations | 1,999,475 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
34 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
BANK LOANS – 1.6% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 1.4% | ||||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
ACProducts Holdings, Inc. | U.S.$ | 102 | $ | 101,428 | ||||||||
The Chamberlain Group, LLC | 10 | 9,979 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
111,407 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Coral-US Co-Borrower LLC | 30 | 29,781 | ||||||||||
Univision Communications, Inc. | 9 | 8,672 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
38,453 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Crown Subsea Communications Holding, Inc. | 40 | 40,352 | ||||||||||
DIRECTV Financing, LLC | 30 | 30,014 | ||||||||||
Zacapa SARL | 44 | 43,606 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
113,972 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Seaworld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. | 143 | 142,464 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
American Tire Distributors, Inc. | 60 | 60,435 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Kronos Acquisition Holdings, Inc. | 40 | 38,474 | ||||||||||
Padagis LLC | 30 | 30,037 |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 35 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
U.S. Renal Care, Inc. | U.S.$ | 27 | $ | 27,241 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
95,752 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Industrial – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Rockwood Service Corporation | 3 | 3,033 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Amentum Government Services Holdings LLC | 3 | 2,945 | ||||||||||
Parexel International Corporation | 12 | 12,159 | ||||||||||
Team Health Holdings, Inc. | 19 | 18,564 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
33,668 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
athenahealth, Inc. | 19 | 18,710 | ||||||||||
Banff Guarantor Inc. | 10 | 10,113 | ||||||||||
Boxer Parent Company, Inc. | 27 | 27,004 | ||||||||||
Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. | 89 | 87,424 | ||||||||||
Loyalty Ventures Inc. | 83 | 82,443 | ||||||||||
Peraton Corp. | 20 | 19,922 | ||||||||||
Presidio Holdings Inc. | 0 | ** | 488 | |||||||||
3.630% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.50%), 01/22/2027(k) | 9 | 8,870 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
254,974 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
854,158 | ||||||||||||
|
|
36 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Finance – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Equiniti Group PLC | U.S.$ | 30 | $ | 30,000 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Insurance – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Cross Financial Corp. | 50 | 49,978 | ||||||||||
Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. (Lightning Cayman Merger Sub, Ltd.) | 11 | 10,703 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
60,681 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
90,681 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Generation Bridge Acquisition, LLC | 42 | 41,949 | ||||||||||
Granite Generation LLC | 21 | 21,088 | ||||||||||
4.750% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.75%), 11/09/2026(k) | 4 | 4,124 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
67,161 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Bank Loans | 1,012,000 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
QUASI-SOVEREIGNS – 0.9% | ||||||||||||
Quasi-Sovereign Bonds – 0.9% | ||||||||||||
Mexico – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Petroleos Mexicanos | 101 | 100,662 | ||||||||||
5.95%, 01/28/2031 | 53 | 52,019 | ||||||||||
6.49%, 01/23/2027 | 22 | 23,362 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
176,043 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Oman – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Lamar Funding Ltd. | 208 | 207,194 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Ukraine – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
State Agency of Roads of Ukraine | 200 | 196,062 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Quasi-Sovereigns | 579,299 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 37 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
Other ABS - Fixed Rate – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Certificate Issuer Trust I | U.S.$ | 3 | $ | 3,264 | ||||||||
Series 2019-HP1, Class B | 100 | 101,551 | ||||||||||
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond CLUB Credit Trust | 100 | 100,700 | ||||||||||
Marlette Funding Trust | 48 | 47,851 | ||||||||||
SoFi Consumer Loan Program Trust | 100 | 101,688 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
355,054 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Autos - Fixed Rate – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust | 115 | 119,571 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-1A, Class E | 40 | 42,168 | ||||||||||
Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust | 14 | 14,564 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
176,303 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Asset-Backed Securities | 531,357 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - CORPORATE BONDS – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Eldorado Gold Corp. | 28 | 28,454 | ||||||||||
Volcan Cia Minera SAA | 60 | 58,436 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
86,890 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Embraer Netherlands Finance BV | 146 | 152,351 | ||||||||||
|
|
38 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Energy – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Leviathan Bond Ltd. | U.S.$ | 59 | $ | 60,910 | ||||||||
6.125%, 06/30/2025(a) | 23 | 24,711 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
85,621 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Emerging Markets - Corporate Bonds | 324,862 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Investment Companies – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. – Government Money Market Portfolio – Class AB, | 395,094 | 395,094 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Investments – 146.1% | 91,855,110 | |||||||||||
Other assets less liabilities – (46.1)% | (29,004,464 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $ | 62,850,646 | ||||||||||
|
|
FUTURES (see Note D)
Description | Number of Contracts | Expiration Month | Current Notional | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||
Sold Contracts |
| |||||||||||||
10 Yr Mini Japan Government Bond Futures | 3 | December 2021 | $ | 398,219 | $ | 1,573 | ||||||||
Canadian 10 Yr Bond Futures | 10 | December 2021 | 1,138,898 | 39,092 | ||||||||||
Euro-BOBL Futures | 5 | December 2021 | 773,133 | 11,844 | ||||||||||
Euro-Schatz Futures | 3 | December 2021 | 388,277 | 1,142 | ||||||||||
U.S. 10 Yr Ultra Futures | 22 | December 2021 | 3,190,687 | 51,024 | ||||||||||
U.S. T-Note 2 Yr (CBT) Futures | 24 | December 2021 | 5,262,000 | 21,501 | ||||||||||
U.S. T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures | 62 | December 2021 | 7,548,500 | 63,491 | ||||||||||
U.S. T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures | 98 | December 2021 | 12,808,906 | 229,184 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||
$ | 418,851 | |||||||||||||
|
|
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | BRL | 4,591 | USD | 853 | 11/03/2021 | $ | 39,459 | |||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 814 | BRL | 4,591 | 11/03/2021 | (115 | ) | |||||||||||
Citibank, NA | AUD | 4,668 | USD | 3,362 | 11/09/2021 | (149,770 | ) |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 39 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | RUB | 34,655 | USD | 471 | 12/15/2021 | $ | (13,712 | ) | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | BRL | 4,264 | USD | 756 | 11/03/2021 | 107 | ||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 357 | BRL | 2,025 | 11/03/2021 | 1,349 | ||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | USD | 403 | BRL | 2,239 | 11/03/2021 | (5,951 | ) | |||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 11 | IDR | 163,286 | 01/27/2022 | 50 | ||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | BRL | 327 | USD | 58 | 11/03/2021 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | USD | 59 | BRL | 327 | 11/03/2021 | (631 | ) | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | COP | 1,305,902 | USD | 340 | 11/12/2021 | (6,565 | ) | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | PEN | 1,109 | USD | 270 | 11/12/2021 | (7,511 | ) | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | CAD | 5,357 | USD | 4,185 | 11/19/2021 | (142,592 | ) | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | BRL | 327 | USD | 58 | 12/02/2021 | 623 | ||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | NZD | 3,599 | USD | 2,500 | 01/20/2022 | (75,072 | ) | |||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | EUR | 1,319 | USD | 1,563 | 11/08/2021 | 37,591 | ||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | JPY | 2,145 | USD | 20 | 11/17/2021 | 788 | ||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | MXN | 3,296 | USD | 161 | 01/13/2022 | 3,126 | ||||||||||||
UBS AG | AUD | 3,803 | USD | 2,860 | 11/09/2021 | (1,336 | ) | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
$ | (320,154 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
INTEREST RATE SWAPTIONS WRITTEN (see Note D)
Description | Index | Counterparty | Strike Rate | Expiration Date | Notional Amount (000) | Premiums Received | Market Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Put |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
OTC – 1 Year Interest Rate Swap | | 3 Month LIBOR | | Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | 1.68 | % | 11/22/2021 | USD | 308 | $ | 2,572 | $ | (1,139 | ) |
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Description | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-NAHY Series 37, 5 Year Index, 12/20/2026* | 5.00 | % | Quarterly | 3.05 | % | USD | 1,310 | $ | 123,625 | $ | 122,731 | $ | 894 |
40 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Description | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
iTraxxx Xover Series 36, 5 Year Index, 12/20/2026* | 5.00 | % | Quarterly | 2.62 | % | EUR | 1,560 | $ | 211,232 | $ | 216,060 | $ | (4,828 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 334,857 | $ | 338,791 | $ | (3,934 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
CAD | 680 | 05/22/2024 | 3 Month CDOR | 1.985% | Semi-Annual | $ | 7,217 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 7,217 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 260 | 05/24/2024 | 2.206% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | (11,323 | ) | – 0 | – | (11,323 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (4,106 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (4,106 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | �� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 500 | $ | (138,708 | ) | $ | (180,553 | ) | $ | 41,845 | |||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 10 | (2,774 | ) | (2,603 | ) | (171 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 18 | (4,994 | ) | (4,339 | ) | (655 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 19 | (5,271 | ) | (4,534 | ) | (737 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 26 | (7,213 | ) | (6,204 | ) | (1,009 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 24 | (6,658 | ) | (2,001 | ) | (4,657 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 36 | (9,987 | ) | (2,986 | ) | (7,001 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 53 | (14,703 | ) | (3,212 | ) | (11,491 | ) |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 41 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 79 | $ | (21,916 | ) | $ | (4,753 | ) | $ | (17,163 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 360 | (36,075 | ) | (11,138 | ) | (24,937 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 555 | (153,966 | ) | (74,656 | ) | (79,310 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 24 | (6,658 | ) | (1,991 | ) | (4,667 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 156 | (43,277 | ) | (33,039 | ) | (10,238 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 400 | (110,966 | ) | (48,623 | ) | (62,343 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Securities, LLC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 5.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 189 | (82,628 | ) | (35,979 | ) | (46,649 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 12 | (3,329 | ) | (995 | ) | (2,334 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 400 | (40,129 | ) | (39,837 | ) | (292 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 3 | (832 | ) | (178 | ) | (654 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (690,084 | ) | $ | (457,621 | ) | $ | (232,463 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
TOTAL RETURN SWAPS (see Note D)
Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Rate Paid/ Received | Payment Frequency | Current Notional (000) | Maturity Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
Receive Total Return on Reference Obligation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | | 3 Month LIBOR | | Maturity | USD | 148 | 12/20/2021 | $ | (1,707 | ) |
42 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (see Note D)
Broker | Interest Rate | Maturity | U.S. $ 2021 | |||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | $ | 11,251,275 | |||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 6,608,825 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 5,261,718 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 2,775,734 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 1,340,651 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 788,555 | ||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.† | 0.08 | % | — | 480,771 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
$ | 28,507,529 | |||||||||||
|
|
† | The reverse repurchase agreement matures on demand. Interest rate resets daily and the rate shown is the rate in effect on October 31, 2021. |
The type of underlying collateral and the remaining maturity of open reverse repurchase agreements on the statements of assets and liabilities is as follows:
Overnight and Continuous | Up to 30 Days | 31-90 Days | Greater than 90 Days | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Governments – Treasuries | $ | 28,507,529 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 28,507,529 |
** | Principal amount less than 500. |
(a) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration. At October 31, 2021, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $29,296,572 or 46.6% of net assets. |
(b) | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize reverse repurchase agreements. |
(c) | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize OTC derivatives outstanding. |
(d) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 0.09% of net assets as of October 31, 2021, are considered illiquid and restricted. Additional information regarding such securities follows: |
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
Athabasca Oil Corp. | 10/07/2021 | $ | 48,506 | $ | 50,373 | 0.08 | % | |||||||||
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Certificate Issuer Trust I | 10/09/2019 | 3,312 | 3,264 | 0.01 | % |
(e) | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest/floor/ceiling rate was in effect at October 31, 2021. |
(f) | IO – Interest Only. |
(g) | Inverse interest only security. |
(h) | Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date. |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 43 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
(i) | Defaulted. |
(j) | Non-income producing security. |
(k) | The stated coupon rate represents the greater of the LIBOR or the LIBOR floor rate plus a spread at October 31, 2021. |
(l) | This position or a portion of this position represents an unsettled loan purchase. The coupon rate will be determined at the time of settlement and will be based upon the London-Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a premium which was determined at the time of purchase. |
(m) | Security in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. |
(n) | Affiliated investments. |
(o) | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618. |
(p) | The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD – Australian Dollar
BRL – Brazilian Real
CAD – Canadian Dollar
COP – Colombian Peso
EUR – Euro
IDR – Indonesian Rupiah
JPY – Japanese Yen
MXN – Mexican Peso
NZD – New Zealand Dollar
PEN – Peruvian Sol
RUB – Russian Ruble
USD – United States Dollar
Glossary:
ABS – Asset-Backed Securities
BOBL – Bundesobligationen
CBT – Chicago Board of Trade
CDOR – Canadian Dealer Offered Rate
CDX-CMBX.NA – North American Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index
CDX-NAHY – North American High Yield Credit Default Swap Index
CLO – Collateralized Loan Obligations
CMBS – Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
REMICs – Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits
SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate
See notes to financial statements.
44 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
October 31, 2021
Assets |
| |||
Investments in securities, at value | ||||
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $92,230,241) | $ | 91,460,016 | ||
Affiliated issuers (cost $395,094) | 395,094 | |||
Cash | 1,142 | |||
Cash collateral due from broker | 539,781 | |||
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $137,630) | 138,502 | |||
Unaffiliated interest and dividends receivable | 738,360 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 83,101 | |||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 66,880 | |||
Receivable for variation margin on futures | 6,377 | |||
Receivable for investment securities sold | 4,852 | |||
Affiliated dividends receivable | 8 | |||
|
| |||
Total assets | 93,434,113 | |||
|
| |||
Liabilities | ||||
Swaptions written, at value (premiums received $2,572) | 1,139 | |||
Payable for reverse repurchase agreements | 28,507,529 | |||
Payable for investment securities purchased | 707,031 | |||
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums received $457,621) | 690,084 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 403,255 | |||
Dividends payable | 58,989 | |||
Payable for capital stock redeemed | 39,270 | |||
Advisory fee payable | 20,642 | |||
Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 10,139 | |||
Foreign capital gains tax payable | 2,026 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on total return swaps | 1,707 | |||
Directors’ fees payable | 1,656 | |||
Distribution fee payable | 1,486 | |||
Transfer Agent fee payable | 1,452 | |||
Accrued expenses | 137,062 | |||
|
| |||
Total liabilities | 30,583,467 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 62,850,646 | ||
|
| |||
Composition of Net Assets | ||||
Capital stock, at par | $ | 6,352 | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 63,197,980 | |||
Accumulated loss | (353,686 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 62,850,646 | ||
|
|
Net Asset Value Per Share—33 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
Class | Net Assets | Shares Outstanding | Net Asset Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||||
A | $ | 5,527,851 | 558,125 | $ | 9.90 | * | ||||||
| ||||||||||||
C | $ | 729,998 | 73,784 | $ | 9.89 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Advisor | $ | 56,592,797 | 5,720,527 | $ | 9.89 | |||||||
|
* | The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $10.34 which reflects a sales charge of 4.25%. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 45 |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended October 31, 2021
Investment Income | ||||||||
Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $1,385) | $ | 1,540,514 | ||||||
Dividends | ||||||||
Unaffiliated issuers | 3,619 | |||||||
Affiliated issuers | 100 | |||||||
Other income | 172 | $ | 1,544,405 | |||||
|
| |||||||
Expenses | ||||||||
Advisory fee (see Note B) | 181,078 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class A | 2,962 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class C | 6,850 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class A | 1,136 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class C | 493 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Advisor Class | 34,656 | |||||||
Administrative | 89,865 | |||||||
Custody and accounting | 88,167 | |||||||
Audit and tax | 67,856 | |||||||
Registration fees | 52,926 | |||||||
Legal | 35,046 | |||||||
Printing | 19,304 | |||||||
Directors’ fees | 19,069 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 11,149 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses before interest expense | 610,557 | |||||||
Interest expense | 9,855 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses | 620,412 | |||||||
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | (368,355 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net expenses | 252,057 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net investment income | 1,292,348 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment and Foreign Currency Transactions | ||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
Investment transactions(a) | 187,776 | |||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | 70,890 | |||||||
Futures | 314,751 | |||||||
Swaps | 629,949 | |||||||
Swaptions written | (308 | ) | ||||||
Foreign currency transactions | 77,835 | |||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | ||||||||
Investments(b) | (1,449,318 | ) | ||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | (332,894 | ) | ||||||
Futures | 304,474 | |||||||
Swaps | (30,395 | ) | ||||||
Swaptions written | 1,433 | |||||||
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | (615 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | (226,422 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations | $ | 1,065,926 | ||||||
|
|
(a) | Net of foreign realized capital gains taxes of $2,162. |
(b) | Net of decrease in accrued foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized gains of $892. |
See notes to financial statements.
46 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 1,292,348 | $ | 679,615 | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | 1,280,893 | (75,216 | ) | |||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | (1,507,315 | ) | 248,938 | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net increase in net assets from operations | 1,065,926 | 853,337 | ||||||
Distributions to Shareholders | ||||||||
Class A | (40,601 | ) | (7,576 | ) | ||||
Class C | (14,065 | ) | (8,867 | ) | ||||
Advisor Class | (1,504,066 | ) | (1,417,004 | ) | ||||
Capital Stock Transactions | ||||||||
Net increase | 20,561,741 | 27,840,328 | ||||||
Capital Contributions | ||||||||
Proceeds from third party vendor (see Note E) | – 0 | – | 3,413 | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total increase | 20,068,935 | 27,263,631 | ||||||
Net Assets | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 42,781,711 | 15,518,080 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
End of period | $ | 62,850,646 | $ | 42,781,711 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 47 |
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended October 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations | $ | 1,065,926 | ||||||
Reconciliation of net increase in net assets from operations to net decrease in cash from operating activities | ||||||||
Purchases of long-term investments | $ | (151,443,500 | ) | |||||
Purchases of short-term investments | (31,698,535 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments | 113,568,581 | |||||||
Proceeds from disposition of short-term investments | 31,757,536 | |||||||
Net realized gain on investment transactions and foreign currency transactions | (1,280,893 | ) | ||||||
Net realized gain on forward currency exchange contracts | 70,890 | |||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | 1,507,315 | |||||||
Net accretion of bond discount and amortization of bond premium | 946,243 | |||||||
Decrease in receivable for investments sold | 32,793 | |||||||
Increase in interest receivable | (385,422 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in affiliated dividends receivable | 4 | |||||||
Decrease in receivable due from Adviser | 16,034 | |||||||
Increase in cash collateral due from broker | (28,335 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in payable for investments purchased | (9,732,049 | ) | ||||||
Increase in advisory fee payable | 20,642 | |||||||
Increase in foreign capital gains tax payable | 2,026 | |||||||
Increase in distribution fee payable | 952 | |||||||
Increase in Directors’ fee payable | 144 | |||||||
Increase in accrued expenses | 53,356 | |||||||
Proceeds from swaptions written, net | 2,264 | |||||||
Proceeds on swaps, net | 180,398 | |||||||
Proceeds for exchange-traded derivatives settlements, net | 1,137,744 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total adjustments | (45,271,812 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (44,205,886 | ) | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
Subscriptions of capital stock, net | 20,206,257 | |||||||
Cash dividends paid (net of dividend reinvestments)† | (1,152,571 | ) | ||||||
Increase in reverse repurchase agreements | 25,157,251 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 44,210,937 | |||||||
Effect of exchange rate on cash | 77,220 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net increase in cash | 82,271 | |||||||
Cash at beginning of year | 57,373 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Cash at end of year | $ | 139,644 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||||||
† Reinvestment of dividends | $ | 403,566 | ||||||
Interest expense paid during the year | $ | 8,398 |
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Fund has included a Statement of Cash Flows as a result of its significant investments in reverse repurchase agreements throughout the year.
See notes to financial statements.
48 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2021
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Company, which is a Maryland corporation, operates as a series company comprised of ten portfolios currently in operation. Each portfolio is considered to be a separate entity for financial reporting and tax purposes. This report relates only to the AB Short Duration Income Portfolio (the “Fund”), a non-diversified portfolio. The Fund has authorized the issuance of Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class Z, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2 shares. Class B, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class Z, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2 shares have not been issued. 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 C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase, and 0% after the first year of purchase. Effective May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Prior to May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Advisor Class shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. All eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”), which require 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 Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. 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 Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 49 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
In general, the market values 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures 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; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. 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, 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. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this
50 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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. To account for this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
• | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
• | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
• | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates,
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 51 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3.
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar collateral and risk profiles, including relevant indices. Mortgage and asset-backed securities for which management has collected current observable data through pricing services are generally categorized within Level 2. Those investments for which current observable data has not been provided are classified as Level 3.
Bank loan prices are provided by third party pricing services and consist of a composite of the quotes received by the vendor into a consensus price. Certain bank loans are classified as Level 3, as a significant input used in the fair value measurement of these instruments is the market quotes that are received by the vendor and these inputs are not observable.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a
52 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of October 31, 2021:
Investments in Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Governments – Treasuries | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 59,786,803 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 59,786,803 | ||||||
Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 8,859,450 | – 0 | – | 8,859,450 | ||||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | – 0 | – | 4,599,100 | – 0 | – | 4,599,100 | ||||||||||
Governments – Sovereign Agencies | – 0 | – | 4,145,557 | – 0 | – | 4,145,557 | ||||||||||
Corporates – Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 3,822,256 | – 0 | – | 3,822,256 | ||||||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 3,427,719 | – 0 | – | 3,427,719 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Sovereigns | – 0 | – | 2,372,138 | – 0 | – | 2,372,138 | ||||||||||
Collateralized Loan Obligations | – 0 | – | 1,999,475 | – 0 | – | 1,999,475 | ||||||||||
Bank Loans | – 0 | – | 824,538 | 187,462 | 1,012,000 | |||||||||||
Quasi-Sovereigns | – 0 | – | 579,299 | – 0 | – | 579,299 | ||||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 531,357 | – 0 | – | 531,357 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Corporate Bonds | – 0 | – | 324,862 | – 0 | – | 324,862 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Investments | 395,094 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 395,094 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total Investments in Securities | 395,094 | 91,272,554 | 187,462 | 91,855,110 | ||||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments(a): | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Futures | 418,851 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 418,851 | (b) | |||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | 83,101 | – 0 | – | 83,101 | ||||||||||
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | 334,857 | – 0 | – | 334,857 | (b) | |||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | 7,217 | – 0 | – | 7,217 | (b) | |||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | (403,255 | ) | – 0 | – | (403,255 | ) | ||||||||
Interest Rate Swaptions Written | – 0 | – | (1,139 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,139 | ) | ||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | (11,323 | ) | – 0 | – | (11,323 | )(b) | ||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | (690,084 | ) | – 0 | – | (690,084 | ) | ||||||||
Total Return Swaps | – 0 | – | (1,707 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,707 | ) | ||||||||
Reverse Repurchase Agreements | (28,507,529 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (28,507,529 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | (27,693,584 | ) | $ | 90,590,221 | $ | 187,462 | $ | 63,084,099 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(b) | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 53 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior two tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
5. 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. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as
54 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
adjustments to interest income. The Fund accounts for distributions received from REIT investments or from regulated investment companies as dividend income, realized gain, or return of capital based on information provided by the REIT or the investment company.
6. 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. Expenses of the Company are charged proportionately to each fund or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. 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. GAAP. 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.
8. Repurchase Agreements
It is the Fund’s policy that its custodian or designated subcustodian take control of securities as collateral under repurchase agreements and to determine on a daily basis that the value of such securities are sufficient to cover the value of the repurchase agreements. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.
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 .35% of the first $2.5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets and .30% of the excess over $2.5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs), on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to .65%, 1.45% and .45% of daily average net assets for Class A, Class C, and
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 55 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Advisor Class shares, respectively. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such reimbursement/waivers amounted to $278,066. The Expense Caps may not be terminated by the Adviser before January 31, 2022. Any fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser through January 20, 2021 may be reimbursed by Fund until the end of the third fiscal year after the fiscal period in which the fee was waived or the expense was borne; such waivers that are subject to repayment amounted to $265,740, $306,046 and $63,883 for the years ended October 31, 2019, October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2021, respectively. In any case, no reimbursement payment will be made that would cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to exceed the Expense Caps’ net fee percentage set forth above.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Adviser voluntarily agreed to waive such fees in the amount of $89,865.
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 $18,004 for the year ended October 31, 2021.
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 $0 from the sale of Class A shares and received $101 and $24 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of ..20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2022. In connection with the investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such waiver amounted to $424.
56 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
A summary of the Fund’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021 is as follows:
Fund | Market Value 10/31/20 (000) | Purchases at Cost (000) | Sales Proceeds (000) | Market Value 10/31/21 (000) | Dividend Income (000) | |||||||||||||||
Government Money Market Portfolio | $ | 430 | $ | 31,598 | $ | 31,633 | $ | 395 | $ | 0 | * |
* | Amount is less than $500. |
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 up to .25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares and 1% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on the Advisor Class shares. Payments under the Agreement in respect of Class A shares are currently limited to an annual rate of .20% of Class A shares’ average daily net assets. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. Since the commencement of the Fund’s operations, the Distributor has incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the amount of $858 for Class C shares. 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.
NOTE D
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended October 31, 2021 were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | $ | 38,262,840 | $ | 14,853,150 | ||||
U.S. government securities | 113,207,451 | 97,215,143 |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 57 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
Cost | $ | 92,705,183 | ||
|
| |||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 1,382,112 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (2,120,320 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized depreciation | $ | (738,208 | ) | |
|
|
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
• | Futures |
The Fund may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Fund bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Fund may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
At the time the Fund enters into futures, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
58 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Use of long futures subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held futures for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Fund may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Fund. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Option Transactions |
For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities, including government securities, and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. Among other things, the Fund may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 59 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. 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. The Fund’s maximum payment for written put options equates to the number of shares multiplied by the strike price. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract. 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 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.
The Fund may also invest in options on swap agreements, also called “swaptions”. A swaption is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market-based “premium”. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return on a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties. The Fund’s maximum payment for written put swaptions equates to the notional
60 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
amount of the underlying swap. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held written swaptions for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Swaps |
The Fund may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk, equity markets or currencies. The Fund may also enter into swaps for non-hedging purposes as a means of gaining market exposures, making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions.” A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Fund in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Fund or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Fund accrues for the interim payments on swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for swaps are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 61 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Fund enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for centrally cleared swaps is generally less than non-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Interest Rate Swaps:
The Fund is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Fund holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Fund may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or, receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional amount.
In addition, the Fund may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price
62 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or “notional”) amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held interest rate swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Credit Default Swaps:
The Fund may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Fund, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Fund may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap, the Fund receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. If the Fund is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation. In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Fund for the same referenced obligations with the same counterparty.
Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Fund is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Fund coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Fund.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 63 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Implied credit spreads over U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held credit default swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Total Return Swaps:
The Fund may enter into total return swaps in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Fund is subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held total return swaps for non-hedging purposes.
The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Fund’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of
64 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
the Fund decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty table below for additional details.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund had entered into the following derivatives:
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative Type | Statement of | Fair Value | Statement of | Fair Value | ||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 418,851 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ |
| * | ||||
Credit contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 894 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 4,828 | * | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps |
| 7,217 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps |
| 11,323 | * | ||||
Foreign currency contracts | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
| 83,101 |
| Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
| 403,255 |
| ||||
Interest rate contracts | Swaptions written, at value |
| 1,139 |
| ||||||||
Credit contracts | Market value on credit default swaps | 690,084 | ||||||||||
Credit contracts | Unrealized depreciation on total return swaps | 1,707 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 510,063 | $ | 1,112,336 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 65 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Derivative Type | Location of | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | $ | 314,751 | $ | 304,474 | |||||
Foreign currency contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | 70,890 | (332,894 | ) | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaptions written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaptions written | (308 | ) | 1,433 | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | (14,149 | ) | 2,537 | ||||||
Credit contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | 644,098 | (32,932 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | 1,015,282 | $ | (57,382 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Fund’s derivative transactions during the year ended October 31, 2021:
Futures: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 1,594,437 | (a) | |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 21,646,044 | ||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | ||||
Average principal amount of buy contracts | $ | 1,609,441 | ||
Average principal amount of sale contracts | $ | 10,319,249 | ||
Swaptions Written: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 686,667 | (b) | |
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 1,160,034 | ||
Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 2,574,179 |
66 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 201,029 | (b) | |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 3,978,708 | ||
Total Return Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 149,995 |
(a) | Positions were open for ten months during the year. |
(b) | Positions were open for six months during the year. |
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Received* | Security Collateral Received* | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | $ | 39,459 | $ | (39,459 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | ||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 1,456 | (1,456 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | 50 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 50 | ||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | 631 | (631 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | 41,505 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 41,505 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 83,101 | $ | (41,546 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 41,555 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 67 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Security Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | $ | 375,821 | $ | (39,459 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (267,300 | ) | $ | 69,062 | |||||||
Credit Suisse International | 190,041 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (190,041 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 168,559 | (1,456 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 167,103 | ||||||||||||
JPMorgan Securities, LLC | 85,957 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 85,957 | ||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | 274,471 | (631 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 273,840 | ||||||||||||
UBS AG | 1,336 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 1,336 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,096,185 | $ | (41,546 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (457,341 | ) | $ | 597,298 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
2. Currency Transactions
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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).
3. TBA and Dollar Rolls
The Fund may invest in TBA mortgage-backed securities. A TBA, or “To Be Announced”, trade represents a contract for the purchase or sale of mortgage-backed securities to be delivered at a future agree-upon date;
68 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
however, the specific mortgage pool numbers or the number of pools that will be delivered to fulfill the trade obligation or terms of the contract are unknown at the time of the trade. Mortgage pools (including fixed-rate or variable-rate mortgages) guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association, or GNMA, the Federal National Mortgage Association, or FNMA, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or FHLMC, are subsequently allocated to the TBA transactions.
The Fund may enter into certain TBA transactions known as dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Fund of securities for delivery in the current month and the Fund’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund earned drop income of $17,457 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.
4. Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase transactions (“RVP”) in accordance with the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement (“MRA”), under which the Fund sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish a segregated account with the custodian containing liquid assets having a value comparable to the repurchase price. Under the MRA and other Master Agreements, the Fund is permitted to offset payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted to the counterparty and create one single net payment due to or from the Fund in the event of a default. In the event of a default by a MRA counterparty, the Fund may be considered an unsecured creditor with respect to any excess collateral (collateral with a market value in excess of the repurchase price) held by and/or posted to the counterparty, and as such the return of such excess collateral may be delayed or denied. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding was $13,312,396 and the daily weighted average interest rate was 0.08%. At October 31, 2021, the Fund had reverse repurchase agreements outstanding in the amount of $28,507,529 as reported on the statement of assets and liabilities.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 69 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The following table presents the Fund’s RVP liabilities by counterparty net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021:
Counterparty | RVP Liabilities Subject to a MRA | Securities Collateral Pledged†* | Net Amount of RVP Liabilities | |||||||||
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc. | $ | 28,507,529 | $ | (28,483,402 | ) | $ | 24,127 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
† | Including accrued interest. |
* | The actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount reported due to overcollateralization. |
NOTE E
Capital Stock
Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 640,070 | 73,345 | $ | 6,419,373 | $ | 720,666 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 3,210 | 271 | 32,088 | 2,684 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (122,450 | ) | (37,321 | ) | (1,224,279 | ) | (372,260 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 520,830 | 36,295 | $ | 5,227,182 | $ | 351,090 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 30,942 | 74,937 | $ | 310,250 | $ | 734,576 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 1,286 | 845 | 12,907 | 8,352 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (31,820 | ) | (3,406 | ) | (319,931 | ) | (34,020 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 408 | 72,376 | $ | 3,226 | $ | 708,908 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 1,731,742 | 3,398,430 | $ | 17,350,910 | $ | 33,761,871 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 35,778 | 13,829 | 358,571 | 136,589 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (236,815 | ) | (720,437 | ) | (2,378,148 | ) | (7,118,130 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 1,530,705 | 2,691,822 | $ | 15,331,333 | $ | 26,780,330 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
At October 31, 2021, the Adviser owns approximately 39% of the Fund’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholder, if any, may impact the Fund’s performance.
70 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
During the year ended October 31, 2020, a third party vendor reimbursed the Fund $3,413 for losses incurred due to a pricing error. This amount is presented in the Fund’s statement of changes in net assets.
NOTE F
Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund
Market Risk—The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk—Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments and negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Interest-Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Duration Risk—Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to the full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 71 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Mortgage-Related and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk—Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid as well as being subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk—When the Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing
72 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.
Illiquid Investments Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Non-Diversification Risk—The Fund may have more risk because it is “non-diversified”, meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers. Accordingly, changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s net asset value, or NAV.
Active Trading Risk—The Fund expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate may greatly exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Fund’s return. In addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in substantial short-term gains, which may have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders.
LIBOR Transition and Associated Risk—A Fund may be exposed to debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various interest rate calculations. In 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The FCA and LIBOR’s administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration, have since announced that most LIBOR settings (which reflect LIBOR rates quoted in different currencies over various time periods) will no longer be published after the end of 2021 but that the most widely used U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published until June 30, 2023. However, banks were strongly encouraged to cease entering into agreements with counterparties referencing LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is possible that a subset of LIBOR settings will be published after these dates on a “synthetic” basis, but any such publications would be considered non-representative of the underlying market. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 73 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (referred to as SOFR), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates.
The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related investments or investments in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of hedging strategies, potentially adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. The potential effects of a phase out of LIBOR on LIBOR-based investments are currently unknown.
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. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
Management Risk—The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively-managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
NOTE G
Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”)
74 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
intended to provide short-term financing related to redemptions and other short term liquidity requirements, subject to certain restrictions. 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 year ended October 31, 2021.
NOTE H
Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020 were as follows:
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 1,558,732 | $ | 1,419,417 | ||||
Net long-term capital gains | – 0 | – | 14,030 | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total taxable distributions paid | $ | 1,558,732 | $ | 1,433,447 | ||||
|
|
|
|
As of October 31, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income | $ | 391,596 | ||
Undistributed capital gains | 286,597 | |||
Other losses | (231,225 | )(a) | ||
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | (738,956 | )(b) | ||
|
| |||
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | $ | (291,988 | )(c) | |
|
|
(a) | As of October 31, 2021, the cumulative deferred loss on straddles was $231,225. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, the tax treatment of swaps, the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, and the amortization on callable bonds. |
(c) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) are attributable primarily to the accrual of foreign capital gains tax, the tax treatment of defaulted securities, and dividends payable. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of October 31, 2021, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
During the current fiscal year, there were no permanent differences that resulted in adjustments to accumulated loss or additional paid-in capital.
NOTE I
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 75 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU 2020-04.
NOTE J
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.
76 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class A | ||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | December 12, 2019 | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.95 | $ 10.35 | $ 10.00 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||
Net investment income(b)(c) | .22 | .23 | .28 | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .02 | (d) | (.28 | )(d) | .42 | |||||||
Capital contributions | – 0 | – | .16 | – 0 | – | |||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net increase in net asset value from operations | .24 | .11 | .70 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.29 | ) | (.38 | ) | (.35 | ) | ||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | – 0 | – | (.13 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.29 | ) | (.51 | ) | (.35 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.90 | $ 9.95 | $ 10.35 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e) | 2.37 | % | 1.17 | % | 7.09 | % | ||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $5,528 | $371 | $10 | |||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(f) | .68 | % | .68 | % | .70 | %^ | ||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(f) | 1.26 | % | 1.77 | % | 3.18 | %^ | ||||||
Net investment income(c) | 2.24 | % | 2.28 | % | 3.14 | %^ | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 163 | % | 336 | % | 178 | % | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (including securities sold short)** | N/A | 336 | % | 181 | % |
See footnote summary on page 80.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 77 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class C | ||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | December 12, 2019 | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.95 | $ 10.34 | $ 10.00 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||
Net investment income(b)(c) | .15 | .09 | .21 | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .00 | (d)(g) | (.04 | )(d) | .41 | |||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net increase in net asset value from operations | .15 | .05 | .62 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.21 | ) | (.31 | ) | (.28 | ) | ||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | – 0 | – | (.13 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.21 | ) | (.44 | ) | (.28 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.89 | $ 9.95 | $ 10.34 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e) | 1.46 | % | .51 | % | 6.23 | % | ||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $730 | $730 | $10 | |||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(f) | 1.47 | % | 1.48 | % | 1.49 | %^ | ||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(f) | 2.19 | % | 2.57 | % | 4.02 | %^ | ||||||
Net investment income(c) | 1.53 | % | .93 | % | 2.34 | %^ | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 163 | % | 336 | % | 178 | % | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (including securities sold short)** | N/A | 336 | % | 181 | % |
See footnote summary on page 80.
78 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | December 12, 2019 | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.95 | $ 10.35 | $ 10.00 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||
Net investment income(b)(c) | .25 | .21 | .30 | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | .00 | (d)(g) | (.08 | )(d) | .41 | |||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net increase in net asset value from operations | .25 | .13 | .71 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.31 | ) | (.40 | ) | (.36 | ) | ||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | – 0 | – | (.13 | ) | – 0 | – | ||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.31 | ) | (.53 | ) | (.36 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.89 | $ 9.95 | $ 10.35 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(e) | 2.48 | % | 1.34 | % | 7.25 | % | ||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $56,593 | $41,681 | $15,498 | |||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(f) | .47 | % | .48 | % | .49 | %^ | ||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(f) | 1.18 | % | 1.68 | % | 2.99 | %^ | ||||||
Net investment income(c) | 2.52 | % | 2.13 | % | 3.31 | %^ | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 163 | % | 336 | % | 178 | % | ||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (including securities sold short)** | N/A | 336 | % | 181 | % |
See footnote summary on page 80.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 79 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
(a) | Commencement of operations. |
(b) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(d) | Due to timing of sales and repurchase of capital shares, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share is not in accordance with the Fund’s change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions for the period. |
(e) | 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. 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. |
(f) | The expense ratios presented below exclude interest expense: |
Year Ended October 31, | December 12, 2019 | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Class A |
| |||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .65 | % | .65 | % | .65 | %^ | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.23 | % | 1.73 | % | 3.13 | %^ | ||||||
Class C |
| |||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.45 | % | 1.45 | % | 1.45 | %^ | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 2.18 | % | 2.54 | % | 3.97 | %^ | ||||||
Advisor Class |
| |||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .45 | % | .45 | % | .45 | %^ | ||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.16 | % | 1.64 | % | 2.95 | %^ |
(g) | Amount is less than $.005. |
^ | Annualized. |
** | The Fund accounts for dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales. |
See notes to financial statements.
