EXHIBIT 13.2
Part I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(in thousands)
ASSETS | | 9/30/01 | | 12/31/00 | |
| | (unaudited) | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 176,407 | | $ | 216,251 | |
Cash and securities segregated, at market (cost of $1,082,774 and $1,289,120, respectively) | | 1,093,478 | | 1,306,334 | |
Receivables: | | | | | |
Brokers and dealers | | 634,547 | | 1,316,694 | |
Brokerage clients | | 220,059 | | 187,945 | |
Fees | | 297,250 | | 401,609 | |
Investments, available-for-sale | | 501,909 | | 340,318 | |
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net | | 232,112 | | 199,699 | |
Intangible assets, net | | 3,308,626 | | 3,430,708 | |
Deferred sales commissions, net | | 667,826 | | 715,692 | |
Other investments | | 49,592 | | 52,925 | |
Other assets | | 98,354 | | 102,587 | |
Total assets | | $ | 7,280,160 | | $ | 8,270,762 | |
| | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | |
Payables: | | | | | |
Brokers and dealers | | $ | 425,603 | | $ | 882,576 | |
Brokerage clients | | 1,359,664 | | 1,636,869 | |
Alliance Mutual Funds | | 221,489 | | 279,249 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | 184,845 | | 238,640 | |
Accrued compensation and benefits | | 482,831 | | 313,426 | |
Debt | | 577,377 | | 782,232 | |
Minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries | | 7,135 | | 4,093 | |
Total liabilities | | 3,258,944 | | 4,137,085 | |
| | | | | |
Partners' capital | | 4,021,216 | | 4,133,677 | |
Total liabilities and partners' capital | | $ | 7,280,160 | | $ | 8,270,762 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per Unit amounts)
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
Investment advisory and services fees | | $ | 489,702 | | $ | 394,178 | | $ | 1,494,336 | | $ | 1,146,009 | |
Distribution revenues | | 133,941 | | 167,023 | | 412,638 | | 469,701 | |
Institutional research services | | 63,551 | | - | | 199,162 | | - | |
Shareholder servicing fees | | 24,719 | | 21,462 | | 71,928 | | 62,442 | |
Other revenues, net | | 12,933 | | 32,923 | | 49,386 | | 50,777 | |
| | 724,846 | | 615,586 | | 2,227,450 | | 1,728,929 | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
Employee compensation and benefits | | 219,117 | | 138,771 | | 666,432 | | 398,860 | |
Promotion and servicing: | | | | | | | | | |
Distribution plan payments | | 120,948 | | 121,769 | | 369,119 | | 357,578 | |
Amortization of deferred sales commissions | | 57,373 | | 56,726 | | 173,577 | | 160,612 | |
Other | | 42,064 | | 33,634 | | 137,680 | | 101,772 | |
General and administrative | | 76,374 | | 48,691 | | 231,267 | | 147,720 | |
Interest | | 5,363 | | 8,131 | | 26,528 | | 32,521 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | 43,140 | | 981 | | 129,407 | | 2,937 | |
Non-recurring item | | - | | - | | - | | (23,853 | ) |
| | 564,379 | | 408,703 | | 1,734,010 | | 1,178,147 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | | 160,467 | | 206,883 | | 493,440 | | 550,782 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income taxes | | 9,629 | | 11,377 | | 29,608 | | 30,291 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 150,838 | | $ | 195,506 | | $ | 463,832 | | $ | 520,491 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income per Unit: | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.60 | | $ | 0.95 | | $ | 1.85 | | $ | 2.81 | |
Diluted | | $ | 0.59 | | $ | 0.91 | | $ | 1.81 | | $ | 2.69 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Changes in Partners' Capital
and Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | |
Partners' capital - beginning of period | | $ | 4,054,898 | | $ | 2,148,158 | | $ | 4,133,677 | | $ | 552,667 | |
Comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | 150,838 | | 195,506 | | 463,832 | | 520,491 | |
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net | | (1,538 | ) | (488 | ) | (2,266 | ) | (261 | ) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net | | 1,553 | | (1,339 | ) | (1,212 | ) | (1,946 | ) |
Comprehensive income | | 150,853 | | 193,679 | | 460,354 | | 518,284 | |
Capital contributions from General Partner | | 118 | | 96 | | 354 | | 273 | |
Cash distribution to partners | | (195,146 | ) | (146,294 | ) | (597,620 | ) | (446,672 | ) |
Purchase of Alliance Holding Units to fund deferred compensation plans | | - | | (98,991 | ) | (9,206 | ) | (146,626 | ) |
Amortization of deferred compensation expense | | 4,747 | | 2,248 | | 16,378 | | 8,619 | |
Proceeds from issuance of Alliance Capital Units to ELAS and AXA Financial | | - | | - | | - | | 1,629,525 | |
Purchase of Alliance Capital Units from Alliance Holding | | - | | - | | - | | (28,042 | ) |
Proceeds from options for Alliance Holding Units exercised | | 5,746 | | 3,415 | | 17,279 | | 14,283 | |
Partners' capital - end of period | | $ | 4,021,216 | | $ | 2,102,311 | | $ | 4,021,216 | | $ | 2,102,311 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| | Nine Months Ended | |
| | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 463,832 | | $ | 520,491 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities: | | | | | |
Amortization and depreciation | | 334,394 | | 189,121 | |
Non-recurring item | | - | | (23,853 | ) |
Other, net | | 45,632 | | 29,118 | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | |
Decrease in segregated cash and securities | | 212,856 | | - | |
Decrease in receivable from brokers and dealers | | 682,204 | | 44,275 | |
Increase in receivable from brokerage clients | | (32,114 | ) | - | |
Decrease in fees receivable | | 103,726 | | 38,797 | |
(Increase) in deferred sales commissions | | (125,702 | ) | (282,503 | ) |
Decrease (increase) in other investments | | 1,662 | | (2,049 | ) |
Decrease (increase) in other assets | | 3,588 | | (3,689 | ) |
(Decrease) increase in payable to Alliance Mutual Funds | | (57,724 | ) | 18,038 | |
(Decrease) increase in payable to brokers and dealers | | (456,981 | ) | 120,392 | |
(Decrease) in payable to brokerage clients | | (277,205 | ) | - | |
(Decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses | | (48,886 | ) | (43,622 | ) |
Increase in accrued compensation and benefits, less deferred compensation | | 157,456 | | 150,552 | |
Net cash provided from operating activities | | 1,006,738 | | 755,068 | |
| | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | |
Purchase of investments | | (1,905,662 | ) | (3,128,440 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of investments | | 1,741,428 | | 1,357,845 | |
Additions to furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net | | (63,322 | ) | (44,934 | ) |
Other | | (6,779 | ) | - | |
Net cash (used in) investing activities | | (234,335 | ) | (1,815,529 | ) |
| | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of debt | | 15,326,209 | | 5,058,639 | |
Repayment of debt | | (15,548,830 | ) | (4,942,982 | ) |
Cash distribution to partners | | (597,620 | ) | (446,672 | ) |
Proceeds from issuance of Alliance Capital Units to ELAS and AXA Financial | | - | | 1,629,525 | |
Purchase of Alliance Capital Units from Alliance Holding | | - | | (28,042 | ) |
Capital contributions from General Partner | | 354 | | 273 | |
Proceeds from options for Alliance Holding Units exercised | | 17,279 | | 14,283 | |
Purchase of Alliance Holding Units to fund deferred compensation plans | | (9,206 | ) | (146,626 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | (811,814 | ) | 1,138,398 | |
| | | | | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | (433 | ) | (1,991 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | (39,844 | ) | 75,946 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | 216,251 | | 80,185 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 176,407 | | $ | 156,131 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2001
(unaudited)
1. Organization and Bernstein Acquisition
Alliance Capital Management Corporation (“ACMC”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc. (“AXA Financial”), is the general partner of both Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”) and Alliance Capital Management L.P. (“Alliance Capital” or the “Operating Partnership”). AXA Financial is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA, a French company, that is a holding company for an international group of insurance and related financial services companies. Alliance Capital is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Alliance Holding Units are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange while Alliance Capital Units do not trade publicly and are subject to significant restrictions on transfer.