80 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
AB Short Duration Income Portfolio
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AB Short Duration Income Portfolio (the “Fund”) (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2021, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 and the period from December 12, 2018 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2019 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc.) at October 31, 2021, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021and the period from December 12, 2018 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 81 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more of the AB investment companies since 1968.
New York, New York
December 23, 2021
82 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
2021 FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
(unaudited)
For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during the taxable year ended October 31, 2021. For foreign shareholders, 69.14% of ordinary income dividends paid may be considered to be qualifying to be taxed as interest-related dividends.
Shareholders should not use the above information to prepare their income tax returns. The information necessary to complete your income tax returns will be included with your Form 1099-DIV which will be sent to you separately in 2022.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 83 |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1), Chairman Jorge A. Bermudez(1) Michael J. Downey(1) Onur Erzan, President and Chief Executive Officer | Nancy P. Jacklin(1) Jeanette W. Loeb(1) Carol C. McMullen(1) Garry L. Moody(1) Earl D. Weiner(1),* | |
OFFICERS
Scott A. DiMaggio(2), Vice President Gershon M. Distenfeld(2), Matthew S. Sheridan(2), Vice President | Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary Michael B. Reyes, Senior Analyst Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Phyllis J. Clarke, Controller |
Custodian and Accounting Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company State Street Corporation CCB/5 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02210
Principal Underwriter AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. 501 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203
Transfer Agent AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278 Toll-Free (800) 221-5672 | Independent Registered Public Ernst & Young LLP One Manhattan West New York, NY 10001
Legal Counsel Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 |
1 | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee. |
2 | The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s Short Duration Income Investment team. Messrs. DiMaggio, Distenfeld and Sheridan are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. |
* | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
84 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Directors Information
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INTERESTED DIRECTOR | ||||||||
Onur Erzan,# New York, NY 10105 45 (2021) | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and Head of the Global Client Group overseeing AB’s institutional and retail businesses, where he is responsible for all client services, sales and marketing, as well as product strategy, management and development worldwide. Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AB Mutual Funds as of April 1, 2021. Prior to joining the firm in January 2021, he spent 20 years with McKinsey (management consulting firm), most recently as a senior partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice. In addition, he co-led McKinsey’s Banking & Securities Solutions (a portfolio of data, analytics, and digital assets and capabilities) globally. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 85 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS | ||||||||
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,## (2018) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Former Chairman and CEO of Dupont Photomasks, Inc. (components of semi-conductor manufacturing). He was a Director of Xilinx, Inc. (programmable logic semi-conductors and adaptable, intelligent computing) from 2007 through August 2020, and is a former director of 33 other companies and organizations. He has extensive operating leadership and venture capital investing experience, including five interim or full-time CEO roles, and prior service as general partner of institutional venture capital partnerships. He also has extensive non-profit board leadership experience, and currently serves on the boards of two education and science-related non-profit organizations. He has served as a director of one AB Fund since 1992, and director or trustee of all AB Funds since 2005. He has been Chairman of the AB Funds since January 2014, and the Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of such AB Funds since February 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
86 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Jorge A. Bermudez,## 70 (2020) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, from November 2007 to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s Commercial Business Group in North America and Citibank Texas from 2005 to 2007, and a variety of other executive and leadership roles at various businesses within Citigroup prior to then; Chairman (2018) of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees (Trustee since 2013) and Chairman of the Smart Grid Center Board at Texas A&M University since 2012; director of, among others, Citibank N.A. from 2005 to 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch from 2009 to 2011, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2011 to 2017, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas from 2010 to 2016. He has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since January 2020. | 74 | Moody’s Corporation since April 2011 | |||||
Michael J. Downey,## (2018) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chairman of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (registered investment company) since prior to 2016 until January 2019. From 1987 until 1993, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management, director of the Prudential mutual funds, and member of the Executive Committee of Prudential Securities, Inc. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2005. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 87 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Nancy P. Jacklin,## (2018) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Professorial Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (2008-2015). U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (which is responsible for ensuring the stability of the international monetary system), (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2006 and has been Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds since August 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
Jeanette W. Loeb,## 69 (2020) | Chief Executive Officer of PetCareRx (e-commerce pet pharmacy) from 2002 to 2011 and 2015 to present. Director of New York City Center since 2005. She was a director of AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund, Inc. (fund of hedge funds) from 2012 to 2018. Formerly, affiliated with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (financial services) from 1977 to 1994, including as a partner thereof from 1986 to 1994. She has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since April 2020. | 74 | Apollo Investment Corp. (business development company) since August 2011 |
88 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Carol C. McMullen,## 66 (2018) | Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) since 2014, private investor and a member of the Advisory Board of Butcher Box (since 2018). Formerly, member, Partners Healthcare Investment Committee (2010-2019); Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011 until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016; and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 until 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Chief Investment Officer, Core and Growth and Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards, and as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since June 2016. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 89 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Garry L. Moody,## (2018) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995), where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975-1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax department. He is a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of BoardIQ, a biweekly publication focused on issues and news affecting directors of mutual funds. He is also a member of the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and the Independent Directors Council’s Governing Council. He has served as a director or trustee, and as Chairman of the Audit Committees, of the AB Funds since 2008. | 74 | None |
90 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Earl D. Weiner,## ^ (2018) | Senior Counsel since 2017, Of Counsel from 2007 to 2016, and Partner prior to then, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. He is a former member of the ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force to draft editions of the Fund Director’s Guidebook. He also serves as a director or trustee of various non-profit organizations and has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of a number of them. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2007 and served as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds from 2007 until August 2014. | 72 | None |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention: Legal & Compliance Dept.—Mutual Fund Legal, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors. |
*** | The information above includes each Director’s principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes and skills relevant to each Director’s qualifications to serve as a Director, which led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director for the Fund. |
# | Mr. Erzan is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the “40 Act”, due to his position as a Senior Vice President of the Adviser. |
## | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee. |
^ | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 91 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
Officer Information
Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is set forth below.
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE | PRINCIPAL POSITION(S) HELD WITH FUND | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS | ||
Onur Erzan 45 | President and Chief Executive Officer | See biography above. | ||
Scott A. DiMaggio 50 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also co-Head of Fixed-Income. | ||
Gershon M. Distenfeld 46 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also co-Head of Fixed-Income. | ||
Matthew S. Sheridan 46 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Emilie D. Wrapp 66 | Secretary | Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Michael B. Reyes 45 | Senior Analyst | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Joseph J. Mantineo 62 | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”**), with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Phyllis J. Clarke 60 | Controller | Vice President of ABIS**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Vincent S. Noto 57 | Chief Compliance Officer | Senior Vice President and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser** since prior to 2016. |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Fund. |
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AB at (800) 227-4618, or visit www.abfunds.com for a free prospectus or SAI.
92 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
Operation and Effectiveness of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program:
In October 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the open-end fund liquidity rule (the “Liquidity Rule”). In June 2018 the SEC adopted a requirement that funds disclose information about the operation and effectiveness of their Liquidity Risk Management Program (“LRMP”) in their reports to shareholders.
One of the requirements of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund to designate an Administrator of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The Administrator of the Fund’s LRMP is AllianceBernstein L.P., the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser has delegated the responsibility to its Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).
Another requirement of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Fund Board”) to receive an annual written report from the Administrator of the LRMP, which addresses the operation of the Fund’s LRMP and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness. The Adviser provided the Fund Board with such annual report during the first quarter of 2021, which covered the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the “Program Reporting Period”).
The LRMP’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner.
Pursuant to the LRMP, the Fund classifies the liquidity of its portfolio investments into one of the four categories defined by the SEC: Highly Liquid, Moderately Liquid, Less Liquid, and Illiquid. These classifications are reported to the SEC on Form N-PORT.
During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end structure, incorporating any holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. If the Fund participated in derivative transactions, the exposure from such transactions were considered in the LRMP.
The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether the Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”). The Committee also incorporated the following information when determining the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size for purposes of liquidity monitoring: historical net redemption activity, a Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, investment performance, total net assets, and distribution channels.
The Adviser informed the Fund Board that the Committee believes the Fund’s LRMP is adequately designed, has been implemented as intended,
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 93 |
and has operated effectively since its inception. No material exceptions have been noted since the implementation of the LRMP. During the Program Reporting Period, beginning in March 2020, all financial markets experienced extreme levels of price volatility and relative illiquidity resulting from the COVID-19 impacts on the global economy. This extreme relative illiquidity resulted in significantly wider bid-ask spreads to transact in securities, including many of those securities held by the Fund, and in a diminished depth of liquidity in most markets, to varying degrees. Nonetheless, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions during the Program Reporting Period.
94 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and New Advisory Agreements
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Short Duration Income Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held by video conference on November 3-5, 2020 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests a portion of its assets.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 95 |
judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. The Adviser had not requested any reimbursements from the Fund since the Fund’s inception. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2018 and calendar year 2019 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency and distribution services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors noted that the Fund was not profitable to the Adviser in the periods reviewed.
96 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of certain classes of the Fund’s shares; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-year period ended July 31, 2020 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees payable by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to any sub-advised funds utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 97 |
Fund, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant. The directors also compared the advisory fee rate for the Fund with that for another fund advised by the Adviser utilizing similar investment strategies.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore or sub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The directors noted that the Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures for a fund, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Fund would be for services in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund. The directors noted that it was likely that the
98 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains a breakpoint that reduces the fee rate on assets above a specified level. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed the breakpoint in the future.
abfunds.com | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | 99 |
This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.
AB FAMILY OF FUNDS
US EQUITY
CORE
Core Opportunities Fund
Select US Equity Portfolio
Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio1
GROWTH
Concentrated Growth Fund
Discovery Growth Fund
Growth Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
VALUE
Discovery Value Fund
Equity Income Fund
Relative Value Fund
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value Fund
INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY
CORE
Global Core Equity Portfolio
International Strategic Core Portfolio
Sustainable Global Thematic Fund
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
GROWTH
Concentrated International Growth Portfolio
Sustainable International Thematic Fund
VALUE
All China Equity Portfolio
International Value Fund
FIXED INCOME
MUNICIPAL
High Income Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio
Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
National Portfolio
Arizona Portfolio
California Portfolio
Massachusetts Portfolio
Minnesota Portfolio
New Jersey Portfolio
New York Portfolio
Ohio Portfolio
Pennsylvania Portfolio
Virginia Portfolio
TAXABLE
Bond Inflation Strategy
Global Bond Fund
High Income Fund
High Yield Portfolio1
Income Fund
Intermediate Duration Portfolio
Limited Duration High Income Portfolio
Short Duration Income Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Total Return Bond Portfolio
ALTERNATIVES
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Select US Long/Short Portfolio
MULTI-ASSET
All Market Income Portfolio
All Market Total Return Portfolio
Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio
Global Risk Allocation Fund
Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio1
Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio
CLOSED-END FUNDS
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund
We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB mutual funds. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
1 | Prior to December 1, 2021, Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio was named Conservative Wealth Strategy. Prior to August 23, 2021, Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio was named FlexFee™ US Thematic Portfolio. Prior to April 30, 2021, High Yield Portfolio was named FlexFee™ High Yield Portfolio. |
100 | AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
AB SHORT DURATION INCOME PORTFOLIO
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800 221 5672
SDI-0151-1021
OCT 10.31.21
ANNUAL REPORT
AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically requested paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper form free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call the Fund at (800) 221 5672. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly, to all AB Mutual Funds you hold.
Investment Products Offered | • Are Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
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 AB’s website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB 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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT 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. AB publishes full portfolio holdings for the Fund monthly at www.abfunds.com.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
FROM THE PRESIDENT |
Dear Shareholder,
We’re pleased to provide this report for the AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio (the “Fund”). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Fund’s investment strategy.
At AB, we’re striving to help our clients achieve better outcomes by:
+ | Fostering diverse perspectives that give us a distinctive approach to navigating global capital markets |
+ | Applying differentiated investment insights through a connected global research network |
+ | Embracing innovation to design better ways to invest and leading-edge mutual-fund solutions |
Whether you’re an individual investor or a multibillion-dollar institution, we’re putting our knowledge and experience to work for you every day.
For more information about AB’s comprehensive range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.
Thank you for your investment in AB mutual funds—and for placing your trust in our firm.
Sincerely,
Onur Erzan
President and Chief Executive Officer, AB Mutual Funds
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 1 |
ANNUAL REPORT
December 6, 2021
This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for the AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio for the annual reporting period ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize total return through current income and long-term capital appreciation.
NAV RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
Since Inception1 | ||||
AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | ||||
Class A Shares | 2.00% | |||
Advisor Class Shares2 | 2.12% | |||
Bloomberg US Corporate Bond Index | 2.46% |
1 | Inception date: 5/10/2021. |
2 | Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The table above shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg US Corporate Bond Index, for the period since the Fund’s inception on May 10, 2021, through October 31, 2021.
During the period since the Fund’s inception, all share classes underperformed the benchmark, before sales charges. Opportunistic allocation to eurozone credit, particularly in green bonds, was the largest detractor, relative to the benchmark, as the euro underperformed the US dollar over the period. Industry allocation also detracted, from off-benchmark exposure to sovereign bonds and an underweight to energy. Yield-curve positioning contributed to performance, as gains from an underweight to the 20- to 30-year part of the curve and an overweight to 10-year maturities contributed more than a loss from an underweight to the five-year part of the curve. Security selection also contributed due to gains within electric, banking, real estate investment trusts, telecommunications and consumer noncyclical that were greater than a loss in the basic industries sector. Issuer and security selection in the Climate theme contributed to performance, particularly within the Fund’s allocation to US dollar-denominated green bonds. While security selections within the Empowerment and Health themes were positive across a broad range of sustainable investment opportunities, these gains were offset by losses due to issuer selection across several sub-themes, including Financial Security & Inclusion, Information & Communication Technologies and Food Security & Clean Water.
2 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
During the reporting period, the Fund utilized derivatives in the form of futures and currency forwards for hedging purposes, which had no material impact on absolute returns.
MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Fixed-income market returns were mixed for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2021. Longer-term treasury returns fell in most major developed markets on rising yields—particularly in Australia, Canada, and the UK. Global inflation-linked bonds outperformed US Treasuries. Relatively low interest rates set the stage for the continued outperformance of risk assets, led by the performance of high-yield corporate bonds—particularly in the US, eurozone, and emerging markets. Emerging-market hard-currency sovereign bonds also had strong performance, mostly from the high-yield component. Emerging- and developed-market investment-grade corporate bonds also posted positive performance, with the US outperforming the eurozone. Securitized assets outperformed, especially commercial mortgage-backed securities. Local-currency sovereign bonds trailed, as the US dollar was mixed against emerging-market currencies and fell versus most developed-market currencies except the yen and South Korean won. Commodity prices were strong, with Brent crude oil and copper climbing from pandemic-related lows.
The Fund’s Senior Investment Management Team (the “Team”) seeks to maximize total return through investments that benefit society and the environment. The Team employs top-down and bottom-up investment processes with the goal of identifying securities that fit into sustainable investment themes, such as health, climate and empowerment. The Team’s approach to building a sustainable portfolio with attractive financial return potential has been to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”), which 193 nations have committed to advancing. The Team invests primarily in investment-grade corporate bonds from US issuers, but may also invest in non-US issuers and high-yield bonds.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in fixed-income securities of corporate issuers whose business activities the Adviser believes position the issuer to benefit from certain environmentally or socially oriented sustainable investment themes that are broadly consistent with the United Nations SDGs. Examples of these themes include the advancement of health, climate and empowerment, but the themes may change over time based on the Adviser’s research. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in fixed-income securities of corporate issuers that satisfy the Fund’s sustainability criteria.
(continued on next page)
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 3 |
The Adviser employs a combination of “top-down” and “bottom-up” investment processes with the goal of identifying, based on its own analysis, the most attractive securities and issuers that fit into sustainable investment themes. The top-down approach seeks to identify the sustainable investment themes. In addition to this top-down approach, the Adviser uses a bottom-up analysis of individual bond issues, focusing on the use of proceeds, issuer fundamentals, valuation, and the issuer’s exposure to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors. Eligible investments include securities of issuers that the Adviser believes will maximize total return while also contributing to positive societal impact aligned with one or more SDGs. The Adviser emphasizes positive selection criteria over broad-based negative screens (e.g., disqualifying business activities) in assessing an issuer’s exposure to ESG factors. The Fund also typically invests in “green bonds,” which are instruments the proceeds of which are specifically earmarked for climate or environmental projects.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities rated below investment grade (“junk bonds”). The Fund may invest up to 30% of its net assets in securities denominated in currencies other than the US dollar. Foreign investments may include securities issued by emerging-market companies and governments. The Adviser expects under normal circumstances to hedge the majority of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure through the use of currency-related derivatives, although it is not required to do so.
The Fund expects to use derivatives, such as options, futures contracts, forwards and swaps. Derivatives may provide a more efficient and economical exposure to market segments than direct investments, and may also be a more efficient way to alter the Fund’s exposure. The Fund may, for example, use interest rate futures contracts or swaps to manage the Fund’s average duration and may, as noted above, use currency-related derivatives to hedge foreign currency exposure. The Adviser may use derivatives to effectively leverage the Fund by creating aggregate market exposure significantly in excess of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund is “non-diversified”.
4 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS
Benchmark Disclosure
The Bloomberg US Corporate Bond Index is unmanaged and does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Bloomberg US Corporate Bond Index measures the investment-grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market. It includes USD-denominated securities publicly issued by US and non-US industrial, utility and financial issuers. 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
Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the stock, bond or currency markets fluctuate. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
ESG Risk: Applying ESG and sustainability criteria to the investment process may exclude securities of certain issuers for non-investment reasons and, therefore, the Fund may forgo some market opportunities available to funds that do not use ESG or sustainability criteria. Securities of companies with ESG practices may shift into and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, and the Fund’s performance may at times be better or worse than the performance of funds that do not use ESG or sustainability criteria. Furthermore, “sustainability” is not a uniformly defined characteristic, and the Fund’s sustainability criteria may differ from those used by other funds. In addition, in evaluating an investment, the investment adviser is dependent upon information and data that may be incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable, which could adversely affect the analysis of the ESG factors relevant to a particular investment.
Interest-Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 5 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk: Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to factors such as specific corporate developments, interest-rate sensitivity and negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally, and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Duration Risk: Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk: This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities. The Fund invests in inflation-indexed securities, the value of which may be vulnerable to changes in expectations of inflation or interest rates.
Foreign (Non-US) Risk: Investments in securities of non-US issuers may involve more risk than those of US issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging-Market Risk: Investments in emerging-market countries may involve more risk than investments in other foreign countries because the markets in emerging-market countries are less developed and less liquid, and because these investments may be subject to increased economic, political, regulatory, or other uncertainties.
Currency Risk: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns. Emerging-market currencies may be more volatile and less liquid, and subject to significantly greater risk of currency controls and convertibility restrictions, than currencies of developed countries.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter
6 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk: To the extent the Fund uses leveraging techniques, its net asset value (“NAV”) may be more volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of changes in interest rates and any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments.
Illiquid Investments Risk: Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest-rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Non-Diversification Risk: The Fund may have more risk because it is “non-diversified”, meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers. Accordingly, changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV.
Active Trading Risk: The Fund expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate may greatly exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Fund’s return. In addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in substantial short-term gains, which may have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders.
Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 7 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
An Important Note About Historical Performance
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown in this report 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.abfunds.com. The Fund has been in operation only for a short period of time, and therefore has a very limited historical performance period. This limited performance period is unlikely to be representative of the performance the Fund will achieve over a longer period.
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. 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.
8 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE FUND (unaudited)
5/10/20211 TO 10/31/2021
This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio Class A shares (from 5/10/20211 to 10/31/2021) as compared to the performance of the Fund’s benchmark. The chart reflects the deduction of the maximum 4.25% sales charge from the initial $10,000 investment in the Fund and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
1 | Inception date: 5/10/2021. |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 9 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
NAV Returns | SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | SEC Yields1 | ||||||||||
CLASS A SHARES | 1.79% | |||||||||||
Since Inception2 | 2.00% | -2.30% | ||||||||||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES3 | 2.12% | |||||||||||
Since Inception2 | 2.12% | 2.12% |
The Fund’s current prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total annual operating expense ratios as 1.39% and 1.14% for Class A and Advisor Class shares, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Fund’s total operating expense ratios, exclusive of expenses associated with acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense and extraordinary expenses, to 0.85% and 0.60% for Class A and Advisor Class shares, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements may not be terminated before May 3, 2022. Any fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser may be reimbursed by the Fund until the end of the third fiscal year after the fiscal period in which the fee was waived or the expense was borne, provided that no reimbursement payment will be made that would cause the Fund’s covered operating expenses to exceed the applicable expense limitations. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower. 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.
1 | SEC yields are calculated based on SEC guidelines for the 30-day period ended October 31, 2021. |
2 | Inception date: 5/10/2021. |
3 | This share class is offered at NAV to eligible investors and the SEC returns are the same as the NAV returns. Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
10 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 (unaudited)
SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | ||||
CLASS A SHARES | ||||
Since Inception1 | -2.24% | |||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES2 | ||||
Since Inception1 | 2.15% |
1 | Inception date: 5/10/2021. |
2 | Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 11 |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
(unaudited)
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 first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, 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 in the first line 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 second line of the table below 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.
Beginning Account Value 5/10/2021+ | Ending Account Value 10/31/2021 | Expenses Paid During Period* | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,020.00 | $ | 4.12 | 0.85 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,019.90 | $ | 4.12 | 0.85 | % | ||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.20 | $ | 2.91 | 0.60 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.10 | $ | 2.91 | 0.60 | % |
+ | Commencement of operations. |
* | Expenses paid are based on the period from May 10, 2021 (commencement of distribution) and are equal to the Class’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 175/365 (to reflect the since inception period). |
** | Assumes 5% annual return before expenses. |
12 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $169.3
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 13 |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY (continued)
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). “Other” country weightings represent 0.7% or less in the following: Argentina, Belgium, India, Japan, Norway, Peru, Sweden, Switzerland and United Republic of Tanzania. |
14 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2021
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
CORPORATES - INVESTMENT GRADE – 88.2% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 44.5% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 2.9% | ||||||||||||
Arkema SA | EUR | 200 | $ | 230,894 | ||||||||
Ecolab, Inc. | U.S.$ | 525 | 519,851 | |||||||||
Inversiones CMPC SA | 905 | 934,978 | ||||||||||
Sealed Air Corp. | 1,485 | 1,460,285 | ||||||||||
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA | 660 | 710,861 | ||||||||||
Suzano Austria GmbH | 663 | 628,558 | ||||||||||
3.75%, 01/15/2031 | 490 | 488,050 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,973,477 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 6.4% |
| |||||||||||
CNH Industrial Capital LLC | 1,605 | 1,581,267 | ||||||||||
Emerson Electric Co. | 780 | 797,086 | ||||||||||
3.15%, 06/01/2025 | 715 | 760,937 | ||||||||||
Parker-Hannifin Corp. | 1,305 | 1,492,085 | ||||||||||
Republic Services, Inc. | 1,275 | 1,206,581 | ||||||||||
Siemens Financieringsmaatschappij NV | 960 | 947,238 | ||||||||||
Trane Technologies Global Holding Co., Ltd. | 495 | 710,574 | ||||||||||
Trane Technologies Luxembourg Finance SA | 405 | 435,006 | ||||||||||
Waste Management, Inc. | 470 | 440,881 | ||||||||||
2.95%, 06/01/2041 | 710 | 733,362 | ||||||||||
Xylem, Inc./NY | 1,725 | 1,722,701 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
10,827,718 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 1.4% |
| |||||||||||
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital | 450 | 442,000 | ||||||||||
6.834%, 10/23/2055 | 630 | 934,161 | ||||||||||
Tencent Holdings Ltd. | 200 | 195,102 |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 15 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Thomson Reuters Corp. | U.S.$ | 570 | $ | 736,794 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,308,057 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - | ||||||||||||
AT&T, Inc. | 202 | 228,294 | ||||||||||
Corning, Inc. | 62 | 73,882 | ||||||||||
5.35%, 11/15/2048 | 820 | 1,136,837 | ||||||||||
Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones SA | 1,480 | 1,437,913 | ||||||||||
Telefonica Emisiones SA | 775 | 976,340 | ||||||||||
Verizon Communications, Inc. | 1,135 | 1,108,737 | ||||||||||
3.875%, 02/08/2029 | 835 | 930,380 | ||||||||||
Vodafone Group PLC | 930 | 1,081,767 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
6,974,150 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 2.4% | ||||||||||||
Aptiv PLC | 180 | 215,278 | ||||||||||
Daimler AG | EUR | 160 | 188,859 | |||||||||
General Motors Co. | U.S.$ | 260 | 298,872 | |||||||||
5.95%, 04/01/2049 | 395 | 540,238 | ||||||||||
General Motors Financial Co., Inc. | 365 | 361,429 | ||||||||||
3.60%, 06/21/2030 | 721 | 766,504 | ||||||||||
3.85%, 01/05/2028 | 435 | 471,838 | ||||||||||
Lear Corp. | 1,060 | 1,157,462 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,000,480 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 1.4% | ||||||||||||
DR Horton, Inc. | 1,355 | 1,410,452 | ||||||||||
Owens Corning | 845 | 942,429 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,352,881 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 1.8% | ||||||||||||
Home Depot, Inc. (The) | 1,425 | 1,397,944 |
16 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Lowe’s Cos., Inc. | U.S.$ | 665 | $ | 738,446 | ||||||||
5.50%, 10/15/2035 | 660 | 847,939 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,984,329 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 13.6% | ||||||||||||
Abbott Laboratories | 1,065 | 1,362,095 | ||||||||||
AbbVie, Inc. | 1,015 | 1,324,840 | ||||||||||
Amgen, Inc. | 805 | 971,129 | ||||||||||
AstraZeneca PLC | 445 | 661,112 | ||||||||||
Baxter International, Inc. | 1,405 | 1,541,420 | ||||||||||
Becton Dickinson and Co. | 1,130 | 1,174,830 | ||||||||||
Biogen, Inc. | 150 | 147,545 | ||||||||||
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 465 | 584,916 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 08/15/2043 | 400 | 537,981 | ||||||||||
Cigna Corp. | 410 | 410,853 | ||||||||||
3.05%, 10/15/2027 | 820 | 874,248 | ||||||||||
4.80%, 08/15/2038 | 160 | 196,955 | ||||||||||
CVS Health Corp. | 900 | 1,102,282 | ||||||||||
Danaher Corp. | 225 | 219,223 | ||||||||||
4.375%, 09/15/2045 | 610 | 767,486 | ||||||||||
Eli Lilly & Co. | EUR | 1,200 | 1,362,121 | |||||||||
Fresenius Medical Care US Finance III, Inc. | U.S.$ | 945 | 956,453 | |||||||||
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | 1,545 | 1,593,595 | ||||||||||
GlaxoSmithKline Capital, Inc. | 165 | 202,419 | ||||||||||
HCA, Inc. | 425 | 431,642 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 06/15/2047 | 735 | 969,705 | ||||||||||
Koninklijke Philips NV | 725 | 932,083 | ||||||||||
Pfizer, Inc. | 695 | 675,996 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 12/15/2046 | 775 | 964,637 |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 17 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | U.S.$ | 1,275 | $ | 1,283,444 | ||||||||
4.10%, 08/15/2047 | 800 | 991,728 | ||||||||||
Zoetis, Inc. | 755 | 741,404 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
22,982,142 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Contemporary Ruiding Development Ltd. | 205 | 205,009 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 2.0% |
| |||||||||||
IHS Markit Ltd. | 58 | 66,147 | ||||||||||
Mastercard, Inc. | 845 | 1,023,343 | ||||||||||
Moody’s Corp. | 1,125 | 1,014,261 | ||||||||||
2.75%, 08/19/2041 | 359 | 351,669 | ||||||||||
PayPal Holdings, Inc. | 900 | 974,984 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,430,404 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 8.4% |
| |||||||||||
Autodesk, Inc. | 1,570 | 1,543,700 | ||||||||||
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | 200 | 201,398 | ||||||||||
CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp. | 1,545 | 1,593,024 | ||||||||||
Cisco Systems, Inc./Delaware | 1,075 | 1,509,694 | ||||||||||
5.90%, 02/15/2039 | 50 | 72,376 | ||||||||||
HP, Inc. | 315 | 415,974 | ||||||||||
Intel Corp. | 1,580 | 1,588,538 | ||||||||||
International Business Machines Corp. | 625 | 720,961 | ||||||||||
4.25%, 05/15/2049 | 200 | 244,751 | ||||||||||
Lam Research Corp. | 1,220 | 1,244,656 | ||||||||||
Micron Technology, Inc. | 1,610 | 1,606,896 | ||||||||||
NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC/NXP USA, Inc. | 515 | 542,925 | ||||||||||
3.25%, 05/11/2041(a) | 705 | 719,893 | ||||||||||
Oracle Corp. | 480 | 499,106 |
18 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Salesforce.com, Inc. | U.S.$ | 642 | $ | 660,036 | ||||||||
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. | 1,080 | 1,091,269 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
14,255,197 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
75,293,844 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 34.0% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 21.2% |
| |||||||||||
ABN AMRO Bank NV | 600 | 666,572 | ||||||||||
Banco Santander SA | 1,000 | 982,820 | ||||||||||
4.25%, 04/11/2027 | 400 | 442,385 | ||||||||||
5.179%, 11/19/2025 | 600 | 672,375 | ||||||||||
Bank of America Corp. | 535 | 552,957 | ||||||||||
2.572%, 10/20/2032 | 325 | 325,713 | ||||||||||
2.884%, 10/22/2030 | 470 | 486,102 | ||||||||||
3.194%, 07/23/2030 | 190 | 201,178 | ||||||||||
4.078%, 04/23/2040 | 835 | 966,192 | ||||||||||
Series JJ | 425 | 448,321 | ||||||||||
Series Z | 45 | 49,923 | ||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | ||||||||||||
2.159%, 09/15/2029(a) | 1,475 | 1,446,046 | ||||||||||
2.871%, 04/19/2032(a) | 200 | 202,808 | ||||||||||
6.625%, 03/25/2024(a)(b) | 200 | 216,317 | ||||||||||
6.75%, 03/14/2022(a)(b) | 200 | 203,664 | ||||||||||
7.375%, 08/19/2025(a)(b) | 470 | 540,516 | ||||||||||
BPCE SA | 480 | 477,833 | ||||||||||
4.625%, 07/11/2024(a) | 855 | 922,774 | ||||||||||
5.15%, 07/21/2024(a) | 375 | 410,495 | ||||||||||
Citigroup, Inc. | 1,005 | 995,773 | ||||||||||
5.316%, 03/26/2041 | 410 | 539,696 | ||||||||||
Series Y | 887 | 893,529 | ||||||||||
Cooperatieve Rabobank UA | 1,160 | 1,259,429 | ||||||||||
4.00%, 04/10/2029(a) | 800 | 844,545 | ||||||||||
4.375%, 06/29/2027(a)(b) | EUR | 200 | 254,068 | |||||||||
Credit Agricole SA | 200 | 224,606 | ||||||||||
1.247%, 01/26/2027(a) | U.S.$ | 1,285 | 1,252,304 |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 19 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Danske Bank A/S | U.S.$ | 1,425 | $ | 1,397,231 | ||||||||
DNB Bank ASA | 200 | 203,999 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) | 805 | 806,468 | ||||||||||
2.615%, 04/22/2032 | 410 | 411,162 | ||||||||||
3.691%, 06/05/2028 | 500 | 541,051 | ||||||||||
4.223%, 05/01/2029 | 350 | 391,582 | ||||||||||
4.411%, 04/23/2039 | 465 | 557,971 | ||||||||||
5.95%, 01/15/2027 | 230 | 274,014 | ||||||||||
ING Groep NV | 950 | 943,162 | ||||||||||
2.727%, 04/01/2032 | 540 | 549,754 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 04/16/2025(b) | 680 | 746,520 | ||||||||||
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 460 | 490,709 | ||||||||||
Series XR | ||||||||||||
4.00%, 09/23/2029(a) | 1,170 | 1,263,175 | ||||||||||
KBC Group NV | EUR | 800 | 924,847 | |||||||||
Lloyds Banking Group PLC | U.S.$ | 310 | 332,343 | |||||||||
4.65%, 03/24/2026 | 630 | 700,094 | ||||||||||
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | EUR | 200 | 234,349 | |||||||||
Morgan Stanley | U.S.$ | 495 | 549,886 | |||||||||
Series I | 835 | 826,195 | ||||||||||
Natwest Group PLC | 935 | 955,479 | ||||||||||
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. | 1,190 | 1,302,580 | ||||||||||
Societe Generale SA | 1,480 | 1,475,240 | ||||||||||
Standard Chartered PLC | 955 | 950,746 | ||||||||||
Svenska Handelsbanken AB | 1,000 | 1,046,205 | ||||||||||
UBS Group AG | 890 | 958,839 | ||||||||||
UniCredit SpA | 625 | 627,570 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
35,940,112 | ||||||||||||
|
|
20 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Insurance – 5.2% | ||||||||||||
Allianz SE | U.S.$ | 1,400 | $ | 1,354,609 | ||||||||
American International Group, Inc. | 1,045 | 1,532,798 | ||||||||||
Assicurazioni Generali SpA | EUR | 545 | 656,975 | |||||||||
2.429%, 07/14/2031(a) | 470 | 573,221 | ||||||||||
Centene Corp. | U.S.$ | 708 | 697,228 | |||||||||
Humana, Inc. | 635 | 614,879 | ||||||||||
4.50%, 04/01/2025 | 660 | 726,039 | ||||||||||
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals | 200 | 202,554 | ||||||||||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | 1,150 | 1,225,755 | ||||||||||
Voya Financial, Inc. | 898 | 942,960 | ||||||||||
Zurich Finance Ireland Designated Activity Co. | 200 | 197,715 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,724,733 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
REITs – 7.6% | ||||||||||||
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | 385 | 370,828 | ||||||||||
American Homes 4 Rent LP | 845 | 868,600 | ||||||||||
American Tower Corp. | 475 | 459,309 | ||||||||||
3.70%, 10/15/2049 | 510 | 557,273 | ||||||||||
3.80%, 08/15/2029 | 285 | 313,338 | ||||||||||
Boston Properties LP | 1,400 | 1,599,060 | ||||||||||
Digital Dutch Finco BV | EUR | 800 | 892,996 | |||||||||
Healthcare Trust of America Holdings LP | U.S.$ | 1,325 | 1,372,703 | |||||||||
Healthpeak Properties, Inc. | 677 | 663,971 | ||||||||||
3.50%, 07/15/2029 | 860 | 937,916 | ||||||||||
Prologis LP | 1,155 | 1,076,044 | ||||||||||
3.00%, 04/15/2050 | 240 | 250,344 | ||||||||||
SITE Centers Corp. | 453 | 486,896 | ||||||||||
Vornado Realty LP | 950 | 956,993 |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 21 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Welltower, Inc. | U.S.$ | 1,155 | $ | 1,137,653 | ||||||||
4.95%, 09/01/2048 | 765 | 1,005,558 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
12,949,482 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
57,614,327 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 9.7% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 9.1% | ||||||||||||
Avangrid, Inc. | 1,515 | 1,604,157 | ||||||||||
Commonwealth Edison Co. | 205 | 211,647 | ||||||||||
Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc. | 855 | 1,065,727 | ||||||||||
Series A | 155 | 183,303 | ||||||||||
Consorcio Transmantaro SA | 890 | 982,226 | ||||||||||
EDP Finance BV | 1,685 | 1,643,270 | ||||||||||
Enel Finance International NV | 1,270 | 1,241,453 | ||||||||||
6.80%, 09/15/2037(a) | 280 | 406,709 | ||||||||||
Engie SA | EUR | 200 | 248,691 | |||||||||
Exelon Generation Co. LLC | U.S.$ | 640 | 817,561 | |||||||||
Florida Power & Light Co. | 85 | 102,770 | ||||||||||
5.69%, 03/01/2040 | 160 | 226,984 | ||||||||||
Iberdrola International BV | EUR | 1,100 | 1,261,014 | |||||||||
NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. | U.S.$ | 897 | 887,612 | |||||||||
2.25%, 06/01/2030 | 440 | 439,794 | ||||||||||
Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. | 1,090 | 1,053,874 | ||||||||||
Orsted AS | EUR | 600 | 724,575 | |||||||||
San Diego Gas & Electric Co. | U.S.$ | 1,275 | 1,296,754 | |||||||||
Southern California Edison Co. | 670 | 746,155 | ||||||||||
Series H | 260 | 280,227 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
15,424,503 | ||||||||||||
|
|
22 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Other Utility – 0.6% |
| |||||||||||
American Water Capital Corp. | U.S.$ | 735 | $ | 777,912 | ||||||||
3.45%, 05/01/2050 | 195 | 212,584 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
990,496 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
16,414,999 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates - Investment Grade | 149,323,170 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
CORPORATES - NON-INVESTMENT GRADE – 5.1% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 3.8% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Olympus Water US Holding Corp. | EUR | 173 | 199,354 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
Clean Harbors, Inc. | U.S.$ | 95 | 99,258 | |||||||||
GFL Environmental, Inc. | 251 | 248,595 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 12/15/2026(a) | 445 | 465,990 | ||||||||||
Paprec Holding | EUR | 435 | 502,235 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,316,078 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Telefonica Europe BV | 300 | 333,461 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 1.1% | ||||||||||||
Dana, Inc. | U.S.$ | 935 | 945,959 | |||||||||
Faurecia SE | EUR | 775 | 887,228 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,833,187 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 1.1% | ||||||||||||
DaVita, Inc. | U.S.$ | 470 | 472,686 | |||||||||
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. | 985 | 950,161 | ||||||||||
US Acute Care Solutions LLC | 455 | 471,976 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,894,823 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 23 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Energy – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Renewable Energy Group, Inc. | U.S.$ | 690 | $ | 725,576 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Square, Inc. | 200 | 205,082 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
6,507,561 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 1.3% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 1.3% | ||||||||||||
Banco Santander SA | 600 | 649,574 | ||||||||||
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 730 | 783,122 | ||||||||||
Societe Generale SA | 645 | 752,202 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,184,898 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates - Non-Investment Grade | 8,692,459 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - CORPORATE BONDS – 2.4% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 2.0% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 1.1% | ||||||||||||
Klabin Austria GmbH | 2,040 | 1,867,340 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - | ||||||||||||
HTA Group Ltd./Mauritius | 430 | 447,549 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 0.7% |
| |||||||||||
MercadoLibre, Inc. | 990 | 933,331 | ||||||||||
StoneCo Ltd. | 226 | 202,308 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,135,639 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,450,528 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
IndusInd Bank Ltd./Gift City | 200 | 200,787 | ||||||||||
Itau Unibanco Holding SA/Cayman Island | 480 | 461,400 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
662,187 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Emerging Markets - Corporate Bonds | 4,112,715 | |||||||||||
|
|
24 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
GOVERNMENTS - SOVEREIGN BONDS – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Chile – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Chile Government International Bond | U.S.$ | 935 | $ | 924,072 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
QUASI-SOVEREIGNS – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Quasi-Sovereign Bonds – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Chile – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Empresa de Transporte de Pasajeros Metro SA | 275 | 320,169 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - US MUNICIPAL BONDS – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
United States – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Metropolitan Transportation Authority | 65 | 88,625 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 3.7% | ||||||||||||
Investment Companies – 3.3% | ||||||||||||
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. – Government Money Market Portfolio – Class AB, | 5,564,641 | 5,564,641 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Principal Amount (000) | ||||||||||||
Time Deposits – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Citibank, London | EUR | 589 | 681,278 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Short-Term Investments | 6,245,919 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Investments – 100.3% | 169,707,129 | |||||||||||
Other assets less liabilities – (0.3)% | (448,395 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $ | 169,258,734 | ||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 25 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
FUTURES (see Note C)
Description | Number of Contracts | Expiration Month | Current Notional | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
Purchased Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||
U.S. Long Bond (CBT) Futures | 12 | December 2021 | $ | 1,930,125 | $ | (20,063 | ) | |||||||||
U.S. T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures | 32 | December 2021 | 3,896,000 | (50,992 | ) | |||||||||||
U.S. Ultra Bond (CBT) Futures | 16 | December 2021 | 3,142,500 | 33,703 | ||||||||||||
Sold Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||
Euro-Bund Futures | 5 | December 2021 | 971,734 | 23,964 | ||||||||||||
U.S. 10 Yr Ultra Futures | 29 | December 2021 | 4,205,906 | 62,305 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | 48,917 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note C)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | EUR | 646 | USD | 761 | 11/08/2021 | $ | 14,144 | |||||||||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | EUR | 597 | USD | 705 | 11/08/2021 | 13,912 | ||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | USD | 1,610 | EUR | 1,389 | 11/08/2021 | (4,075 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | EUR | 7,893 | USD | 9,374 | 11/08/2021 | 248,128 | ||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | EUR | 1,336 | USD | 1,545 | 11/08/2021 | (335 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Societe Generale | EUR | 111 | USD | 131 | 11/08/2021 | 2,321 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 274,095 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
(a) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration. At October 31, 2021, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $48,786,067 or 28.8% of net assets. |
(b) | Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date. |
(c) | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618. |
(d) | The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
(e) | Affiliated investments. |
Currency Abbreviations:
EUR – Euro
USD – United States Dollar
Glossary:
CBT – Chicago Board of Trade
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
See notes to financial statements.
26 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
October 31, 2021
Assets | ||||
Investments in securities, at value | ||||
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $164,985,497) | $ | 164,142,488 | ||
Affiliated issuers (cost $5,564,641) | 5,564,641 | |||
Cash | 6 | |||
Cash collateral due from broker | 140,817 | |||
Unaffiliated interest receivable | 1,326,628 | |||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 614,280 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 278,505 | |||
Deferred offering cost | 67,176 | |||
Receivable for variation margin on futures | 17,830 | |||
Affiliated dividends receivable | 39 | |||
|
| |||
Total assets | 172,152,410 | |||
|
| |||
Liabilities | ||||
Due to Custodian (includes foreign currency overdraft of $312 with a cost of $313) | 312 | |||
Payable for investment securities purchased | 2,637,996 | |||
Advisory fee payable | 95,290 | |||
Dividends payable | 41,632 | |||
Payable for capital stock redeemed | 6,617 | |||
Offering expenses payable | 6,000 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 4,410 | |||
Transfer Agent fee payable | 3,000 | |||
Directors’ fee payable | 1,655 | |||
Distribution fee payable | 15 | |||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 96,749 | |||
|
| |||
Total liabilities | 2,893,676 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 169,258,734 | ||
|
| |||
Composition of Net Assets | ||||
Capital stock, at par | $ | 16,724 | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 169,551,837 | |||
Accumulated loss | (309,827 | ) | ||
|
| |||
$ | 169,258,734 | |||
|
|
Net Asset Value Per Share—30 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
Class | Net Assets | Shares Outstanding | Net Asset Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||||
A | $ | 74,294 | 7,340 | $ | 10.12 | * | ||||||
| ||||||||||||
Advisor | $ | 169,184,440 | 16,716,286 | $ | 10.12 | |||||||
|
* | The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $10.57, which reflects a sales charge of 4.25%. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 27 |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Period from May 10, 2021(a) to October 31, 2021
Investment Income | ||||||||
Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $1,050) | $ | 1,222,629 | ||||||
Dividends | ||||||||
Affiliated issuers | 267 | $ | 1,222,896 | |||||
|
| |||||||
Expenses | ||||||||
Advisory fee (see Note B) | 241,036 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class A | 3 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Advisor Class | 10,970 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class A | 28 | |||||||
Amortization of offering expenses | 61,197 | |||||||
Administrative | 53,700 | |||||||
Audit and tax | 46,438 | |||||||
Custody and accounting | 25,596 | |||||||
Registration fees | 22,837 | |||||||
Legal | 13,348 | |||||||
Printing | 9,130 | |||||||
Directors’ fees | 6,618 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 7,167 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses | 498,068 | |||||||
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | (178,068 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net expenses | 320,000 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net investment income | 902,896 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment and Foreign Currency Transactions | ||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
Investment transactions | 63,544 | |||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | 183,485 | |||||||
Futures | 83,578 | |||||||
Foreign currency transactions | (47,506 | ) | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on: | ||||||||
Investments | (843,009 | ) | ||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | 274,095 | |||||||
Futures | 48,917 | |||||||
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | (4,183 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | (241,079 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations | $ | 661,817 | ||||||
|
|
(a) | Commencement of operations. |
See notes to financial statements.
28 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
May 10, 2021(a) to October 31, 2021 | ||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations | ||||
Net investment income | $ | 902,896 | ||
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | 283,101 | |||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | (524,180 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net increase in net assets from operations | 661,817 | |||
Distributions to Shareholders | ||||
Class A | (187 | ) | ||
Advisor Class | (1,005,775 | ) | ||
Capital Stock Transactions | ||||
Net increase | 169,602,879 | |||
|
| |||
Total increase | 169,258,734 | |||
Net Assets | ||||
Beginning of period | – 0 | – | ||
|
| |||
End of period | $ | 169,258,734 | ||
|
|
(a) | Commencement of operations. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 29 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2021
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Company, which is a Maryland corporation, operates as a series company comprised of 10 portfolios currently in operation. Each portfolio is considered to be a separate entity for financial reporting and tax purposes. This report relates only to the AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio (the “Fund”), a non-diversified portfolio. The Fund commenced operations on May 10, 2021. The Fund has authorized the issuance of Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class Z, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2 shares. Class C, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class Z, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2 shares have not been issued as of October, 31, 2021. 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%. Advisor Class shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. All 10 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 (“U.S. GAAP”), which require 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 Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. 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 Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
In general, the market values 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
30 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures 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; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. 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, 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. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. 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.,
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 31 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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. To account for this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
• | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
• | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
• | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3.
32 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of October 31, 2021:
Investments in Securities | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Corporates – Investment Grade | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 149,323,170 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 149,323,170 | ||||||
Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 8,692,459 | – 0 | – | 8,692,459 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Corporate Bonds | – 0 | – | 4,112,715 | – 0 | – | 4,112,715 | ||||||||||
Governments – Sovereign Bonds | – 0 | – | 924,072 | – 0 | – | 924,072 | ||||||||||
Quasi-Sovereigns | – 0 | – | 320,169 | – 0 | – | 320,169 | ||||||||||
Local Governments – US Municipal Bonds | – 0 | – | 88,625 | – 0 | – | 88,625 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Investment Companies | 5,564,641 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 5,564,641 | ||||||||||
Time Deposits | – 0 | – | 681,278 | – 0 | – | 681,278 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total Investments in Securities | 5,564,641 | 164,142,488 | – 0 | – | 169,707,129 | |||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments*: | ||||||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Futures | 119,972 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 119,972 | † | |||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | 278,505 | – 0 | – | 278,505 |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 33 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Investments in Securities | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Futures | $ | (71,055 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (71,055 | )† | ||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | (4,410 | ) | – 0 | – | (4,410 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 5,613,558 | $ | 164,416,583 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 170,030,141 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
† | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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.
34 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for the current tax year and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
5. 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. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income. The Fund accounts for distributions received from REIT investments or from regulated investment companies as dividend income, realized gain, or return of capital based on information provided by the REIT or the investment company.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Fund are borne on a pro-rata basis by each settled 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. Expenses of the Company are charged proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. 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. GAAP. 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.
8. Offering Expenses
Offering expenses of $128,373 were deferred and amortized on a straight line basis over a one year period starting from May 10, 2021 (commencement of operations).
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 .45% of the first $2.5 billion, .40% of the next $2.5 billion and .35% in excess of $5 billion of the Fund’s
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 35 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to reimburse its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs), on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to .85% and .60% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Advisor Class, respectively. For the period ended October 31, 2021, such reimbursement waivers amounted to $122,942. The Expense Caps may not be terminated by the Adviser before May 3, 2022. Any fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser through May 10, 2022 are subject to repayment by the Fund until the end of the third fiscal year after the fiscal period in which the fee was waived or the expense was borne; such waiver that is subject to repayment amounted to $122,942 for the fiscal period ended October 31, 2021. In any case, no repayment will be made that would cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to exceed the Expense Caps’ net fee percentages set forth above.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser. For the period ended October 31, 2021, the Adviser voluntarily agreed to waive such fees in the amount to $53,700.
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 $9,000 for the period ended October 31, 2021.
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 $175 from the sale of Class A shares and received no contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A shares, for the period ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2022. In connection with the investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the
36 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the period ended October 31, 2021, such waiver amounted to $1,426.
A summary of the Fund’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the period ended October 31, 2021 is as follows:
Fund | Market Value 5/10/21* (000) | Purchases at Cost (000) | Sales Proceeds (000) | Market Value 10/31/21 (000) | Dividend Income (000) | |||||||||||||||
Government Money Market Portfolio | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 88,335 | $ | 82,770 | $ | 5,565 | $ | 0 | ** |
* | Commencement of operations. |
** | Amount is less than $500. |
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 up to .25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on the Advisor Class. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. 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.
NOTE D
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the period ended October 31, 2021, were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | $ | 190,396,805 | $ | 25,531,558 | ||||
U.S. government securities | 8,939,017 | 8,942,400 |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 37 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
Cost | $ | 170,647,622 | ||
|
| |||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 1,550,900 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (2,491,393 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized depreciation | $ | (940,493 | ) | |
|
|
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
• | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Fund may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Fund. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
During the period ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes.
• | Futures |
The Fund may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Fund bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Fund may purchase
38 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
At the time the Fund enters into futures, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/ counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Use of long futures subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the period ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held futures for hedging purposes.
The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 39 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The Fund’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Fund decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty tables below for additional details.
During the period ended October 31, 2021, the Fund had entered into the following derivatives:
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative Type | Statement of | Fair Value | Statement of | Fair Value | ||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 119,972 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 71,055 | * | ||||
Foreign currency contracts | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
| 278,505 |
| Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts |
| 4,410 |
| ||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 398,477 | $ | 75,465 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
Derivative Type | Location of Gain or (Loss) on | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain/(loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures | $ | 83,578 | $ | 48,917 | |||||
Foreign currency contracts | Net realized gain/(loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 183,485 | 274,095 | |||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | 267,063 | $ | 323,012 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
40 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Fund’s derivative transactions during the period ended October 31, 2021:
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | ||||
Average principal amount of buy contracts | $ | 520,670 | (a) | |
Average principal amount of sale contracts | $ | 9,345,684 | ||
Futures: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 5,364,837 | ||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 3,100,093 |
(a) | Positions were open for four months during the reporting period. |
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the tables.
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Received* | Security Collateral Received* | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | $ | 14,144 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 14,144 | |||||||
HSBC Bank USA | 13,912 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 13,912 | ||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | 248,128 | (335 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 247,793 | ||||||||||||
Societe Generale | 2,321 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 2,321 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 278,505 | $ | (335 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 278,170 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Security Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA | $ | 4,075 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 4,075 | |||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | 335 | (335 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 4,410 | $ | (335 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 4,075 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to overcollateralization. |
^ | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 41 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
2. Currency Transactions
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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
Capital Stock
Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||
May 10, 2021* to October 31, 2021 | May 10, 2021* to October 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 7,329 | $ | 74,978 | |||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 11 | 107 | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 7,340 | $ | 75,085 | |||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 19,139,077 | $ | 194,101,830 | |||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 78,767 | 803,778 | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (2,501,558 | ) | (25,377,814 | ) | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 16,716,286 | $ | 169,527,794 | |||||||||||||
|
* | Commencement of operations. |
NOTE F
Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund
Market Risk—The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the stock, bond or currency markets fluctuate. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
42 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
ESG Risk—Applying ESG and sustainability criteria to the investment process may exclude securities of certain issuers for non- investment reasons and, therefore, the Fund may forgo some market opportunities available to funds that do not use ESG or sustainability criteria. Securities of companies with ESG practices may shift into and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, and the Fund’s performance may at times be better or worse than the performance of funds that do not use ESG or sustainability criteria. Furthermore, “sustainability” is not a uniformly defined characteristic, and the Fund’s sustainability criteria may differ from those used by other funds. In addition, in evaluating an investment, the investment adviser is dependent upon information and data that may be incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable, which could adversely affect the analysis of the ESG factors relevant to a particular investment.
Interest-Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with risisng interest rates.
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk—Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to factors such as specific corporate developments, interest rate sensitivity and negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally, and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Duration Risk—Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 43 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities. The Fund invests in inflation-indexed securities, the value of which may be vulnerable to changes in expectations of inflation or interest rates.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging-Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may involve more risk than investments in other foreign countries because the markets in emerging market countries are less developed and less liquid, and because these investments may be subject to increased economic, political, regulatory, or other uncertainties.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns. Emerging market currencies may be more volatile and less liquid, and subject to significantly greater risk of currency controls and convertibility restrictions, than currencies of developed countries.
Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk—When the Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Illiquid Investments Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling
44 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemption of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Non-Diversification Risk—The Fund may have more risk because it is “non-diversified”, meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers. Accordingly, changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV.
Active Trading Risk—The Fund expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate may greatly exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Fund’s return. In addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in substantial short-term gains, which may have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders.
LIBOR Transition and Associated Risk—A Fund may be exposed to debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various interest rate calculations. In 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The FCA and LIBOR’s administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration, have since announced that most LIBOR settings (which reflect LIBOR rates quoted in different currencies over various time periods) will no longer be published after the end of 2021 but that the most widely used U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published until June 30, 2023. However, banks were strongly encouraged to cease entering into agreements with counterparties referencing LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is possible that a subset of LIBOR settings will be published after these dates on a “synthetic” basis, but any such publications would be considered non-representative of the underlying market. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (referred to as SOFR), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates.
The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 45 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related investments or investments in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of hedging strategies, potentially adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. The potential effects of a phase out of LIBOR on LIBOR-based investments are currently unknown.
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. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
Management Risk—The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively-managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
NOTE G
Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing related to redemptions and other short term liquidity requirements, subject to certain restrictions. 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 period ended October 31, 2021.
NOTE H
Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the period ended October 31, 2021 was as follows:
2021 | ||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||
Ordinary income | $ | 1,005,962 | ||
|
| |||
Total taxable distributions paid | $ | 1,005,962 | ||
|
|
46 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
As of October 31, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income | $ | 596,984 | ||
Undistributed capital gains | 79,497 | |||
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | (944,676 | )(a) | ||
|
| |||
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | $ | (268,195 | )(b) | |
|
|
(a) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, and the tax treatment of callable bonds. |
(b) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) is attributable primarily to dividends payable. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of October 31, 2021, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
During the current fiscal period, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of organizational costs resulted in a net decrease in accumulated loss and a net decrease in additional paid-in capital. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets.
NOTE I
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU 2020-04.
NOTE J
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 47 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class A | ||||
May 10, 2021(a) to October 31, 2021 | ||||
|
| |||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.00 | |||
|
| |||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||
Net investment income(b)(c) | .07 | |||
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | .13 | |||
|
| |||
Net increase in net asset value from operations | .20 | |||
|
| |||
Less: Dividends | ||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.08 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Total dividends and distributions | (.08 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.12 | |||
|
| |||
Total Return | ||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 2.00 | % | ||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $74 | |||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | .85 | % | ||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | 1.14 | % | ||
Net investment income(c)(e) | 1.47 | % | ||
Portfolio turnover rate | 31 | % |
See footnote summary on page 49.
48 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Advisor Class | ||||
May 10, 2021(a) to October 31, 2021 | ||||
|
| |||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.00 | |||
|
| |||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||
Net investment income(b)(c) | .08 | |||
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | .13 | |||
|
| |||
Net increase in net asset value from operations | .21 | |||
|
| |||
Less: Dividends | ||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.09 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Total dividends and distributions | (.09 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.12 | |||
|
| |||
Total Return | ||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 2.12 | % | ||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $169,185 | |||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e) | .60 | % | ||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e) | .93 | % | ||
Net investment income(c)(e) | 1.69 | % | ||
Portfolio turnover rate | 31 | % |
(a) | Commencement of operations. |
(b) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(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 charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected in the calculation of total investment return. Total investment 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 for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
(e) | Annualized. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 49 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AB Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio (the “Fund”), (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2021, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the period from May 10, 2021 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc.) at October 31, 2021, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and its financial highlights for the period from May 10, 2021 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and
50 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)
disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more of the AB investment companies since 1968.
New York, New York
December 23, 2021
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 51 |
2021 FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
(unaudited)
For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during the taxable period ended October 31, 2021. For foreign shareholders, 44.06% of ordinary income dividends paid may be considered to be qualifying to be taxed as interest-related dividends.
Shareholders should not use the above information to prepare their income tax returns. The information necessary to complete your income tax returns will be included with your Form 1099-DIV which will be sent to you separately in January 2022.
52 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1), Chairman Jorge A. Bermudez(1) Michael J. Downey(1) Onur Erzan, President and Chief Executive Officer | Nancy P. Jacklin(1) Jeanette W. Loeb(1) Carol C. McMullen(1) Garry L. Moody(1) Earl D. Weiner(1),* |
OFFICERS
Gershon M. Distenfeld(2), Vice President Salima Lamdouar(2), Vice President Tiffanie Wong(2), Vice President Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary | Michael B. Reyes, Senior Analyst Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Phyllis J. Clarke, Controller Vincent S. Noto, Chief Compliance Officer |
Custodian and Accounting Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company State Street Corporation CCB/5 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02210
Principal Underwriter AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. 501 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203
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 Toll-Free (800) 221-5672
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young LLP One Manhattan West New York, NY 10001 |
1 | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee. |
2 | The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s Sustainable Thematic Credit Team. Mr. Distenfeld and Mses. Lamdouar and Wong are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. |
* | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 53 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Directors Information
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY | |||||
INTERESTED DIRECTOR | ||||||||
Onur Erzan,# 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105 45 (2021) | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and Head of the Global Client Group overseeing AB’s institutional and retail businesses, where he is responsible for all client services, sales and marketing, as well as product strategy, management and development worldwide. Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AB Mutual Funds as of April 1, 2021. Prior to joining the firm in January 2021, he spent 20 years with McKinsey (management consulting firm), most recently as a senior partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice. In addition, he co-led McKinsey’s Banking & Securities Solutions (a portfolio of data, analytics, and digital assets and capabilities) globally. | 74 | None |
54 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS | ||||||||
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,## Chairman of the Board 80 (1992) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Former Chairman and CEO of Dupont Photomasks, Inc. (components of semiconductor manufacturing). He was a Director of Xilinx, Inc. (programmable logic semiconductors and adaptable, intelligent computing) from 2007 through August 2020, and is a former director of 33 other companies and organizations. He has extensive operating leadership and venture capital investing experience, including five interim or full-time CEO roles, and prior service as general partner of institutional venture capital partnerships. He also has extensive non-profit board leadership experience, and currently serves on the boards of two education and science-related non-profit organizations. He has served as a director of one AB Fund since 1992, and director or trustee of all AB Funds since 2005. He has been Chairman of the AB Funds since January 2014, and the Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of the AB Funds since February 2014. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 55 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Jorge A. Bermudez,## 70 (2020) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, from November 2007 to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s Commercial Business Group in North America and Citibank Texas from 2005 to 2007, and a variety of other executive and leadership roles at various businesses within Citigroup prior to then; Chairman (2018) of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees (Trustee since 2013) and Chairman of the Smart Grid Center Board at Texas A&M University since 2012; director of, among others, Citibank N.A. from 2005 to 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch from 2009 to 2011, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2011 to 2017, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas from 2010 to 2016. He has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since January 2020. | 74 | Moody’s Corporation since April 2011 | |||||
Michael J. Downey,## 77 (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chairman of the Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (registered investment company) since prior to 2016 until January 2019. From 1987 until 1993, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management, director of the Prudential mutual funds, and member of the Executive Committee of Prudential Securities, Inc. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2005. | 74 | None |
56 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Nancy P. Jacklin,## 73 (2006) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Professorial Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies since (2008-2015). U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (which is responsible for ensuring the stability of the international monetary system), (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2006 and has been Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds since August 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
Jeanette W. Loeb,## 69 (2020) | Chief Executive Officer of PetCareRx (e-commerce pet pharmacy) from 2002 to 2011 and 2015 to present. Director of New York City Center since 2005. She was a director of AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund, Inc. (fund of hedge funds) from 2012 to 2018. Formerly, affiliated with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (financial services) from 1977 to 1994, including as a partner thereof from 1986 to 1994. She has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since April 2020. | 74 | Apollo Investment Corp. (business development company) since August 2011 |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 57 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Carol C. McMullen,## 66 (2016) | Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) since 2014, private investor and a member of the Advisory Board of Butcher Box (since 2018). Formerly, member, Partners Healthcare Investment Committee (2010-2019), Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011 until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016; and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 until 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Chief Investment Officer, Core and Growth and Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards, and as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since June 2016. | 74 | None |
58 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Garry L. Moody,## 69 (2008) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995) where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975- 1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax department. He is a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of BoardIQ, a biweekly publication focused on issues and news affecting directors of mutual funds. He is also a member of the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and the Independent Directors Council’s Governing Council. He has served as a director or trustee, and as Chairman of the Audit Committees, of the AB Funds since 2008. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 59 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND OTHER INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Earl D. Weiner,## ^ 82 (2007) | Senior Counsel since 2017, Of Counsel from 2007 to 2016, and Partner prior to then, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. He is a former member of the ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force to draft editions of the Fund Director’s Guidebook. He also serves as a director or trustee of various non-profit organizations and has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of a number of them. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2007 and served as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds from 2007 until August 2014. | 72 | None |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention: Legal & Compliance Department—Mutual Fund Legal, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors. |
*** | The information above includes each Director’s principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to each Director’s qualifications to serve as a Director, which led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director for the Fund. |
# | Mr. Erzan is an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as a Senior Vice President of the Adviser. |
## | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee. |
^ | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
60 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
Officers of the Fund
Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE | POSITION(S) HELD WITH FUND | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS | ||
Onur Erzan 45 | President and Chief Executive Officer | See biography above. | ||
Gershon M. Distenfeld 46 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also Co-Head of Fixed-Income. | ||
Salima Lamdouar 34 | Vice President | Vice President of the Adviser, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Tiffanie Wong 36 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. She is also Director of Investment Grade Credit. | ||
Emilie D. Wrapp 66 | Secretary | Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Michael B. Reyes 45 | Senior Analyst | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Joseph J. Mantineo 62 | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Phyllis J. Clarke 60 | Controller | Vice President of ABIS**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Vincent S. Noto 57 | Chief Compliance Officer | Senior Vice President and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser** since prior to 2016. |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Fund. |
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AB at (800)-227-4618, or visit www.abfunds.com, for a free prospectus or SAI.
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 61 |
Operation and Effectiveness of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program:
In October 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the open-end fund liquidity rule (the “Liquidity Rule”). In June 2018 the SEC adopted a requirement that funds disclose information about the operation and effectiveness of their Liquidity Risk Management Program (“LRMP”) in their reports to shareholders.
One of the requirements of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund to designate an Administrator of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The Administrator of the Fund’s LRMP is AllianceBernstein L.P., the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser has delegated the responsibility to its Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).
Another requirement of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Fund Board”) to receive an annual written report from the Administrator of the LRMP, which addresses the operation of the fund’s LRMP and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness. The Adviser provided the Fund Board with such annual report during the first quarter of 2021, which covered the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the “Program Reporting Period”).
The LRMP’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner.
Pursuant to the LRMP, the Fund classifies the liquidity of its portfolio investments into one of the four categories defined by the SEC: Highly Liquid, Moderately Liquid, Less Liquid, and Illiquid. These classifications are reported to the SEC on Form N-PORT.
During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end structure, incorporating any holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. If the Fund participated in derivative transactions, the exposure from such transactions were considered in the LRMP.
The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether the Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”). The Committee also incorporated the following information when determining the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size for purposes of liquidity monitoring: historical net redemption activity, a Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, investment performance, total net assets, and distribution channels.
The Adviser informed the Fund Board that the Committee believes the Fund’s LRMP is adequately designed, has been implemented as intended, and has operated effectively since its inception. No material exceptions
62 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
have been noted since the implementation of the LRMP. During the Program Reporting Period, beginning in March 2020, all financial markets experienced extreme levels of price volatility and relative illiquidity resulting from the COVID-19 impacts on the global economy. This extreme relative illiquidity resulted in significantly wider bid-ask spreads to transact in securities, including many of those securities held by the Fund, and in a diminished depth of liquidity in most markets, to varying degrees. Nonetheless, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions during the Program Reporting Period.
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 63 |
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Sustainable Credit Thematic Portfolio (the “Fund”) for an initial two-year period at a meeting held by video conference on February 2-3, 2021 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed approval in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the AB Funds.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the proposed advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the proposed advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services to be performed, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services to be Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the
64 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the AB Funds. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements will be subject to the directors’ approval on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
Because the Fund had not yet commenced operations, the directors were unable to consider historical information about the profitability of the Fund. However, the Adviser agreed to provide the directors with profitability information in connection with future proposed continuances of the Advisory Agreement. They also considered the costs to be borne by the Adviser in providing services to the Fund and that the Fund was unlikely to be profitable to the Adviser unless it achieves a material level of net assets.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their proposed relationships with the Fund, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to 12b-1 fees and sales charges to be received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of certain classes of the Fund’s shares; and transfer agency fees to be paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s future profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
Since the Fund had not yet commenced operations, no performance or other historical information for the Fund was available. Based on the Adviser’s written and oral presentations regarding the proposed management of the Fund and their general knowledge and confidence in the
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 65 |
Adviser’s expertise in managing mutual funds, the directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser was capable of providing high quality Fund management services to the Fund.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the proposed advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund, based on the Fund’s projected net assets of $250 million. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors considered the Fund’s proposed contractual effective advisory fee rate against a peer group median and noted that it was above the median. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s total compensation from the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement would be increased by amounts paid pursuant to the expense reimbursement provision in the Advisory Agreement, and that the impact of such expense reimbursement would depend on the size of the Fund and the extent to which the Adviser requests reimbursements pursuant to this provision. Taking into account the projected administrative expense reimbursement, the directors noted that the Adviser’s total rate of compensation was also expected to be above the peer group median.
The directors also considered that the Adviser’s fee schedule for an offshore fund utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the Fund provided for a higher fee rate than that proposed for the Fund.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s proposed advisory fee, the directors also considered the projected total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”) selected by the 15(c) service provider. The directors also considered the Adviser’s proposed expense cap for the Fund for a one year period. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the projected expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s projected expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the proposed advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an
66 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
abfunds.com | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | 67 |
This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.
AB FAMILY OF FUNDS
US EQUITY
CORE
Core Opportunities Fund
Select US Equity Portfolio
Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio1
GROWTH
Concentrated Growth Fund
Discovery Growth Fund
Growth Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
VALUE
Discovery Value Fund
Equity Income Fund
Relative Value Fund
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value Fund
INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY
CORE
Global Core Equity Portfolio
International Strategic Core Portfolio
Sustainable Global Thematic Fund
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
GROWTH
Concentrated International Growth Portfolio
Sustainable International Thematic Fund
VALUE
All China Equity Portfolio
International Value Fund
FIXED INCOME
MUNICIPAL
High Income Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio
Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
National Portfolio
Arizona Portfolio
California Portfolio
Massachusetts Portfolio
Minnesota Portfolio
New Jersey Portfolio
New York Portfolio
Ohio Portfolio
Pennsylvania Portfolio
Virginia Portfolio
TAXABLE
Bond Inflation Strategy
Global Bond Fund
High Income Fund
High Yield Portfolio1
Income Fund
Intermediate Duration Portfolio
Limited Duration High Income Portfolio
Short Duration Income Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Total Return Bond Portfolio
ALTERNATIVES
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Select US Long/Short Portfolio
MULTI-ASSET
All Market Income Portfolio
All Market Total Return Portfolio
Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio
Global Risk Allocation Fund
Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio1
Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio
CLOSED-END FUNDS
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund
We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB mutual funds. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
1 | Prior to December 1, 2021, Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio was named Conservative Wealth Strategy. Prior to August 23, 2021, Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio was named FlexFee™ US Thematic Portfolio. Prior to April 30, 2021, High Yield Portfolio was named FlexFee™ High Yield Portfolio. |
68 | AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
AB SUSTAINABLE THEMATIC CREDIT PORTFOLIO
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800 221 5672
STC-0151-1021
OCT 10.31.21
ANNUAL REPORT
AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically requested paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper form free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call the Fund at (800) 221 5672. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly, to all AB Mutual Funds you hold.
Investment Products Offered | • Are Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
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 AB’s website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB 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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT 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. AB publishes full portfolio holdings for the Fund monthly at www.abfunds.com.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
FROM THE PRESIDENT |
Dear Shareholder,
We’re pleased to provide this report for the AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio (the “Fund”). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Fund’s investment strategy.
At AB, we’re striving to help our clients achieve better outcomes by:
+ | Fostering diverse perspectives that give us a distinctive approach to navigating global capital markets |
+ | Applying differentiated investment insights through a connected global research network |
+ | Embracing innovation to design better ways to invest and leading-edge mutual-fund solutions |
Whether you’re an individual investor or a multibillion-dollar institution, we’re putting our knowledge and experience to work for you every day.
For more information about AB’s comprehensive range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.
Thank you for your investment in AB mutual funds—and for placing your trust in our firm.
Sincerely,
Onur Erzan
President and Chief Executive Officer, AB Mutual Funds
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 1 |
ANNUAL REPORT
December 8, 2021
This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for the AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio for the annual reporting period ended October 31, 2021.
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to maximize after-tax return and income.
NAV RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
6 Months | 12 Months | |||||||
AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | ||||||||
Class A Shares | 0.92% | 9.02% | ||||||
Class C Shares | 0.54% | 8.22% | ||||||
Advisor Class Shares1 | 1.04% | 9.20% | ||||||
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index | 0.01% | 2.64% |
1 | Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The table above shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index, for the six- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2021.
All share classes of the Fund outperformed the benchmark during both periods, before sales charges. During the 12-month period, the Fund’s overweight to municipal credit contributed, relative to the benchmark. Security selection within the state general obligation sector contributed, while selection in multi-family housing detracted. An overweight to the long end of the yield curve detracted.
For the six-month period, the Fund’s overweight to municipal credit contributed. Security selection in private higher education contributed, while selection in multi-family housing detracted. An overweight to the long end of the yield curve detracted.
Additionally, the Fund’s inflation hedges in tax-efficient Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) swaps were additive to relative performance against the backdrop of inflationary fears. Five-year inflation break-even rates increased 29 basis points during the six-month period and 129 basis points during the 12-month period, and were marked at 2.89% at month-end.
2 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
The Fund utilized derivatives in the form of credit default swaps for hedging and investment purposes, which detracted from absolute performance for the 12-month period and had an immaterial impact on performance for the six-month period. Interest rate swaps were utilized for hedging purposes and had an immaterial impact on performance for the 12-month period and detracted for the six-month period. CPI swaps were utilized for hedging purposes and added over both periods.
MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Yields have risen so far in 2021, particularly late in the reporting period, as investors have begun to digest the implications of the US Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) tapering of its asset purchase program and the likelihood of short-term interest-rate hikes next year. Even with the expected change in policy from the Fed, municipals continued to perform well over both the six- and 12-month time periods ending October 31, 2021. Heavy investor demand has been a key driver of relative outperformance versus other investment-grade fixed-income sectors. Industry-wide flows into municipal bond funds were positive in 76 of the last 77 weeks of the period. Through October, investors added $92 billion into muni funds this year, just a few billion shy of the calendar-year record set back in 2019.
Additionally, strengthening credit fundamentals and attractive credit spreads caused excess demand for municipal credit. BBB and high-yield rated municipal indices outperformed more highly rated bonds significantly as credit spreads compressed. Toward the end of the period, the market began to experience some modest spread widening in certain idiosyncratic issuers and sectors. The Fund’s Senior Investment Management Team (the “Team”) views this spread widening as a reflection of spreads being too tight in certain sectors and not reflective of weakening fundamentals.
The Team continues to seek investments in attractive after-tax returns such as municipal and taxable fixed-income and selective below- investment-grade bonds. The Team seeks to manage interest-rate exposure by focusing on lower-rated municipal and corporate bonds.
The Fund may purchase municipal securities that are insured under policies issued by certain insurance companies. Historically, insured municipal securities typically received a higher credit rating, which meant that the issuer of the securities paid a lower interest rate. As a result of declines in the credit quality and associated downgrades of most bond insurers, insurance has less value than it did in the past. The market now values insured municipal securities primarily based on the credit quality of the issuer of the security with little value given to the insurance feature. In purchasing such insured securities, the Adviser evaluates the risk and return of municipal securities through its own research. If an insurance company’s rating is downgraded or the company becomes insolvent, the prices of municipal securities insured by the insurance company may
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 3 |
decline. As of October 31, 2021, the Fund’s percentages of investments in municipal bonds that are insured and in insured municipal bonds that have been pre-refunded or escrowed to maturity were 2.85% and 0.00%, respectively.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund pursues its objective by investing principally in a national portfolio of both municipal and taxable fixed-income securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in fixed-income securities. The Fund also invests, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax. These securities may pay interest that is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for certain taxpayers. The income earned and distributed to shareholders on non-municipal securities would not be exempt from federal income tax. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities rated below investment grade (commonly known as “junk bonds”), although such securities are not expected to be the Fund’s primary focus.
The Adviser selects securities for the Fund based on a variety of factors, including credit quality, maturity, diversification benefits, and the relative expected after-tax returns of taxable and municipal securities (considering federal tax rates and without regard to state and local income taxes). As the objective is to increase the after-tax return of the Fund, an investor in the Fund may incur a tax liability that will generally be greater than the same investor would have in a fund investing exclusively in municipal securities, and that will be higher if the investor is in a higher tax bracket. In addition, the tax implications of the Fund’s trading activity, such as realizing taxable gains, are considered in making purchase and sale decisions for the Fund. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities of any maturity from short- to long-term.
The Fund may also invest in forward commitments; zero-coupon municipal securities and variable-, floating- and inverse-floating-rate municipal securities.
The Fund may use derivatives, such as swaps, options, futures contracts and forwards, to achieve its investment strategies. For example, the Fund may enter into tender option bonds and credit default and interest rate swaps relating to municipal and taxable fixed-income securities or securities indices. Derivatives may provide more efficient and economical exposure to fixed-income securities markets than direct investments.
4 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS
Benchmark Disclosure
The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is unmanaged and does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index represents the performance of the long-term tax-exempt bond market consisting of investment-grade bonds. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Fund.
A Word About Risk
Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events that, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk: Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific municipal or corporate developments and negative performance of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Municipal Market Risk: This is the risk that special factors may adversely affect the value of municipal securities and have a significant effect on the yield or value of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities. These factors include economic conditions, political or legislative changes, public health crises, uncertainties related to the tax status of municipal securities, or the rights of investors in these securities. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in a particular state’s municipal securities, the Fund may be vulnerable to events adversely affecting that state, including economic, political and regulatory occurrences, court decisions, terrorism, public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness) and catastrophic natural disasters, such as hurricanes, fires or
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 5 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
earthquakes. For example, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly stressed the financial resources of many issuers of municipal securities, which could impair any such issuer’s ability to meet its financial obligations when due and adversely impact the value of its securities held by the Fund. As the full effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on state and local economies and on issuers of municipal securities are still uncertain, the financial difficulties of issuers of municipal securities may continue or worsen, adversely affecting the performance of the Fund. The Fund’s investments in certain municipal securities with principal and interest payments that are made from the revenues of a specific project or facility, and not general tax revenues, may have increased risks. Factors affecting the project or facility, such as local business or economic conditions, could have a significant effect on the project’s ability to make payments of principal and interest on these securities.