On October 2, 2000, the Operating Partnership acquired the business and assets of SCB Inc., an investment research and management company formerly known as Sanford C. Bernstein Inc. (“Bernstein”), and assumed the liabilities of Bernstein (“Bernstein Acquisition”). The purchase price consisted of a cash payment of $1.4754 billion and 40.8 million newly issued Alliance Capital Units. AXA Financial purchased approximately 32.6 million newly issued Alliance Capital Units for $1.6 billion on June 21, 2000 to fund the cash portion of the purchase price.
At September 30, 2001, Alliance Holding owned approximately 74.6 million, or 30.0%, of the issued and outstanding Alliance Capital Units. ACMC owns 100,000 general partnership Units in Alliance Holding and a 1% general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. At September 30, 2001, AXA Financial was the beneficial owner of approximately 2.1% of the outstanding Alliance Holding Units and approximately 51.7% of the outstanding Alliance Capital Units which, including the general partnership interests in the Operating Partnership and Alliance Holding, represents an economic interest of approximately 52.8% in the Operating Partnership. At September 30, 2001, SCB Partners Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCB Inc., was the beneficial owner of approximately 16.4% of the outstanding Alliance Capital Units.
2. Business Description
The Operating Partnership provides diversified investment management and related services globally to a broad range of clients including (a) institutional investors, consisting of unaffiliated entities such as corporate and public employee pension funds, endowment funds, domestic and foreign institutions and governments and affiliates such as AXA and its insurance company subsidiaries, by means of separate accounts, sub-advisory relationships resulting from the efforts of the institutional marketing department, structured products, group trusts and mutual funds and classes of mutual fund shares sold exclusively to institutional investors and high net worth individuals, (b) private clients, consisting of high net worth individuals, trusts and estates, charitable foundations, partnerships, private and family corporations and other entities, by means of separate accounts, hedge funds and certain other vehicles, (c) individual investors by means of publicly distributed mutual funds sponsored by the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries and affiliated joint venture companies including cash management products such as money market funds and deposit accounts and sub-advisory relationships in respect of mutual funds sponsored by third parties resulting from the efforts of the mutual fund marketing department (“Alliance Mutual Funds”) and “wrap” products, and (d) institutional investors by means of in-depth research, portfolio strategy, trading and brokerage-related services. The Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries provide investment management, distribution and shareholder and administrative services to the Alliance Mutual Funds.
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership included herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10–Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of (a) the Operating Partnership’s financial position at September 30, 2001, (b) the Operating Partnership’s results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000, and (c) the Operating Partnership’s cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000, have been made.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist principally of goodwill resulting from acquisitions and costs assigned to contracts of businesses acquired. Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from twenty to forty years. Costs assigned to investment contracts of businesses acquired are being amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of twenty years. Impairment of intangible assets is evaluated by comparing the undiscounted cash flows expected to be realized from those intangible assets to their recorded values. If the expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value of intangible assets, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of those intangible assets.
Deferred Sales Commissions
Sales commissions paid to financial intermediaries in connection with the sale of shares of open-end Alliance Mutual Funds sold without a front-end sales charge are capitalized and amortized over periods not exceeding five and one-half years, the period of time during which deferred sales commissions are expected to be recovered from distribution plan payments received from those funds and from contingent deferred sales charges received from shareholders of those funds upon the redemption of their shares. Contingent deferred sales charges reduce unamortized deferred sales commissions when received.
Revenue Recognition
Investment advisory and services base fees are recorded as revenue as the related services are performed. Certain investment advisory contracts provide for a performance fee, in addition to or in lieu of a base fee, that is calculated as either a percentage of absolute investment results or a percentage of investment results in excess of a stated benchmark over a specified period of time. Performance fees are recorded as revenue at the end of the measurement period. Investment advisory and services fees include brokerage transaction charges of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB LLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership, for substantially all private client transactions and certain institutional investment management client transactions. Distribution revenues and shareholder servicing fees are accrued as earned.
Institutional research services revenue consists of brokerage transaction charges and underwriting syndicate revenues related to services provided to certain institutional investors. Brokerage transaction charges earned and related expenses are recorded on a trade date basis. Syndicate participation and underwriting revenues include gains, losses and fees, net of syndicate expenses, arising from securities offerings in which SCB LLC acts as underwriter or agent. Syndicate participation and underwriting revenues are recorded on the offering date.
4. Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements
At September 30, 2001, $1,093,388,000 of United States Treasury Bills were segregated in a special reserve bank custody account for the exclusive benefit of customers under SEC rule 15c3-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
5. Net Income Per Unit
Basic net income per Unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% General Partner interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the weighted average number of Units outstanding. Diluted net income per Unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% General Partner interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the total of the weighted average number of Units outstanding and the dilutive Unit equivalents resulting from outstanding employee options. (In thousands, except per Unit amounts):
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | |
Net income | | $ | 150,838 | | $ | 195,506 | | $ | 463,832 | | $ | 520,491 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average Units outstanding - Basic | | 248,158 | | 204,341 | | 247,816 | | 183,687 | |
Dilutive effect of employee options | | 5,823 | | 8,243 | | 6,041 | | 7,884 | |
Weighted average Units outstanding - Diluted | | 253,981 | | 212,584 | | 253,857 | | 191,571 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Basic net income per Unit | | $ | 0.60 | | $ | 0.95 | | $ | 1.85 | | $ | 2.81 | |
Diluted net income per Unit | | $ | 0.59 | | $ | 0.91 | | $ | 1.81 | | $ | 2.69 | |
6. Commitments and Contingencies
On April 25, 2001, an amended class action complaint (“amended Miller Complaint”) entitled Miller, et al. v. Mitchell Hutchins Asset Management, Inc., et al., was filed in federal district court in the Southern District of Illinois against Alliance Capital, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. (“AFD”), and other defendants alleging violations of the federal Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“ICA”) and breaches of common law fiduciary duty.
The allegations in the amended Miller Complaint concern six mutual funds with which Alliance Capital has investment advisory agreements, including Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Alliance Health Care Fund, Alliance Growth Fund, Alliance Quasar Fund, Alliance Fund, and Alliance Disciplined Value Fund. The principal allegations of the amended complaint are that (i) certain advisory agreements concerning these funds were negotiated, approved, and executed in violation of the ICA, in particular because certain directors of these funds should be deemed interested under the ICA; (ii) the distribution plans for these funds were negotiated, approved, and executed in violation of the ICA; and (iii) the advisory fees and distribution fees paid to Alliance Capital and AFD, respectively, are excessive and, therefore, constitute a breach of fiduciary duty.
Alliance Capital and AFD believe that plaintiffs’ allegations are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against these allegations. At the present time, management of Alliance Capital and AFD are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of this action may have on Alliance Capital’s results of operations or financial condition.
Alliance Capital and Alliance Holding are involved in various other inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation, some of which allege substantial damages. While any proceeding or litigation has the element of uncertainty, Alliance Capital and Alliance Holding believe that the outcome of any one of the other lawsuits or claims that is pending or threatened, or all of them combined, will not have a material adverse effect on Alliance Capital’s or Alliance Holding’s results of operations or financial condition.
7. Income Taxes
The Operating Partnership is a private partnership for federal income tax purposes and, accordingly, is not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes. However, the Operating Partnership is subject to the New York City unincorporated business tax. Domestic corporate subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership, which are subject to federal, state and local income taxes, are generally included in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return. Separate state and local income tax returns are filed for domestic corporate subsidiaries. Foreign corporate subsidiaries are generally subject to taxes in the foreign jurisdictions where they are located.
8. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash payments for interest and income taxes were as follows (in thousands):
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | |
Interest | | $ | 3,770 | | $ | 5,144 | | $ | 23,781 | | $ | 17,519 | |
Income taxes | | 7,691 | | 12,354 | | 25,799 | | 33,773 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
9. Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, (“SFAS 133”)“Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. Management adopted this Statement on January 1, 2001 and the adoption of the Statement did not have a material effect on the Operating Partnership’s results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources.
In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, (“SFAS 141”) “Business Combinations” and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, (“SFAS 142”) “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. Under SFAS 141, which has been adopted by the Operating Partnership, the purchase method of accounting is required to be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. The adoption of SFAS 141 did not affect materially the Operating Partnership’s results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources.
SFAS 142 changes the accounting for goodwill and certain intangible assets from an amortization method to an impairment approach. Thus, amortization of goodwill, including goodwill recorded in connection with past business combinations, will cease upon adoption of that Statement. However, SFAS 142 requires that goodwill be tested periodically for impairment. Management intends to adopt SFAS 142 on January 1, 2002. The impact of the adoption of SFAS 142 on the Operating Partnership’s results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources has not yet been determined.
In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, (“SFAS 144”) “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. SFAS 144 replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, (“SFAS 121”) “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of” and replaces APB Opinion No. 30, (“APB 30”) “Reporting Results of Operations-Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business”. Management intends to adopt this Statement on January 1, 2002 and does not believe that the adoption of the Statement will have a material effect on the Operating Partnership’s results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources.
10. Cash Distribution
On November 1, 2001, the General Partner declared a distribution of $188,196,000 or $0.75 per Alliance Capital Unit representing a distribution from Available Cash Flow (as defined in the Alliance Capital Partnership Agreement) of the Operating Partnership for the three months ended September 30, 2001. The distribution is payable on November 21, 2001 to holders of record on November 12, 2001.
11. Non-recurring Item
As a result of the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement entered into in respect of In re Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc. Securities Litigation, Alliance Capital recorded a non-cash gain of $22.5 million ($23.9 million pre-tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2000.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Organization and Bernstein Acquisition
Alliance Capital Management Corporation (“ACMC”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc. (“AXA Financial”), is the general partner of both Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”) and Alliance Capital Management L.P. (“Alliance Capital” or the “Operating Partnership”). AXA Financial is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA, a French company, that is a holding company for an international group of insurance and related financial services companies. Alliance Capital is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Alliance Holding Units are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange while Alliance Capital Units do not trade publicly and are subject to significant restrictions on transfer.
On October 2, 2000, the Operating Partnership acquired the business and assets of SCB Inc., an investment research and management company formerly known as Sanford C. Bernstein Inc. (“Bernstein”), and assumed the liabilities of Bernstein (“Bernstein Acquisition”). The purchase price consisted of a cash payment of $1.4754 billion and 40.8 million newly issued Alliance Capital Units. AXA Financial purchased approximately 32.6 million newly issued Alliance Capital Units for $1.6 billion on June 21, 2000 to fund the cash portion of the purchase price.
At September 30, 2001, Alliance Holding owned approximately 74.6 million, or 30.0%, of the issued and outstanding Alliance Capital Units. ACMC owns 100,000 general partnership Units in Alliance Holding and a 1% general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. At September 30, 2001, AXA Financial was the beneficial owner of approximately 2.1% of the outstanding Alliance Holding Units and approximately 51.7% of the outstanding Alliance Capital Units which, including the general partnership interests in the Operating Partnership and Alliance Holding, represents an economic interest of approximately 52.8% in the Operating Partnership. At September 30, 2001, SCB Partners Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCB Inc., was the beneficial owner of approximately 16.4% of the outstanding Alliance Capital Units.
The Operating Partnership
The Operating Partnership provides diversified investment management and related services globally to a broad range of clients including (a) institutional investors, consisting of unaffiliated entities such as corporate and public employee pension funds, endowment funds, domestic and foreign institutions and governments and affiliates such as AXA and its insurance company subsidiaries, by means of separate accounts, sub-advisory relationships resulting from the efforts of the institutional marketing department, structured products, group trusts and mutual funds and classes of mutual fund shares sold exclusively to institutional investors and high net worth individuals, (b) private clients, consisting of high net worth individuals, trusts and estates, charitable foundations, partnerships, private and family corporations and other entities, by means of separate accounts, hedge funds and certain other vehicles, (c) individual investors by means of publicly distributed mutual funds sponsored by the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries and affiliated joint venture companies including cash management products such as money market funds and deposit accounts and sub-advisory relationships in respect of mutual funds sponsored by third parties resulting from the efforts of the mutual fund marketing department (“Alliance Mutual Funds”) and “wrap” products, and (d) institutional investors by means of in-depth research, portfolio strategy, trading and brokerage-related services. The Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries provide investment management, distribution and shareholder and administrative services to the Alliance Mutual Funds.