Congress has previously considered making changes to the municipal securities provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that could change the US federal income tax treatment of certain types of municipal securities.
The Fund invests, from time to time, in the municipal securities of Puerto Rico or other US territories and their governmental agencies and municipalities, which are exempt from federal, state, and, where applicable, local income taxes. These municipal securities may have more risks than those of other US issuers of municipal securities. Like many US states and municipalities, Puerto Rico experienced a significant downturn during the 2007-2009 recession. Puerto Rico’s downturn was particularly severe, and Puerto Rico continues to face a very challenging economic and fiscal environment, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If the general economic situation in Puerto Rico continues to persist or worsens, the volatility and credit quality of Puerto Rican municipal securities could continue to be adversely affected, and the market for such securities may experience continued volatility.
Tax Risk: From time to time, the US government and the US Congress consider changes in federal tax law that could limit or eliminate the federal tax exemption for municipal bond income, which would in effect reduce the income received by shareholders from the Fund by increasing taxes on that income. In such event, the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) could also decline as yields on municipal bonds, which are typically lower than those on taxable bonds, would be expected to increase to approximately the yield of comparable taxable bonds. Actions or anticipated actions affecting the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds could also result in significant shareholder redemptions of Fund shares as investors anticipate adverse effects on the Fund or seek higher yields to offset the potential loss of the
6 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
tax deduction. As a result, the Fund would be required to maintain higher levels of cash to meet the redemptions, which would negatively affect the Fund’s yield.
Interest-Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Duration Risk: Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk: This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Illiquid Investments Risk: Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes and large positions. Municipal securities may have more illiquid investments risk than other fixed-income securities because they trade less frequently and the market for municipal securities is generally smaller than many other markets.
Leverage Risk: To the extent the Fund uses leveraging techniques, its NAV may be more volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of changes in interest rates and any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 7 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
These and other risks are more fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
An Important Note About Historical Performance
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown in this report 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.abfunds.com.
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 3% maximum front-end sales charge for Class A shares and a 1% 1-year contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares. Returns for the different share classes will vary due to their different expenses associated with each class. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.
8 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE FUND (unaudited)
12/11/20131 TO 10/31/2021
This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/11/20131 to 10/31/2021) as compared to the performance of its benchmark. The chart reflects the deduction of the maximum 3.00% sales charge from the initial $10,000 investment in the Fund and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
1 | Inception date: 12/11/2013. |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 9 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
NAV Returns | SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | SEC Yields1 | Taxable Equivalent Yields2 | |||||||||||||
CLASS A SHARES | 0.69% | 1.06% | ||||||||||||||
1 Year | 9.02% | 5.80% | ||||||||||||||
5 Years | 3.78% | 3.14% | ||||||||||||||
Since Inception3 | 4.14% | 3.74% | ||||||||||||||
CLASS C SHARES | -0.02% | -0.03% | ||||||||||||||
1 Year | 8.22% | 7.22% | ||||||||||||||
5 Years | 3.01% | 3.01% | ||||||||||||||
Since Inception3 | 3.37% | 3.37% | ||||||||||||||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES4 | 0.96% | 1.48% | ||||||||||||||
1 Year | 9.20% | 9.20% | ||||||||||||||
5 Years | 4.04% | 4.04% | ||||||||||||||
Since Inception3 | 4.41% | 4.41% |
The Fund’s current prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total annual operating expense ratios as 1.26%, 2.00% and 0.99% for Class A, Class C and Advisor Class shares, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Fund’s annual operating expense ratios, exclusive of expenses associated with securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, to 0.75%, 1.50% and 0.50% for Class A, Class C and Advisor Class shares, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements may not be terminated prior to January 31, 2022, and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower. 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.
1 | SEC yields are calculated based on SEC guidelines for the 30-day period ended October 31, 2021. |
2 | Taxable equivalent yields are based on SEC yields and a 35% marginal federal income tax rate and maximum state taxes where applicable. |
3 | Inception date: 12/11/2013. |
4 | This share class is offered at NAV to eligible investors and the SEC returns are the same as the NAV returns. Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
10 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 (unaudited)
SEC Returns (reflects applicable | ||||
CLASS A SHARES | ||||
1 Year | 6.32% | |||
5 Years | 2.99% | |||
Since Inception1 | 3.80% | |||
CLASS C SHARES | ||||
1 Year | 7.75% | |||
5 Years | 2.85% | |||
Since Inception1 | 3.44% | |||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES2 | ||||
1 Year | 9.84% | |||
5 Years | 3.88% | |||
Since Inception1 | 4.47% |
1 | Inception date: 12/11/2013. |
2 | Please note that this share class is 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 Fund. |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 11 |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
(unaudited)
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.
12 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (continued)
Beginning Account Value May 1, 2021 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2021 | Expenses Paid | Annualized | |||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,009.20 | $ | 3.85 | 0.76 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.37 | $ | 3.87 | 0.76 | % | ||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,005.40 | $ | 7.63 | 1.51 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,017.59 | $ | 7.68 | 1.51 | % | ||||||||
Advisor Class |
| |||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,010.40 | $ | 2.58 | 0.51 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.63 | $ | 2.60 | 0.51 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
** | Assumes 5% annual return before expenses. |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 13 |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $197.3
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s quality rating and state breakdowns are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s total investments in municipal securities and may vary over time. The quality ratings are determined by using the S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Fitch Ratings, Ltd. (“Fitch”). The Fund considers the credit ratings issued by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch and uses the highest rating issued by the agencies. These ratings are a measure of the quality and safety of a bond or portfolio, based on the issuer’s financial condition. AAA is the highest (best) and D is the lowest (worst). If applicable, the Pre-refunded category includes bonds which are secured by U.S. Government securities and therefore are deemed high-quality investment-grade by the Adviser. If applicable, Not Applicable (N/A) includes non-creditworthy investments, such as equities, |
(footnotes continued on next page)
14 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY (continued)
October 31, 2021 (unaudited)
currency contracts, futures and options. If applicable, the Not Rated category includes bonds that are not rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. The Adviser evaluates the creditworthiness of non-rated securities based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, cash flows, enterprise value and economic environment. |
2 | “Other” represents less than 2.5% in 27 different states, American Samoa, District of Columbia and Guam. |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 15 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2021
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS – 108.5% |
| |||||||
Long-Term Municipal Bonds – 83.0% |
| |||||||
Alabama – 1.4% |
| |||||||
County of Jefferson AL Sewer Revenue | $ | 110 | $ | 125,643 | ||||
Infirmary Health System Special Care Facilities Financing Authority of Mobile | 1,610 | 1,892,295 | ||||||
Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority | 595 | 683,855 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,701,793 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
American Samoa – 0.1% |
| |||||||
American Samoa Economic Development Authority | 135 | 174,378 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Arizona – 2.7% |
| |||||||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority | 198 | 219,691 | ||||||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority | 200 | 236,382 | ||||||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority | 1,000 | 1,177,641 | ||||||
5.00%, 02/01/2032(b) | 1,105 | 1,459,897 | ||||||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority | 100 | 105,530 | ||||||
City of Glendale AZ | 1,000 | 990,237 | ||||||
City of Tempe AZ | 1,000 | 982,968 |
16 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Industrial Development Authority of the City of Phoenix (The) | $ | 100 | $ | 107,223 | ||||
|
| |||||||
5,279,569 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
California – 5.4% |
| |||||||
Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority | 175 | 203,909 | ||||||
California Community Housing Agency | 100 | 105,363 | ||||||
California Community Housing Agency | 250 | 263,834 | ||||||
California Community Housing Agency | 300 | 278,231 | ||||||
4.00%, 08/01/2046(a) | 250 | 260,868 | ||||||
California Health Facilities Financing Authority | 2,500 | 2,827,025 | ||||||
California Housing Finance | 155 | 182,036 | ||||||
Series 2021-2 | 1,000 | 67,079 | ||||||
California Municipal Finance Authority | 250 | 301,301 | ||||||
California Pollution Control Financing Authority | 250 | 260,311 | ||||||
California Statewide Communities Development Authority | 250 | 303,321 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 17 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
City of Los Angeles Department of Airports | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,243,182 | ||||
CMFA Special Finance Agency VIII Elan Huntington Beach | 250 | 229,694 | ||||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 400 | 420,735 | ||||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 200 | 205,690 | ||||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 100 | 91,690 | ||||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 400 | 412,733 | ||||||
CSCDA Community Improvement Authority | 350 | 361,328 | ||||||
Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp. | 1,305 | 1,336,258 | ||||||
University of California | 1,000 | 1,319,774 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
10,674,362 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Colorado – 3.9% |
| |||||||
City & County of Denver Co. | 615 | 648,926 |
18 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Colorado Health Facilities Authority | $ | 250 | $ | 271,098 | ||||
Colorado Health Facilities Authority | 200 | 226,903 | ||||||
Copper Ridge Metropolitan District | 500 | 533,511 | ||||||
Douglas County Housing Partnership | 250 | 247,767 | ||||||
E-470 Public Highway Authority | 1,000 | 1,002,134 | ||||||
Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority | 260 | 225,495 | ||||||
Vauxmont Metropolitan District | 380 | 437,043 | ||||||
AGM Series 2020 | 100 | 122,771 | ||||||
Woodmen Heights Metropolitan District No. 1 | 4,000 | 4,031,904 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
7,747,552 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Connecticut – 1.0% |
| |||||||
City of New Haven CT | 615 | 754,169 | ||||||
Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority | 1,000 | 1,145,439 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,899,608 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
District of Columbia – 0.2% |
| |||||||
District of Columbia | 100 | 111,902 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 19 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
District of Columbia Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. | $ | 2,500 | $ | 234,743 | ||||
|
| |||||||
346,645 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Florida – 4.7% |
| |||||||
Bexley Community Development District | 100 | 106,576 | ||||||
Capital Trust Agency, Inc. | 100 | 112,467 | ||||||
Citizens Property Insurance, Inc. | 310 | 311,197 | ||||||
City of Tampa FL | 1,000 | 299,684 | ||||||
County of Broward FL Airport System Revenue | 1,000 | 1,128,311 | ||||||
County of Lake FL | 100 | 100,456 | ||||||
County of Miami-Dade FL | 780 | 897,638 | ||||||
County of Miami-Dade FL Aviation Revenue | 265 | 304,492 | ||||||
County of Miami-Dade Seaport Department | 2,000 | 2,337,156 | ||||||
County of Osceola FL Transportation Revenue | 230 | 150,330 | ||||||
Florida Development Finance Corp. | 100 | 103,900 | ||||||
North Broward Hospital District | 270 | 313,595 |
20 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Palm Beach County Educational Facilities Authority | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,128,124 | ||||
Pinellas County Industrial Development Authority | 505 | 570,353 | ||||||
Town of Davie FL | 655 | 776,732 | ||||||
Village Community Development District No. 13 | 620 | 657,152 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
9,298,163 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Georgia – 0.2% |
| |||||||
City of Atlanta GA Department of Aviation | 310 | 312,434 | ||||||
Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia | 100 | 120,923 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
433,357 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Guam – 1.3% |
| |||||||
Antonio B Won Pat International Airport Authority | 1,000 | 1,037,415 | ||||||
Territory of Guam | 210 | 240,999 | ||||||
Territory of Guam | 1,000 | 1,224,661 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,503,075 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Hawaii – 1.7% |
| |||||||
City & County of Honolulu HI | 3,000 | 3,380,491 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Illinois – 7.1% |
| |||||||
Chicago Board of Education | 240 | 249,020 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 21 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Series 2019-A | $ | 200 | $ | 247,331 | ||||
Series 2019-B | 100 | 122,156 | ||||||
Chicago O’Hare International Airport | 335 | 376,095 | ||||||
Series 2017-B | 725 | 864,310 | ||||||
Illinois Finance Authority | 100 | 116,277 | ||||||
Illinois Finance Authority | 100 | 113,342 | ||||||
Illinois Finance Authority | 77 | 74,218 | ||||||
Illinois Finance Authority | 250 | 286,670 | ||||||
Illinois Finance Authority | 3,000 | 4,403,389 | ||||||
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority | 600 | 674,448 | ||||||
Series 2020 | 640 | 755,353 | ||||||
Series 2022 | 1,000 | 1,124,726 | ||||||
State of Illinois | 250 | 317,574 | ||||||
Series 2013 | 270 | 292,151 | ||||||
Series 2016 | 375 | 411,629 | ||||||
Series 2017-D | 930 | 1,112,541 | ||||||
Series 2018-A | 1,000 | 1,197,351 |
22 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Series 2019-B | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,224,856 | ||||
|
| |||||||
13,963,437 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Indiana – 0.5% |
| |||||||
Indiana Finance Authority | 100 | 107,464 | ||||||
Indiana Finance Authority | 100 | 120,430 | ||||||
Indiana Finance Authority | 190 | 209,370 | ||||||
Indiana Finance Authority | 165 | 165,293 | ||||||
Indiana Finance Authority | 350 | 326,720 | ||||||
Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority | 100 | 100,937 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,030,214 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Iowa – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Iowa Finance Authority | 325 | 367,479 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Kentucky – 1.2% |
| |||||||
City of Ashland KY | 385 | 437,833 | ||||||
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority | 175 | 208,180 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 23 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority | $ | 160 | $ | 183,100 | ||||
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority | 65 | 65,535 | ||||||
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority | 425 | 494,933 | ||||||
Kentucky Public Energy Authority | 600 | 679,155 | ||||||
Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Government | 225 | 266,439 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,335,175 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Louisiana – 1.5% |
| |||||||
City of New Orleans LA Water System Revenue | 100 | 113,934 | ||||||
Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Auth | 675 | 806,353 | ||||||
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority | 250 | 2 | ||||||
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority | 1,335 | 1,584,841 | ||||||
New Orleans Aviation Board | 215 | 252,568 |
24 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Parish of St. James LA | $ | 100 | $ | 131,008 | ||||
|
| |||||||
2,888,706 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Maine – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Finance Authority of Maine | 100 | 111,215 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Maryland – 4.5% |
| |||||||
City of Baltimore MD | 150 | 167,976 | ||||||
Maryland Economic Development Corp. | 600 | 679,268 | ||||||
Maryland Economic Development Corp. | 1,000 | 1,179,506 | ||||||
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority | 500 | 635,009 | ||||||
Maryland Stadium Authority | 1,000 | 1,447,218 | ||||||
State of Maryland | 1,000 | 1,167,187 | ||||||
State of Maryland Department of Transportation | 3,500 | 3,657,312 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
8,933,476 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Massachusetts – 1.9% |
| |||||||
Commonwealth of Massachusetts | 1,300 | 1,283,683 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 25 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Transportation Fund Revenue | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,294,657 | ||||
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency | 620 | 680,124 | ||||||
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency | 325 | 316,065 | ||||||
Series 2017-A | 140 | 134,895 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,709,424 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Michigan – 1.4% |
| |||||||
City of Detroit MI | 245 | 233,660 | ||||||
Series 2018 | 75 | 86,869 | ||||||
Series 2021-B | 200 | 199,149 | ||||||
City of Detroit MI Sewage Disposal System Revenue | 115 | 118,583 | ||||||
AGM Series 2006-D | 1,000 | 1,001,154 | ||||||
Michigan Finance Authority | 1,000 | 1,064,532 | ||||||
Series 2020-B | 350 | 44,470 | ||||||
Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority | 1,450 | 73,680 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,822,097 | ||||||||
|
|
26 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Minnesota – 0.4% |
| |||||||
City of Minneapolis MN/St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority | $ | 200 | $ | 200,000 | ||||
City of Wayzata MN | 105 | 112,082 | ||||||
Duluth Economic Development Authority | 200 | 213,600 | ||||||
Housing & Redevelopment Authority of The City of St. Paul Minnesota | 200 | 194,510 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
720,192 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Mississippi – 0.7% |
| |||||||
Mississippi Development Bank | 1,000 | 1,071,056 | ||||||
Mississippi Hospital Equipment & Facilities Authority | 250 | 292,094 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,363,150 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Missouri – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Kansas City Industrial Development Authority | 190 | 193,590 | ||||||
Lee’s Summit Industrial Development Authority | 165 | 189,707 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
383,297 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Nebraska – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Central Plains Energy Project | 100 | 103,848 | ||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 27 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Nevada – 1.1% |
| |||||||
Clark County School District | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,203,491 | ||||
State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry | 1,000 | 999,983 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,203,474 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
New Hampshire – 0.2% |
| |||||||
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority | 210 | 247,889 | ||||||
New Hampshire Health and Education Facilities Authority Act | 115 | 115,908 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
363,797 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
New Jersey – 4.6% |
| |||||||
Essex County Improvement Authority | 1,100 | 1,224,170 | ||||||
New Jersey Economic Development Authority | 200 | 221,822 | ||||||
Series 2019 | 1,000 | 1,190,799 | ||||||
New Jersey Economic Development Authority | 210 | 218,103 | ||||||
New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority | 100 | 121,477 | ||||||
New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority | 280 | 336,320 | ||||||
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority | 550 | 645,372 |
28 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority | $ | 340 | $ | 414,316 | ||||
Series 2022-A | 1,000 | 1,277,387 | ||||||
New Jersey Turnpike Authority | 540 | 663,831 | ||||||
Series 2020-D | 1,350 | 1,592,435 | ||||||
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp./NJ | 1,045 | 1,202,252 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
9,108,284 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
New York – 6.6% |
| |||||||
Build NYC Resource Corp. | 300 | 330,566 | ||||||
Metropolitan Transportation Authority | 1,000 | 1,262,654 | ||||||
Series 2020-C | 1,000 | 1,188,334 | ||||||
Series 2020-E | 1,155 | 1,321,288 | ||||||
Series 2021-D | 950 | 947,432 | ||||||
Monroe County Industrial Development Corp./NY | 550 | 615,406 | ||||||
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Building Aid Revenue | 865 | 1,073,149 | ||||||
New York Counties Tobacco Trust V | 350 | 58,012 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 29 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
New York State Dormitory Authority | $ | 200 | $ | 237,641 | ||||
New York State Dormitory Authority | 425 | 468,491 | ||||||
New York State Thruway Authority | 365 | 372,220 | ||||||
New York State Thruway Authority | 2,000 | 2,309,394 | ||||||
New York Transportation Development Corp. | 275 | 305,934 | ||||||
Series 2020 | 300 | 347,708 | ||||||
New York Transportation Development Corp. | 150 | 166,274 | ||||||
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority | 500 | 502,055 | ||||||
4.00%, 05/15/2046 | 1,000 | 1,159,312 | ||||||
Ulster County Capital Resource Corp. | 120 | 119,343 | ||||||
Westchester Cnty Hlth Care Corp. NY | 250 | 250,027 | ||||||
Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. | 100 | 97,658 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
13,132,898 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
North Carolina – 0.9% |
| |||||||
Fayetteville State University | 1,045 | 1,260,481 |
30 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
North Carolina Turnpike Authority | $ | 500 | $ | 583,736 | ||||
|
| |||||||
1,844,217 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
North Dakota – 0.1% |
| |||||||
County of Grand Forks ND | 100 | 100,316 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Ohio – 3.2% |
| |||||||
Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority | 2,035 | 2,283,553 | ||||||
City of Akron OH | 445 | 457,321 | ||||||
City of Chillicothe OH | 175 | 207,694 | ||||||
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority | 500 | 519,238 | ||||||
County of Cuyahoga OH | 365 | 400,035 | ||||||
County of Cuyahoga OH | 205 | 238,649 | ||||||
County of Marion OH | 100 | 108,156 | ||||||
County of Montgomery OH | 100 | 49,762 | ||||||
Jefferson County Port Authority/OH | 1,000 | 1,009,306 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 31 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Ohio Air Quality Development Authority | $ | 100 | $ | 101,523 | ||||
Ohio Air Quality Development Authority | 580 | 618,358 | ||||||
Ohio Air Quality Development Authority | 185 | 210,088 | ||||||
Ohio Water Development Authority Water Pollution Control Loan Fund | 140 | 142,132 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,345,815 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Oklahoma – 1.0% |
| |||||||
Norman Regional Hospital Authority | 505 | 544,063 | ||||||
Oklahoma Development Finance Authority | 1,180 | 1,372,065 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,916,128 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Other – 0.2% |
| |||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Multifamily VRD Certificates | 375 | 395,547 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Pennsylvania – 5.4% |
| |||||||
Allegheny County Airport Authority | 2,000 | 2,322,479 | ||||||
Beaver County Industrial Development Authority | 130 | 132,110 | ||||||
Bucks County Industrial Development Authority | 250 | 301,166 |
32 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Lancaster County Hospital Authority/PA | $ | 100 | $ | 112,704 | ||||
Moon Industrial Development Authority | 100 | 106,394 | ||||||
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority | 510 | 521,446 | ||||||
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority | 100 | 116,536 | ||||||
Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority | 2,000 | 2,291,669 | ||||||
5.00%, 08/15/2033(b) | 1,050 | 1,353,002 | ||||||
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission | 200 | 238,352 | ||||||
Series 2021-B | 1,000 | 1,297,671 | ||||||
Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development | 100 | 117,538 | ||||||
School District of Philadelphia (The) | 1,350 | 1,663,874 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
10,574,941 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Puerto Rico – 3.2% |
| |||||||
Children’s Trust Fund | 2,000 | 141,200 | ||||||
Series 2008-B | 5,000 | 275,453 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 33 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico | $ | 30 | $ | 29,663 | ||||
Series 2011-A | 40 | 38,850 | ||||||
Series 2012-A | 100 | 93,625 | ||||||
Series 2014-A | 135 | 118,800 | ||||||
GDB Debt Recovery Authority of Puerto Rico | 128 | 120,252 | ||||||
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer Authority | 90 | 97,995 | ||||||
Series 2012-A | 215 | 221,582 | ||||||
5.125%, 07/01/2037 | 25 | 25,786 | ||||||
5.25%, 07/01/2029-07/01/2042 | 200 | 206,454 | ||||||
5.50%, 07/01/2028 | 75 | 77,544 | ||||||
5.75%, 07/01/2037 | 50 | 51,779 | ||||||
6.00%, 07/01/2047 | 50 | 51,852 | ||||||
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority | 330 | 322,574 | ||||||
Series 2008-W | 245 | 239,487 | ||||||
5.375%, 07/01/2024 | 125 | 122,812 | ||||||
Series 2010-A | 115 | 112,844 | ||||||
Series 2010-C | 25 | 24,438 | ||||||
5.25%, 07/01/2028(e)(h) | 175 | 171,719 | ||||||
Series 2010-D | 15 | 14,700 | ||||||
Series 2010-X | 340 | 333,625 | ||||||
5.75%, 07/01/2036(e)(h) | 125 | 123,437 | ||||||
Series 2010-Z | 40 | 39,250 | ||||||
Series 2012-A | 60 | 58,650 | ||||||
AGM Series 2007-V | 375 | 413,891 |
34 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Puerto Rico Highway & Transportation Authority | $ | 125 | $ | 136,025 | ||||
AGC Series 2007-N | 110 | 118,501 | ||||||
Puerto Rico Industrial Tourist Educational Medical & Environmental Control Facilities Financing Auth | 390 | 402,675 | ||||||
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue | 2,153 | 723,103 | ||||||
Series 2019-A | 440 | 482,888 | ||||||
5.00%, 07/01/2058 | 867 | 978,798 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,370,252 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
South Carolina – 1.5% |
| |||||||
Richland County School District No. 2/SC | 2,000 | 2,023,927 | ||||||
South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority | 100 | 102,572 | ||||||
South Carolina Public Service Authority | 220 | 243,369 | ||||||
Series 2014-C | 325 | 365,564 | ||||||
Series 2016-A | 265 | 310,342 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,045,774 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Tennessee – 0.5% |
| |||||||
Bristol Industrial Development Board | 370 | 359,067 | ||||||
Chattanooga Health Educational & Housing Facility Board | 130 | 149,150 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 35 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facilities Board | $ | 250 | $ | 270,174 | ||||
Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facilities Board | 135 | 67,178 | ||||||
Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facilities Board | 215 | 253,716 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,099,285 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Texas – 4.5% |
| |||||||
Abilene Convention Center Hotel Development Corp. | 250 | 270,598 | ||||||
Series 2021-B | 100 | 104,764 | ||||||
Austin Convention Enterprises, Inc. | 500 | 556,090 | ||||||
Baytown Municipal Development District | 100 | 106,753 | ||||||
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority | 100 | 105,392 | ||||||
Series 2021-C | 1,000 | 1,163,457 | ||||||
City of Houston TX | 160 | 176,858 | ||||||
City of San Antonio TX Electric & Gas Systems Revenue | 1,000 | 1,250,775 |
36 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Conroe Local Government Corp. | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,123,145 | ||||
Dallas Area Rapid Transit | 580 | 661,332 | ||||||
Dallas County Flood Control District No. 1 | 100 | 102,755 | ||||||
Love Field Airport Modernization Corp. | 500 | 577,059 | ||||||
Mission Economic Development Corp. | 450 | 473,228 | ||||||
New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. | 100 | 109,566 | ||||||
North Texas Tollway Authority | 250 | 283,430 | ||||||
Port Beaumont Navigation District | 100 | 102,902 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 300 | 297,937 | ||||||
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. | 675 | 540,000 | ||||||
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. | 456 | 485,840 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 37 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. | $ | 100 | $ | 108,627 | ||||
Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. | 235 | 279,146 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
8,879,654 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Utah – 0.8% |
| |||||||
City of Salt Lake City UT Airport Revenue | 1,000 | 1,189,881 | ||||||
Military Installation Development Authority | 500 | 481,188 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,671,069 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Virginia – 0.1% |
| |||||||
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp./VA | 165 | 165,918 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Washington – 2.7% |
| |||||||
City of Seattle WA Municipal Light & Power Revenue | 1,000 | 1,223,135 | ||||||
Pend Oreille County Public Utility District No. 1 Box Canyon | 280 | 321,426 | ||||||
Port of Seattle WA | 510 | 568,871 | ||||||
Series 2021 | 1,000 | 1,165,054 | ||||||
Washington Health Care Facilities Authority | 1,000 | 1,126,503 |
38 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District | $ | 235 | $ | 268,051 | ||||
Washington State Housing Finance Commission | 100 | 105,709 | ||||||
Series 2021-1, Class A | 283 | 324,935 | ||||||
Series 2021-1, Class X | 994 | 60,343 | ||||||
Washington State Housing Finance Commission | 100 | 109,979 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,274,006 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
West Virginia – 0.4% |
| |||||||
Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority/WV | 881 | 903,783 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Wisconsin – 3.6% |
| |||||||
St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin | 200 | 192,665 | ||||||
UMA Education, Inc. | 330 | 388,384 | ||||||
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority | 100 | 110,075 | ||||||
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority | 2,190 | 2,277,383 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 350 | 360,622 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 39 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,058,857 | ||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 100 | 110,845 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 130 | 141,348 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 150 | 148,905 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 500 | 479,202 | ||||||
Series 2022 | 100 | 93,984 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 1,300 | 1,481,268 | ||||||
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority | 300 | 338,965 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
7,182,503 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Long-Term Municipal Bonds | 163,748,364 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL NOTES – 25.5% |
| |||||||
California – 1.0% |
| |||||||
County of San Bernardino CA | 2,000 | 2,000,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
District of Columbia – 1.2% |
| |||||||
District of Columbia | 1,075 | 1,075,000 |
40 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
District of Columbia | $ | 270 | $ | 270,000 | ||||
District of Columbia | 1,075 | 1,075,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,420,000 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Florida – 5.5% |
| |||||||
City of Gainesville FL | 1,250 | 1,250,000 | ||||||
County of Palm Beach FL | 1,250 | 1,250,000 | ||||||
Loudon Industrial Development Board | 500 | 500,000 | ||||||
Loudoun County Economic Development Authority | 1,750 | 1,750,000 | ||||||
Sarasota County Public Hospital District | 1,000 | 1,000,000 | ||||||
School Board of Miami-Dade County (The) | 5,000 | 5,036,402 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
10,786,402 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Hawaii – 0.6% |
| |||||||
Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corp. | 1,255 | 1,255,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Kentucky – 1.1% |
| |||||||
Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District | 2,000 | 2,053,121 | ||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 41 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Louisiana – 1.4% |
| |||||||
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority | $ | 1,150 | $ | 1,150,000 | ||||
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority | 1,655 | 1,655,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,805,000 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Maryland – 0.5% |
| |||||||
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority | 1,000 | 1,000,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Nevada – 1.5% |
| |||||||
County of Clark Department of Aviation | 3,000 | 3,000,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
New Jersey – 0.8% |
| |||||||
New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority | 500 | 500,000 | ||||||
Series 2008-C | 1,000 | 1,000,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,500,000 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
New York – 4.0% |
| |||||||
City of New York NY | 1,500 | 1,500,000 | ||||||
New York City Health and Hospitals Corp. | 2,035 | 2,035,000 | ||||||
New York City Housing Development Corp. | 900 | 900,000 | ||||||
New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority | 1,000 | 1,000,000 |
42 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
New York State Housing Finance Agency | $ | 2,450 | $ | 2,450,000 | ||||
|
| |||||||
7,885,000 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Ohio – 0.9% |
| |||||||
Columbus Regional Airport Authority | 1,665 | 1,665,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Rhode Island – 0.6% |
| |||||||
Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp. | 1,215 | 1,215,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
South Carolina – 2.1% | ||||||||
Lexington County School District No. 3/SC | 4,000 | 4,127,279 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Texas – 2.7% | ||||||||
City of Houston TX | 4,000 | 4,049,135 | ||||||
City of Houston TX Combined Utility System Revenue | 1,000 | 1,000,000 | ||||||
Newark Higher Education Finance Corp. | 335 | 334,807 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,383,942 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Vermont – 1.6% | ||||||||
Vermont Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency | 2,500 | 2,500,000 | ||||||
Washington State Housing Finance Commission | 690 | 690,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,190,000 | ||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 43 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Total Short-Term Municipal Notes | $ | 50,285,744 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Municipal Obligations | 214,034,108 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
CORPORATES - INVESTMENT GRADE – 1.9% | ||||||||
Financial Institutions – 1.0% | ||||||||
Banking – 0.4% | ||||||||
Bank of America Corp. | $ | 100 | 105,487 | |||||
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The) | 100 | 104,326 | ||||||
Comerica, Inc. | 100 | 110,986 | ||||||
Fifth Third Bancorp | 100 | 107,977 | ||||||
Huntington Bancshares, Inc./OH | 100 | 116,481 | ||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 50 | 51,271 | ||||||
Truist Financial Corp. | 100 | 112,663 | ||||||
Wells Fargo & Co. | 100 | 101,919 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
811,110 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Finance – 0.3% | ||||||||
Air Lease Corp. | 600 | 637,836 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Insurance – 0.3% | ||||||||
Centene Corp. | 232 | 243,027 | ||||||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | 215 | 226,221 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
469,248 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
1,918,194 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Industrial – 0.9% | ||||||||
Basic – 0.1% | ||||||||
Yamana Gold, Inc. | 290 | 282,857 | ||||||
|
|
44 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 0.5% | ||||||||
YMCA of Greater New York | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,010,250 | ||||
|
| |||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.3% | ||||||||
Las Vegas Sands Corp. | 600 | 613,404 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,906,511 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Corporates - Investment Grade | 3,824,705 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
CORPORATES - NON-INVESTMENT GRADE – 1.2% | ||||||||
Industrial – 1.2% | ||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.1% | ||||||||
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. | 309 | 299,909 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.1% | ||||||||
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA | 275 | 138,820 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 0.5% | ||||||||
Carnival Corp. | 400 | 399,744 | ||||||
Wild Rivers Water Park | 500 | 499,144 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
898,888 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.3% | ||||||||
Mozart Debt Merger Sub, Inc. | 350 | 348,317 | ||||||
Newell Brands, Inc. | 173 | 189,506 | ||||||
4.875%, 06/01/2025 | 18 | 19,708 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
557,531 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Transportation - Airlines – 0.2% | ||||||||
American Airlines, Inc./AAdvantage Loyalty IP Ltd. | 155 | 162,542 | ||||||
5.75%, 04/20/2029(a) | 165 | 177,596 | ||||||
United Airlines, Inc. | 150 | 155,313 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
495,451 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Corporates - Non-Investment Grade | 2,390,599 | |||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 45 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS – 1.0% | ||||||||
Risk Share Floating Rate – 1.0% | ||||||||
Bellemeade Re Ltd. | $ | 252 | $ | 252,133 | ||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes | 36 | 36,087 | ||||||
Series 2016-DNA4, Class M3 3.889% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.80%), 03/25/2029(c) | 225 | 232,471 | ||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities | 107 | 110,412 | ||||||
Series 2014-C03, Class 2M2 2.989% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.90%), 07/25/2024(c) | 56 | 57,122 | ||||||
Series 2015-C02, Class 1M2 4.089% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%), 05/25/2025(c) | 54 | 54,899 | ||||||
Series 2016-C01, Class 1M2 6.839% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.75%), 08/25/2028(c) | 163 | 172,109 | ||||||
Series 2016-C02, Class 1M2 6.089% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.00%), 09/25/2028(c) | 222 | 232,462 | ||||||
Series 2016-C04, Class 1M2 4.339% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.25%), 01/25/2029(c) | 114 | 117,902 | ||||||
Series 2017-C01, Class 1M2 3.639% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.55%), 07/25/2029(c) | 169 | 174,110 | ||||||
Series 2017-C02, Class 2M2 3.739% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.65%), 09/25/2029(c) | 182 | 188,273 | ||||||
Series 2017-C04, Class 2M2 2.939% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.85%), 11/25/2029(c) | 235 | 240,843 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 1,868,823 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 0.4% | ||||||||
Autos - Fixed Rate – 0.1% | ||||||||
CPS Auto Receivables Trust | 250 | 248,780 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Other ABS - Fixed Rate – 0.3% | ||||||||
Affirm Asset Securitization Trust | 309 | 308,932 |
46 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||
| ||||||||
Domino’s Pizza Master Issuer LLC | $ | 199 | $ | 203,451 | ||||
|
| |||||||
512,383 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Asset-Backed Securities | 761,163 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 0.3% | ||||||||
Non-Agency Floating Rate CMBS – 0.3% | ||||||||
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 250 | 249,536 | ||||||
DBWF Mortgage Trust | 275 | 274,485 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | 524,021 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS – 0.1% | ||||||||
CLO - Floating Rate – 0.1% | ||||||||
THL Credit Wind River CLO Ltd. | 250 | 250,168 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Total Investments – 113.4% | 223,653,587 | |||||||
Other assets less liabilities – (13.4)% | (26,341,422 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $ | 197,312,165 | ||||||
|
|
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Description | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Buy Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-NAIG Series 36, 5 Year Index, 06/20/2026* | (1.00 | )% | Quarterly | 0.47 | % | USD | 4,500 | $ | (113,307 | ) | $ | (89,911 | ) | $ | (23,396 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CDX-NAHY Series 37, 5 Year Index, 12/20/2026* | (5.00 | ) | Quarterly | 3.05 | USD | 2,500 | (236,043 | ) | (237,813 | ) | 1,770 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (349,350 | ) | $ | (327,724 | ) | $ | (21,626 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 47 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
CENTRALLY CLEARED INFLATION (CPI) SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 2,760 | 01/15/2027 | CPI# | 3.466% | Maturity | $ | 3,988 | $ | (3,913 | ) | $ | 7,901 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 2,650 | 01/15/2027 | CPI# | 3.320% | Maturity | (22,159 | ) | – 0 | – | (22,159 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 1,110 | 01/15/2028 | 1.230% | CPI# | Maturity | 174,673 | – 0 | – | 174,673 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 650 | 01/15/2028 | 0.735% | CPI# | Maturity | 127,985 | – 0 | – | 127,985 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,680 | 01/15/2030 | 1.714% | CPI# | Maturity | 228,488 | – 0 | – | 228,488 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,680 | 01/15/2030 | 1.731% | CPI# | Maturity | 225,483 | – 0 | – | 225,483 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,600 | 01/15/2030 | 1.585% | CPI# | Maturity | 239,184 | – 0 | – | 239,184 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 525 | 01/15/2030 | 1.572% | CPI# | Maturity | 79,191 | – 0 | – | 79,191 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 525 | 01/15/2030 | 1.587% | CPI# | Maturity | 78,373 | – 0 | – | 78,373 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,650 | 01/15/2031 | 2.782% | CPI# | Maturity | 52,242 | – 0 | – | 52,242 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,380 | 01/15/2031 | 2.680% | CPI# | Maturity | 59,609 | – 0 | – | 59,609 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,100 | 01/15/2031 | 2.601% | CPI# | Maturity | 57,263 | – 0 | – | 57,263 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,350 | 04/15/2032 | CPI# | 2.909% | Maturity | (8,411 | ) | – 0 | – | (8,411 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 1,000 | 04/15/2032 | CPI# | 2.748% | Maturity | (26,566 | ) | – 0 | – | (26,566 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 680 | 04/15/2032 | CPI# | 2.722% | Maturity | (20,320 | ) | – 0 | – | (20,320 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 340 | 02/15/2041 | CPI# | 2.553% | Maturity | (11,365 | ) | – 0 | – | (11,365 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 900 | 02/15/2051 | CPI# | 2.295% | Maturity | (102,406 | ) | – 0 | – | (102,406 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 1,135,252 | $ | (3,913 | ) | $ | 1,139,165 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
# | Variable interest rate based on the rate of inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). |
CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 7,000 | 01/15/2031 | 1.252% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | $ | 167,625 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 167,625 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 5,000 | 01/15/2031 | 1.276% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | 95,671 | – 0 | – | 95,671 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 3,500 | 01/15/2031 | 1.401% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | 31,950 | – 0 | – | 31,950 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 3,000 | 01/15/2031 | 1.584% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (17,316 | ) | – 0 | – | (17,316 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 2,300 | 01/15/2031 | 1.269% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | 49,396 | – 0 | – | 49,396 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,800 | 01/15/2031 | 1.314% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | 30,599 | – 0 | – | 30,599 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 2,300 | 02/15/2036 | 3 Month LIBOR | 1.600 | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | (27,258 | ) | – 0 | – | (27,258 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 1,600 | 02/15/2036 | 3 Month LIBOR | 1.533% | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | (32,794 | ) | – 0 | – | (32,794 | ) | |||||||||||||||
USD | 1,600 | 02/15/2036 | 3 Month LIBOR | 1.692% | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | 249 | – 0 | – | 249 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,500 | 02/15/2036 | 3 Month LIBOR | 1.530% | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | (31,370 | ) | – 0 | – | (31,370 | ) |
48 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,400 | 02/15/2036 | 3 Month LIBOR | 1.535% | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | $ | (28,070 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (28,070 | ) | ||||||||||||
USD | 1,200 | 04/01/2039 | 0.780% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | 179,565 | (45 | ) | 179,610 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,100 | 04/01/2039 | 0.932% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | 138,596 | – 0 | – | 138,596 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 1,000 | 04/01/2039 | 0.774% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | 150,652 | – 0 | – | 150,652 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 4,000 | 04/01/2044 | 3 Month LIBOR | 2.013% | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | 192,146 | – 0 | – | 192,146 | |||||||||||||||||
USD | 3,150 | 04/01/2054 | 1.583% | 3 Month LIBOR | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | 127,183 | – 0 | – | 127,183 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 1,026,824 | $ | (45 | ) | $ | 1,026,869 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA. | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 515 | $ | (142,869 | ) | $ | (58,836 | ) | $ | (84,033 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA. | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,000 | (277,417 | ) | (125,505 | ) | (151,912 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA. | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,000 | (277,417 | ) | (127,691 | ) | (149,726 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Securities, LLC |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 2,750 | (275,580 | ) | 43,687 | (319,267 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (973,283 | ) | $ | (268,345 | ) | $ | (704,938 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swap Counterparty | Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 2,220 | 10/09/2029 | 1.120% | SIFMA* | Quarterly | $ | (378 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (378 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA | USD | 2,220 | 10/09/2029 | 1.125% | SIFMA* | Quarterly | (1,317 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,317 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (1,695 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (1,695 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Variable interest rate based on the Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Index. |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 49 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
(a) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration. At October 31, 2021, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $20,717,178 or 10.5% of net assets. |
(b) | When-Issued or delayed delivery security. |
(c) | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest/floor/ceiling rate was in effect at October 31, 2021. |
(d) | Restricted and illiquid security. |
Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority | 07/31/2014 | $ | 173,772 | $ | 2 | 0.00 | % |
(e) | Defaulted. |
(f) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 0.23% of net assets as of October 31, 2021, are considered illiquid and restricted. Additional information regarding such securities follows: |
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency | 12/07/2017 | $ | 309,863 | $ | 316,065 | 0.16 | % | |||||||||
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency | 12/07/2017 | 140,000 | 134,895 | 0.07 | % |
(g) | An auction rate security whose interest rate resets at each auction date. Auctions are typically held every week or month. The rate shown is as of October 31, 2021 and the aggregate market value of this security amounted to $200,000 or 0.10% of net assets. |
(h) | Non-income producing security. |
(i) | Security represents the underlying municipal obligation of an inverse floating rate obligation held by the Fund (see Note I). |
(j) | IO – Interest Only. |
(k) | Variable Rate Demand Notes are instruments whose interest rates change on a specific date (such as coupon date or interest payment date) or whose interest rates vary with changes in a designated base rate (such as the prime interest rate). This instrument is payable on demand and is secured by letters of credit or other credit support agreements from major banks. |
(l) | Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date. |
As of October 31, 2021, the Fund’s percentages of investments in municipal bonds that are insured and in insured municipal bonds that have been pre-refunded or escrowed to maturity are 2.9% and 0.0%, respectively.