General
The Operating Partnership’s revenues are largely dependent on the total value and composition of assets under management. Assets under management were $421.4 billion as of September 30, 2001, an increase of 8.5% from September 30, 2000 primarily as a result of the Bernstein Acquisition, which added $85.8 billion at October 2, 2000, and net asset inflows, offset by market depreciation. Active equity and balanced account assets under management, which comprise approximately 58.2% of total assets under management, were 3.2% higher. Active fixed income assets under management, including cash management products, which comprise approximately 35.1% of total assets under management, increased by 29.8%.
Assets Under Management (1): | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in billions) | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | $ | Change | | % Change | |
Retail | | $ | 146.4 | | $ | 174.6 | | $ | (28.2 | ) | (16.2 | )% |
Institutional investment management | | 237.8 | | 209.6 | | 28.2 | | 13.5 | |
Private client | | 37.2 | | 4.2 | | 33.0 | | 785.7 | |
Total | | $ | 421.4 | | $ | 388.4 | | $ | 33.0 | | 8.5 | % |
Assets Under Management by Investment Orientation (1): | |
(Dollars in billions) | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | $ | Change | | % Change | |
Active equity & balanced - Growth | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic | | $ | 120.9 | | $ | 194.4 | | $ | (73.5 | ) | (37.8 | )% |
Global & international | | 35.9 | | 29.8 | | 6.1 | | 20.5 | |
Active equity & balanced - Value | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic | | 70.8 | | 13.2 | | 57.6 | | 436.4 | |
Global & international | | 17.6 | | 0.3 | | 17.3 | | 5,766.7 | |
Total active equity & balanced | | 245.2 | | 237.7 | | 7.5 | | 3.2 | |
Active fixed income | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic | | 117.8 | | 99.4 | | 18.4 | | 18.5 | |
Global & international | | 30.0 | | 14.5 | | 15.5 | | 106.9 | |
Passive | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic | | 22.7 | | 30.9 | | (8.2 | ) | (26.5 | ) |
Global & international | | 5.7 | | 5.9 | | (0.2 | ) | (3.4 | ) |
Total | | $ | 421.4 | | $ | 388.4 | | $ | 33.0 | | 8.5 | % |
Average Assets Under Management (1), (2): | |
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended | |
(Dollars in billions) | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | % Change | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | % Change | |
Retail | | $ | 157.6 | | $ | 174.5 | | (9.7% | ) | $ | 162.4 | | $ | 167.8 | | (3.2 | )% |
Institutional investment management | | 253.3 | | 213.6 | | 18.6 | | 252.9 | | 210.2 | | 20.3 | |
Private client | | 38.5 | | 4.7 | | 719.1 | | 38.0 | | 5.1 | | 645.1 | |
Total | | $ | 449.4 | | $ | 392.8 | | 14.4 | % | $ | 453.3 | | $ | 383.1 | | 18.3 | % |
Analysis of Assets Under Management – Three Month Periods (1): | |
| | 2001 | | 2000 | |
| | | | Institutional | | | | | | | | Institutional | | | | | |
| | | | Investment | | Private | | | | | | Investment | | Private | | | |
(Dollars in billions) | | Retail | | Mgmt | | Client | | Total | | Retail | | Mgmt | | Client | | Total | |
Balance at July 1, | | $ | 164.3 | | $ | 262.4 | | $ | 38.7 | | $ | 465.4 | | $ | 170.2 | | $ | 212.5 | | $ | 5.1 | | $ | 387.8 | |
Sales/new accounts | | 9.5 | | 4.3 | | 1.2 | | 15.0 | | 13.7 | | 3.5 | | 0.2 | | 17.4 | |
Redemptions/terminations | | (9.7 | ) | (2.1 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (12.3 | ) | (8.1 | ) | (2.8 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (11.0 | ) |
Net cash management sales | | 1.8 | | 1.8 | | 0.1 | | 3.7 | | 2.2 | | 2.8 | | - | | 5.0 | |
Cash flow/Unreinvested div. | | (1.0 | ) | 0.6 | | - | | (0.4 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (2.6 | ) | - | | (2.8 | ) |
Net asset inflows (outflows) | | 0.6 | | 4.6 | | 0.8 | | 6.0 | | 7.6 | | 0.9 | | 0.1 | | 8.6 | |
Market appreciation (depreciation) | | (18.5 | ) | (29.2 | ) | (2.3 | ) | (50.0 | ) | (3.2 | ) | (3.8 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (8.0 | ) |
Net change | | (17.9 | ) | (24.6 | ) | (1.5 | ) | (44.0 | ) | 4.4 | | (2.9 | ) | (0.9 | ) | 0.6 | |
Balance at September 30, | | $ | 146.4 | | $ | 237.8 | | $ | 37.2 | | $ | 421.4 | | $ | 174.6 | | $ | 209.6 | | $ | 4.2 | | $ | 388.4 | |
Analysis of Assets Under Management – Nine Month Periods (1): | |
| | 2001 | | 2000 | |
| | | | Institutional | | | | | | | | Institutional | | | | | |
| | | | Investment | | Private | | | | | | Investment | | Private | | | |
(Dollars in billions) | | Retail | | Mgmt | | Client | | Total | | Retail | | Mgmt | | Client | | Total | |
Balance at January 1, | | $ | 164.3 | | $ | 252.6 | | $ | 36.8 | | $ | 453.7 | | $ | 155.5 | | $ | 207.3 | | $ | 5.5 | | $ | 368.3 | |
Sales/new accounts | | 33.1 | | 27.0 | | 3.8 | | 63.9 | | 46.2 | | 10.0 | | 0.5 | | 56.7 | |
Redemptions/terminations | | (26.9 | ) | (7.3 | ) | (2.0 | ) | (36.2 | ) | (25.5 | ) | (5.9 | ) | (0.6 | ) | (32.0 | ) |
Net cash management sales | | 2.6 | | 3.6 | | 0.2 | | 6.4 | | 0.1 | | 3.5 | | - | | 3.6 | |
Cash flow/Unreinvested div. | | (1.3 | ) | 0.2 | | 0.1 | | (1.0 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (5.5 | ) | - | | (6.2 | ) |
Net asset inflows (outflows) | | 7.5 | | 23.5 | | 2.1 | | 33.1 | | 20.1 | | 2.1 | | (0.1 | ) | 22.1 | |
Australia JV Company | | 5.4 | | 3.2 | | - | | 8.6 | | - | | - | | - | | - | |
Discontinued affiliated JV companies | | (0.9 | ) | (0.3 | ) | - | | (1.2 | ) | - | | - | | - | | - | |
Transfer | | 0.8 | | (0.8 | ) | - | | - | | - | | - | | - | | - | |
Market appreciation (depreciation) | | (30.7 | ) | (40.4 | ) | (1.7 | ) | (72.8 | ) | (1.0 | ) | 0.2 | | (1.2 | ) | (2.0 | ) |
Net change | | (17.9 | ) | (14.8 | ) | 0.4 | | (32.3 | ) | 19.1 | | 2.3 | | (1.3 | ) | 20.1 | |
Balance at September 30, | | $ | 146.4 | | $ | 237.8 | | $ | 37.2 | | $ | 421.4 | | $ | 174.6 | | $ | 209.6 | | $ | 4.2 | | $ | 388.4 | |
(1) Excludes certain non-discretionary relationships. Includes 100% of assets under management of unconsolidated affiliates as follows: $2.9 billion retail assets and $0.9 billion institutional investment management assets at September 30, 2001 and $2.9 billion retail assets and $1.1 billion institutional investment management assets at September 30, 2000. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
(2) Average monthly assets under management.
Assets under management at September 30, 2001 were $421.4 billion, a decrease of $44.0 billion or 9.5% from June 30, 2001 and a decrease of $32.3 billion or 7.1% from December 31, 2000 due principally to market depreciation.
Retail assets under management at September 30, 2001 were $146.4 billion, a decrease of $17.9 billion or 10.9% from June 30, 2001 and a decrease of $17.9 billion or 10.9% from December 31, 2000. The decrease for the third quarter was primarily due to market depreciation of $18.5 billion, offset by net asset inflows of $0.6 billion. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 was due principally to market depreciation of $30.7 billion, offset by net asset inflows of $7.5 billion.
Institutional investment management assets under management at September 30, 2001 were $237.8 billion, a decrease of $24.6 billion or 9.4% from June 30, 2001 and a decrease of $14.8 billion or 5.9% from December 31, 2000. The decrease for the third quarter was primarily due to market depreciation of $29.2 billion, offset by net asset inflows of $4.6 billion. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 was due principally to market depreciation of $40.4 billion, offset by net asset inflows of $23.5 billion.
Private client assets under management at September 30, 2001 were $37.2 billion, a decrease of $1.5 billion or 3.9% from June 30, 2001 and an increase of $0.4 billion or 1.1% from December 31, 2000. The decrease for the third quarter was primarily due to market depreciation of $2.3 billion, offset by net asset inflows of $0.8 billion. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 was due principally to net asset inflows of $2.1 billion, offset by market depreciation of $1.7 billion.
Assets under management at September 30, 2000 were $388.4 billion, an increase of $0.6 billion or 0.2% from June 30, 2000 and an increase of $20.1 billion or 5.5% from December 31, 1999.
Retail assets under management at September 30, 2000 were $174.6 billion, an increase of $4.4 billion or 2.6% from June 30, 2000 and an increase of $19.1 billion or 12.3% from December 31, 1999. The increase for the third quarter was due principally to net asset inflows of $7.6 billion, offset by market depreciation of $3.2 billion. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 was due principally to net asset inflows of $20.1 billion, offset by market depreciation of $1.0 billion.
Institutional investment management assets under management at September 30, 2000 were $209.6 billion, a decrease of $2.9 billion or 1.4% from June 30, 2000 and an increase of $2.3 billion or 1.1% from December 31, 1999. The decrease for the third quarter was due principally to market depreciation of $3.8 billion, offset by net asset inflows of $0.9 billion. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 was due principally to net asset inflows of $2.1 billion and market appreciation of $0.2 billion.
Private client assets under management at September 30, 2000 were $4.2 billion, a decrease of $0.9 billion or 17.6% from June 30, 2000 and a decrease of $1.3 billion or 23.6% from December 31, 1999. The decrease for the third quarter was due principally to market depreciation of $1.0 billion, offset by net asset inflows of $0.1 billion. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 was due principally to market depreciation of $1.2 billion and net asset outflows of $0.1 billion.
Consolidated Results of Operations
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended | |
(Dollars in millions) | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | % Change | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | % Change | |
Revenues | | $ | 724.8 | | $ | 615.6 | | 17.7 | % | $ | 2,227.4 | | $ | 1,728.9 | | 28.8 | % |
Expenses | | 564.4 | | 408.7 | | 38.1 | | 1,734.0 | | 1,178.1 | | 47.2 | |
Income before income taxes | | 160.4 | | 206.9 | | (22.5 | ) | 493.4 | | 550.8 | | (10.4 | ) |
Income taxes | | 9.6 | | 11.4 | | (15.8 | ) | 29.6 | | 30.3 | | (2.3 | ) |
Net income | | $ | 150.8 | | $ | 195.5 | | (22.9 | ) | $ | 463.8 | | $ | 520.5 | | (10.9 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 150.8 | | $ | 195.5 | | (22.9 | ) | $ | 463.8 | | $ | 520.5 | | (10.9 | ) |
Amortization of intangible assets | | 43.2 | | 1.0 | | 4,220.0 | | 129.4 | | 2.9 | | 4,362.1 | |
Non-recurring item | | - | | - | | N/A | | - | | (23.9 | ) | (100.0 | ) |
Net operating earnings (1) | | $ | 194.0 | | $ | 196.5 | | (1.3 | ) | $ | 593.2 | | $ | 499.5 | | 18.8 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Base fee earnings | | $ | 187.3 | | $ | 191.5 | | (2.2 | ) | $ | 571.6 | | $ | 483.2 | | 18.3 | |
Performance fee earnings | | 6.7 | | 5.0 | | 34.0 | | 21.6 | | 16.3 | | 32.5 | |
Net operating earnings (1) | | $ | 194.0 | | $ | 196.5 | | (1.3 | ) | $ | 593.2 | | $ | 499.5 | | 18.8 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted net income per Unit | | $ | 0.59 | | $ | 0.91 | | (35.2 | ) | $ | 1.81 | | $ | 2.69 | | (32.7 | ) |
Amortization of intangible assets per Unit | | 0.17 | | 0.01 | | 1,600.0 | | 0.50 | | 0.02 | | 2,400.0 | |
Non-recurring item per Unit | | - | | - | | N/A | | - | | (0.13 | ) | (100.0 | ) |
Net operating earnings per Unit | | $ | 0.76 | | $ | 0.92 | | (17.4 | ) | $ | 2.31 | | $ | 2.58 | | (10.5 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Base fee earnings per Unit | | $ | 0.73 | | $ | 0.90 | | (18.9 | ) | $ | 2.23 | | $ | 2.50 | | (10.8 | ) |
Performance fee earnings per Unit | | 0.03 | | 0.02 | | 50.0 | | 0.08 | | 0.08 | | - | |
Net operating earnings per Unit | | $ | 0.76 | | $ | 0.92 | | (17.4 | ) | $ | 2.31 | | $ | 2.58 | | (10.5% | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pre-tax Operating margin (2) | | 34.5 | % | 43.0%(3 | ) | | | 34.3 | % | 40.8%(3 | ) | | |
(1) Net operating earnings: Net income excluding amortization of intangible assets and non-recurring items.