50 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Glossary:
ABS – Asset-Backed Securities
AGC – Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM – Assured Guaranty Municipal
CDX-CMBX.NA – North American Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index
CDX-NAHY – North American High Yield Credit Default Swap Index
CDX-NAIG – North American Investment Grade Credit Default Swap Index
CIFGNA – CIFG Assurance North America, Inc.
CLO – Collateralized Loan Obligations
CMBS – Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
COP – Certificate of Participation
CPI – Consumer Price Index
ETM – Escrowed to Maturity
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
NATL – National Interstate Corporation
SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 51 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
October 31, 2021
Assets |
| |||||||
Investments in securities, at value (cost $219,869,516) | $ | 223,653,587 | ||||||
Cash | 646,607 | |||||||
Cash collateral due from broker | 2,080,286 | |||||||
Interest receivable | 1,766,768 | |||||||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 1,065,487 | |||||||
Receivable for investment securities sold | 359,784 | |||||||
Affiliated dividends receivable | 9 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total assets | 229,572,528 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Liabilities |
| |||||||
Payable for investment securities purchased | 28,343,893 | |||||||
Payable for floating rate notes issued(a) | 1,600,000 | |||||||
Payable for capital stock redeemed | 1,078,667 | |||||||
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums received $268,345) | 973,283 | |||||||
Advisory fee payable | 49,376 | |||||||
Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 14,108 | |||||||
Distribution fee payable | 12,891 | |||||||
Directors’ fees payable | 1,699 | |||||||
Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps | 1,695 | |||||||
Transfer Agent fee payable | 1,212 | |||||||
Foreign capital gains tax payable | 419 | |||||||
Dividends payable | 246 | |||||||
Other liabilities | 9,018 | |||||||
Accrued expenses | 173,856 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total liabilities | 32,260,363 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Assets | $ | 197,312,165 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Composition of Net Assets |
| |||||||
Capital stock, at par | $ | 17,071 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 192,323,041 | |||||||
Distributable earnings | 4,972,053 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Assets | $ | 197,312,165 | ||||||
|
|
Net Asset Value Per Share—21 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
Class | Net Assets | Shares Outstanding | Net Asset Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||||
A | $ | 29,380,571 | 2,541,904 | $ | 11.56 | * | ||||||
| ||||||||||||
C | $ | 7,943,454 | 687,347 | $ | 11.56 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Advisor | $ | 159,988,140 | 13,842,239 | $ | 11.56 | |||||||
|
(a) | Represents short-term floating rate certificates issued by tender option bond trusts (see Note I). |
* | The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $11.92 which reflects a sales charge of 3.00%. |
See notes to financial statements.
52 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended October 31, 2021
Investment Income |
| |||||||
Interest | $ | 3,201,639 | ||||||
Dividends—Affiliated issuers | 660 | $ | 3,202,299 | |||||
|
| |||||||
Expenses |
| |||||||
Advisory fee (see Note B) | 559,536 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class A | 53,282 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class C | 37,986 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class A | 8,802 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class C | 1,585 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Advisor Class | 40,482 | |||||||
Registration fees | 94,915 | |||||||
Administrative | 88,166 | |||||||
Custody and accounting | 79,737 | |||||||
Audit and tax | 62,855 | |||||||
Legal | 24,243 | |||||||
Directors’ fees | 19,879 | |||||||
Printing | 13,965 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 9,114 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses before interest expense | 1,094,547 | |||||||
Interest expense | 18,136 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses | 1,112,683 | |||||||
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | (384,775 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net expenses | 727,908 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net investment income | 2,474,391 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investment Transactions | ||||||||
Net realized gain on: | ||||||||
Investment transactions | 333,634 | |||||||
Swaps | 77,544 | |||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | ||||||||
Investments(a) | 2,827,695 | |||||||
Swaps | 1,203,360 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net gain on investment transactions | 4,442,233 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations | $ | 6,916,624 | ||||||
|
|
(a) | Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized gains of $419. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 53 |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 2,474,391 | $ | 2,368,847 | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions | 411,178 | (479,678 | ) | |||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | 4,031,055 | (3,162,385 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | 6,916,624 | (1,273,216 | ) | |||||
Distributions to Shareholders |
| |||||||
Class A | (406,926 | ) | (516,141 | ) | ||||
Class C | (35,666 | ) | (38,826 | ) | ||||
Advisor Class | (2,042,255 | ) | (2,154,981 | ) | ||||
Capital Stock Transactions |
| |||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 117,513,762 | (1,296,763 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total increase (decrease) | 121,945,539 | (5,279,927 | ) | |||||
Net Assets |
| |||||||
Beginning of period | 75,366,626 | 80,646,553 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
End of period | $ | 197,312,165 | $ | 75,366,626 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
54 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2021
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Company, which is a Maryland corporation, operates as a series company comprised of 10 portfolios currently in operation. Each portfolio is considered to be a separate entity for financial reporting and tax purposes. This report relates only to the AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio (the “Fund”) (formerly known as AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Portfolio), a diversified portfolio. The Fund has authorized the issuance of Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2 shares. Class B, Class T, Class 1 and Class 2 shares have not been issued. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 3.0% for purchases not exceeding $500,000. With respect to purchases of $500,000 or more, Class A shares redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase, and 0% after the first year of purchase. Effective May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Prior to May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Advisor Class shares are sold without any 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 (“U.S. GAAP”), which require 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 Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. 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 Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 55 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
In general, the market values 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures 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; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. 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, 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. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this
56 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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. To account for this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
• | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
• | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
• | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 57 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3.
Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar collateral and risk profiles, including relevant indices. Mortgage and asset-backed securities for which management has collected current observable data through pricing services are generally categorized within Level 2. Those investments for which current observable data has not been provided are classified as Level 3.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of October 31, 2021:
Investments in Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Municipal Bonds | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 163,748,364 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 163,748,364 | ||||||
Short-Term Municipal Notes | – 0 | – | 50,285,744 | – 0 | – | 50,285,744 | ||||||||||
Corporates—Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 3,824,705 | – 0 | – | 3,824,705 | ||||||||||
Corporates—Non-Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 2,390,599 | – 0 | – | 2,390,599 | ||||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | – 0 | – | 1,868,823 | – 0 | – | 1,868,823 | ||||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 761,163 | – 0 | – | 761,163 | ||||||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 524,021 | – 0 | – | 524,021 | ||||||||||
Collateralized Loan Obligations | – 0 | – | 250,168 | – 0 | – | 250,168 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Notes(a) | (1,600,000 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (1,600,000 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total Investments in Securities | (1,600,000 | ) | 223,653,587 | – 0 | – | 222,053,587 |
58 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Investments in Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments(b): | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Centrally Cleared Inflation (CPI) Swaps | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1,326,479 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1,326,479 | (c) | |||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | 1,163,632 | – 0 | – | 1,163,632 | (c) | |||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | (349,350 | ) | – 0 | – | (349,350 | )(c) | ||||||||
Centrally Cleared Inflation (CPI) Swaps | – 0 | – | (191,227 | ) | – 0 | – | (191,227 | )(c) | ||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | (136,808 | ) | – 0 | – | (136,808 | )(c) | ||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | (973,283 | ) | – 0 | – | (973,283 | ) | ||||||||
Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | (1,695 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,695 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | (1,600,000 | ) | $ | 224,491,335 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 222,891,335 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | The Fund may hold liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. |
(b) | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(c) | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 59 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. 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.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
5. 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. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income. The Fund accounts for distributions received from REIT investments or from regulated investment companies as dividend income, realized gain, or return of capital based on information provided by the REIT or the investment company.
6. 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. Expenses of the Company are charged proportionately to each fund or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. 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. GAAP. 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.
60 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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 .45% of the first $2.5 billion, .40% of the excess over $2.5 billion up to $5 billion and .35% in excess of $5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses (excluding expenses associated with securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs), on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to .75%, 1.50% and .50%, of average daily net assets for Class A, Class C and Advisor Class shares, respectively. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such reimbursements/waivers amounted to $293,407. The Expense Caps may not be terminated before January 31, 2022.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Adviser voluntarily agreed to waive such fees in the amount of $88,166.
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 $18,555 for the year ended October 31, 2021.
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 $309 from the sale of Class A shares and received $0 and $1,221 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2022. In connection with the investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 61 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such waiver amounted to $3,202.
A summary of the Fund’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021 is as follows:
Fund | Market Value 10/31/20 (000) | Purchases at Cost (000) | Sales Proceeds (000) | Market Value 10/31/21 (000) | Dividend Income (000) | |||||||||||||||
Government Money Market Portfolio | $ | 456 | $ | 101,732 | $ | 102,188 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 1 |
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 up to 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares and 1% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. Payments under the Agreement in respect of Class A shares are currently limited to an annual rate of .25% of Class A shares’ average daily net assets. The Agreement provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. Since the commencement of the Fund’s operations, the Distributor has incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the amount of $52,563 for Class C shares. 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.
NOTE D
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended October 31, 2021 were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||
Investment securities (excluding | $ | 130,621,988 | $ | 34,857,664 | ||||
U.S. government securities | – 0 | – | 1,719 |
62 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
Cost | $ | 218,276,411 | ||
|
| |||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 9,008,865 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (2,854,552 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 6,154,313 | ||
|
|
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
• | Swaps |
The Fund may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates or credit risk. A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Fund in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Fund or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Fund accrues for the interim payments on swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 63 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for swaps are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Fund enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for centrally cleared swaps is generally less than non-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Interest Rate Swaps:
The Fund is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Fund holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The
64 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Fund may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or, receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional amount.
In addition, the Fund may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or “notional”) amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held interest rate swaps for hedging purposes.
Inflation (CPI) Swaps:
Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index (the Consumer Price Index with respect to CPI swaps) over the term of the swap (with some lag on the inflation index), and the other pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swaps may be used to protect the net asset value, or NAV, of a Fund against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index since the value of these agreements is expected to increase if there are unexpected inflation increases.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held inflation (CPI) swaps for hedging purposes.
Credit Default Swaps:
The Fund may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Fund, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Fund may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap, the Fund receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. If the Fund is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of)
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 65 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation. In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Fund for the same referenced obligations with the same counterparty.
Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Fund is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Fund coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Fund.
Implied credit spreads over U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held credit default swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial
66 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Fund’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Fund decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty table below for additional details.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund had entered into the following derivatives:
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative Type | Statement of | Fair Value | Statement of | Fair Value | ||||||||
Credit contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | $ | 1,770 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | $ | 23,396 | * | ||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps |
| 2,494,069 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps |
| 328,035 | * | ||||
Interest rate contracts | Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps |
| 1,695 |
| ||||||||
Credit contracts | Market value on credit default swaps | 973,283 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 2,495,839 | $ | 1,326,409 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 67 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Derivative Type | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives of Operations | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | $ | 386,777 | $ | 757,540 | |||||
Credit contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | (309,233 | ) | 445,820 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | 77,544 | $ | 1,203,360 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Fund’s derivative transactions during the year ended October 31, 2021:
Interest Rate Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 4,440,000 | ||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 25,288,846 | ||
Centrally Cleared Inflation Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 11,046,154 | ||
Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 5,637,308 | ||
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 5,550,000 |
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
68 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Security Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | $ | 421,981 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (421,981 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | ||||||
Credit Suisse International | 277,417 | – 0 | – | (256,000 | ) | – 0 | – | 21,417 | ||||||||||||
JPMorgan Securities, LLC | 275,580 | – 0 | – | (275,580 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 974,978 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (953,561 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 21,417 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
NOTE E
Capital Stock
Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 1,412,846 | 1,063,656 | $ | 16,395,252 | $ | 11,231,752 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 17,413 | 20,938 | 200,359 | 223,947 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted from Class C | 33,047 | 16,357 | 379,856 | 166,789 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (442,249 | ) | (656,125 | ) | (5,086,693 | ) | (6,848,767 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 1,021,057 | 444,826 | $ | 11,888,774 | $ | 4,773,721 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 597,815 | 63,704 | $ | 6,955,200 | $ | 708,055 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 2,391 | 2,452 | 27,536 | 26,233 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted to Class A | (33,047 | ) | (16,357 | ) | (379,856 | ) | (166,789 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (45,530 | ) | (27,959 | ) | (523,128 | ) | (286,256 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase | 521,629 | 21,840 | $ | 6,079,752 | $ | 281,243 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 69 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 11,306,229 | 6,370,236 | $ | 131,083,859 | $ | 68,728,672 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 84,583 | 83,044 | 975,843 | 891,901 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (2,823,940 | ) | (7,230,083 | ) | (32,514,466 | ) | (75,972,300 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | 8,566,872 | (776,803 | ) | $ | 99,545,236 | $ | (6,351,727 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
NOTE F
Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund
Market Risk—The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the bond market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk—Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific municipal or corporate developments and negative performance of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Municipal Market Risk—This is the risk that special factors may adversely affect the value of municipal securities and have a significant effect on the yield or value of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities. These factors include economic conditions, political or legislative changes, public health crises, uncertainties related to the tax status of municipal securities, or the rights of investors in these securities. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in a particular state’s municipal securities, the Fund may be vulnerable to events adversely
70 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
affecting that state, including economic, political and regulatory occurrences, court decisions, terrorism, public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness) and catastrophic natural disasters, such as hurricanes, fires or earthquakes. For example, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly stressed the financial resources of many issuers of municipal securities, which could impair any such issuer’s ability to meet its financial obligations when due and adversely impact the value of its securities held by the Fund. As the full effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on state and local economies and on issuers of municipal securities are still uncertain, the financial difficulties of issuers of municipal securities may continue or worsen, adversely affecting the performance of the Fund. The Fund’s investments in certain municipal securities with principal and interest payments that are made from the revenues of a specific project or facility, and not general tax revenues, may have increased risks. Factors affecting the project or facility, such as local business or economic conditions, could have a significant effect on the project’s ability to make payments of principal and interest on these securities.
Congress has previously considered making changes to the municipal securities provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that could change the U.S. federal income tax treatment of certain types of municipal securities.
The Fund invests, from time to time, in the municipal securities of Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories and their governmental agencies and municipalities, which are exempt from federal, state, and, where applicable, local income taxes. These municipal securities may have more risks than those of other U.S. issuers of municipal securities. Like many U.S. states and municipalities, Puerto Rico experienced a significant downturn during the 2007-2009 recession. Puerto Rico’s downturn was particularly severe, and Puerto Rico continues to face a very challenging economic and fiscal environment, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If the general economic situation in Puerto Rico continues to persist or worsens, the volatility and credit quality of Puerto Rican municipal securities could continue to be adversely affected, and the market for such securities may experience continued volatility.
Tax Risk—From time to time, the U.S. Government and the U.S. Congress consider changes in federal tax law that could limit or eliminate the federal tax exemption for municipal bond income, which would in effect reduce the income received by shareholders from the Fund by increasing taxes on that income. In such event, the Fund’s NAV could also decline as yields on municipal bonds, which are typically lower than those on taxable bonds, would be expected to increase to approximately the yield of comparable taxable bonds. Actions or anticipated actions affecting the tax exempt status of municipal bonds could also result in significant shareholder redemptions of Fund shares as investors anticipate adverse effects
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 71 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
on the Fund or seek higher yields to offset the potential loss of the tax deduction. As a result, the Fund would be required to maintain higher levels of cash to meet the redemptions, which would negatively affect the Fund’s yield.
Interest-Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Duration Risk—Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Illiquid Investments Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes and large positions. Municipal securities may have more illiquid investments risk than other fixed-income securities because they trade less frequently and the market for municipal securities is generally smaller than many other markets.
Leverage Risk—When the Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
72 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
LIBOR Transition and Associated Risk—A Fund may be exposed to debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various interest rate calculations. In 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The FCA and LIBOR’s administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration, have since announced that most LIBOR settings (which reflect LIBOR rates quoted in different currencies over various time periods) will no longer be published after the end of 2021 but that the most widely used U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published until June 30, 2023. However, banks were strongly encouraged to cease entering into agreements with counterparties referencing LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is possible that a subset of LIBOR settings will be published after these dates on a “synthetic” basis, but any such publications would be considered non-representative of the underlying market. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (referred to as SOFR), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates.
The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related investments or investments
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 73 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of hedging strategies, potentially adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. The potential effects of a phase out of LIBOR on LIBOR-based investments are currently unknown.
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. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
Management Risk—The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively-managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
NOTE G
Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing related to redemptions and other short term liquidity requirements, subject to certain restrictions. 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 year ended October 31, 2021.
NOTE H
Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020 were as follows:
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 467,928 | $ | 526,813 | ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total taxable distributions | $ | 467,928 | 526,813 | |||||
Tax-exempt distributions | 2,016,919 | 2,183,135 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total distributions paid | $ | 2,484,847 | $ | 2,709,948 | ||||
|
|
|
|
74 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
As of October 31, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed tax-exempt income | $ | 2,059 | ||
Accumulated capital and other losses | (1,183,654 | )(a) | ||
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | 6,153,894 | (b) | ||
|
| |||
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | $ | 4,972,299 | (c) | |
|
|
(a) | As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $1,183,654. During the fiscal year, the Fund utilized $595,904 of capital loss carry forwards to offset current year net realized gains. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax treatment of tender option bonds, the tax treatment of swaps, and the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
(c) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) are attributable primarily to dividends payable. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of October 31, 2021, the Fund had a net short-term capital loss carryforward of $1,183,654, which may be carried forward for an indefinite period.
During the current fiscal year, there were no permanent differences that resulted in adjustments to distributable earnings or additional paid-in capital.
NOTE I
Floating Rate Notes Issued in Connection with Securities Held
The Fund may engage in tender option bond (“TOB”) transactions in which the Fund transfers a fixed rate bond (“Fixed Rate Bond”) into a Special Purpose Vehicle (the “SPV”, which is generally organized as a trust). The Fund buys a residual interest in the assets and cash flows of the SPV, often referred to as an inverse floating rate obligation (“Inverse Floater”). The SPV also issues floating rate notes (“Floating Rate Notes”) which are sold to third parties. The Floating Rate Notes pay interest at rates that generally reset weekly and their holders have the option to tender their notes to a liquidity provider for redemption at par. The Inverse Floater held by the Fund gives the Fund the right (1) to cause the holders of the Floating Rate Notes to tender their notes at par, and (2) to have the trustee transfer the Fixed Rate Bond held by the SPV to the Fund, thereby collapsing the SPV. The SPV may also be collapsed in certain other circumstances. In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities, the Fund accounts for the transaction described above as a secured borrowing by including the Fixed Rate Bond in its portfolio of investments and the Floating Rate Notes as a liability under the caption “Payable for floating rate notes issued” in its statement of assets and
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 75 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
liabilities. Interest expense related to the Fund’s liability with respect to Floating Rate Notes is recorded as incurred. The interest expense is also included in the Fund’s expense ratio. At October 31, 2021, the amount of the Fund’s Floating Rate Notes outstanding was $1,600,000 and the related interest rate was 0.08% to 0.15%. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the average amount of Floating Rate Notes outstanding and the daily weighted average interest rate were $1,600,000 and 1.05%, respectively.
The Fund may also purchase Inverse Floaters in the secondary market without first owning the underlying bond. Such an Inverse Floater is included in the Fund’s portfolio of investments but is not required to be treated as a secured borrowing and reflected in the Fund’s financial statements as a secured borrowing.
NOTE J
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU 2020-04.
NOTE K
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.
76 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.82 | $ 11.09 | $ 10.46 | $ 10.77 | $ 10.87 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .22 | .29 | .30 | .24 | .21 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | .75 | (.23 | ) | .65 | (.30 | ) | (.10 | )(c) | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .97 | .06 | .95 | (.06 | ) | .11 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.23 | ) | (.33 | ) | (.32 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.21 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.56 | $ 10.82 | $ 11.09 | $ 10.46 | $ 10.77 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 9.02 | % | .63 | % | 9.15 | % | (.55 | )% | 1.09 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $29,381 | $16,463 | $11,932 | $5,666 | $8,065 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f) | .76 | % | .77 | % | .76 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f) | 1.08 | % | 1.26 | % | 1.30 | % | 1.27 | % | 1.40 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.88 | % | 2.68 | % | 2.78 | % | 2.26 | % | 2.01 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 30 | % | 63 | % | 52 | % | 68 | % | 34 | % |
See footnote summary on page 80.
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 77 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.83 | $ 11.09 | $ 10.46 | $ 10.77 | $ 10.87 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .11 | .20 | .22 | .16 | .13 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | .77 | (.21 | ) | .65 | (.30 | ) | (.10 | )(c) | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .88 | (.01 | ) | .87 | (.14 | ) | .03 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.15 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.17 | ) | (.13 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.56 | $ 10.83 | $ 11.09 | $ 10.46 | $ 10.77 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 8.22 | % | (.03 | )%+ | 8.33 | % | (1.29 | )% | .33 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $7,943 | $1,794 | $1,596 | $769 | $1,056 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f) | 1.51 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.51 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f) | 1.81 | % | 2.00 | % | 2.06 | % | 2.02 | % | 2.18 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | .96 | % | 1.91 | % | 2.05 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.25 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 30 | % | 63 | % | 52 | % | 68 | % | 34 | % |
See footnote summary on page 80.
78 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.83 | $ 11.09 | $ 10.46 | $ 10.77 | $ 10.87 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .24 | .31 | .33 | .27 | .24 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | .75 | (.21 | ) | .64 | (.30 | ) | (.10 | )(c) | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .99 | .10 | .97 | (.03 | ) | .14 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.26 | ) | (.36 | ) | (.34 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.24 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.56 | $ 10.83 | $ 11.09 | $ 10.46 | $ 10.77 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 9.20 | % | .97 | % | 9.42 | % | (.30 | )% | 1.34 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $159,988 | $57,110 | $67,119 | $57,432 | $59,782 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f) | .51 | % | .52 | % | .51 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f) | .82 | % | .99 | % | 1.05 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.15 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 2.05 | % | 2.87 | % | 3.04 | % | 2.52 | % | 2.26 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 30 | % | 63 | % | 52 | % | 68 | % | 34 | % |
See footnote summary on page 80.
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 79 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(c) | Due to timing of sales and repurchase of capital shares, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share is not in accordance with the Fund’s change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions for the period. |
(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) | In connection with the Fund’s investments in affiliated underlying portfolios, the Fund incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses, and for the year ended October 31, 2017, such waiver amounted to .01%. |
(f) | The expense ratios presented below exclude interest expense: |
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Class A |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | .75 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.07 | % | 1.23 | % | 1.29 | % | 1.27 | % | 1.40 | % | ||||||||||
Class C |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | 1.79 | % | 1.98 | % | 2.04 | % | 2.02 | % | 2.18 | % | ||||||||||
Advisor Class |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net of waivers/reimbursements | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | .50 | % | ||||||||||
Before waivers/reimbursements | .80 | % | .96 | % | 1.04 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.15 | % |
+ | The net asset value and total return include adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for financial reporting purposes. As such, the net asset value and total return for shareholder transactions may differ from financial statements. |
See notes to financial statements.
80 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio, formerly known as AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Portfolio (the “Fund”) (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2021, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc.) at October 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud,
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 81 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)
and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more of the AB investment companies since 1968.
New York, New York
December 29, 2021
82 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1), Jorge A. Bermudez(1) Michael J. Downey(1) Onur Erzan, President and Chief Executive Officer | Nancy P. Jacklin(1) Jeanette W. Loeb(1) Carol C. McMullen(1) Garry L. Moody(1) Earl D. Weiner(1),* |
OFFICERS
Terrance T. Hults(2), Vice President Matthew J. Norton(2), Vice President Andrew D. Potter(2), Vice President Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary | Michael B. Reyes, Senior Analyst Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Phyllis J. Clarke, Controller Vincent S. Noto, Chief Compliance Officer |
Custodian and Accounting Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company State Street Corporation CCB/5 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02210
Principal Underwriter AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. 501 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203
Transfer Agent AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278 Toll-Free (800) 221-5672 | Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young LLP One Manhattan West New York, NY 10001
Legal Counsel Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 |
1 | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, and the Independent Directors Committee. |
2 | The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund are made by its Tax-Aware Investment Team. Messrs. Hults, Norton and Potter are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. |
* | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 83 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Directors Information
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD | |||||
INTERESTED DIRECTOR | ||||||||
Onur Erzan,# 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105 45 (2021) | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and Head of the Global Client Group overseeing AB’s institutional and retail businesses, where he is responsible for all client services, sales and marketing, as well as product strategy, management and development worldwide. Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AB Mutual Funds as of April 1, 2021. Prior to joining the firm in January 2021, he spent 20 years with McKinsey (management consulting firm), most recently as a senior partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice. In addition, he co-led McKinsey’s Banking & Securities Solutions (a portfolio of data, analytics, and digital assets and capabilities) globally. | 74 | None |
84 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS | ||||||||
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,## Chairman of the Board 80 (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Former Chairman and CEO of Dupont Photomasks, Inc. (components of semi-conductor manufacturing). He was a Director of Xilinx, Inc. (programmable logic semi-conductors and adaptable, intelligent computing) from 2007 through August 2020, and is a former director of 33 other companies and organizations. He has extensive operating leadership and venture capital investing experience, including five interim or full-time CEO roles, and prior service as general partner of institutional venture capital partnerships. He also has extensive non-profit board leadership experience, and currently serves on the boards of two education and science-related non-profit organizations. He has served as a director of one AB Fund since 1992, and director or trustee of all AB Funds since 2005. He has been Chairman of the AB Funds since January 2014, and the Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of such AB Funds since February 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 85 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Jorge A. Bermudez,## 70 (2020) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, from November 2007 to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s Commercial Business Group in North America and Citibank Texas from 2005 to 2007, and a variety of other executive and leadership roles at various businesses within Citigroup prior to then; Chairman (2018) of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees (Trustee since 2013) and Chairman of the Smart Grid Center Board at Texas A&M University since 2012; director of, among others, Citibank N.A. from 2005 to 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch from 2009 to 2011, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2011 to 2017, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas from 2010 to 2016. He has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since January 2020. | 74 | Moody’s Corporation since April 2011 | |||||
Michael J. Downey,## (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chairman of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (registered investment company) since prior to 2016 until January 2019. From 1987 until 1993, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management, director of the Prudential mutual funds, and member of the Executive Committee of Prudential Securities, Inc. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2005. | 74 | None |
86 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Nancy P. Jacklin,## (2006) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Professorial Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (2008-2015). U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (which is responsible for ensuring the stability of the international monetary system), (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2006 and has been Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds since August 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
Jeanette W. Loeb,## (2020) | Chief Executive Officer of PetCareRx (e-commerce pet pharmacy) from 2002 to 2011 and 2015 to present. Director of New York City Center since 2005. She was a director of AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund, Inc. (fund of hedge funds) from 2012 to 2018. Formerly, affiliated with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (financial services) from 1977 to 1994, including as a partner thereof from 1986 to 1994. She has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since April 2020. | 74 | Apollo Investment Corp. (business development company) since August 2011 |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 87 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Carol C. McMullen,## 66 (2016) | Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) since 2014, private investor and a member of the Advisory Board of Butcher Box (since 2018). Formerly, member, Partners Healthcare Investment Committee (2010-2019); Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011 until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016; and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 until 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Chief Investment Officer, Core and Growth and Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards, and as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since June 2016. | 74 | None |
88 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Garry L. Moody,## (2008) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995), where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975-1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax department. He is a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of BoardIQ, a biweekly publication focused on issues and news affecting directors of mutual funds. He is also a member of the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and the Independent Directors Council’s Governing Council. He has served as a director or trustee, and as Chairman of the Audit Committees, of the AB Funds since 2008. | 74 | None |
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 89 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS*, AGE, (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND INFORMATION*** | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD | |||||
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Earl D. Weiner,## ^ 82 (2007) | Senior Counsel since 2017, Of Counsel from 2007 to 2016, and Partner prior to then, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. He is a former member of the ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force to draft editions of the Fund Director’s Guidebook. He also serves as a director or trustee of various non-profit organizations and has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of a number of them. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2007 and served as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds from 2007 until August 2014. | 72 | None |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention: Legal and Compliance Department—Mutual Fund Legal, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors. |
*** | The information above includes each Director’s principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes and skills relevant to each Director’s qualifications to serve as a Director, which led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director for the Fund. |
# | Mr. Erzan is an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as a Senior Vice President of the Adviser. |
## | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee. |
^ | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
90 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
Officer Information
Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE | POSITION(S) HELD WITH FUND | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST 5 YEARS | ||
Onur Erzan 45 | President and Chief Executive Officer | See biography above. | ||
Terrance T. Hults 55 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also Co-Head – Municipal Portfolio Management. | ||
Matthew Norton 38 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also Co-Head –Municipal Portfolio Management. | ||
Andrew D. Potter 36 | Vice President | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Emilie D. Wrapp 66 | Secretary | Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Michael B. Reyes 45 | Senior Analyst | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Joseph J. Mantineo 62 | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Phyllis J. Clarke 60 | Controller | Vice President of ABIS**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Vincent S. Noto 57 | Chief Compliance Officer | Senior Vice President and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser** since prior to 2016. |
* | The address for the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Fund. |
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AB at (800) 227-4618, or visit www.abfunds.com, for a free prospectus of SAI.
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 91 |
Operation and Effectiveness of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program:
In October 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the open-end fund liquidity rule (the “Liquidity Rule”). In June 2018 the SEC adopted a requirement that funds disclose information about the operation and effectiveness of their Liquidity Risk Management Program (“LRMP”) in their reports to shareholders.
One of the requirements of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund to designate an Administrator of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The Administrator of the Fund’s LRMP is AllianceBernstein L.P., the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser has delegated the responsibility to its Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).
Another requirement of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Fund Board”) to receive an annual written report from the Administrator of the LRMP, which addresses the operation of the Fund’s LRMP and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness. The Adviser provided the Fund Board with such annual report during the first quarter of 2021, which covered the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the “Program Reporting Period”).
The LRMP’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner.
Pursuant to the LRMP, the Fund classifies the liquidity of its portfolio investments into one of the four categories defined by the SEC: Highly Liquid, Moderately Liquid, Less Liquid, and Illiquid. These classifications are reported to the SEC on Form N-PORT.
During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end structure, incorporating any holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. If the Fund participated in derivative transactions, the exposure from such transactions were considered in the LRMP.
The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether the Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”). The Committee also incorporated the following information when determining the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size for purposes of liquidity monitoring: historical net redemption activity, a Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, investment performance, total net assets, and distribution channels.
The Adviser informed the Fund Board that the Committee believes the Fund’s LRMP is adequately designed, has been implemented as intended, and has operated effectively since its inception. No material exceptions
92 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
have been noted since the implementation of the LRMP. During the Program Reporting Period, beginning in March 2020, all financial markets experienced extreme levels of price volatility and relative illiquidity resulting from the COVID-19 impacts on the global economy. This extreme relative illiquidity resulted in significantly wider bid-ask spreads to transact in securities, including many of those securities held by the Fund, and in a diminished depth of liquidity in most markets, to varying degrees. Nonetheless, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions during the Program Reporting Period.
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 93 |
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio (formerly AB Tax-Aware Fixed Income Portfolio) (the “Fund”) at a meeting held by video conference on November 3-5, 2020 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests a portion of its assets.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment
94 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. The Adviser had not requested any reimbursements from the Fund in the Fund’s latest fiscal year. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2018 and 2019 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained at the request of the directors. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency and distribution services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors noted that the Fund was not profitable to the Adviser in the periods reviewed.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of certain classes of the Fund’s shares; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 95 |
exacerbated without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended July 31, 2020 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees payable by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median.
The Adviser informed the directors that there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that utilize investment strategies similar to those of the Fund.
The directors noted that the Fund invests in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts, and that the Adviser had provided, and they had reviewed, information about the expense ratios of the relevant ETFs. The directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Fund is for services that are in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
96 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 97 |
This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.
AB FAMILY OF FUNDS
US EQUITY
CORE
Core Opportunities Fund
Select US Equity Portfolio
Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio1
GROWTH
Concentrated Growth Fund
Discovery Growth Fund
Growth Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
VALUE
Discovery Value Fund
Equity Income Fund
Relative Value Fund
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value Fund
INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY
CORE
Global Core Equity Portfolio
International Strategic Core Portfolio
Sustainable Global Thematic Fund
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
GROWTH
Concentrated International Growth Portfolio
Sustainable International Thematic Fund
VALUE
All China Equity Portfolio
International Value Fund
FIXED INCOME
MUNICIPAL
High Income Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio
Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
National Portfolio
Arizona Portfolio
California Portfolio
Massachusetts Portfolio
Minnesota Portfolio
New Jersey Portfolio
New York Portfolio
Ohio Portfolio
Pennsylvania Portfolio
Virginia Portfolio
TAXABLE
Bond Inflation Strategy
Global Bond Fund
High Income Fund
High Yield Portfolio1
Income Fund
Intermediate Duration Portfolio
Limited Duration High Income Portfolio
Short Duration Income Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Total Return Bond Portfolio
ALTERNATIVES
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Select US Long/Short Portfolio
MULTI-ASSET
All Market Income Portfolio
All Market Total Return Portfolio
Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio
Global Risk Allocation Fund
Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio1
Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio
CLOSED-END FUNDS
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund
We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB mutual funds. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
1 | Prior to December 1, 2021, Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio was named Conservative Wealth Strategy. Prior to August 23, 2021, Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio was named FlexFee™ US Thematic Portfolio. Prior to April 30, 2021, High Yield Portfolio was named FlexFee™ High Yield Portfolio. |
98 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES
abfunds.com | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | 99 |
NOTES
100 | AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
AB TAX-AWARE FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800 221 5672
TAFIO-0151-1021
OCT 10.31.21
ANNUAL REPORT
AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically requested paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper form free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call the Fund at (800) 221 5672. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly, to all AB Mutual Funds you hold.
Investment Products Offered | • Are Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
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 AB’s website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB 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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT 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. AB publishes full portfolio holdings for the Fund monthly at www.abfunds.com.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
FROM THE PRESIDENT |
Dear Shareholder,
We’re pleased to provide this report for the AB Total Return Bond Portfolio (the “Fund”). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Fund’s investment strategy.
At AB, we’re striving to help our clients achieve better outcomes by:
+ | Fostering diverse perspectives that give us a distinctive approach to navigating global capital markets |
+ | Applying differentiated investment insights through a connected global research network |
+ | Embracing innovation to design better ways to invest and leading-edge mutual-fund solutions |
Whether you’re an individual investor or a multibillion-dollar institution, we’re putting our knowledge and experience to work for you every day.
For more information about AB’s comprehensive range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.
Thank you for your investment in AB mutual funds—and for placing your trust in our firm.
Sincerely,
Onur Erzan
President and Chief Executive Officer, AB Mutual Funds
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 1 |
ANNUAL REPORT
December 7, 2021
This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for the AB Total Return Bond Portfolio for the annual reporting period ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize long-term total return without assuming what the Adviser considers undue risk.
NAV RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
6 Months | 12 Months | |||||||
AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | ||||||||
Class A Shares | 1.46% | 1.22% | ||||||
Class C Shares | 1.07% | 0.55% | ||||||
Advisor Class Shares1 | 1.59% | 1.56% | ||||||
Class R Shares1 | 1.33% | 1.04% | ||||||
Class K Shares1 | 1.46% | 1.22% | ||||||
Class I Shares1 | 1.58% | 1.46% | ||||||
Class Z Shares1 | 1.57% | 1.46% | ||||||
Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index | 1.06% | -0.48% |
1 | 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 Fund. |
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The table above shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index, for the six- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2021.
During the 12-month period, all share classes of the Fund outperformed the benchmark, before sales charges. Sector allocation was the primary contributor, relative to the benchmark, mostly from off-benchmark exposures to credit risk-transfer securities, high-yield corporate bonds, emerging-market corporate bonds and inflation-linked securities, as well as underweights to US Treasuries and US agency mortgages, and an overweight to commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”). Security selection within investment-grade corporate bonds and asset-backed securities also contributed, offsetting losses from selection within high-yield corporate bonds and US agency mortgages. Yield-curve positioning detracted the most. Currency decisions also detracted, as losses in the New Zealand dollar, Australian dollar and Canadian dollar were greater than gains in the Russian ruble and euro. A country allocation to Canada was a minor detractor over the period.
2 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
During the six-month period, all share classes of the Fund outperformed the benchmark, before sales charges. Sector allocation contributed the most to performance, due to off-benchmark exposures to credit risk-transfer securities, swaptions, inflation-linked securities and high-yield corporate bonds, along with an overweight to CMBS, and an underweight to US agency mortgages, while an underweight to investment-grade corporate bonds detracted. Security selection within CMBS and investment-grade corporates contributed more than a loss within US agency mortgages. Currency decisions added to returns, as gains in the Russian ruble, Australian dollar and Swedish krona exceeded a loss in the New Zealand dollar. Country allocation was a minor contributor to returns. Yield-curve positioning on the 20-year part of the curve detracted from performance during the period.
During both periods, the Fund utilized currency forwards to hedge currency risk and actively manage currency positions. Credit default swaps were utilized in the corporate and CMBS sectors for hedging and investment purposes. Total return swaps were utilized in the corporate sector for hedging and investment purposes. Treasury futures and interest rate swaps were utilized to manage duration, country exposure and yield-curve positioning. Consumer Price Index swaps were held to gain exposure to rising inflation expectations. Written swaptions were used for duration management. During the 12-month period, written options were utilized in the corporate sector for hedging and investment purposes.
MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Fixed-income market returns were mixed for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2021. Longer-term treasury returns fell in most major developed markets on rising yields—particularly in Australia, Canada and the UK. Global inflation-linked bonds outperformed US Treasuries. Relatively low interest rates set the stage for the continued outperformance of risk assets, led by the performance of high-yield corporate bonds—particularly in the US, eurozone and emerging markets. Emerging-market hard-currency sovereign bonds also had strong performance, mostly from the high-yield component. Emerging- and developed-market investment-grade corporate bonds also posted positive performance, with the US outperforming the eurozone. Securitized assets outperformed, especially in CMBS. Local-currency sovereign bonds trailed, as the US dollar was mixed against emerging-market currencies and fell versus most developed-market currencies except the yen and South Korean won. Commodity prices were strong, with Brent crude oil and copper climbing from pandemic-related lows.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 3 |
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in fixed-income securities. The Fund expects to invest in readily marketable fixed-income securities with a range of maturities from short- to long-term and relatively attractive yields that do not involve undue risk of loss of capital. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in below investment-grade bonds. The Fund may use leverage for investment purposes.
The Fund may invest without limit in US dollar-denominated foreign fixed-income securities and may invest up to 25% of its assets in non-US dollar-denominated foreign fixed-income securities. These investments may include, in each case, developed- and emerging-market debt securities.
The Adviser selects securities for purchase or sale based on its assessment of the securities’ risk and return characteristics as well as the securities’ impact on the overall risk and return characteristics of the Fund. In making this assessment, the Adviser takes into account various factors, including the credit quality and sensitivity to interest rates of the securities under consideration and of the Fund’s other holdings.
The Fund may invest in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities; loan participations and assignments; inflation-indexed securities; variable-, floating- and inverse-floating-rate instruments; and preferred stock, and may use other investment techniques. The Fund intends, among other things, to enter into transactions such as reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. The Fund may invest, without limit, in derivatives, such as options, futures contracts, forwards or swaps.
4 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS
Benchmark Disclosure
The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index is unmanaged and does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index represents the performance of securities within the US investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, asset-backed securities and CMBS. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Fund.
A Word About Risk
Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the stock or bond market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Interest-Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk: Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments and negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Duration Risk: Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 5 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk: This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities. The Fund invests in inflation-indexed securities, the value of which may be vulnerable to changes in expectations of inflation or interest rates.
Foreign (Non-US) Risk: Investments in securities of non-US issuers may involve more risk than those of US issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging-Market Risk: Investments in emerging-market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid as well as being subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Currency Risk: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.
Mortgage-Related and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk: Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.
Leverage Risk: To the extent the Fund uses leveraging techniques, its net asset value (“NAV”) may be more volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of changes in interest rates and any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price
6 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Illiquid Investments Risk: Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest-rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Active Trading Risk: The Fund expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate may greatly exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Fund’s return. In addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in substantial short-term gains, which may have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders.
Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
An Important Note About Historical Performance
The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown in this report 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.abfunds.com. Class B shares are no longer being offered. Effective November 7, 2019, all outstanding Class B shares were converted to Class A shares.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 7 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
On July 12, 2019, the Fund implemented its current investment policies (the change eliminated the guidelines for the average duration and maturity of the Fund and addressed certain related matters) and also changed its name from AB Intermediate Bond Portfolio to AB Total Return Bond Portfolio. Accordingly, the performance shown for periods prior to July 12, 2019, is based on the Fund’s prior investment strategies and may not be representative of the Fund’s performance under its current investment policies.
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 and 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.
8 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE FUND (unaudited)
10/31/2011 TO 10/31/2021
This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AB Total Return Bond Portfolio Class A shares (from 10/31/2011 to 10/31/2021) as compared to the performance of the Fund’s benchmark. The chart reflects the deduction of the maximum 4.25% sales charge from the initial $10,000 investment in the Fund and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 9 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2021 (unaudited)
NAV Returns | SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | SEC Yields1 | ||||||||||
CLASS A SHARES | 1.53% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 1.22% | -3.07% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 3.12% | 2.23% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 3.26% | 2.81% | ||||||||||
CLASS C SHARES | 0.85% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 0.55% | -0.42% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 2.36% | 2.36% | ||||||||||
10 Years2 | 2.52% | 2.52% | ||||||||||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES3 | 1.83% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 1.56% | 1.56% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 3.37% | 3.37% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 3.53% | 3.53% | ||||||||||
CLASS R SHARES3 | 1.17% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 1.04% | 1.04% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 2.86% | 2.86% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 3.02% | 3.02% | ||||||||||
CLASS K SHARES3 | 1.49% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 1.22% | 1.22% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 3.12% | 3.12% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 3.28% | 3.28% | ||||||||||
CLASS I SHARES3 | 1.82% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 1.46% | 1.46% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 3.39% | 3.39% | ||||||||||
10 Years | 3.53% | 3.53% | ||||||||||
CLASS Z SHARES3 | 1.90% | |||||||||||
1 Year | 1.46% | 1.46% | ||||||||||
5 Years | 3.35% | 3.35% | ||||||||||
Since Inception4 | 3.51% | 3.51% |
The Fund’s prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.99%, 1.75%, 0.74%, 1.37%, 1.07%, 0.70% and 0.64% for Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I and Class Z shares, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Fund’s annual operating expense ratios, exclusive of interest expense, to 0.77%, 1.52%, 0.52%, 1.02%, 0.77%, 0.52% and 0.52% for Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I and Class Z shares, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements may not be terminated before January 31, 2022, and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower. 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.
(footnotes continued on next page)
10 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
1 | SEC yields are calculated based on SEC guidelines for the 30-day period ended October 31, 2021. |
2 | Assumes conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares after eight years. |
3 | These share classes are offered at NAV to eligible investors and their SEC returns are the same as their 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 Fund. |
4 | Inception date: 4/25/2014. |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 11 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE (continued)
SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 (unaudited)
SEC Returns (reflects applicable sales charges) | ||||
CLASS A SHARES | ||||
1 Year | -3.06% | |||
5 Years | 2.15% | |||
10 Years | 2.81% | |||
CLASS C SHARES | ||||
1 Year | -0.61% | |||
5 Years | 2.25% | |||
10 Years1 | 2.50% | |||
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES2 | ||||
1 Year | 1.38% | |||
5 Years | 3.27% | |||
10 Years | 3.52% | |||
CLASS R SHARES2 | ||||
1 Year | 0.87% | |||
5 Years | 2.76% | |||
10 Years | 3.01% | |||
CLASS K SHARES2 | ||||
1 Year | 1.22% | |||
5 Years | 3.03% | |||
10 Years | 3.27% | |||
CLASS I SHARES2 | ||||
1 Year | 1.46% | |||
5 Years | 3.31% | |||
10 Years | 3.53% | |||
CLASS Z SHARES2 | ||||
1 Year | 1.47% | |||
5 Years | 3.27% | |||
Since Inception3 | 3.56% |
1 | Assumes conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares after eight years. |
2 | 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 Fund. |
3 | Inception date: 4/25/2014. |
12 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
(unaudited)
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.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 13 |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (continued)
Beginning Account Value May 1, 2021 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2021 | Expenses Paid During Period* | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,014.60 | $ | 3.91 | 0.77 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.32 | $ | 3.92 | 0.77 | % | ||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,010.70 | $ | 7.70 | 1.52 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,017.54 | $ | 7.73 | 1.52 | % | ||||||||
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,015.90 | $ | 2.64 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.58 | $ | 2.65 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Class R | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,013.30 | $ | 5.18 | 1.02 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,020.06 | $ | 5.19 | 1.02 | % | ||||||||
Class K | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,014.60 | $ | 3.91 | 0.77 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,021.32 | $ | 3.92 | 0.77 | % | ||||||||
Class I | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,015.80 | $ | 2.64 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.58 | $ | 2.65 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Class Z | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,015.70 | $ | 2.64 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical** | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,022.58 | $ | 2.65 | 0.52 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
** | Assumes 5% annual return before expenses. |
14 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
October 31, 2021
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $323.2
TOP TEN SECTORS (including derivatives)1
Governments–Treasuries2 | 43.25 | % | ||
Corporates–Investment Grade | 26.39 | |||
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities3 | 16.69 | |||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 16.17 | |||
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | 9.52 | |||
Corporates–Non Investment Grade3 | 5.05 | |||
Asset-Backed Securities | 4.30 | |||
Collateralized Loan Obligations | 3.39 | |||
Interest Rate Swaps4 | 3.14 | |||
Inflations Linked Securities | 3.08 |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN (excluding derivatives)5
Corporates–Investment Grade | 25.6 | % | ||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | 16.4 | |||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 15.7 | |||
Governments–Treasuries | 10.6 | |||
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | 9.2 | |||
Asset-Backed Securities | 4.2 | |||
Corporates–Non-Investment Grade | 4.0 | |||
Collateralized Loan Obligations | 3.3 | |||
Inflation-Linked Securities | 3.0 | |||
Emerging Markets–Corporate Bonds | 1.1 | |||
Local Governments–US Municipal Bonds | 0.8 | |||
Quasi-Sovereigns | 0.7 | |||
Emerging Markets–Sovereigns | 0.6 | |||
Other | 0.6 | |||
Short-Term | 4.2 | |||
100.0 | % |
1 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s sectors include derivative exposure and are expressed as approximate percentages of the Fund’s total net assets, based on the Adviser’s internal classification. The percentages will vary over time. |
2 | Includes Treasury Futures. |
3 | Includes Credit Default Swaps. |
4 | Represents the exposure of the Fund’s fixed-rate payments on the Interest Rate Swaps. Interest Rate Swaps involve the exchange by a fund with another party of payments calculated by reference to specified interest rates (e.g., an exchange of floating-rate payments for fixed-rate payments). |
5 | All data are as of October 31, 2021. The Fund’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). “Other” sector breakdown weightings represent 0.3% or less in the following: Common Stocks and Governments–Sovereign Bonds. |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 15 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2021
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
CORPORATES - INVESTMENT GRADE – 26.4% |
| |||||||||||
Industrial – 15.4% |
| |||||||||||
Basic – 1.4% |
| |||||||||||
Alpek SAB de CV | U.S.$ | 273 | $ | 269,724 | ||||||||
4.25%, 09/18/2029(a) | 203 | 214,114 | ||||||||||
GUSAP III LP | 535 | 561,817 | ||||||||||
Industrias Penoles SAB de CV | 268 | 290,579 | ||||||||||
Inversiones CMPC SA | 490 | 531,282 | ||||||||||
Inversiones CMPC SA/Cayman Islands Branch | 225 | 232,144 | ||||||||||
Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV | 350 | 377,628 | ||||||||||
Suzano Austria GmbH | 809 | 765,516 | ||||||||||
3.75%, 01/15/2031 | 145 | 144,638 | ||||||||||
WRKCo, Inc. | 594 | 660,130 | ||||||||||
Yamana Gold, Inc. | 619 | 603,754 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,651,326 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.6% |
| |||||||||||
Flowserve Corp. | 425 | 417,270 | ||||||||||
Parker-Hannifin Corp. | 255 | 273,314 | ||||||||||
Raytheon Technologies Corp. | 769 | 871,500 | ||||||||||
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. | 393 | 419,881 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,981,965 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 1.8% |
| |||||||||||
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital | 129 | 146,348 | ||||||||||
5.125%, 07/01/2049 | 198 | 234,796 | ||||||||||
Discovery Communications LLC | 56 | 65,865 | ||||||||||
5.20%, 09/20/2047 | 178 | 222,568 | ||||||||||
5.30%, 05/15/2049 | 81 | 102,974 | ||||||||||
Fox Corp. | 240 | 277,272 | ||||||||||
5.576%, 01/25/2049 | 407 | 557,370 |
16 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The) | U.S.$ | 178 | $ | 207,030 | ||||||||
Netflix, Inc. | 766 | 932,728 | ||||||||||
Prosus NV | 545 | 555,151 | ||||||||||
Tencent Holdings Ltd. | 533 | 533,600 | ||||||||||
2.39%, 06/03/2030(a) | 460 | 447,718 | ||||||||||
3.24%, 06/03/2050(a) | 328 | 313,092 | ||||||||||
Weibo Corp. | 1,312 | 1,296,256 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
5,892,768 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Telecommunications – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
AT&T, Inc. | 420 | 426,136 | ||||||||||
3.65%, 09/15/2059 | 457 | 464,500 | ||||||||||
4.30%, 12/15/2042 | 149 | 168,395 | ||||||||||
T-Mobile USA, Inc. | 281 | 282,704 | ||||||||||
2.875%, 02/15/2031 | 353 | 351,507 | ||||||||||
3.375%, 04/15/2029(a) | 66 | 67,854 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,761,096 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
General Motors Financial Co., Inc. | 135 | 146,719 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 03/01/2026 | 165 | 186,701 | ||||||||||
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. | 1,078 | 1,136,967 | ||||||||||
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | 1,120 | 1,214,237 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,684,624 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Las Vegas Sands Corp. | 797 | 807,855 | ||||||||||
MDC Holdings, Inc. | 346 | 438,219 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,246,074 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | 811 | 894,484 | ||||||||||
InRetail Consumer | 289 | 283,094 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 17 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Lowe’s Cos., Inc. | U.S.$ | 267 | $ | 294,672 | ||||||||
Ross Stores, Inc. | 893 | 1,015,028 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,487,278 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 1.2% | ||||||||||||
Altria Group, Inc. | 750 | 784,050 | ||||||||||
4.80%, 02/14/2029 | 209 | 238,224 | ||||||||||
BAT Capital Corp. | 1,125 | 1,102,928 | ||||||||||
2.726%, 03/25/2031 | 220 | 214,469 | ||||||||||
Cencosud SA | 683 | 743,317 | ||||||||||
CVS Health Corp. | 28 | 31,731 | ||||||||||
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV | 270 | 266,963 | ||||||||||
Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana | 520 | 508,638 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,890,320 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 3.5% | ||||||||||||
BP Capital Markets America, Inc. | 1,201 | 1,170,567 | ||||||||||
Cenovus Energy, Inc. | 42 | 46,131 | ||||||||||
4.40%, 04/15/2029 | 1,193 | 1,336,446 | ||||||||||
Devon Energy Corp. | 457 | 577,634 | ||||||||||
Enbridge Energy Partners LP | 634 | 1,019,909 | ||||||||||
Energy Transfer LP | 1,138 | 1,258,924 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 04/15/2049 | 156 | 207,555 | ||||||||||
Eni SpA | 850 | 962,914 | ||||||||||
Marathon Oil Corp. | 650 | 848,341 | ||||||||||
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | 255 | 293,497 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 03/01/2041 | 161 | 223,761 | ||||||||||
Oleoducto Central SA | 429 | 438,465 |
18 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
ONEOK Partners LP | U.S.$ | 48 | $ | 62,129 | ||||||||
ONEOK, Inc. | 425 | 473,021 | ||||||||||
6.35%, 01/15/2031 | 217 | 275,879 | ||||||||||
Suncor Energy, Inc. | 534 | 759,284 | ||||||||||
Tengizchevroil Finance Co. International Ltd. | 237 | 237,355 | ||||||||||
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. | 845 | 1,156,560 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
11,348,372 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Industrial – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Alfa SAB de CV | 530 | 565,046 | ||||||||||
CITIC Ltd. | 317 | 321,914 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
886,960 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 1.1% | ||||||||||||
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. | 1,149 | 1,101,592 | ||||||||||
Booking Holdings, Inc. | 925 | 1,090,538 | ||||||||||
Expedia Group, Inc. | 374 | 418,925 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 05/01/2025(a) | 33 | 37,695 | ||||||||||
Global Payments, Inc. | 290 | 303,320 | ||||||||||
IHS Markit Ltd. | 147 | 167,647 | ||||||||||
4.75%, 08/01/2028 | 32 | 37,387 | ||||||||||
Moody’s Corp. | 396 | 452,553 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,609,657 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Technology – 2.4% | ||||||||||||
Baidu, Inc. | 442 | 431,613 | ||||||||||
3.425%, 04/07/2030 | 202 | 210,585 | ||||||||||
Broadcom, Inc. | 124 | 122,131 | ||||||||||
3.187%, 11/15/2036(a) | 411 | 403,392 | ||||||||||
4.11%, 09/15/2028 | 431 | 475,057 | ||||||||||
4.15%, 11/15/2030 | 1,018 | 1,119,138 | ||||||||||
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp. | 469 | 552,398 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 19 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Fiserv, Inc. | U.S.$ | 869 | $ | 937,738 | ||||||||
Infor, Inc. | 279 | 280,629 | ||||||||||
KLA Corp. | 123 | 139,647 | ||||||||||
Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. | 869 | 860,023 | ||||||||||
NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC | 277 | 334,202 | ||||||||||
NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC/NXP USA, Inc. | 298 | 318,730 | ||||||||||
Oracle Corp. | 525 | 537,784 | ||||||||||
3.95%, 03/25/2051 | 630 | 681,515 | ||||||||||
SK Hynix, Inc. | 280 | 269,080 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,673,662 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Airlines – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Delta Air Lines, Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd. | 345 | 368,848 | ||||||||||
4.75%, 10/20/2028(a) | 401 | 445,647 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
814,495 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Railroads – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
Lima Metro Line 2 Finance Ltd. | 211 | 224,731 | ||||||||||
5.875%, 07/05/2034(a) | 175 | 201,735 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
426,466 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Transportation - Services – 0.1% |
| |||||||||||
ENA Master Trust | 457 | 461,941 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
49,817,004 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 10.3% |
| |||||||||||
Banking – 6.5% |
| |||||||||||
ABN AMRO Bank NV | 200 | 220,088 | ||||||||||
American Express Co. | 62 | 62,000 | ||||||||||
Banco de Credito del Peru | 635 | 628,047 | ||||||||||
Bank of America Corp. | 430 | 420,897 | ||||||||||
2.687%, 04/22/2032 | 626 | 634,413 |
20 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series DD | U.S.$ | 185 | $ | 212,959 | ||||||
Series Z | 289 | 320,619 | ||||||||
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The) | 166 | 180,696 | ||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | 129 | 174,377 | ||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | 722 | 733,747 | ||||||||
CIT Group, Inc. | 383 | 421,541 | ||||||||
Citigroup, Inc. | 334 | 370,964 | ||||||||
4.075%, 04/23/2029 | 494 | 549,862 | ||||||||
5.95%, 01/30/2023(b) | 216 | 224,538 | ||||||||
Series W | 329 | 335,406 | ||||||||
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | 958 | 1,052,478 | ||||||||
Credit Suisse Group AG | 829 | 843,632 | ||||||||
4.194%, 04/01/2031(a) | 396 | 438,875 | ||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG/New York NY | 265 | 282,935 | ||||||||
Discover Bank | 250 | 264,327 | ||||||||
Fifth Third Bancorp | 205 | 221,353 | ||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) | 211 | 207,419 | ||||||||
2.615%, 04/22/2032 | 715 | 717,031 | ||||||||
Series V | 268 | 269,177 | ||||||||
HSBC Holdings PLC | 536 | 584,063 | ||||||||
4.583%, 06/19/2029 | 459 | 518,537 | ||||||||
6.375%, 03/30/2025(b) | 547 | 595,891 | ||||||||
ING Groep NV | 425 | 435,098 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 892 | 898,405 | ||||||||
Series I | 328 | 329,178 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 21 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series V | U.S.$ | 161 | $ | 161,444 | ||||||||
Series Z | 470 | 472,909 | ||||||||||
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. | 235 | 239,815 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley | 790 | 867,009 | ||||||||||
Series H | 79 | 79,367 | ||||||||||
Natwest Group PLC | 700 | 696,437 | ||||||||||
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. | 315 | 350,523 | ||||||||||
Standard Chartered PLC | 400 | 385,184 | ||||||||||
6.00%, 07/26/2025(a)(b) | 478 | 518,673 | ||||||||||
Truist Financial Corp. | 692 | 779,628 | ||||||||||
UBS AG/Stamford CT | 620 | 652,147 | ||||||||||
UBS Group AG | 312 | 350,981 | ||||||||||
UniCredit SpA | 394 | 396,273 | ||||||||||
3.127%, 06/03/2032(a) | 356 | 353,647 | ||||||||||
US Bancorp | 380 | 421,534 | ||||||||||
Wells Fargo & Co. | 542 | 554,043 | ||||||||||
3.584%, 05/22/2028 | 191 | 205,860 | ||||||||||
Series BB | 273 | 278,239 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
20,912,266 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Brokerage – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Charles Schwab Corp. (The) | 568 | 625,255 |
22 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series I | U.S.$ | 469 | $ | 483,070 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,108,325 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Finance – 1.9% | ||||||||||||
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust | 345 | 351,696 | ||||||||||
6.50%, 07/15/2025 | 179 | 207,415 | ||||||||||
Air Lease Corp. | 242 | 234,885 | ||||||||||
2.875%, 01/15/2026 | 72 | 74,349 | ||||||||||
3.625%, 04/01/2027 | 34 | 36,144 | ||||||||||
Aircastle Ltd. | 835 | 841,221 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 05/01/2024 | 152 | 160,582 | ||||||||||
4.25%, 06/15/2026 | 53 | 57,449 | ||||||||||
5.25%, 08/11/2025(a) | 384 | 425,395 | ||||||||||
Aviation Capital Group LLC | 582 | 574,276 | ||||||||||
3.50%, 11/01/2027(a) | 136 | 141,863 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 08/01/2025(a) | 5 | 5,340 | ||||||||||
4.375%, 01/30/2024(a) | 135 | 143,296 | ||||||||||
4.875%, 10/01/2025(a) | 153 | 167,304 | ||||||||||
5.50%, 12/15/2024(a) | 381 | 423,302 | ||||||||||
CDBL Funding 1 | 580 | 605,242 | ||||||||||
GE Capital European Funding Unlimited Co. | EUR | 150 | 210,548 | |||||||||
GE Capital Funding LLC | U.S.$ | 1,218 | 1,424,695 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
6,085,002 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Insurance – 1.1% | ||||||||||||
Centene Corp. | 220 | 216,654 | ||||||||||
4.625%, 12/15/2029 | 132 | 142,581 | ||||||||||
Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America (The) | 294 | 392,166 | ||||||||||
MetLife Capital Trust IV | 699 | 972,414 | ||||||||||
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. | 246 | 426,876 | ||||||||||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | 805 | 833,819 | ||||||||||
Swiss Re Finance Luxembourg SA | 400 | 453,700 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 23 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Voya Financial, Inc. | U.S.$ | 180 | $ | 189,013 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,627,223 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Finance – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust | 271 | 295,474 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
REITs – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Digital Realty Trust LP | 542 | 589,197 | ||||||||||
Vornado Realty LP | 709 | 727,172 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,316,369 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
33,344,659 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
AES Panama Generation Holdings SRL | 274 | 281,415 | ||||||||||
Chile Electricity Pec SpA | 679 | 552,239 | ||||||||||
Engie Energia Chile SA | 349 | 348,738 | ||||||||||
Entergy Corp. | 785 | 769,638 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,952,030 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Utility – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
American Water Capital Corp. | 151 | 165,089 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,117,119 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates – Investment Grade | 85,278,782 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 16.9% | ||||||||||||
Non-Agency Fixed Rate CMBS – 12.7% | ||||||||||||
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2013-WBRK, Class D | 960 | 877,001 | ||||||||||
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust | 860 | 923,251 | ||||||||||
CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust | 735 | 779,687 |
24 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 2016-C4, Class AM | U.S.$ | 375 | $ | 397,846 | ||||||
CGRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | 1,305 | 1,337,924 | ||||||||
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust | 500 | 515,400 | ||||||||
Series 2013-GC17, Class D | 565 | 533,147 | ||||||||
Series 2015-GC27, Class A5 | 1,223 | 1,282,967 | ||||||||
Series 2015-GC35, Class A4 | 340 | 368,028 | ||||||||
Series 2016-GC36, Class A5 | 425 | 458,082 | ||||||||
Series 2018-B2, Class A4 | 1,050 | 1,178,047 | ||||||||
COMM Mortgage Trust | 1,580 | 1,619,514 | ||||||||
Commercial Mortgage Trust | 114 | 114,373 | ||||||||
Series 2014-LC17, Class B | 800 | 858,653 | ||||||||
Series 2014-UBS6, Class AM | 375 | 397,961 | ||||||||
Series 2015-CR24, Class A5 | 430 | 462,099 | ||||||||
Series 2015-CR25, Class A4 | 1,045 | 1,128,680 | ||||||||
Series 2015-DC1, Class A5 | 765 | 808,921 | ||||||||
Series 2015-PC1, Class A5 | 685 | 737,717 | ||||||||
CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust | 332 | 353,189 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C3, Class A4 | 573 | 615,189 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C4, Class A4 | 1,450 | 1,570,830 | ||||||||
GS Mortgage Securities Trust | 252 | 120,790 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 25 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 2012-GC6, Class B | U.S.$ | 600 | $ | 599,949 | ||||||
Series 2012-GCJ9, Class AS | 762 | 776,643 | ||||||||
Series 2013-G1, Class A2 | 766 | 767,211 | ||||||||
Series 2014-GC22, Class A5 | 658 | 699,386 | ||||||||
Series 2018-GS9, Class A4 | 1,125 | 1,257,707 | ||||||||
GSF | 102 | 100,977 | ||||||||
Series 2021-1, Class A2 | 204 | 208,183 | ||||||||
Series 2021-1, Class AS | 25 | 25,454 | ||||||||
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 735 | 780,949 | ||||||||
Series 2014-C24, Class C | 890 | 865,407 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C30, Class A5 | 425 | 460,026 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C31, Class A3 | 1,005 | 1,077,907 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C33, Class A4 | 1,050 | 1,140,904 | ||||||||
JPMCC Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2017-JP7, Class XA | 4,642 | 203,233 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 53 | 52,115 | ||||||||
Series 2012-C6, Class D | 690 | 668,685 | ||||||||
Series 2012-C6, Class E | 389 | 290,763 | ||||||||
Series 2012-C8, Class AS | 850 | 864,051 | ||||||||
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | 77 | 34,696 |
26 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
LSTAR Commercial Mortgage Trust | U.S.$ | 528 | $ | 535,635 | ||||||||
Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust | 730 | 773,987 | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust | 660 | 716,554 | ||||||||||
UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | 750 | 848,962 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-C8, Class A4 | 720 | 800,509 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-C9, Class A4 | 1,300 | 1,448,917 | ||||||||||
UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust | 1,098 | 1,115,936 | ||||||||||
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust | 1,040 | 1,104,924 | ||||||||||
Series 2015-SG1, Class A4 | 715 | 761,034 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-C35, Class XA | 3,442 | 247,553 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-LC24, Class XA | 8,228 | 525,577 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-LC25, Class C | 545 | 573,273 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-NXS6, Class C | 600 | 635,568 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-C43, Class A4 | 900 | 1,005,557 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-C48, Class A5 | 89 | 102,083 | ||||||||||
WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | 480 | 491,016 | ||||||||||
Series 2013-C11, Class XA | 6,030 | 61,659 | ||||||||||
Series 2014-C24, Class AS | 945 | 992,191 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
41,054,477 | ||||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 27 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Non-Agency Floating Rate CMBS – 4.2% |
| |||||||||
Ashford Hospitality Trust | U.S.$ | 526 | $ | 526,030 | ||||||
Atrium Hotel Portfolio Trust | 750 | 749,536 | ||||||||
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2017-SCH, Class AF | 1,330 | 1,327,533 | ||||||||
BBCMS Mortgage Trust | 692 | 695,055 | ||||||||
BCP Trust | 135 | 134,563 | ||||||||
BFLD Trust | 1,060 | 1,059,680 | ||||||||
BHMS | 547 | 547,262 | ||||||||
Braemar Hotels & Resorts Trust | 700 | 699,574 | ||||||||
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust | 142 | 140,939 | ||||||||
Series 2019-IMC, Class E | 566 | 561,990 | ||||||||
BX Trust | 709 | 705,373 |
28 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
CLNY Trust | U.S.$ | 540 | $ | 537,290 | ||||||
DBWF Mortgage Trust | 541 | 539,940 | ||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | 136 | 137,510 | ||||||||
Great Wolf Trust | 1,019 | 1,018,350 | ||||||||
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust | 725 | 725,752 | ||||||||
Series 2019-SMP, Class A | 700 | 700,554 | ||||||||
HFX Funding | 710 | 729,415 | ||||||||
Invitation Homes Trust | 206 | 206,368 | ||||||||
Series 2018-SFR3, Class C | 390 | 390,600 | ||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust | 154 | 141,229 | ||||||||
Series 2019-BPR, Class C | 520 | 466,797 | ||||||||
Natixis Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 379 | 379,117 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 29 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Starwood Retail Property Trust | U.S.$ | 828 | $ | 504,793 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
13,625,250 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Agency CMBS – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Government National Mortgage Association | 664 | 6 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $53,975,863) | 54,679,733 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS – 16.2% | ||||||||||||
Risk Share Floating Rate – 13.3% | ||||||||||||
Bellemeade Re Ltd. | 445 | 444,763 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-3A, Class M2 | 325 | 325,876 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-1A, Class M1B | 968 | 967,653 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-2A, Class M1C | 487 | 488,371 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-2A, Class M2 | 325 | 328,802 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-3A, Class M1B | 359 | 359,928 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-3A, Class M1C | 263 | 263,000 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-4A, Class M1B | 885 | 885,551 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-4A, Class M1C | 750 | 755,830 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-4A, Class M2 | 540 | 546,376 |
30 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 2020-2A, Class M1B | U.S.$ | 108 | $ | 108,247 | ||||||
Series 2020-4A, Class M2A | 95 | 95,087 | ||||||||
Series 2021-1A, Class M1C | 398 | 411,938 | ||||||||
Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust | 84 | 84,175 | ||||||||
Series 2019-R01, Class 2M2 | 247 | 248,776 | ||||||||
Series 2019-R02, Class 1M2 | 68 | 68,034 | ||||||||
Series 2019-R06, Class 2M2 | 209 | 209,688 | ||||||||
Series 2020-R01, Class 1B1 | 500 | 502,021 | ||||||||
Series 2020-SBT1, Class 1M2 | 1,000 | 1,041,450 | ||||||||
Series 2020-SBT1, Class 2M2 | 300 | 314,145 | ||||||||
Eagle Re Ltd. | 325 | 326,621 | ||||||||
Series 2019-1, Class M2 | 325 | 329,280 | ||||||||
Series 2020-1, Class M1A | 950 | 940,755 | ||||||||
Series 2020-2, Class M1B | 253 | 252,956 | ||||||||
Series 2021-2, Class M1B | 254 | 253,783 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 31 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes | U.S.$ | 311 | $ | 320,161 | ||||||
Series 2016-DNA4, Class M3 | 833 | 861,003 | ||||||||
Series 2016-HQA3, Class M3 | 1,114 | 1,149,658 | ||||||||
Series 2017-DNA2, Class B1 | 750 | 820,000 | ||||||||
Series 2017-DNA3, Class M2 | 250 | 255,340 | ||||||||
Series 2017-HQA1, Class M2 | 826 | 853,835 | ||||||||
Series 2017-HQA2, Class B1 | 800 | 867,745 | ||||||||
Series 2017-HQA2, Class M2 | 225 | 229,681 | ||||||||
Series 2017-HQA2, Class M2B | 560 | 572,528 | ||||||||
Series 2017-HQA3, Class B1 | 750 | 792,530 | ||||||||
Series 2018-HQA2, Class B1 | 1,250 | 1,305,522 | ||||||||
Series 2019-DNA1, Class B2 | 750 | 850,262 | ||||||||
Series 2019-DNA1, Class M2 | 931 | 942,097 | ||||||||
Series 2019-DNA3, Class B1 | 600 | 608,354 | ||||||||
Series 2019-FTR2, Class B1 | 750 | 732,774 |
32 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 2019-FTR2, Class M2 | U.S.$ | 895 | $ | 895,557 | ||||||
Series 2019-FTR3, Class B2 | 700 | 688,602 | ||||||||
Series 2019-HQA2, Class B1 | 750 | 772,212 | ||||||||
Series 2019-HQA3, Class B1 | 500 | 504,579 | ||||||||
Series 2019-HQA4, Class B1 | 750 | 753,896 | ||||||||
Series 2020-DNA5, Class M2 | 524 | 529,915 | ||||||||
Series 2021-DNA3, Class B1 | 651 | 676,364 | ||||||||
Series 2021-DNA6, Class M2 | 828 | 829,340 | ||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities | 157 | 160,426 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C02, Class 2M2 | 18 | 18,084 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C03, Class 1M2 | 158 | 162,098 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C03, Class 2M2 | 36 | 36,333 | ||||||||
Series 2015-C04, Class 1M2 | 393 | 416,145 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C02, Class 1B | 149 | 172,643 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C03, Class 1B | 99 | 114,436 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 33 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Series 2016-C05, Class 2M2 | U.S.$ | 580 | $ | 603,244 | ||||||
Series 2016-C06, Class 1B | 377 | 413,674 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C06, Class 1M2 | 270 | 280,416 | ||||||||
Series 2016-C07, Class 2B | 378 | 406,483 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C01, Class 1B1 | 750 | 827,491 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C01, Class 1M2 | 314 | 323,843 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C02, Class 2B1 | 750 | 825,290 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C02, Class 2M2C | 618 | 643,590 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C03, Class 1M2 | 646 | 665,732 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C04, Class 2M2 | 268 | 275,249 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C06, Class 2B1 | 750 | 785,609 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C07, Class 1B1 | 305 | 318,790 | ||||||||
Series 2017-C07, Class 2B1 | 750 | 783,635 | ||||||||
Home Re Ltd. | 509 | 510,174 | ||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | 28 | 27,082 |
34 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Mortgage Insurance-Linked Notes | U.S.$ | 661 | $ | 661,449 | ||||||
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust | 210 | 209,708 | ||||||||
Series 2019-2R, Class A | 370 | 366,216 | ||||||||
Series 2019-3R, Class A | 171 | 171,455 | ||||||||
Series 2020-1R, Class A | 277 | 276,765 | ||||||||
Radnor Re Ltd. | 635 | 635,743 | ||||||||
Series 2019-2, Class M1B | 351 | 351,366 | ||||||||
Series 2020-1, Class M1A | 900 | 893,289 | ||||||||
Series 2020-1, Class M2A | 850 | 850,000 | ||||||||
Series 2020-2, Class M1C | 284 | 284,379 | ||||||||
Traingle Re Ltd. | 1,075 | 1,076,658 | ||||||||
Series 2021-1, Class M1B | 378 | 377,553 | ||||||||
Series 2021-3, Class M1B | 530 | 527,354 | ||||||||
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust | 160 | 154,288 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 35 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series 2015-WF1, Class 2M2 | U.S.$ | 40 | $ | 39,369 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
43,011,120 | �� | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Non-Agency Fixed Rate – 1.4% |
| |||||||||||
Alternative Loan Trust | 212 | 161,870 | ||||||||||
Series 2006-28CB, Class A14 | 155 | 112,594 | ||||||||||
Series 2006-J1, Class 1A13 | 96 | 86,207 | ||||||||||
Bayview MSR Opportunity Master Fund Trust | 252 | 254,729 | ||||||||||
CIM Trust | 628 | 635,565 | ||||||||||
Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust | 51 | 32,319 | ||||||||||
First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust | 178 | 116,588 | ||||||||||
Flagstar Mortgage Trust | 558 | 565,628 | ||||||||||
JPMorgan Alternative Loan Trust | 416 | 356,677 | ||||||||||
Mello Mortgage Capital Acceptance | 530 | 534,925 | ||||||||||
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust | 787 | 797,981 | ||||||||||
Structured Asset Securities Corp. Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates | 452 | 210,668 | ||||||||||
United Wholesale Mortgage Trust | 689 | 696,142 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,561,893 | ||||||||||||
|
|
36 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Agency Floating Rate – 0.7% |
| |||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMICs | U.S.$ | 872 | $ | 163,635 | ||||||||
Series 4981, Class HS | 2,719 | 430,189 | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association REMICs | 558 | 114,844 | ||||||||||
Series 2015-90, Class SL | 1,125 | 223,000 | ||||||||||
Series 2016-77, Class DS | 877 | 167,974 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-26, Class TS | 1,104 | 236,201 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-62, Class AS | 1,033 | 210,787 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-81, Class SA | 1,161 | 267,736 | ||||||||||
Series 2017-97, Class LS | 1,109 | 271,288 | ||||||||||
Government National Mortgage Association | 1,072 | 226,483 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,312,137 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Agency Fixed Rate – 0.5% |
| |||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMICs | 1,682 | 284,351 | ||||||||||
Series 5049, Class CI | 1,831 | 244,037 | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association Grantor Trust | 65 | 63,525 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 37 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association REMICs | U.S.$ | 3,373 | $ | 540,255 | ||||||||
Series 2020-89, Class KI | 3,608 | 536,500 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,668,668 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Non-Agency Floating Rate – 0.3% |
| |||||||||||
Deutsche Alt-A Securities Mortgage Loan Trust | 479 | 226,859 | ||||||||||
HomeBanc Mortgage Trust | 108 | 99,240 | ||||||||||
Impac Secured Assets Corp. | 185 | 168,085 | ||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | 124 | 126,006 | ||||||||||
Residential Accredit Loans, Inc. Trust | 520 | 90,965 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