(2) Income before income taxes as a percentage of revenues (excluding distribution revenues, amortization of intangible assets
and non-recurring items).
(3) Revenues exclude interest income derived from AXA Financial’s purchase of 32,619,775 newly issued units on June 21, 2000.
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2001 decreased $44.7 million or 22.9% from net income for the three months ended September 30, 2000. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 decreased $56.7 million or 10.9% from net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2000. The decrease in net income for the third quarter was principally due to market depreciation of assets under management from significant declines in certain global capital markets during the third quarter and higher operating expenses and amortization of intangible assets. The decrease in net income for the nine month period was the result of market depreciation of assets under management from significant declines in certain global capital markets, higher operating expenses and amortization of intangible assets and the $22.5 million ($23.9 million pre-tax) impact of a non-recurring non-cash gain recorded in first quarter 2000 related to the settlement of litigation.
REVENUES
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended | |
(Dollars in millions) | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | % Change | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | % Change | |
Investment advisory and services fees: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Retail | | $ | 221.9 | | $ | 268.0 | | (17.2% | ) | $ | 700.4 | | $ | 762.6 | | (8.2% | ) |
Institutional investment management | | 170.8 | | 117.5 | | 45.4 | | 515.1 | | 357.4 | | 44.1 | |
Private client | | 97.0 | | 8.7 | | 1,014.9 | | 278.8 | | 26.0 | | 972.3 | |
Subtotal | | 489.7 | | 394.2 | | 24.2 | | 1,494.3 | | 1,146.0 | | 30.4 | |
Distribution revenues | | 133.9 | | 167.0 | | (19.8 | ) | 412.6 | | 469.7 | | (12.2 | ) |
Institutional research services | | 63.6 | | - | | N/A | | 199.2 | | - | | N/A | |
Shareholder servicing fees | | 24.7 | | 21.5 | | 14.9 | | 71.9 | | 62.4 | | 15.2 | |
Other revenues, net | | 12.9 | | 32.9 | | (60.8 | ) | 49.4 | | 50.8 | | (2.8 | ) |
Total | | $ | 724.8 | | $ | 615.6 | | 17.7 | % | $ | 2,227.4 | | $ | 1,728.9 | | 28.8 | % |
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND SERVICES FEES
Investment advisory and services fees, the largest component of the Operating Partnership’s revenues, are generally calculated as a small percentage of the value of assets under management and vary with the type of account managed. Fee income is therefore affected by changes in the amount of assets under management, including market appreciation or depreciation, the addition of new client accounts or client contributions of additional assets to existing accounts, withdrawals of assets from and termination of client accounts, purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares, and shifts of assets between accounts or products with different fee structures. Investment advisory and services fees include brokerage transaction charges of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB LLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership, for substantially all private client transactions and certain institutional investment management client transactions. Investment advisory and services fees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2001 increased $95.5 million or 24.2% and $348.3 million or 30.4%, respectively, from the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2000.
Certain investment advisory contracts provide for a performance fee, in addition to or in lieu of a base fee, that is calculated as either a percentage of absolute investment results or a percentage of investment results in excess of a stated benchmark over a specified period of time. Performance fees are recorded as revenue at the end of the measurement period and will generally be higher in favorable markets and lower in unfavorable markets, which may increase the volatility of the Operating Partnership’s revenues and earnings. Performance fees aggregated $8.6 million and $29.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2001. The $1.7 million, or 24.6%, increase in performance fees from $6.9 million in the third quarter of 2000 was primarily related to certain new accounts with a value investment orientation. The $6.6 million, or 28.7%, increase in performance fees from $23.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 was also primarily related to certain new accounts with a value investment orientation.
Retail investment advisory and services fees for the three months ended September 30, 2001 decreased $46.1 million or 17.2% from the three months ended September 30, 2000 primarily as a result of a 9.7% decrease in average assets under management and a shift to lower fee cash management products, offset by a $0.6 million increase in performance fees. Retail investment advisory and services fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 decreased $62.2 million or 8.2% from the nine months ended September 30, 2000 primarily as a result of a 3.2% decrease in average assets under management and a shift to lower fee cash management products, offset by a $2.1 million increase in performance fees.
Institutional investment management investment advisory and services fees for the three months ended September 30, 2001 increased $53.3 million or 45.4% from the three months ended September 30, 2000 due to a 18.6% increase in average assets under management and brokerage transaction charges of $9.4 million from certain institutional investment management client transactions, primarily as a result of the Bernstein Acquisition, and an increase in performance fees of $1.1 million. Institutional investment management investment advisory and services fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 increased $157.7 million or 44.1% from the nine months ended September 30, 2000 due to a 20.3% increase in average assets under management and brokerage transaction charges of $23.1 million from certain institutional investment management client transactions, primarily as a result of the Bernstein Acquisition, and an increase in performance fees of $4.0 million.
Private client investment advisory and services fees for the three months ended September 30, 2001 increased $88.3 million or 1,014.9% from the three months ended September 30, 2000 due to a 719.1% increase in average assets under management and brokerage transaction charges of $20.8 million, primarily as a result of the Bernstein Acquisition, and an increase in performance fees of $0.1 million. Private client investment advisory and services fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 increased $252.8 million or 972.3% from the nine months ended September 30, 2000 due to a 645.1% increase in average assets under management and brokerage transaction charges of $56.6 million, primarily as a result of the Bernstein Acquisition, and an increase in performance fees of $0.5 million.
DISTRIBUTION REVENUES
The Operating Partnership’s subsidiary, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. (“AFD”), acts as distributor of the Alliance Mutual Funds and receives distribution plan fees from those funds in reimbursement of distribution expenses it incurs. Distribution revenues for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001 decreased 19.8% and 12.2%, respectively, from the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2000 principally due to lower average daily mutual fund assets under management attributable to market depreciation.
INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH SERVICES
Institutional research services revenue consists of brokerage transaction charges and underwriting syndicate revenues related to services provided to certain institutional investors by SCB LLC. Brokerage transaction charges earned and related expenses are recorded on a trade date basis. Syndicate participation and underwriting revenues include gains, losses and fees, net of syndicate expenses, arising from securities offerings in which SCB LLC acts as an underwriter or agent. Syndicate participation and underwriting revenues are recorded on the offering date. Revenues from institutional research services for three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001 were $63.6 million and $199.2 million, respectively. There were no revenues from institutional research services for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2000.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEES
The Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries, Alliance Global Investor Services, Inc. and ACM Global Investor Services S.A., provide transfer agency services to the Alliance Mutual Funds. Shareholder servicing fees for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001 increased 14.9% and 15.2%, respectively, from the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2000 as a result of increases in the number of mutual fund shareholder accounts serviced. The number of shareholder accounts serviced increased to approximately 7.1 million as of September 30, 2001 compared to approximately 6.3 million as of September 30, 2000.