711,155 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | 52,264,973 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
GOVERNMENTS - TREASURIES – 10.9% | ||||||||||||
Malaysia – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Malaysia Government Bond | MYR | 3,708 | 901,993 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
United States – 10.6% | ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Bonds | U.S.$ | 396 | 380,243 | |||||||||
1.875%, 02/15/2051 | 6,849 | 6,730,791 | ||||||||||
2.00%, 08/15/2051 | 2,878 | 2,916,629 | ||||||||||
3.00%, 05/15/2045 | 80 | 95,425 | ||||||||||
3.125%, 08/15/2044(h) | 3,034 | 3,663,564 | ||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Notes | 6,132 | 6,131,700 |
38 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
1.125%, 02/15/2031 | U.S.$ | 4,704 | $ | 4,542,649 | ||||||||
1.25%, 08/15/2031 | 2,782 | 2,705,157 | ||||||||||
1.625%, 05/15/2026 | 6,105 | 6,239,399 | ||||||||||
2.00%, 11/15/2026 | 965 | 1,003,205 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
34,408,762 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Governments – Treasuries | 35,310,755 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS – 9.5% | ||||||||||||
Agency Fixed Rate 30-Year – 8.7% | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | 609 | 651,222 | ||||||||||
Series 2020 | 895 | 965,510 | ||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold | 99 | 113,215 | ||||||||||
Series 2007 | 16 | 18,339 | ||||||||||
Series 2016 | 648 | 711,914 | ||||||||||
Series 2017 | 445 | 486,411 | ||||||||||
Series 2018 | 1,264 | 1,380,352 | ||||||||||
5.00%, 11/01/2048 | 264 | 294,618 | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association | 99 | 112,075 | ||||||||||
Series 2004 | 339 | 387,709 | ||||||||||
Series 2005 | 41 | 46,427 | ||||||||||
Series 2007 | 197 | 224,524 | ||||||||||
Series 2010 | 288 | 315,267 | ||||||||||
Series 2012 | 2,320 | 2,511,337 | ||||||||||
Series 2013 | 1,120 | 1,212,858 | ||||||||||
4.00%, 10/01/2043 | 675 | 741,065 | ||||||||||
Series 2016 | 529 | 565,747 | ||||||||||
Series 2018 | 1,259 | 1,375,242 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 39 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series 2019 | U.S.$ | 1,777 | $ | 1,899,367 | ||||||||
Series 2020 | 829 | 888,494 | ||||||||||
Government National Mortgage Association | 352 | 369,181 | ||||||||||
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security | 3,645 | 3,644,146 | ||||||||||
2.50%, 11/01/2051, TBA | 8,985 | 9,227,614 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
28,142,634 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Agency Fixed Rate 15-Year – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association | 1,749 | 1,822,401 | ||||||||||
Series 2017 | 733 | 763,580 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,585,981 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Agency ARMs – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | 17 | 18,127 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other Agency Fixed Rate | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | 6 | 5,745 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Mortgage Pass-Throughs | 30,752,487 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 4.3% | ||||||||||||
Autos - Fixed Rate – 2.2% | ||||||||||||
Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP LLC | 920 | 963,654 | ||||||||||
Series 2018-2A, Class A | 755 | 802,419 | ||||||||||
Carvana Auto Receivables Trust | 313 | 311,135 | ||||||||||
CPS Auto Receivables Trust | 470 | 466,717 |
40 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust | U.S.$ | 167 | $ | 169,079 | ||||||||
FHF Trust | 318 | 316,508 | ||||||||||
First Investors Auto Owner Trust | 1,000 | 1,024,748 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-1A, Class A | 92 | 92,529 | ||||||||||
Flagship Credit Auto Trust | 960 | 987,405 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-1, Class E | 1,000 | 1,016,699 | ||||||||||
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust | 542 | 537,881 | ||||||||||
Octane Receivables Trust 2021-2 | 541 | 540,301 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
7,229,075 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Other ABS - Fixed Rate – 1.5% | ||||||||||||
AB Issuer LLC | 743 | 751,736 | ||||||||||
Affirm Asset Securitization Trust | 467 | 468,956 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-Z1, Class A | 300 | 299,665 | ||||||||||
Domino’s Pizza Master Issuer LLC | 414 | 423,178 | ||||||||||
GCI Funding I LLC | 295 | 295,995 | ||||||||||
Hardee’s Funding LLC | 331 | 367,338 | ||||||||||
Series 2020-1A, Class A2 | 993 | 1,050,025 | ||||||||||
Neighborly Issuer LLC | 302 | 309,647 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 41 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Nelnet Student Loan Trust | U.S.$ | 220 | $ | 221,698 | ||||||||
Upstart Securitization Trust | 189 | 189,407 | ||||||||||
Series 2021-3, Class B | 480 | 475,612 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
4,853,257 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Credit Cards - Fixed Rate – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Brex Commercial Charge Card Master Trust | 397 | 400,015 | ||||||||||
World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust | 780 | 786,021 | ||||||||||
Series 2019-B, Class M | 600 | 609,528 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,795,564 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Home Equity Loans - Floating Rate – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
ABFC Trust | 14 | 13,907 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Asset-Backed Securities | 13,891,803 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
CORPORATES - NON-INVESTMENT GRADE – 4.1% | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 2.9% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.5% | ||||||||||||
Axalta Coating Systems LLC | 557 | 529,947 | ||||||||||
INEOS Quattro Finance 2 PLC | EUR | 313 | 360,923 | |||||||||
Ingevity Corp. | U.S.$ | 453 | 445,607 | |||||||||
Sealed Air Corp. | 379 | 398,227 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,734,704 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance USA LLC/Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance PLC | 485 | 474,883 | ||||||||||
|
|
42 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Cable One, Inc. | U.S.$ | 326 | $ | 320,471 | ||||||||
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. | 619 | 620,286 | ||||||||||
CSC Holdings LLC | 120 | 120,143 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,060,900 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - | ||||||||||||
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | 545 | 526,492 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Allison Transmission, Inc. | 554 | 532,433 | ||||||||||
Clarios Global LP/Clarios US Finance Co. | EUR | 130 | 153,796 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
686,229 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Carnival Corp. | U.S.$ | 712 | 711,544 | |||||||||
Mattel, Inc. | 311 | 320,619 | ||||||||||
3.75%, 04/01/2029(a) | 310 | 322,109 | ||||||||||
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | 364 | 407,498 | ||||||||||
11.50%, 06/01/2025(a) | 391 | 445,126 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,206,896 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Restaurants – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc. | 685 | 663,779 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Levi Strauss & Co. | 382 | 386,893 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Albertsons Cos., Inc./Safeway, Inc./New Albertsons LP/Albertsons LLC | 373 | 367,602 | ||||||||||
Mozart Debt Merger Sub, Inc. | 530 | 527,451 | ||||||||||
Newell Brands, Inc. | 261 | 285,902 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 43 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
4.875%, 06/01/2025 | U.S.$ | 65 | $ | 71,168 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,252,123 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Energy – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Transocean Poseidon Ltd. | 225 | 224,982 | ||||||||||
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC | 147 | 149,726 | ||||||||||
4.125%, 08/15/2031(a) | 149 | 154,340 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
529,048 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
9,521,947 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 1.0% | ||||||||||||
Banking – 0.8% | ||||||||||||
Credit Suisse Group AG | 1,020 | 1,085,739 | ||||||||||
Discover Financial Services | 1,087 | 1,213,679 | ||||||||||
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 288 | 310,400 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
2,609,818 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Finance – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
SLM Corp. | 587 | 620,741 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,230,559 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Vistra Operations Co. LLC | 536 | 529,204 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | 13,281,710 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
COLLATERALIZED LOAN | ||||||||||||
CLO - Floating Rate – 3.4% | ||||||||||||
AGL CLO 12 Ltd. | 500 | 498,369 | ||||||||||
Balboa Bay Loan Funding Ltd. | 709 | 709,447 | ||||||||||
Ballyrock CLO 16 Ltd. | 400 | 400,036 |
44 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Elevation CLO Ltd. | U.S.$ | 1,000 | $ | 1,002,431 | ||||||
Elmwood CLO IX Ltd. | 700 | 700,074 | ||||||||
Flatiron CLO 21 Ltd. | 700 | 692,171 | ||||||||
Goldentree Loan Management US CLO 7 Ltd. | 581 | 581,731 | ||||||||
Magnetite XXVI Ltd. | 998 | 1,001,613 | ||||||||
Neuberger Berman Loan Advisers CLO 42 Ltd. | 698 | 690,599 | ||||||||
Series 2021-43A, Class D | �� | 350 | 351,039 | |||||||
OCP CLO Ltd. | 761 | 761,890 | ||||||||
Peace Park CLO Ltd. | 300 | 299,994 | ||||||||
Pikes Peak CLO 8 | 675 | 675,572 | ||||||||
Regatta XX Funding Ltd. | 1,019 | 1,020,181 | ||||||||
Rockford Tower CLO Ltd. | 711 | 710,639 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 45 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Series 2021-2A, Class A1 | U.S.$ | 504 | $ | 504,091 | ||||||||
Voya CLO Ltd. | 210 | 205,739 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
10,805,616 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
CLO - Fixed Rate – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
CAJUN Global LLC | 141 | 141,000 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Collateralized Loan Obligations | 10,946,616 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES – 3.1% | ||||||||||||
Canada – 0.6% | ||||||||||||
Canadian Government Real Return Bond | CAD | 1,855 | 1,877,219 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
United States – 2.5% | ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Inflation Index | U.S.$ | 757 | 838,168 | |||||||||
0.375%, 01/15/2027 (TIPS) | 6,535 | 7,239,836 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
8,078,004 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Inflation-Linked Securities | 9,955,223 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - CORPORATE | ||||||||||||
Industrial – 1.2% | ||||||||||||
Basic – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
CSN Resources SA | 261 | 256,041 | ||||||||||
Vedanta Resources Finance II PLC | 377 | 407,631 | ||||||||||
Volcan Cia Minera SAA | 160 | 155,830 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
819,502 | ||||||||||||
�� |
|
| ||||||||||
Capital Goods – 0.4% | ||||||||||||
Cemex SAB de CV | 572 | 571,600 | ||||||||||
Embraer Netherlands Finance BV | 540 | 563,490 | ||||||||||
6.95%, 01/17/2028(a) | 219 | 242,652 |
46 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Odebrecht Holdco Finance Ltd. | U.S.$ | 477 | $ | 1,193 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
1,378,935 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Communications - Media – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Globo Comunicacao e Participacoes SA | 417 | 402,405 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Wynn Macau Ltd. | 330 | 305,128 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
BRF GmbH | 349 | 352,446 | ||||||||||
Natura Cosmeticos SA | 283 | 280,113 | ||||||||||
Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA | 660 | 6,617 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
639,176 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Services – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
MercadoLibre, Inc. | 200 | 194,125 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
3,739,271 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Utility – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Electric – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Terraform Global Operating LLC | 60 | 61,491 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Institutions – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Other Finance – 0.0% | ||||||||||||
OEC Finance Ltd. | 183 | 14,255 | ||||||||||
7.125%, 12/26/2046(a)(k) | 223 | 16,504 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
30,759 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Emerging Markets – Corporate Bonds | 3,831,521 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - US MUNICIPAL | ||||||||||||
United States – 0.9% | ||||||||||||
State of California | ||||||||||||
Series 2010 | ||||||||||||
7.625%, 03/01/2040 | 970 | 1,619,480 | ||||||||||
Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority/WV | ||||||||||||
Series 2020 | ||||||||||||
3.00%, 06/01/2035 | 431 | 441,636 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 47 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
University of California | U.S.$ | 730 | $ | 745,639 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Local Governments – US Municipal Bonds | 2,806,755 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
QUASI-SOVEREIGNS – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Quasi-Sovereign Bonds – 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Indonesia – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Indonesia Asahan Aluminium Persero PT | 407 | 436,101 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Mexico – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Comision Federal de Electricidad | 653 | 631,287 | ||||||||||
Petroleos Mexicanos | 392 | 345,450 | ||||||||||
6.84%, 01/23/2030 | 15 | 15,649 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
992,386 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Peru – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Corp. Financiera de Desarrollo SA | 808 | 790,073 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Quasi-Sovereigns | 2,218,560 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
EMERGING MARKETS - | ||||||||||||
Dominican Republic – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Dominican Republic International Bond | 763 | 775,065 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Egypt – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Egypt Government International Bond | 765 | 687,544 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Oman – 0.2% | ||||||||||||
Oman Government International Bond | 380 | 396,459 | ||||||||||
6.25%, 01/25/2031(a) | 245 | 264,676 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
661,135 | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Emerging Markets – Sovereigns | 2,123,744 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
48 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Principal Amount (000) | U.S. $ Value | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
GOVERNMENTS - SOVEREIGN | ||||||||||||
Colombia – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Colombia Government International Bond | U.S.$ | 375 | $ | 351,867 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Qatar – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Qatar Government International Bond | 252 | 269,215 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Saudi Arabia – 0.1% | ||||||||||||
Saudi Government International Bond | 453 | 478,141 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Governments – Sovereign Bonds | 1,099,223 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||
COMMON STOCKS – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Financials – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Insurance – 0.3% | ||||||||||||
Mt Logan Re Ltd. (Preference Shares)(d)(j)(l)(m) | 944 | 993,334 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Principal Amount (000) | ||||||||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 4.3% | ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Bills – 2.7% | ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Bill | U.S.$ | 8,640 | 8,637,886 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||
Investment Companies – 1.6% | ||||||||||||
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. – Government Money Market Portfolio – Class AB, 0.01%(n)(o)(p) | 5,229,283 |
| 5,229,283 |
| ||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Short-Term Investments | 13,867,169 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Total Investments – 103.1% | 333,302,388 | |||||||||||
Other assets less liabilities – (3.1)% | (10,131,034 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $ | 323,171,354 | ||||||||||
|
|
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 49 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
FUTURES (see Note D)
Description | Number of Contracts | Expiration Month | Current Notional | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||
Purchased Contracts |
| |||||||||||||
U.S. 10 Yr Ultra Futures | 44 | December 2021 | $ | 6,381,375 | $ | (49,936 | ) | |||||||
U.S. T-Note 2 Yr (CBT) Futures | 241 | December 2021 | 52,839,250 | (172,780 | ) | |||||||||
U.S. T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures | 148 | December 2021 | 18,019,000 | (176,791 | ) | |||||||||
U.S. Ultra Bond (CBT) Futures | 133 | December 2021 | 26,122,031 | (33,916 | ) | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||
$ | (433,423 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
Counterparty | Contracts to Deliver (000) | In Exchange For (000) | Settlement Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | CAD | 11,167 | USD | 8,769 | 11/19/2021 | $ | (254,302 | ) | ||||||||
Citibank, NA | AUD | 9,823 | USD | 7,079 | 11/09/2021 | (310,629 | ) | |||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | USD | 3,521 | RUB | 259,477 | 12/15/2021 | 105,026 | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | MYR | 4,032 | USD | 970 | 12/22/2021 | (654 | ) | |||||||||
HSBC Bank USA | USD | 648 | CAD | 802 | 11/19/2021 | 432 | ||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | SEK | 28,800 | USD | 3,292 | 01/20/2022 | (65,367 | ) | |||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | EUR | 642 | USD | 763 | 11/08/2021 | 20,579 | ||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | USD | 322 | AUD | 438 | 11/09/2021 | 7,357 | ||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | USD | 366 | SEK | 3,139 | 01/20/2022 | 5 | ||||||||||
UBS AG | USD | 563 | AUD | 751 | 11/09/2021 | 1,166 | ||||||||||
UBS AG | RUB | 30,545 | USD | 435 | 12/15/2021 | 7,951 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | (488,436 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Description | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-NAHY Series 34, 5 Year Index, 06/20/2025* | 5.00 | % | Quarterly | 2.56 | % | USD | 776 | $ | 68,705 | $ | 31,666 | $ | 37,039 | |||||||||||||||||||
CDX-NAHY Series 37, 5 Year Index, 12/20/2026* | 5.00 | Quarterly | 3.05 | USD | 2,014 | 190,058 | 188,291 | 1,767 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 258,763 | $ | 219,957 | $ | 38,806 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* | Termination date |
50 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
CENTRALLY CLEARED INFLATION (CPI) SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | 4,300 | 09/07/2026 | CPI# | 2.670% | Maturity | $ | (105,904 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (105,904 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
USD | 4,300 | 09/07/2031 | 2.519% | CPI# | Maturity | 134,540 | – 0 | – | 134,540 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 28,636 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 28,636 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
# | Variable interest rate based on the rate of inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). |
CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount (000) | Termination Date | Payments made by the Fund | Payments received by the Fund | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
SEK | 121,200 | 08/30/2024 | | 3 Month STIBOR | | (0.165)% | Quarterly/Annual | $ | (281,295 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (281,295 | ) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 2,000 | 12/13/2029 | 1.764% | | 3 Month LIBOR | | Semi-Annual/ Quarterly | (54,388 | ) | – 0 | – | (54,388 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
CAD | 2,100 | 03/04/2051 | 2.333% | | 3 Month CDOR | | Semi-Annual | 4,913 | – 0 | – | 4,913 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (330,770 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (330,770 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Buy Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | )% | Monthly | 5.42 | % | USD | 58 | $ | 4,862 | $ | 11,481 | $ | (6,619 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 58 | 4,862 | 11,490 | (6,628 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 697 | 58,420 | 135,177 | (76,757 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 692 | 58,002 | 138,854 | (80,852 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 1,743 | 146,093 | 341,109 | (195,016 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 3,486 | 292,185 | 695,086 | (402,901 | ) |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 51 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) % | Monthly | 5.42 | % | USD | 433 | $ | 36,294 | $ | 73,929 | $ | (37,635 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Securities, LLC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 368 | 30,845 | 73,080 | (42,235 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 231 | 19,361 | 44,118 | (24,757 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 09/17/2058* | (3.00 | ) | Monthly | 5.42 | USD | 462 | 38,723 | 92,830 | (54,107 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale Contracts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 5 | (1,387 | ) | (771 | ) | (616 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 5 | (1,387 | ) | (616 | ) | (771 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 11 | (3,052 | ) | (1,430 | ) | (1,622 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 13 | (3,607 | ) | (1,501 | ) | (2,106 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 14 | (3,884 | ) | (1,363 | ) | (2,521 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 19 | (5,270 | ) | (2,307 | ) | (2,963 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 23 | (6,380 | ) | (2,885 | ) | (3,495 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 23 | (6,380 | ) | (2,793 | ) | (3,587 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 25 | (6,936 | ) | (3,174 | ) | (3,762 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 34 | (9,432 | ) | (4,850 | ) | (4,582 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 32 | (8,877 | ) | (3,886 | ) | (4,991 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 32 | (8,878 | ) | (3,507 | ) | (5,371 | ) |
52 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 45 | $ | (12,484 | ) | $ | (5,194 | ) | $ | (7,290 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 46 | (12,761 | ) | (5,041 | ) | (7,720 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 155 | (43,000 | ) | (10,258 | ) | (32,742 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 291 | (80,729 | ) | (41,323 | ) | (39,406 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 1,882 | (522,047 | ) | (73,646 | ) | (448,401 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 2.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 850 | (85,180 | ) | (15,916 | ) | (69,264 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 4 | (1,110 | ) | (438 | ) | (672 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 52 | (14,426 | ) | (5,835 | ) | (8,591 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 46 | (12,761 | ) | (2,527 | ) | (10,234 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 181 | (50,213 | ) | (19,810 | ) | (30,403 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 322 | (89,328 | ) | (38,838 | ) | (50,490 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 745 | (206,675 | ) | (49,978 | ) | (156,697 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 20 | (5,549 | ) | (2,908 | ) | (2,641 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 26 | (7,213 | ) | (2,230 | ) | (4,983 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 52 | (14,425 | ) | (4,916 | ) | (9,509 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 52 | (14,425 | ) | (4,543 | ) | (9,882 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 90 | (24,968 | ) | (11,048 | ) | (13,920 | ) |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 53 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | Payment Frequency | Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 2021 | Notional Amount (000) | Market Value | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | % | Monthly | 10.00 | % | USD | 104 | $ | (28,851 | ) | $ | (10,747 | ) | $ | (18,104 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 224 | (62,141 | ) | (35,044 | ) | (27,097 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 313 | (86,832 | ) | (49,673 | ) | (37,159 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 260 | (72,128 | ) | (33,870 | ) | (38,258 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 219 | (60,754 | ) | (13,897 | ) | (46,857 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 311 | (86,276 | ) | (25,723 | ) | (60,553 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 356 | (98,761 | ) | (36,305 | ) | (62,456 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 760 | (210,837 | ) | (57,914 | ) | (152,923 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Securities, LLC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 30 | (8,322 | ) | (2,801 | ) | (5,521 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 32 | (8,876 | ) | (2,989 | ) | (5,887 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 61 | (16,923 | ) | (7,451 | ) | (9,472 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 130 | (36,063 | ) | (15,395 | ) | (20,668 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 131 | (36,342 | ) | (12,200 | ) | (24,142 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 374 | (103,754 | ) | (43,903 | ) | (59,851 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 05/11/2063* | 3.00 | Monthly | 10.00 | USD | 800 | (221,934 | ) | (113,169 | ) | (108,765 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (1,711,911 | ) | $ | 832,541 | $ | (2,544,452 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Termination date |
54 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
TOTAL RETURN SWAPS (see Note D)
Counterparty & | Rate Paid/ Received | Payment Frequency | Current Notional (000) | Maturity Date | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||
Pay Total Return on Reference Obligation |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | | 3 Month LIBOR | | Maturity | USD | 13,086 | 12/20/2021 | $ | 16,064 |
(a) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration. At October 31, 2021, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $118,942,708 or 36.8% of net assets. |
(b) | Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date. |
(c) | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest/floor/ceiling rate was in effect at October 31, 2021. |
(d) | Security in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. |
(e) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 0.76% of net assets as of October 31, 2021, are considered illiquid and restricted. Additional information regarding such securities follows: |
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes | 01/07/2020 | $ | 732,689 | $ | 688,602 | 0.21 | % | |||||||||
GSF | 02/25/2021 | 101,111 | 100,977 | 0.03 | % | |||||||||||
GSF | 02/25/2021 | 209,633 | 208,183 | 0.06 | % | |||||||||||
GSF | 02/25/2021 | 25,664 | 25,454 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
HFX Funding | 11/19/2020 | 759,076 | 729,415 | 0.23 | % | |||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2014-CH1, Class M2 | 11/06/2015 | 27,820 | 27,082 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust Series 2015-XLF2, Class SNMA | 11/16/2015 | 153,298 | 141,229 | 0.04 | % |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 55 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust Series 2020-1R, Class A | 02/11/2020 | $ | 276,765 | $ | 276,765 | 0.09 | % | |||||||||
Terraform Global Operating LLC | 02/08/2018 | 60,000 | 61,491 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||||
Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA | 01/24/2014 | 365,927 | 6,617 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust Series 2015-WF1, Class 1M2 | 09/28/2015 | 164,585 | 154,288 | 0.05 | % | |||||||||||
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust Series 2015-WF1, Class 2M2 | 09/28/2015 | 40,371 | 39,369 | 0.01 | % |
(f) | IO – Interest Only. |
(g) | Inverse interest only security. |
(h) | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize OTC derivatives outstanding. |
(i) | Defaulted matured security. |
(j) | Non-income producing security. |
(k) | Pay-In-Kind Payments (PIK). The issuer may pay cash interest and/or interest in additional debt securities. Rates shown are the rates in effect at October 31, 2021. |
(l) | Fair valued by the Adviser. |
(m) | Restricted and illiquid security. |
Restricted & Illiquid Securities | Acquisition Date | Cost | Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||
Mt Logan Re Ltd. | 01/02/2014 | $ | 452,350 | $ | 475,622 | 0.15 | % |
(n) | Affiliated investments. |
(o) | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618. |
(p) | The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD – Australian Dollar
CAD – Canadian Dollar
EUR – Euro
MYR – Malaysian Ringgit
RUB – Russian Ruble
SEK – Swedish Krona
USD – United States Dollar
Glossary:
ABS – Asset-Backed Securities
ARMs – Adjustable Rate Mortgages
CBT – Chicago Board of Trade
CDOR – Canadian Dealer Offered Rate
CDX-CMBX.NA – North American Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index
CDX-NAHY – North American High Yield Credit Default Swap Index
56 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
CLO – Collateralized Loan Obligations
CMBS – Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
REMICs – Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits
SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate
STIBOR – Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate
TBA – To Be Announced
TIPS – Treasury Inflation Protected Security
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 57 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
October 31, 2021
Assets | ||||
Investments in securities, at value | ||||
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $324,658,195) | $ | 328,073,105 | ||
Affiliated issuers (cost $5,229,283) | 5,229,283 | |||
Cash | 1,179 | |||
Cash collateral due from broker | 1,948,567 | |||
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $85,918) | 87,002 | |||
Receivable for investment securities sold | 5,292,978 | |||
Interest receivable | 1,627,372 | |||
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums paid $1,617,154) | 689,647 | |||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 251,455 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 142,516 | |||
Receivable for variation margin on futures | 27,224 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on total return swaps | 16,064 | |||
Affiliated dividends receivable | 19 | |||
|
| |||
Total assets | 343,386,411 | |||
|
| |||
Liabilities | ||||
Payable for investment securities purchased | 15,724,984 | |||
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums received $784,613) | 2,401,558 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | 630,952 | |||
Cash collateral due to broker | 526,000 | |||
Dividends payable | 175,544 | |||
Payable for capital stock redeemed | 160,002 | |||
Advisory fee payable | 111,571 | |||
Distribution fee payable | 49,708 | |||
Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | 45,070 | |||
Foreign capital gains tax payable | 38,024 | |||
Administrative fee payable | 30,586 | |||
Transfer Agent fee payable | 28,115 | |||
Directors’ fees payable | 1,888 | |||
Accrued expenses | 291,055 | |||
|
| |||
Total liabilities | 20,215,057 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 323,171,354 | ||
|
| |||
Composition of Net Assets | ||||
Capital stock, at par | $ | 28,722 | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 320,851,253 | |||
Distributable earnings | 2,291,379 | |||
|
| |||
Net Assets | $ | 323,171,354 | ||
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
58 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES (continued)
Net Asset Value Per Share—27 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
Class | Net Assets | Shares Outstanding | Net Asset Value | |||||||||
| ||||||||||||
A | $ | 203,167,627 | 18,059,547 | $ | 11.25 | * | ||||||
| ||||||||||||
C | $ | 5,682,127 | 506,201 | $ | 11.23 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Advisor | $ | 102,827,056 | 9,135,837 | $ | 11.26 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
R | $ | 746,332 | 66,354 | $ | 11.25 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
K | $ | 5,736,200 | 509,439 | $ | 11.26 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
I | $ | 1,818,614 | 161,397 | $ | 11.27 | |||||||
| ||||||||||||
Z | $ | 3,193,398 | 283,268 | $ | 11.27 | |||||||
|
* | The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $11.75 which reflects a sales charge of 4.25%. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 59 |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended October 31, 2021
Investment Income | ||||||||
Interest | $ | 10,838,131 | ||||||
Dividends | ||||||||
Unaffiliated issuers | 19,039 | |||||||
Affiliated issuers | 806 | |||||||
Other income | 878 | $ | 10,858,854 | |||||
|
| |||||||
Expenses | ||||||||
Advisory fee (see Note B) | 1,630,465 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class A | 537,607 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class C | 78,501 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class R | 6,380 | |||||||
Distribution fee—Class K | 15,715 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class A | 266,010 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class C | 10,000 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Advisor Class | 153,582 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class R | 3,318 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class K | 12,572 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class I | 1,552 | |||||||
Transfer agency—Class Z | 1,039 | |||||||
Custody and accounting | 168,923 | |||||||
Audit and tax | 106,340 | |||||||
Registration fees | 102,778 | |||||||
Administrative | 90,800 | |||||||
Printing | 39,311 | |||||||
Legal | 38,399 | |||||||
Directors’ fees | 23,143 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 26,588 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Total expenses | 3,313,023 | |||||||
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | (792,622 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net expenses | 2,520,401 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net investment income | 8,338,453 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment and Foreign Currency Transactions | ||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
Investment transactions(a) | 4,891,652 | |||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | 500,925 | |||||||
Futures | (2,298,637 | ) | ||||||
Options written | 223,716 | |||||||
Swaps | (2,632,174 | ) | ||||||
Swaptions written | 339,805 | |||||||
Foreign currency transactions | (346,186 | ) | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | ||||||||
Investments(b) | (4,486,609 | ) | ||||||
Forward currency exchange contracts | (728,298 | ) | ||||||
Futures | 792,675 | |||||||
Options written | (117,383 | ) | ||||||
Swaps | 275,006 | |||||||
Swaptions written | (34,052 | ) | ||||||
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | 1,349 | |||||||
|
| |||||||
Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | (3,618,211 | ) | ||||||
|
| |||||||
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations | $ | 4,720,242 | ||||||
|
|
(a) | Net of foreign realized capital gains taxes of $12,427. |
(b) | Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized gains of $4,501. |
See notes to financial statements.
60 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 8,338,453 | $ | 9,720,991 | ||||
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | 679,101 | 12,753,070 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | (4,297,312 | ) | (7,028,658 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net increase in net assets from operations | 4,720,242 | 15,445,403 | ||||||
Distributions to Shareholders | ||||||||
Class A | (8,026,732 | ) | (6,405,787 | ) | ||||
Class B | – 0 | – | (201 | ) | ||||
Class C | (258,221 | ) | (231,596 | ) | ||||
Advisor Class | (4,899,949 | ) | (3,763,633 | ) | ||||
Class R | (46,797 | ) | (68,726 | ) | ||||
Class K | (237,994 | ) | (197,901 | ) | ||||
Class I | (92,889 | ) | (89,863 | ) | ||||
Class Z | (208,684 | ) | (250,502 | ) | ||||
Capital Stock Transactions | ||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | (41,446,404 | ) | 9,467,968 | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total increase (decrease) | (50,497,428 | ) | 13,905,162 | |||||
Net Assets | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 373,668,782 | 359,763,620 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
End of period | $ | 323,171,354 | $ | 373,668,782 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 61 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2021
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Company, which is a Maryland corporation, operates as a series company comprised of 10 portfolios currently in operation. Each portfolio is considered to be a separate entity for financial reporting and tax purposes. This report relates only to the AB Total Return Bond Portfolio (the “Fund”) (formerly AB Intermediate Bond Portfolio), a diversified portfolio. The Fund offers Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I, Class T and Class Z shares. Class B and Class T shares have been authorized but currently are not offered. 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 C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase, and 0% after the first year of purchase. Effective May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Prior to May 31, 2021, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Class R and Class K shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge. Advisor Class, Class I and Class Z shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. All nine 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 (“U.S. GAAP”), which require 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 Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. 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 Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
62 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
In general, the market values 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures 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; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. 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, 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. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 63 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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. To account for this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
• | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
• | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
• | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and
64 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3.
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar collateral and risk profiles, including relevant indices. Mortgage and asset-backed securities for which management has collected current observable data through pricing services are generally categorized within Level 2. Those investments for which current observable data has not been provided are classified as Level 3.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 65 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of October 31, 2021:
Investments in Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Corporates – Investment Grade | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 85,278,782 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 85,278,782 | ||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 54,345,119 | 334,614 | 54,679,733 | |||||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | – 0 | – | 52,264,973 | – 0 | – | 52,264,973 | ||||||||||
Governments – Treasuries | – 0 | – | 35,310,755 | – 0 | – | 35,310,755 | ||||||||||
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | – 0 | – | 30,752,487 | – 0 | – | 30,752,487 | ||||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities | – 0 | – | 12,844,072 | 1,047,731 | 13,891,803 | |||||||||||
Corporates – Non-Investment Grade | – 0 | – | 13,281,710 | – 0 | – | 13,281,710 | ||||||||||
Collateralized Loan Obligations | – 0 | – | 10,946,616 | – 0 | – | 10,946,616 | ||||||||||
Inflation-Linked Securities | – 0 | – | 9,955,223 | – 0 | – | 9,955,223 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Corporate Bonds | – 0 | – | 3,831,521 | – 0 | – | 3,831,521 | ||||||||||
Local Governments – US Municipal Bonds | – 0 | – | 2,806,755 | – 0 | – | 2,806,755 | ||||||||||
Quasi-Sovereigns | – 0 | – | 2,218,560 | – 0 | – | 2,218,560 | ||||||||||
Emerging Markets – Sovereigns | – 0 | – | 2,123,744 | – 0 | – | 2,123,744 | ||||||||||
Governments – Sovereign Bonds | – 0 | – | 1,099,223 | – 0 | – | 1,099,223 | ||||||||||
Common Stocks | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 993,334 | 993,334 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Bills | – 0 | – | 8,637,886 | – 0 | – | 8,637,886 | ||||||||||
Investment Companies | 5,229,283 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 5,229,283 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total Investments in Securities | 5,229,283 | 325,697,426 | 2,375,679 | 333,302,388 | ||||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments(a): | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | 142,516 | – 0 | – | 142,516 | ||||||||||
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | 258,763 | – 0 | – | 258,763 | (b) | |||||||||
Centrally Cleared Inflation (CPI) Swaps | – 0 | – | 134,540 | – 0 | – | 134,540 | (b) | |||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | 4,913 | – 0 | – | 4,913 | (b) | |||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | 689,647 | – 0 | – | 689,647 | ||||||||||
Total Return Swaps | – 0 | – | 16,064 | – 0 | – | 16,064 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Futures | (433,423 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (433,423 | )(b) | ||||||||
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | – 0 | – | (630,952 | ) | – 0 | – | (630,952 | ) | ||||||||
Centrally Cleared Inflation (CPI) Swaps | – 0 | – | (105,904 | ) | – 0 | – | (105,904 | )(b) | ||||||||
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | – 0 | – | (335,683 | ) | – 0 | – | (335,683 | )(b) | ||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | – 0 | – | (2,401,558 | ) | – 0 | – | (2,401,558 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 4,795,860 | $ | 323,469,772 | $ | 2,375,679 | $ | 330,641,311 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(a) | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(b) | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 67 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. 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. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income. The Fund accounts for distributions received from REIT investments or from regulated investment companies as dividend income, realized gain, or return of capital based on information provided by the REIT or the investment company.
6. 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. Expenses of the Company are charged proportionately to each fund or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. 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. GAAP. 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 .45% of the first $2.5 billion, .40% of the next $2.5 billion up to $5 billion, .35% of the excess over $5 billion up to $8 billion and .30% in excess of $8 billion, of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses (which excludes acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB mutual funds in which the Fund may invest, interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs) on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to .77%, 1.52%, .52%, 1.02%, .77%, .52%, and .52% of the daily average net assets for the Class A, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I, and Class Z shares, respectively. This waiver extends through January 31, 2022 and then may be extended by the
68 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Adviser for additional one year terms. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such reimbursements/waivers amounted to $789,694.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $90,800.
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 $170,373 for the year ended October 31, 2021.
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 $2,748 from the sale of Class A shares and received $1,117 and $404 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2021.
The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2022. In connection with the investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the year ended October 31, 2021, such waiver amounted to $2,928.
Fund | Market Value 10/31/20 (000) | Purchases at Cost (000) | Sales Proceeds (000) | Market Value 10/31/21 (000) | Dividend Income (000) | |||||||||||||||
Government Money Market Portfolio | $ | 3,612 | $ | 196,930 | $ | 195,313 | $ | 5,229 | $ | 1 |
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
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 69 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
of 1940. Under the Agreement, the Fund pays distribution and servicing fees to the Distributor at an annual rate of up to .30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares, 1% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares, .50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares and .25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class K shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on the Advisor Class, Class I and Class Z shares. Payments under the Agreement in respect of Class A shares are currently limited to an annual rate of .25% of Class A shares’ average daily net assets. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. Since the commencement of the Fund’s operations, the Distributor has incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the amounts of $1,208,915, $148,574 and $67,060 for 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.
NOTE D
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended October 31, 2021 were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | $ | 115,894,524 | $ | 130,651,863 | ||||
U.S. government securities | 339,031,376 | 353,738,455 |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
Cost | $ | 330,115,003 | ||
|
| |||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 11,083,654 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (8,728,858 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 2,354,796 | ||
|
|
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
70 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
• | Futures |
The Fund may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Fund bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Fund may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
At the time the Fund enters into futures, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Use of long futures subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held futures for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 71 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
• | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Fund may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Fund. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
• | Option Transactions |
For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities, including government securities, and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. Among other things, the Fund may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.
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. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. 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.
72 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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. The Fund’s maximum payment for written put options equates to the number of shares multiplied by the strike price. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract. 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 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.
The Fund may also invest in options on swap agreements, also called “swaptions”. A swaption is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market-based “premium”. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return on a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties. The Fund’s maximum payment for written put swaptions equates to the notional amount of the underlying swap. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held written options for hedging and non-hedging purposes. During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held written swaptions for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 73 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
• | Swaps |
The Fund may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk or currencies. The Fund may also enter into swaps for non-hedging purposes as a means of gaining market exposures, making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions.” A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Fund in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Fund or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Fund accrues for the interim payments on swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for swaps are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission
74 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Fund enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for centrally cleared swaps is generally less than non-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.
Interest Rate Swaps:
The Fund is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Fund holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Fund may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or, receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional amount.
In addition, the Fund may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or “notional”) amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 75 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held interest rate swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Inflation (CPI) Swaps:
Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index (the Consumer Price Index with respect to CPI swaps) over the term of the swap (with some lag on the inflation index), and the other pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swaps may be used to protect the net asset value, or NAV, of a Fund against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index since the value of these agreements is expected to increase if there are unexpected inflation increases.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held inflation (CPI) swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Credit Default Swaps:
The Fund may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Fund, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Fund may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap, the Fund receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. If the Fund is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation. In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Fund for the same referenced obligations with the same counterparty.
Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and
76 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
credit risk. If the Fund is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Fund coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Fund.
Implied credit spreads over U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held credit default swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Total Return Swaps:
The Fund may enter into total return swaps in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Fund is subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund held total return swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 77 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Fund’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Fund decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty table below for additional details.
During the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund had entered into the following derivatives:
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Derivative Type | Statement of | Fair Value | Statement of | Fair Value | ||||||||
Interest rate | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | $ | 433,423 | * | ||||||||
Credit contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | $ | 38,806 | * | ||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | | 139,453 | * | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | | 441,587 | * | ||||
Foreign currency contracts | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | 142,516 | Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | 630,952 | ||||||
Credit contracts | Market value on credit default swaps | 689,647 | Market value on credit default swaps | 2,401,558 | ||||||||
Credit contracts | Unrealized appreciation on total return swaps | 16,064 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Total | $ | 1,026,486 | $ | 3,907,520 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
78 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Derivative Type | Location of | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | $ | (2,298,637 | ) | $ | 792,675 | ||||
Foreign currency contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | 500,925 | | (728,298 | ) | ||||
Equity contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on options written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of options written | 223,716 | (117,383 | ) | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaptions written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaptions written | (79,811 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||
Credit contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaptions written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaptions written | 419,616 | (34,052 | ) | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | (594,763 | ) | (181,545 | ) | |||||
Credit contracts | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | (2,037,411 | ) | 456,551 | ||||||
| �� |
|
| |||||||
Total | $ | (3,866,365 | ) | $ | 187,948 | |||||
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 79 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Fund’s derivative transactions during the year ended October 31, 2021:
Futures: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 143,154,931 | ||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 15,524,794 | (a) | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | ||||
Average principal amount of buy contracts | $ | 27,639,940 | ||
Average principal amount of sale contracts | $ | 45,030,277 | ||
Options Written: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 29,911,200 | (b) | |
Swaptions Written: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 12,863,600 | (c) | |
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 49,214,821 | ||
Centrally Cleared Inflation Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 8,600,000 | (d) | |
Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of buy contracts | $ | 8,538,769 | ||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 10,165,122 | ||
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount of sale contracts | $ | 3,534,008 | ||
Total Return Swaps: | ||||
Average notional amount | $ | 13,100,000 |
(a) | Positions were open for ten months during the year. |
(b) | Positions were open for less than one month during the year. |
(c) | Positions were open for four months during the year. |
(d) | Positions were open for two months during the year. |
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2021. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Received* | Security Collateral Received* | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |||||||||||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | $ | 564,424 | $ | (401,344 | ) | $ | (163,080 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | ||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 105,026 | (105,026 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – |
80 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Received* | Security Collateral Received* | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | $ | 36,294 | $ | (36,294 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | ||||||
HSBC Bank USA | 432 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 432 | ||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA/JPMorgan Securities, LLC | 30,845 | (30,845 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | 74,148 | (74,148 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | 27,941 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 27,941 | ||||||||||||
UBS AG | 9,117 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | 9,117 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 848,227 | $ | (647,657 | ) | $ | (163,080 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 37,490 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | Derivatives Available for Offset | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Security Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | $ | 254,302 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 254,302 | |||||||
Citibank, NA/Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | 401,344 | (401,344 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Credit Suisse International | 645,776 | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (645,776 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Deutsche Bank AG | 459,693 | (105,026 | ) | (160,000 | ) | (194,667 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | 773,814 | (36,294 | ) | – 0 | – | (737,520 | ) | – 0 | – | |||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA/JPMorgan Securities, LLC | 275,647 | (30,845 | ) | – 0 | – | (216,839 | ) | 27,963 | ||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC/Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | 221,934 | (74,148 | ) | – 0 | – | (101,000 | ) | 46,786 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,032,510 | $ | (647,657 | ) | $ | (160,000 | ) | $ | (1,895,802 | ) | $ | 329,051 | ^ | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 81 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
2. Currency Transactions
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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).
3. TBA and Dollar Rolls
The Fund may invest in TBA mortgage-backed securities. A TBA, or “To Be Announced”, trade represents a contract for the purchase or sale of mortgage-backed securities to be delivered at a future agree-upon date; however, the specific mortgage pool numbers or the number of pools that will be delivered to fulfill the trade obligation or terms of the contract are unknown at the time of the trade. Mortgage pools (including fixed-rate or variable-rate mortgages) guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association, or GNMA, the Federal National Mortgage Association, or FNMA, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or FHLMC, are subsequently allocated to the TBA transactions.
The Fund may enter into certain TBA transactions known as dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Fund of securities for delivery in the current month and the Fund’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund earned drop income of $318,746 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.
82 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE E
Capital Stock
Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 739,035 | 1,888,650 | $ | 8,403,048 | $ | 21,407,368 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 554,374 | 438,046 | 6,322,222 | 4,969,924 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted from Class B | – 0 | – | 35,898 | – 0 | – | 403,846 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted from Class C | 217,654 | 182,964 | 2,459,656 | 2,082,073 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (2,926,511 | ) | (2,549,088 | ) | (33,270,087 | ) | (28,719,237 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | (1,415,448 | ) | (3,530 | ) | $ | (16,085,161 | ) | $ | 143,974 | |||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | – 0 | – | 2 | $ | – 0 | – | $ | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted to Class A | – 0 | – | (35,898 | ) | – 0 | – | (403,846 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | – 0 | – | (132 | ) | – 0 | – | (1,602 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | – 0 | – | (36,028 | ) | $ | – 0 | – | $ | (405,418 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 60,727 | 432,800 | $ | 693,436 | $ | 4,849,702 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 17,026 | 14,549 | 194,209 | 164,668 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares converted to Class A | (218,074 | ) | (183,382 | ) | (2,459,656 | ) | (2,082,073 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (234,007 | ) | (316,423 | ) | (2,658,869 | ) | (3,542,669 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (374,328 | ) | (52,456 | ) | $ | (4,230,880 | ) | $ | (610,372 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advisor Class |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 3,650,665 | 5,154,674 | $ | 41,660,646 | $ | 58,200,348 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 193,069 | 155,888 | 2,202,877 | 1,769,237 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (5,296,425 | ) | (3,956,933 | ) | (59,900,768 | ) | (43,675,272 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) | (1,452,691 | ) | 1,353,629 | $ | (16,037,245 | ) | $ | 16,294,313 | ||||||||||||||||
|
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 83 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | Year Ended October 31, 2021 | Year Ended October 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Class R |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 66,576 | 42,105 | $ | 762,932 | $ | 468,652 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 4,045 | 6,020 | 46,179 | 68,154 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (160,662 | ) | (182,460 | ) | (1,835,776 | ) | (1,990,251 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (90,041 | ) | (134,335 | ) | $ | (1,026,665 | ) | $ | (1,453,445 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class K |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 107,358 | 328,822 | $ | 1,232,269 | $ | 3,745,267 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 20,756 | 17,425 | 236,904 | 197,903 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (188,986 | ) | (431,270 | ) | (2,142,508 | ) | (4,696,457 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (60,872 | ) | (85,023 | ) | $ | (673,335 | ) | $ | (753,287 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class I |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 32,838 | 107,909 | $ | 375,668 | $ | 1,239,855 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 7,551 | 7,118 | 86,280 | 81,001 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (116,547 | ) | (238,893 | ) | (1,333,364 | ) | (2,743,592 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (76,158 | ) | (123,866 | ) | $ | (871,416 | ) | $ | (1,422,736 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Z |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 293,258 | 342,251 | $ | 3,349,932 | $ | 3,852,305 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 18,055 | 22,034 | 206,201 | 250,023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (532,260 | ) | (568,822 | ) | (6,077,835 | ) | (6,427,389 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease | (220,947 | ) | (204,537 | ) | $ | (2,521,702 | ) | $ | (2,325,061 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
NOTE F
Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund
Market Risk—The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the stock or bond market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events, including public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness), that affect large portions of the market.
Interest-Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value
84 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The current historically low interest rate environment heightens the risks associated with rising interest rates.
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk—Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments and negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade than other types of securities.
Duration Risk—Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities. The Fund invests in inflation-indexed securities, the value of which may be vulnerable to changes in expectations of inflation or interest rates.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid as well as being subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 85 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.
Mortgage-Related and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk—Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.
Leverage Risk—When the Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Illiquid Investments Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions
86 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Active Trading Risk—The Fund expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate may greatly exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Fund’s return. In addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in substantial short-term gains, which may have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders.
LIBOR Transition and Associated Risk—A Fund may be exposed to debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various interest rate calculations. In 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The FCA and LIBOR’s administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration, have since announced that most LIBOR settings (which reflect LIBOR rates quoted in different currencies over various time periods) will no longer be published after the end of 2021 but that the most widely used U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published until June 30, 2023. However, banks were strongly encouraged to cease entering into agreements with counterparties referencing LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is possible that a subset of LIBOR settings will be published after these dates on a “synthetic” basis, but any such publications would be considered non-representative of the underlying market. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (referred to as SOFR), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates.
The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related investments or investments
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 87 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of hedging strategies, potentially adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. The potential effects of a phase out of LIBOR on LIBOR-based investments are currently unknown.
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. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
Management Risk—The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively-managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
NOTE G
Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing related to redemptions and other short term liquidity requirements, subject to certain restrictions. 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 year ended October 31, 2021.
NOTE H
Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020 were as follows:
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 7,517,670 | $ | 10,898,767 | ||||
Net long-term capital gains | 6,253,596 | 109,442 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total taxable distributions paid | $ | 13,771,266 | $ | 11,008,209 | ||||
|
|
|
|
88 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
As of October 31, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed capital gains | $ | 504,410 | ||
Other losses | (13,606 | )(a) | ||
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | 2,350,610 | (b) | ||
|
| |||
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | $ | 2,841,414 | (c) | |
|
|
(a) | As of October 31, 2021, the cumulative deferred loss on straddles was $13,606. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), the tax treatment of swaps, the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, and the tax treatment of callable bonds. |
(c) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) are attributable primarily to the accrual of foreign capital gains tax, the tax treatment of defaulted securities, and dividends payable. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of October 31, 2021, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
During the current fiscal year, there were no permanent differences that resulted in adjustments to distributable earnings or additional paid-in capital.
NOTE I
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU 2020-04.
NOTE J
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 89 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.53 | $ 11.35 | $ 10.65 | $ 11.11 | $ 11.23 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .25 | .29 | .33 | .25 | .24 | † | ||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.11 | ) | .22 | .74 | (.44 | ) | (.06 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .14 | .51 | 1.07 | (.19 | ) | .18 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.28 | ) | (.33 | ) | (.37 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.23 | ) | ||||||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.14 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.03 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.42 | ) | (.33 | ) | (.37 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.30 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.25 | $ 11.53 | $ 11.35 | $ 10.65 | $ 11.11 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 1.22 | % | 4.60 | % | 10.23 | % | (1.75 | )% | 1.68 | %† | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $203,168 | $224,484 | $221,033 | $216,950 | $240,386 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | .77 | % | .77 | % | .77 | % | .77 | % | .79 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | .99 | % | .99 | % | 1.04 | % | 1.01 | % | 1.03 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 2.23 | % | 2.58 | % | 2.98 | % | 2.29 | % | 2.16 | %† | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 128 | % | 83 | % | 74 | % | 195 | % | 209 | % |
See footnote summary on page 97.
90 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.50 | $ 11.32 | $ 10.63 | $ 11.08 | $ 11.21 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .17 | .21 | .25 | .17 | .15 | † | ||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.11 | ) | .22 | .73 | (.43 | ) | (.06 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .06 | .43 | .98 | (.26 | ) | .09 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.19 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.19 | ) | (.16 | ) | ||||||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.14 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.02 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.33 | ) | (.25 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.19 | ) | (.22 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.23 | $ 11.50 | $ 11.32 | $ 10.63 | $ 11.08 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | .55 | % | 3.83 | % | 9.33 | % | (2.40 | )% | .83 | %† | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $5,682 | $10,128 | $10,564 | $11,334 | $15,676 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.52 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.55 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | 1.74 | % | 1.75 | % | 1.79 | % | 1.76 | % | 1.78 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.51 | % | 1.84 | % | 2.24 | % | 1.54 | % | 1.38 | %† | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 128 | % | 83 | % | 74 | % | 195 | % | 209 | % |
See footnote summary on page 97.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 91 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.53 | $ 11.35 | $ 10.65 | $ 11.11 | $ 11.24 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .28 | .32 | .35 | .28 | .27 | † | ||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.10 | ) | .22 | .75 | (.44 | ) | (.07 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .18 | .54 | 1.10 | (.16 | ) | .20 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.31 | ) | (.36 | ) | (.40 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.25 | ) | ||||||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.14 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.45 | ) | (.36 | ) | (.40 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.33 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.26 | $ 11.53 | $ 11.35 | $ 10.65 | $ 11.11 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return |
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 1.56 | % | 4.86 | % | 10.50 | % | (1.50 | )% | 1.84 | %† | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $102,827 | $122,108 | $104,850 | $76,406 | $67,357 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | .52 | % | .52 | % | .52 | % | .52 | % | .54 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | .74 | % | .74 | % | .79 | % | .76 | % | .78 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 2.47 | % | 2.82 | % | 3.21 | % | 2.55 | % | 2.41 | %† | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 128 | % | 83 | % | 74 | % | 195 | % | 209 | % |
See footnote summary on page 97.
92 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class R | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.52 | $ 11.34 | $ 10.65 | $ 11.10 | $ 11.23 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .23 | .26 | .30 | .23 | .21 | † | ||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.11 | ) | .22 | .74 | (.44 | ) | (.06 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .12 | .48 | 1.04 | (.21 | ) | .15 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.25 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.35 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.21 | ) | ||||||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.14 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.03 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.39 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.35 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.28 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.25 | $ 11.52 | $ 11.34 | $ 10.65 | $ 11.10 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 1.04 | % | 4.33 | % | 9.86 | % | (1.90 | )% | 1.34 | %† | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $746 | $1,802 | $3,298 | $2,814 | $2,699 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | 1.02 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.04 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | 1.37 | % | 1.37 | % | 1.42 | % | 1.35 | % | 1.39 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 1.99 | % | 2.34 | % | 2.73 | % | 2.07 | % | 1.91 | %† | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 128 | % | 83 | % | 74 | % | 195 | % | 209 | % |
See footnote summary on page 97.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 93 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class K | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.54 | $ 11.36 | $ 10.66 | $ 11.11 | $ 11.24 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .25 | .29 | .33 | .25 | .24 | † | ||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.11 | ) | .22 | .74 | (.43 | ) | (.07 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .14 | .51 | 1.07 | (.18 | ) | .17 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.28 | ) | (.33 | ) | (.37 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.23 | ) | ||||||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.14 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.03 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.42 | ) | (.33 | ) | (.37 | ) | (.27 | ) | (.30 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.26 | $ 11.54 | $ 11.36 | $ 10.66 | $ 11.11 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 1.22 | % | 4.59 | % | 10.22 | % | (1.66 | )% | 1.59 | %† | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $5,736 | $6,580 | $7,444 | $7,863 | $5,876 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | .77 | % | .77 | % | .77 | % | .77 | % | .79 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | 1.06 | % | 1.07 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.08 | % | 1.09 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 2.24 | % | 2.59 | % | 2.98 | % | 2.32 | % | 2.15 | %† | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 128 | % | 83 | % | 74 | % | 195 | % | 209 | % |
See footnote summary on page 97.
94 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class I | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.55 | $ 11.36 | $ 10.66 | $ 11.12 | $ 11.24 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .28 | .32 | .36 | .28 | .27 | † | ||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.11 | ) | .23 | .74 | (.44 | ) | (.06 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .17 | .55 | 1.10 | (.16 | ) | .21 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.31 | ) | (.36 | ) | (.40 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.25 | ) | ||||||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.14 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.45 | ) | (.36 | ) | (.40 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.33 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.27 | $ 11.55 | $ 11.36 | $ 10.66 | $ 11.12 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 1.46 | % | 4.93 | % | 10.50 | % | (1.50 | )% | 1.93 | %† | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $1,819 | $2,743 | $4,107 | $2,894 | $2,729 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | .52 | % | .52 | % | .52 | % | .52 | % | .54 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | .68 | % | .70 | % | .75 | % | .72 | % | .75 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 2.48 | % | 2.85 | % | 3.22 | % | 2.57 | % | 2.41 | %† | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 128 | % | 83 | % | 74 | % | 195 | % | 209 | % |
See footnote summary on page 97.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 95 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Class Z | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.55 | $ 11.37 | $ 10.67 | $ 11.13 | $ 11.26 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a)(b) | .29 | .32 | .36 | .27 | .27 | † | ||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | (.12 | ) | .22 | .74 | (.43 | ) | (.07 | ) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from Affiliates | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | – 0 | – | .00 | (c) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | .17 | .54 | 1.10 | (.16 | ) | .20 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Dividends and Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.31 | ) | (.36 | ) | (.40 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.25 | ) | ||||||||||
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | (.14 | ) | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | – 0 | – | (.04 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.45 | ) | (.36 | ) | (.40 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.33 | ) | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.27 | $ 11.55 | $ 11.37 | $ 10.67 | $ 11.13 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total Return | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment return based on net asset value(d) | 1.46 | % | 4.84 | % | 10.48 | % | (1.49 | )% | 1.84 | %† | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $3,193 | $5,824 | $8,059 | $7,274 | $24,653 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets of: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | .52 | % | .52 | % | .52 | % | .52 | % | .54 | % | ||||||||||
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | .64 | % | .64 | % | .68 | % | .64 | % | .66 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income(b) | 2.51 | % | 2.82 | % | 3.22 | % | 2.48 | % | 2.42 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate** | 128 | % | 83 | % | 74 | % | 195 | % | 209 | % |
See footnote summary on page 97.
96 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(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 portfolio distributions or the redemption of portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
† | For the year ended October 31, 2017, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
Net Investment Income Per Share | Net Investment Income Ratio | Total Return | ||
$.002 | .02% | .02% |
** | The Fund accounts for dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales. |
See notes to financial statements.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 97 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
AB Total Return Bond Portfolio
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AB Total Return Bond Portfolio, formerly AB Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Fund”), (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2021, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the portfolios constituting AB Bond Fund, Inc.) on October 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures
98 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)
included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more of the AB investment companies since 1968.
New York, New York
December 23, 2021
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 99 |
2021 FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
(unaudited)
For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during the taxable year ended October 31, 2021. For foreign shareholders, 98.36% of ordinary income dividends paid may be considered to be qualifying to be taxed as interest-related dividends.
The Fund designates $6,253,596 of dividends paid as long-term capital gains dividends.
Shareholders should not use the above information to prepare their income tax returns. The information necessary to complete your income tax returns will be included with your Form 1099-DIV which will be sent to you separately in January 2022.
100 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1), Chairman Jorge A. Bermudez(1) Michael J. Downey(1) Onur Erzan, President and Chief Executive Officer | Nancy P. Jacklin(1) Jeanette W. Loeb(1) Carol C. McMullen(1) Garry L. Moody(1) Earl D. Weiner(1),* |
OFFICERS
Michael Canter(2), Vice President Janaki Rao(2), Vice President Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary Michael B. Reyes, Senior Analyst | Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Phyllis J. Clarke, Controller Vincent S. Noto, Chief Compliance Officer |
Custodian and Accounting Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company State Street Corporation CCB/5 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02210
Principal Underwriter AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. 501 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203
Transfer Agent AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278 Toll-Free (800) 221-5672 | Independent Registered Public Ernst & Young LLP One Manhattan West New York, NY 10001
Legal Counsel Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 |
1 | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, and the Independent Directors Committee. |
2 | The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s U.S. Investment Grade Core Fixed Income Team. Messrs. Canter and Rao are the investment professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. |
* | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 101 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Directors Information
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL DURING PAST FIVE YEARS | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
INTERESTED DIRECTOR | ||||||||
Onur Erzan,# 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105 45 (2021) | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and Head of the Global Client Group overseeing AB’s institutional and retail businesses, where he is responsible for all client services, sales and marketing, as well as product strategy, management and development worldwide. Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AB Mutual Funds as of April 1, 2021. Prior to joining the firm in January 2021, he spent 20 years with McKinsey (management consulting firm), most recently as a senior partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice. In addition, he co-led McKinsey’s Banking & Securities Solutions (a portfolio of data, analytics, and digital assets and capabilities) globally. | 74 | None |
102 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL DURING PAST FIVE YEARS | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS | ||||||||
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,## Chairman of the Board 80 (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Former Chairman and CEO of Dupont Photomasks, Inc. (components of semi-conductor manufacturing). He was a Director of Xilinx, Inc. (programmable logic semi-conductors and adaptable, intelligent computing) from 2007 through August 2020, and is a former director of 33 other companies and organizations. He has extensive operating leadership and venture capital investing experience, including five interim or full-time CEO roles, and prior service as general partner of institutional venture capital partnerships. He also has extensive non-profit board leadership experience, and currently serves on the boards of two education and science-related non-profit organizations. He has served as a director of one AB Fund since 1992, and director or trustee of all AB Funds since 2005. He has been Chairman of the AB Funds since January 2014, and the Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of such AB Funds since February 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 103 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL DURING PAST FIVE YEARS | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Jorge A. Bermudez,## 70 (2020) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, from November 2007 to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s Commercial Business Group in North America and Citibank Texas from 2005 to 2007, and a variety of other executive and leadership roles at various businesses within Citigroup prior to then; Chairman (2018) of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees (Trustee since 2013) and Chairman of the Smart Grid Center Board at Texas A&M University since 2012; director of, among others, Citibank N.A. from 2005 to 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch from 2009 to 2011, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2011 to 2017, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas from 2010 to 2016. He has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since January 2020. | 74 | Moody’s Corporation since April 2011 | |||||
Michael J. Downey,## 77 (2005) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Chairman of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (registered investment company) since prior to 2016 until January 2019. From 1987 until 1993, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management, director of the Prudential mutual funds, and member of the Executive Committee of Prudential Securities Inc. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2005. | 74 | None | |||||
104 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL DURING PAST FIVE YEARS | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Nancy P. Jacklin,## 73 (2006) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Professorial Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (2008-2015). U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (which is responsible for ensuring the stability of the international monetary system), (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2006 and has been Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds since August 2014. | 74 | None | |||||
Jeanette W. Loeb,## 69 (2020) | Chief Executive Officer of PetCareRx (e-commerce pet pharmacy) from 2002 to 2011 and 2015 to present. Director of New York City Center since 2005. She was a director of AB Multi-Manager Alternative Fund, Inc. (fund of hedge funds) from 2012 to 2018. Formerly, affiliated with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (financial services) from 1977 to 1994, including as a partner thereof from 1986 to 1994. She has served as director or trustee of the AB Funds since April 2020. | 74 | Apollo Investment Corp. (business development company) since August 2011 |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 105 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL DURING PAST FIVE YEARS | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Carol C. McMullen,## 66 (2016) | Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) since 2014, private investor and a member of the Advisory Board of Butcher Box (since 2018). Formerly, member, Partners Healthcare Investment Committee (2010-2019); Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011 until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016 and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 to 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Chief Investment Officer, Core and Growth and Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards, and as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since June 2016. | 74 | None | |||||
106 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL DURING PAST FIVE YEARS | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Garry L. Moody,## 69 (2008) | Private Investor since prior to 2016. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995), where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975-1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax department. He is a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of BoardIQ, a biweekly publication focused on issues and news affecting directors of mutual funds. He is also a member of the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and the Independent Directors Council’s Governing Council. He has served as a director or trustee and as Chairman of the Audit Committees of the AB Funds since 2008. | 74 | None | |||||
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 107 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE (YEAR FIRST ELECTED**) | PRINCIPAL DURING PAST FIVE YEARS | PORTFOLIOS IN AB FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY DIRECTOR | OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY DIRECTORSHIPS CURRENTLY HELD BY DIRECTOR | |||||
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) | ||||||||
Earl D. Weiner,## ^ 82 (2007) | Senior Counsel since 2017, Of Counsel from 2007 to 2016, and Partner prior to then, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. He is a former member of the ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force to draft editions of the Fund Director’s Guidebook. He also serves as a director or trustee of various non-profit organizations and has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of a number of them. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2007 and served as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds from 2007 until August 2014. | 72 | None |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention: Legal & Compliance Department-Mutual Fund Legal, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors. |
*** | The information above includes each Director’s principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes and skills relevant to each Director’s qualifications to serve as a Director, which led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director for the Fund. |
# | Mr. Erzan is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the “40 Act”, due to his position as a Senior Vice President of the Adviser. |
## | Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee. |
^ | Mr. Weiner is expected to retire on or about December 31, 2021. |
108 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)
Officer Information
Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is set forth below.
NAME, ADDRESS* AND AGE | PRINCIPAL POSITION(S) HELD WITH FUND | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST 5 YEARS | ||
Onur Erzan 45 | President and Chief Executive Officer | See biography above. | ||
Michael Canter 52 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. He is also Director of Securitized Assets and U.S. Multi-Sector Income. | ||
Janaki Rao 51 | Vice President | Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Emilie D. Wrapp 66 | Secretary | Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Michael B. Reyes 45 | Senior Analyst | Vice President of the Adviser**, with which has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Joseph J. Mantineo 62 | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Phyllis J. Clarke 60 | Controller | Vice President of ABIS**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2016. | ||
Vincent S. Noto 57 | Chief Compliance Officer | Senior Vice President and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser** since prior to 2016. |
* | The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. |
** | The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Fund. |
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AB at (800) 227-4618, or visit www.abfunds.com, for a free prospectus or SAI.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 109 |
Operation and Effectiveness of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program:
In October 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the open-end fund liquidity rule (the “Liquidity Rule”). In June 2018 the SEC adopted a requirement that funds disclose information about the operation and effectiveness of their Liquidity Risk Management Program (“LRMP”) in their reports to shareholders.
One of the requirements of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund to designate an Administrator of the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The Administrator of the Fund’s LRMP is AllianceBernstein L.P., the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser has delegated the responsibility to its Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).
Another requirement of the Liquidity Rule is for the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Fund Board”) to receive an annual written report from the Administrator of the LRMP, which addresses the operation of the Fund’s LRMP and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness. The Adviser provided the Fund Board with such annual report during the first quarter of 2021, which covered the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the “Program Reporting Period”).
The LRMP’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner.
Pursuant to the LRMP, the Fund classifies the liquidity of its portfolio investments into one of the four categories defined by the SEC: Highly Liquid, Moderately Liquid, Less Liquid, and Illiquid. These classifications are reported to the SEC on Form N-PORT.
During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end structure, incorporating any holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. If the Fund participated in derivative transactions, the exposure from such transactions were considered in the LRMP.
The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether the Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”). The Committee also incorporated the following information when determining the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size for purposes of liquidity monitoring: historical net redemption activity, a Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, investment performance, total net assets, and distribution channels.
The Adviser informed the Fund Board that the Committee believes the Fund’s LRMP is adequately designed, has been implemented as intended,
110 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
and has operated effectively since its inception. No material exceptions have been noted since the implementation of the LRMP. During the Program Reporting Period, beginning in March 2020, all financial markets experienced extreme levels of price volatility and relative illiquidity resulting from the COVID-19 impacts on the global economy. This extreme relative illiquidity resulted in significantly wider bid-ask spreads to transact in securities, including many of those securities held by the Fund, and in a diminished depth of liquidity in most markets, to varying degrees. Nonetheless, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions during the Program Reporting Period.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 111 |
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Total Return Bond Portfolio (formerly AB Intermediate Bond Portfolio) (the “Fund”) at a meeting held by video conference on November 3-5, 2020 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests a portion of its assets.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment.
112 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2018 and 2019 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant at the requests of the directors. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency and distribution services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 113 |
expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of certain classes of the Fund’s shares; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended July 31, 2020 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees payable by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and noted that it was close to the median. The directors took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. For this purpose,
114 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to any sub-advised funds utilizing investment strategies similar to those of the Fund, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant. The directors also compared the advisory fee rate for the Fund with that for another fund advised by the Adviser utilizing similar investment strategies.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore or sub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 115 |
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
116 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.
AB FAMILY OF FUNDS
US EQUITY
CORE
Core Opportunities Fund
Select US Equity Portfolio
Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio1
GROWTH
Concentrated Growth Fund
Discovery Growth Fund
Growth Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
VALUE
Discovery Value Fund
Equity Income Fund
Relative Value Fund
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value Fund
INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY
CORE
Global Core Equity Portfolio
International Strategic Core Portfolio
Sustainable Global Thematic Fund
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
GROWTH
Concentrated International Growth Portfolio
Sustainable International Thematic Fund
VALUE
All China Equity Portfolio
International Value Fund
FIXED INCOME
MUNICIPAL
High Income Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio
Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
National Portfolio
Arizona Portfolio
California Portfolio
Massachusetts Portfolio
Minnesota Portfolio
New Jersey Portfolio
New York Portfolio
Ohio Portfolio
Pennsylvania Portfolio
Virginia Portfolio
TAXABLE
Bond Inflation Strategy
Global Bond Fund
High Income Fund
High Yield Portfolio1
Income Fund
Intermediate Duration Portfolio
Limited Duration High Income Portfolio
Short Duration Income Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Total Return Bond Portfolio
ALTERNATIVES
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Select US Long/Short Portfolio
MULTI-ASSET
All Market Income Portfolio
All Market Total Return Portfolio
Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio
Global Risk Allocation Fund
Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio1
Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio
CLOSED-END FUNDS
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund
We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB mutual funds. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
1 | Prior to December 1, 2021, Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio was named Conservative Wealth Strategy. Prior to August 23, 2021, Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio was named FlexFee™ US Thematic Portfolio. Prior to April 30, 2021, High Yield Portfolio was named FlexFee™ High Yield Portfolio. |
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 117 |
NOTES
118 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
NOTES
abfunds.com | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | 119 |
NOTES
120 | AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO | abfunds.com |
AB TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800 221 5672
TRB-0151-1021
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
(a) The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. A copy of the registrant’s code of ethics is filed herewith as Exhibit 12(a)(1).
(b) During the period covered by this report, no material amendments were made to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above.
(c) During the period covered by this report, no implicit or explicit waivers to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above were granted.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
The registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that independent directors Garry L. Moody, Marshall C. Turner, Jr. and Jorge A. Bermudez qualify as audit committee financial experts.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
(a) - (c) The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by the independent registered public accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP, for the Fund’s last two fiscal years for professional services rendered for: (i) the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements included in the Fund’s annual report to stockholders; (ii) assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Fund’s financial statements and are not reported under (i), which include advice and education related to accounting and auditing issues and quarterly press release review (for those Funds which issue press releases), and preferred stock maintenance testing (for those Funds that issue preferred stock); and (iii) tax compliance, tax advice and tax return preparation.
Audit Fees | Audit-Related Fees | Tax Fees | ||||||||||||||
AB Total Return Bond Portfolio | 2020 | $ | 84,906 | $ | 1,020 | $ | 11,114 | |||||||||
2021 | $ | 84,906 | $ | — | $ | 17,169 | ||||||||||
AB Bond Inflation Strategy | 2020 | $ | 96,097 | $ | — | $ | 11,114 | |||||||||
2021 | $ | 96,097 | $ | — | $ | 25,664 | ||||||||||
AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy | 2020 | $ | 69,532 | $ | — | $ | 9,367 | |||||||||
2021 | $ | 69,532 | $ | — | $ | 16,235 | ||||||||||
` | ||||||||||||||||
AB All Market Real Return | 2020 | $ | 87,794 | $ | — | $ | 33,887 | |||||||||
2021 | $ | 87,794 | $ | — | $ | 62,754 | ||||||||||
AB Short Duration Income | 2020 | $ | 30,961 | $ | — | $ | 9,445 | |||||||||
2021 | $ | 41,281 | $ | — | $ | 30,840 | ||||||||||
AB Tax Aware Fixed Income | 2020 | $ | 36,060 | $ | — | $ | 15,550 | |||||||||
2021 | $ | 36,060 | $ | — | $ | 24,797 | ||||||||||
AB Income | 2020 | $ | 121,160 | $ | — | $ | 16,391 | |||||||||
2021 | $ | 121,160 | $ | — | $ | 39,544 | ||||||||||
AB Sustainable Thematic Credit | 2020 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||
2021 | $ | 33,750 | $ | — | $ | 11,900 | ||||||||||
AB High Yield | 2020 | $ | 111,951 | $ | — | $ | 6,219 | |||||||||
2021 | $ | 111,951 | $ | 3,000 | $ | 22,569 |
(d) Not applicable.
(e) (1) Beginning with audit and non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the Fund’s Audit Committee policies and procedures require the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided to the Fund by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Fund’s Audit Committee policies and procedures also require pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided to the Adviser and Service Affiliates to the extent that these services are directly related to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund.
(e) (2) All of the amounts for Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees and Tax Fees in the table under Item 4 (a) – (c) are for services pre-approved by the Fund’s Audit Committee.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) The following table sets forth the aggregate non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Fund’s Adviser and entities that control, are controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund:
All Fees for Non-Audit Services Provided to the Portfolio, the Adviser and Service Affiliates | Total Amount of Foregoing Column Pre-approved by the Audit Committee (Portion Comprised of Audit Related Fees) (Portion Comprised of Tax Fees) | |||||||||||
AB Total Return Bond Portfolio | 2020 | $ | 1,025,571 | $ | 12,134 | |||||||
$ | (1,020 | ) | ||||||||||
$ | (11,114 | ) | ||||||||||
2021 | $ | 1,078,309 | $ | 17,169 | ||||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (17,169 | ) | ||||||||||
AB Bond Inflation Strategy | 2020 | $ | 1,024,551 | $ | 11,114 | |||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (11,114 | ) | ||||||||||
2021 | $ | 1,086,804 | $ | 25,664 | ||||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (25,664 | ) | ||||||||||
AB Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy | 2020 | $ | 1,022,804 | $ | 9,367 | |||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (9,367 | ) | ||||||||||
2021 | $ | 1,077,375 | $ | 16,235 | ||||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (16,235 | ) | ||||||||||
AB All Market Real Return | 2020 | $ | 1,047,324 | $ | 33,887 | |||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (33,887 | ) | ||||||||||
2021 | $ | 1,123,894 | $ | 62,754 | ||||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (62,754 | ) | ||||||||||
AB Short Duration Income | 2020 | $ | 1,022,882 | $ | 9,445 | |||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (9,445 | ) | ||||||||||
2021 | $ | 1,091,980 | $ | 30,840 | ||||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (30,840 | ) | ||||||||||
AB Tax Aware Fixed Income | 2020 | $ | 1,028,987 | $ | 15,550 | |||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (15,550 | ) | ||||||||||
2021 | $ | 1,085,937 | $ | 24,797 | ||||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (24,797 | ) | ||||||||||
AB Income | 2020 | $ | 1,029,828 | $ | 16,391 | |||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (16,391 | ) | ||||||||||
2021 | $ | 1,100,684 | $ | 39,544 | ||||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (39,544 | ) | ||||||||||
AB Sustainable Thematic Credit | 2020 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
2021 | $ | 1,073,040 | $ | 11,900 | ||||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (11,900 | ) | ||||||||||
AB High Yield | 2020 | $ | 904,270 | $ | 6,219 | |||||||
$ | — | |||||||||||
$ | (6,219 | ) | ||||||||||
2021 | $ | 1,086,709 | $ | 25,569 | ||||||||
$ | (3,000 | ) | ||||||||||
$ | (22,569 | ) |
(h) The Audit Committee of the Fund has considered whether the provision of any non-audit services not pre-approved by the Audit Committee provided by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm to the Adviser and Service Affiliates is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 6. 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-3 (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. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.
The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:
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): AB Bond Fund, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Onur Erzan | |
Onur Erzan | ||
President | ||
Date: December 30, 2021 |
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/ Onur Erzan | |
Onur Erzan | ||
President | ||
Date: | December 30, 2021 | |
By: | /s/ Joseph J. Mantineo | |
Joseph J. Mantineo | ||
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | ||
Date: | December 30, 2021 |