OTHER REVENUES, NET
Other revenues, net consist of administration and recordkeeping services provided to the Alliance Mutual Funds and the General Accounts of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (“ELAS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA Financial, and its insurance subsidiary. Investment income and changes in value of other investments are also included. Subsequent to the Bernstein Acquisition, other revenues, net also includes net interest income earned on securities loaned to and borrowed from brokers and dealers. Other revenues, net for the three months ended September 30, 2001 decreased from the three months ended September 30, 2000 principally as a result of interest earned in the third quarter of 2000 on the proceeds from AXA Financial’s purchase of 32,619,775 newly issued Alliance Capital Units on June 21, 2000. Other revenues, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 decreased from the nine months ended September 30, 2000 principally as a result of interest earned during the second and third quarters of 2000 on the proceeds from AXA Financial’s purchase of 32,619,775 newly issued Alliance Capital Units offset partially by net interest income earned on securities loaned to and borrowed from brokers and dealers as a result of the Bernstein Acquisition.
EXPENSES
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended | |
(Dollars in millions) | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | 9/30/00 | | % Change | |
Employee compensation and benefits | | $ | 219.1 | | $ | 138.8 | | 57.9 | % | $ | 666.4 | | $ | 398.9 | | 67.1 | % |
Promotion and servicing | | 220.4 | | 212.1 | | 3.9 | | 680.4 | | 620.0 | | 9.7 | |
General and administrative | | 76.4 | | 48.7 | | 56.9 | | 231.3 | | 147.7 | | 56.6 | |
Interest | | 5.4 | | 8.1 | | (33.3 | ) | 26.5 | | 32.5 | | (18.5 | ) |
Amortization of intangible assets | | 43.1 | | 1.0 | | 4,210.0 | | 129.4 | | 2.9 | | 4,362.1 | |
Non-recurring item | | - | | - | | N/A | | - | | (23.9 | ) | N/A | |
Total | | $ | 564.4 | | $ | 408.7 | | 38.1 | % | $ | 1,734.0 | | $ | 1,178.1 | | 47.2 | % |
EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
In connection with the Bernstein Acquisition, all employees of Bernstein subsidiaries became employees of the Operating Partnership effective October 2, 2000. Employee compensation and benefits include salaries, commissions, fringe benefits and incentive compensation based on profitability. Provisions for future payments to be made under certain deferred compensation arrangements are also included in employee compensation and benefits expense.
Employee compensation and benefits for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001 increased 57.9% and 67.1%, respectively, from the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2000 primarily as a result of increased base compensation, incentive compensation and commissions. These increases were primarily a result of the Bernstein Acquisition and the related increase in the number of employees. The Operating Partnership had 4,505 employees at September 30, 2001 compared to 2,582 at September 30, 2000.
PROMOTION AND SERVICING
Promotion and servicing expenses include distribution plan payments to financial intermediaries for distribution of sponsored mutual funds and cash management services’ products and amortization of deferred sales commissions paid to financial intermediaries for the sale of Back-End Load Shares under the Operating Partnership’s mutual fund distribution system (the “System”). See “Capital Resources and Liquidity”. Also included in this expense category are travel and entertainment, advertising, promotional materials, and investment meetings and seminars for financial intermediaries that distribute the Operating Partnership’s mutual fund products.
Promotion and servicing expenses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001 increased 3.9% and 9.7%, respectively, from the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2000 primarily due to increased amortization of deferred sales commissions of $0.6 million and $13.0 million, respectively, from new sales of Back-End Load Shares under the System (see “Capital Resources and Liquidity”), as well as higher travel and entertainment costs and higher promotional expenditures incurred in connection with mutual fund sales initiatives.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
General and administrative expenses are costs related to operations, including technology, professional fees, occupancy, communications, equipment and similar expenses. General and administrative expenses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001 increased 56.9% and 56.6%, respectively, from the three and nine months ended September 30, 2000 principally as a result of the Bernstein Acquisition and related occupancy and technology expenses.
INTEREST
Interest expense is incurred on the Operating Partnership’s borrowings and on deferred compensation owed to employees. Interest expense for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001 decreased from the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2000 primarily as a result of lower interest expense incurred on deferred compensation liabilities offset partially by higher debt.
TAXES ON INCOME
The Operating Partnership, a private limited partnership, is not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes. However, the Operating Partnership is subject to the New York City unincorporated business tax. Domestic corporate subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership are subject to federal, state and local income taxes, and are generally included in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return; separate state and local income tax returns are filed. Foreign corporate subsidiaries are generally subject to taxes in the foreign jurisdictions where they operate.
Income tax expense of $9.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2001 decreased $1.7 million from the three months ended September 30, 2000 primarily as a result of lower pre-tax income, offset by a higher income tax rate for the current quarterly period. Income tax expense of $29.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 decreased $0.7 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2000 primarily as a result of lower pre-tax income, offset by a higher income tax rate for the current year period.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Partners’ capital of the Operating Partnership was $4,021.2 million at September 30, 2001, a decrease of $33.7 million or 0.8% from $4,054.9 million at June 30, 2001 and a decrease of $112.5 million or 2.7% from $4,133.7 million at December 31, 2000. The decrease is primarily due to cash distributions in respect of the Operating Partnership’s Available Cash Flow (as defined in the Alliance Capital Partnership Agreement) for the fourth quarter of 2000 and first and second quarters of 2001 paid in the first, second and third quarters of 2001, respectively.
Cash flow from operations, proceeds from borrowings and proceeds from the issuance of Alliance Capital Units to AXA Financial and its subsidiaries have been the Operating Partnership’s principal sources of working capital.
The Operating Partnership’s cash and cash equivalents increased $216.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. Cash inflows included $1,006.7 million from operations. Cash outflows included cash distributions of $597.6 million, net repayment of borrowings of $222.6 million, net purchases of investments of $164.2 million and capital expenditures of $63.3 million.
The System for distributing the Alliance Mutual Funds includes a multi-class share structure. The System permits the Operating Partnership’s open-end mutual funds to offer investors various options for the purchase of mutual fund shares, including the purchase of Front-End Load Shares and Back-End Load Shares. The Front-End Load Shares are subject to a conventional front-end sales charge paid by investors to AFD at the time of sale. AFD in turn compensates the financial intermediaries distributing the funds from the front-end sales charge paid by investors. For Back-End Load Shares, investors do not pay a front-end sales charge although, if there are redemptions before the expiration of the minimum holding period (which ranges from one year to four years), investors pay a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) to AFD. While AFD is obligated to compensate the financial intermediaries at the time of the purchase of Back-End Load Shares, it receives higher ongoing distribution fees from the funds. Payments made to financial intermediaries in connection with the sale of Back-End Load Shares under the System, net of CDSC received, reduced cash flow from operations by approximately $125.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. Management believes AFD will recover the payments made to financial intermediaries for the sale of Back-End Load Shares from the higher distribution fees and CDSC it receives over periods not exceeding 5 1/2 years.
During 1998, Alliance Holding increased its commercial paper program to $425 million and entered into a $425 million five-year revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks. Under the credit facility, the interest rate, at the option of the borrower, is a floating rate generally based upon a defined prime rate, a rate related to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or the Federal Funds rate. A facility fee is payable on the total facility. Borrowings under the credit facility and the commercial paper program may not exceed $425 million in the aggregate. In October 1999, Alliance Holding reorganized by transferring its business and assets to Alliance Capital, a newly formed operating partnership, in exchange for all of the Alliance Capital Units (“Reorganization”). In connection with the Reorganization, the Operating Partnership assumed Alliance Holding’s rights and obligations under the five-year revolving credit facility and the commercial paper program. The revolving credit facility will be used to provide back-up liquidity for the Operating Partnership’s commercial paper program, to fund commission payments to financial intermediaries for the sale of Back-End Load Shares under the Operating Partnership’s mutual fund distribution system, and for general working capital purposes.
During July 1999, Alliance Holding entered into a $200 million three-year revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks. In connection with the Reorganization, the Operating Partnership assumed Alliance Holding’s rights and obligations under the three-year revolving credit facility. The new revolving credit facility, the terms of which are generally similar to the $425 million credit facility, will be used to fund commission payments to financial intermediaries for the sale of Back-End Load Shares under the Operating Partnership’s mutual fund distribution system and for general working capital purposes.
During October 2000, the Operating Partnership entered into a $250 million two-year revolving credit facility the terms of which are substantially similar to the $425 million and $200 million revolving credit facilities.
The revolving credit facilities contain covenants which, among other things, require the Operating Partnership to meet certain financial ratios.
In December 1999, the Operating Partnership established a $100 million Extendible Commercial Notes (“ECN”) Program as a supplement to its $425 million commercial paper program. ECNs are short-term uncommitted debt instruments that do not require back-up liquidity support.
In August 2001, the Operating Partnership issued $400 million 5.625% Notes (“Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes mature in 2006 and are redeemable at any time. The proceeds from the Senior Notes were used to reduce commercial paper and credit facilities borrowings and for other general partnership purposes.
At September 30, 2001, the Operating Partnership had $397.9 million of Senior Notes outstanding, $173.0 million of commercial paper and ECNs outstanding and a $6.5 million note related to an acquisition in 1998.
The Operating Partnership’s substantial equity base and access to public and private debt, at competitive terms, should provide adequate liquidity for its general business needs. Management believes that cash flow from operations and the issuance of debt and Alliance Capital or Alliance Holding Units will provide the Operating Partnership with the financial resources to meet its capital requirements for mutual fund sales and its other working capital requirements.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Operating Partnership’s capital commitments, which consist primarily of operating leases for office space, are generally funded from future operating cash flows.
On April 25, 2001, an amended class action complaint (“amended Miller Complaint”) entitled Miller, et al. v. Mitchell Hutchins Asset Management, Inc., et al., was filed in federal district court in the Southern District of Illinois against Alliance Capital, AFD, and other defendants alleging violations of the federal Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“ICA”) and breaches of common law fiduciary duty.
The allegations in the amended Miller Complaint concern six mutual funds with which Alliance Capital has investment advisory agreements, including Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Alliance Health Care Fund, Alliance Growth Fund, Alliance Quasar Fund, Alliance Fund, and Alliance Disciplined Value Fund. The principal allegations of the amended complaint are that (i) certain advisory agreements concerning these funds were negotiated, approved, and executed in violation of the ICA, in particular because certain directors of these funds should be deemed interested under the ICA; (ii) the distribution plans for these funds were negotiated, approved, and executed in violation of the ICA; and (iii) the advisory fees and distribution fees paid to Alliance Capital and AFD, respectively, are excessive and, therefore, constitute a breach of fiduciary duty.
Alliance Capital and AFD believe that plaintiffs’ allegations are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against these allegations. At the present time, management of Alliance Capital and AFD are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of this action may have on Alliance Capital’s results of operations or financial condition.
Alliance Capital and Alliance Holding are involved in various other inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation, some of which allege substantial damages. While any proceeding or litigation has the element of uncertainty, Alliance Capital and Alliance Holding believe that the outcome of any one of the other lawsuits or claims that is pending or threatened, or all of them combined, will not have a material adverse effect on Alliance Capital’s or Alliance Holding’s results of operations or financial condition.
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (“SFAS 133”), “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. Management adopted this Statement on January 1, 2001, and the adoption did not have a material effect on the Operating Partnership’s results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources.
In July 2001, the Financial Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, (“SFAS 141”) “Business Combinations” and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, (“SFAS 142”) “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. Under the SFAS 141, which has been adopted by the Operating Partnership, the purchase method of accounting is required to be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. The adoption of SFAS 141 did not affect materially the Operating Partnership’s results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources.
SFAS 142 changes the accounting for goodwill and certain intangible assets from an amortization method to an impairment approach. Thus, amortization of goodwill, including goodwill recorded in connection with past business combinations, will cease upon adoption of that Statement. However, SFAS 142 requires that goodwill be tested periodically for impairment. Management intends to adopt SFAS 142 on January 1, 2002. The impact of the adoption of SFAS 142 on the Operating Partnership’s results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources has not yet been determined.
In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, (“SFAS 144”) “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. SFAS 144 replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, (“SFAS 121”) “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of” and replaces APB Opinion No. 30, (“APB 30”) “Reporting Results of Operations-Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business”. Management intends to adopt this Statement on January 1, 2002 and does not believe that the adoption of the Statement will have a material effect on the Operating Partnership’s results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources.
CASH DISTRIBUTION
The Operating Partnership is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow to the General Partner and Alliance Capital Unitholders. The Available Cash Flow of the Operating Partnership for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 were as follows:
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended | |
| | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | | 9/30/01 | | 9/30/00 | |
Available Cash Flow (in thousands) | | $ | 188,196 | | $ | 186,491 | | $ | 570,973 | | $ | 474,958 | |
Distribution Per Unit | | $ | 0.75 | | $ | 0.905 | | $ | 2.28 | | $ | 2.54 | |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements provided by Alliance Capital and Alliance Holding in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The most significant of such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of sponsored investment products and separately managed accounts, general economic conditions, future acquisitions, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax rates. Alliance Capital and Alliance Holding caution readers to carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made; Alliance Capital and Alliance Holding undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements.