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: 811-05398
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES 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
Alliance Bernstein 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: December 31, 2009
Date of reporting period: June 30, 2009
ITEM 1. | REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
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Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,049.64 | | $ | 3.46 | | 0.68 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,021.42 | | $ | 3.41 | | 0.68 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,046.89 | | $ | 4.72 | | 0.93 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,020.18 | | $ | 4.66 | | 0.93 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes | | $ | 29,336,753 | | 7.1 | % |
Federal National Mortgage Association (Preferred Stock and Bonds) | | | 19,458,529 | | 4.7 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Common Stock and Bonds) | | | 9,454,973 | | 2.3 | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (Preferred Stock and Bonds) | | | 8,348,040 | | 2.0 | |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Common Stock and Bonds) | | | 7,201,532 | | 1.7 | |
Federal Home Loan Bank | | | 4,866,037 | | 1.2 | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 4,815,558 | | 1.2 | |
Google, Inc.—Class A | | | 4,527,877 | | 1.1 | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 4,138,672 | | 1.0 | |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | | | 4,023,465 | | 1.0 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 96,171,436 | | 23.3 | % |
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECURITY TYPE | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 259,831,323 | | 64.7 | % |
Corporates—Investment Grades | | | 44,020,522 | | 10.9 | |
Governments—Treasuries | | | 31,203,793 | | 7.8 | |
Mortgage Pass-Thru’s | | | 23,211,006 | | 5.8 | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | 16,707,462 | | 4.2 | |
Agencies | | | 9,411,730 | | 2.3 | |
Corporates—Non-Investment Grades | | | 4,710,644 | | 1.2 | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | 2,373,770 | | 0.6 | |
Governments—Sovereign Bonds | | | 1,912,012 | | 0.5 | |
Governments—Sovereign Agencies | | | 1,249,318 | | 0.3 | |
Quasi-Sovereigns | | | 1,183,888 | | 0.3 | |
Preferred Stocks | | | 770,400 | | 0.2 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 3,800,000 | | 0.9 | |
Other** | | | 1,379,864 | | 0.3 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 401,765,732 | | 100.0 | % |
** | “Other” represents less than 0.2% weightings in the following security types: CMOs, Emerging Markets—Corporate Bonds, Emerging Markets—Sovereigns, and Rights. |
2
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–62.9% | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–20.5% | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–3.0% | | | | | | | |
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. | | | | 6,700 | | $ | 162,609 |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | | | | 13,000 | | | 381,030 |
The Blackstone Group LP | | | | 85,775 | | | 904,069 |
Credit Suisse Group AG | | | | 27,198 | | | 1,246,104 |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | | 13,393 | | | 814,173 |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | | | | 5,395 | | | 388,494 |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | | 42,144 | | | 6,213,711 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | | | | 15,215 | | | 591,745 |
Macquarie Group Ltd. | | | | 5,800 | | | 181,578 |
Man Group PLC | | | | 132,426 | | | 607,026 |
Morgan Stanley | | | | 27,400 | | | 781,174 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 12,271,713 |
| | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL BANKS–3.0% | | | | | | | |
ABSA Group Ltd. | | | | 5,800 | | | 82,763 |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | | | | 34,135 | | | 452,373 |
Banco do Brasil SA | | | | 25,500 | | | 275,236 |
Banco Santander Central Hispano SA | | | | 61,715 | | | 746,023 |
Barclays PLC | | | | 84,700 | | | 393,605 |
BNP Paribas SA | | | | 15,834 | | | 1,032,577 |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | | | | 4,200 | | | 131,653 |
Credit Agricole SA | | | | 36,962 | | | 463,440 |
Hana Financial Group, Inc. | | | | 5,300 | | | 112,910 |
HSBC Holdings PLC | | | | 35,761 | | | 297,931 |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.–Class H | | | | 536,000 | | | 371,280 |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA(a) | | | | 104,000 | | | 336,079 |
Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ADR) | | | | 8,625 | | | 136,534 |
KB Financial Group, Inc.(a) | | | | 9,600 | | | 320,053 |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC | | | | 293,239 | | | 338,043 |
National Australia Bank Ltd. | | | | 20,300 | | | 365,729 |
National Bank of Canada | | | | 5,100 | | | 235,675 |
Nordea Bank AB | | | | 55,180 | | | 438,536 |
Regions Financial Corp. | | | | 44,900 | | | 181,396 |
Societe Generale–Class A | | | | 10,625 | | | 583,215 |
Standard Bank Group Ltd. | | | | 13,500 | | | 155,307 |
Standard Chartered PLC | | | | 52,690 | | | 990,730 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | | | | 7,400 | | | 299,443 |
U.S. Bancorp | | | | 55,800 | | | 999,936 |
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | | | | 19,000 | | | 191,725 |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | | 87,000 | | | 2,110,620 |
Westpac Banking Corp. | | | | 10,900 | | | 177,340 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 12,220,152 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE–0.2% | | | | | | | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | | | 33,000 | | | 722,040 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–2.4% | | | | | | | |
Bank of America Corp. | | | | 40,300 | | $ | 531,960 |
CME Group, Inc.–Class A | | | | 4,840 | | | 1,505,773 |
Deutsche Boerse AG | | | | 4,632 | | | 360,485 |
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. | | | | 34,800 | | | 537,886 |
ING Group | | | | 49,400 | | | 500,475 |
JP Morgan Chase & Co. | | | | 193,217 | | | 6,590,632 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 10,027,211 |
| | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–1.8% | | | | | | | |
ACE Ltd. | | | | 9,500 | | | 420,185 |
Allianz SE | | | | 5,700 | | | 525,783 |
Allstate Corp. | | | | 30,900 | | | 753,960 |
Aviva PLC | | | | 60,554 | | | 340,942 |
Everest Re Group Ltd. | | | | 1,900 | | | 135,983 |
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. | | | | 600 | | | 150,626 |
Fidelity National Financial, Inc.–Class A | | | | 6,200 | | | 83,886 |
Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A | | | | 39,400 | | | 275,406 |
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. | | | | 19,700 | | | 233,839 |
Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. | | | | 700 | | | 15,497 |
ING Canada, Inc. | | | | 3,400 | | | 99,531 |
Lincoln National Corp. | | | | 23,600 | | | 406,156 |
MetLife, Inc. | | | | 29,700 | | | 891,297 |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG (MunichRe) | | | | 3,700 | | | 499,891 |
PartnerRe Ltd. | | | | 3,600 | | | 233,820 |
Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | | 3,800 | | | 141,436 |
QBE Insurance Group Ltd. | | | | 19,724 | | | 315,625 |
Sun Life Financial, Inc. | | | | 5,200 | | | 140,377 |
Torchmark Corp. | | | | 7,600 | | | 281,504 |
The Travelers Co., Inc. | | | | 18,400 | | | 755,136 |
Unum Group | | | | 26,700 | | | 423,462 |
XL Capital Ltd.–Class A | | | | 42,000 | | | 481,320 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,605,662 |
| | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–6.4% | | | | | | | |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | | | | 5,925 | | | 212,056 |
Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust | | | | 484,000 | | | 527,676 |
BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. | | | | 20,200 | | | 206,646 |
Boston Properties, Inc. | | | | 6,100 | | | 290,970 |
Brandywine Realty Trust | | | | 44,350 | | | 330,407 |
British Land Co. PLC | | | | 55,206 | | | 347,624 |
Camden Property Trust | | | | 6,600 | | | 182,160 |
Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust | | | | 32,570 | | | 688,838 |
CapitaMall Trust | | | | 222,940 | | | 214,418 |
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | | | | 35,950 | | | 193,770 |
3
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust | | | | 28,929 | | $ | 385,007 |
Corio NV | | | | 4,200 | | | 204,834 |
Corporate Office Properties Trust | | | | 25,100 | | | 736,183 |
Developers Diversified Realty Corp. | | | | 67,300 | | | 328,424 |
Dexus Property Group | | | | 1,030,461 | | | 619,983 |
DiamondRock Hospitality Co. | | | | 31,700 | | | 198,442 |
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | | | | 17,600 | | | 630,960 |
Duke Realty Corp. | | | | 22,300 | | | 195,571 |
DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. | | | | 26,500 | | | 249,630 |
Entertainment Properties Trust | | | | 15,150 | | | 312,090 |
Equity Residential | | | | 4,850 | | | 107,815 |
Eurocommercial Properties NV | | | | 6,600 | | | 203,837 |
Extra Space Storage, Inc. | | | | 27,800 | | | 232,130 |
First Potomac Realty Trust | | | | 19,400 | | | 189,150 |
Fonciere Des Regions | | | | 3,600 | | | 271,433 |
Government Properties Income Trust(a) | | | | 11,450 | | | 235,068 |
H&R Real Estate Investment Trust | | | | 23,800 | | | 224,669 |
HCP, Inc. | | | | 16,850 | | | 357,051 |
Health Care REIT, Inc. | | | | 9,700 | | | 330,770 |
Home Properties, Inc. | | | | 9,600 | | | 327,360 |
Hospitality Properties Trust | | | | 9,200 | | | 109,388 |
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | | 23,729 | | | 199,086 |
ING Office Fund | | | | 550,500 | | | 203,409 |
Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.–Class A | | | | 41 | | | 340,092 |
Kenedix Realty Investment Corp.–Class A | | | | 27 | | | 93,107 |
Kilroy Realty Corp. | | | | 4,050 | | | 83,187 |
Kimco Realty Corp. | | | | 6,100 | | | 61,305 |
Kite Realty Group Trust | | | | 62,800 | | | 183,376 |
Klepierre | | | | 37,762 | | | 978,592 |
Land Securities Group PLC | | | | 91,372 | | | 710,558 |
LaSalle Hotel Properties | | | | 7,200 | | | 88,848 |
Liberty International PLC | | | | 21,900 | | | 143,567 |
The Link REIT | | | | 104,500 | | | 222,095 |
Macerich Co. | | | | 12,411 | | | 218,558 |
Mack-Cali Realty Corp. | | | | 25,500 | | | 581,400 |
Macquarie CountryWide Trust | | | | 123,911 | | | 53,945 |
Mercialys SA | | | | 6,324 | | | 195,388 |
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | | | | 8,850 | | | 324,883 |
Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust | | | | 33,600 | | | 278,760 |
National Retail Properties, Inc. | | | | 10,597 | | | 183,858 |
Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. | | | | 9,400 | | | 241,956 |
Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc.–Class A | | | | 77 | | | 489,527 |
Orix JREIT, Inc.–Class A | | | | 26 | | | 119,046 |
Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust | | | | 40,983 | | | 417,176 |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
ProLogis | | | | 36,725 | | $ | 296,003 |
Public Storage | | | | 5,600 | | | 366,688 |
Rayonier, Inc. | | | | 10,100 | | | 367,135 |
Realty Income Corp. | | | | 4,700 | | | 103,024 |
Regency Centers Corp. | | | | 10,250 | | | 357,828 |
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (OTC US) | | | | 23,587 | | | 309,856 |
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (Toronto) | | | | 1,400 | | | 18,391 |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | | | | 24,385 | | | 1,254,121 |
SL Green Realty Corp. | | | | 6,250 | | | 143,375 |
Societe Immobiliere de Location pour l’Industrie et le Commerce | | | | 2,100 | | | 185,785 |
Stockland | | | | 118,580 | | | 305,881 |
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. | | | | 53,113 | | | 284,155 |
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers | | | | 10,600 | | | 343,758 |
Taubman Centers, Inc. | | | | 11,650 | | | 312,919 |
UDR, Inc. | | | | 18,100 | | | 186,973 |
Unibail-Rodamco | | | | 14,878 | | | 2,224,474 |
Ventas, Inc. | | | | 23,100 | | | 689,766 |
Vornado Realty Trust | | | | 7,190 | | | 323,766 |
Weingarten Realty Investors | | | | 19,700 | | | 285,847 |
Wereldhave NV | | | | 4,600 | | | 342,911 |
Westfield Group | | | | 191,828 | | | 1,755,669 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 26,514,404 |
| | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–3.7% | | | | | | | |
Agile Property Holdings Ltd. | | | | 310,000 | | | 441,659 |
Brookfield Properties Corp. (New York) | | | | 28,225 | | | 224,953 |
China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. | | | | 290,000 | | | 669,317 |
China Vanke Co. Ltd.–Class B | | | | 239,623 | | | 345,366 |
Citycon Oyj | | | | 10,642 | | | 27,792 |
First Capital Realty, Inc. | | | | 15,800 | | | 226,306 |
GAGFAH SA | | | | 24,800 | | | 206,060 |
Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. | | | | 181,000 | | | 1,032,827 |
Hufvudstaden AB–Class A | | | | 11,888 | | | 73,964 |
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc. | | | | 4,500 | | | 147,285 |
Kerry Properties Ltd. | | | | 148,131 | | | 645,261 |
Lend Lease Corp. Ltd. | | | | 174,203 | | | 980,332 |
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. | | | | 61,000 | | | 1,012,702 |
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. | | | | 102,100 | | | 1,770,839 |
Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA | | | | 61,300 | | | 625,357 |
New World Development Co., Ltd. | | | | 716,051 | | | 1,288,912 |
NTT Urban Development Corp. | | | | 943 | | | 909,035 |
Savills PLC | | | | 42,600 | | | 201,398 |
Sino-Ocean Land Holdings Ltd. | | | | 316,500 | | | 359,390 |
Sumitomo Realty & Development | | | | 52,000 | | | 949,452 |
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | | | | 189,700 | | | 2,355,657 |
4
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Swire Pacific Ltd. | | | | 22,500 | | $ | 225,853 |
Yanlord Land Group Ltd. | | | | 358,000 | | | 561,249 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 15,280,966 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 84,642,148 |
| | | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–7.4% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.8% | | | | | | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc.(a) | | | | 110,250 | | | 2,055,060 |
Motorola, Inc. | | | | 148,685 | | | 985,782 |
Nokia OYJ | | | | 32,700 | | | 478,963 |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | | 72,800 | | | 3,290,560 |
Research In Motion Ltd.(a) | | | | 2,948 | | | 209,455 |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson–Class B | | | | 38,000 | | | 374,354 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,394,174 |
| | | | | | | |
COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–2.4% | | | | | | | |
Apple, Inc.(a) | | | | 33,810 | | | 4,815,558 |
Compal Electronics, Inc. | | | | 56,561 | | | 45,744 |
Fujitsu Ltd. | | | | 65,000 | | | 353,095 |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | | | | 104,100 | | | 4,023,465 |
Lenovo Group Ltd. | | | | 98,000 | | | 36,570 |
Toshiba Corp. | | | | 98,000 | | | 355,049 |
Western Digital Corp.(a) | | | | 11,500 | | | 304,750 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,934,231 |
| | | | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.6% | | | | | | | |
AU Optronics Corp. | | | | 177,000 | | | 170,862 |
Corning, Inc. | | | | 35,000 | | | 562,100 |
FUJIFILM Holdings Corp. | | | | 8,200 | | | 260,963 |
Hitachi High-Technologies Corp. | | | | 4,000 | | | 67,962 |
Keyence Corp. | | | | 1,000 | | | 203,729 |
Kyocera Corp. | | | | 2,000 | | | 150,148 |
Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd. | | | | 28,000 | | | 313,025 |
Tyco Electronics Ltd. | | | | 40,400 | | | 751,036 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,479,825 |
| | | | | | | |
INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–1.3% | | | | | | | |
Google, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | | 10,740 | | | 4,527,877 |
Telecity Group PLC(a) | | | | 57,700 | | | 283,285 |
Tencent Holdings Ltd. | | | | 27,000 | | | 313,270 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,124,432 |
| | | | | | | |
IT SERVICES–0.2% | | | | | | | |
Visa, Inc.–Class A | | | | 13,100 | | | 815,606 |
| | | | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.9% | | | | | | | |
Altera Corp. | | | | 20,200 | | | 328,856 |
ASML Holding NV | | | | 16,800 | | | 364,141 |
Intel Corp. | | | | 104,100 | | | 1,722,855 |
Samsung Electronics (Preference Shares) | | | | 200 | | | 60,983 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | | | 1,040 | | | 480,859 |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | | | 137,000 | | $ | 224,844 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | | | 74,400 | | | 700,104 |
United Microelectronics Corp. | | | | 126 | | | 42 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,882,684 |
| | | | | | | |
SOFTWARE–0.2% | | | | | | | |
SAP AG | | | | 5,559 | | | 224,130 |
Symantec Corp.(a) | | | | 36,700 | | | 571,052 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 795,182 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 30,426,134 |
| | | | | | | |
ENERGY–7.0% | | | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.4% | | | | | | | |
Cameron International Corp.(a) | | | | 31,950 | | | 904,185 |
ENSCO International, Inc. | | | | 6,100 | | | 212,707 |
Halliburton Co. | | | | 7,400 | | | 153,180 |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a) | | | | 11,900 | | | 388,654 |
Rowan Cos., Inc. | | | | 12,000 | | | 231,840 |
Saipem SpA | | | | 19,800 | | | 483,747 |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | | | 59,930 | | | 3,242,812 |
Tenaris SA | | | | 27,508 | | | 375,264 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,992,389 |
| | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–5.6% | | | | | | | |
Apache Corp. | | | | 30,500 | | | 2,200,575 |
BG Group PLC | | | | 47,035 | | | 792,054 |
BP PLC | | | | 96,700 | | | 764,105 |
Chevron Corp. | | | | 41,500 | | | 2,749,375 |
ConocoPhillips | | | | 38,000 | | | 1,598,280 |
Devon Energy Corp. | | | | 20,800 | | | 1,133,600 |
ENI SpA | | | | 20,300 | | | 481,458 |
EOG Resources, Inc. | | | | 14,925 | | | 1,013,706 |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | | 59,200 | | | 4,138,672 |
LUKOIL (OTC US) (Sponsored ADR) | | | | 10,650 | | | 473,776 |
Nexen, Inc. | | | | 3,020 | | | 65,611 |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | | 29,000 | | | 1,908,490 |
Petro-Canada | | | | 11,200 | | | 432,536 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR) | | | | 27,200 | | | 1,114,656 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored ADR) | | | | 6,500 | | | 216,840 |
PTT PCL | | | | 23,000 | | | 157,969 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A | | | | 36,200 | | | 907,073 |
StatoilHydro ASA | | | | 56,205 | | | 1,110,227 |
Suncor Energy Inc(a) | | | | 7,800 | | | 237,189 |
Sunoco, Inc. | | | | 3,300 | | | 76,560 |
Tatneft (Sponsored ADR) | | | | 16,333 | | | 401,234 |
Total SA | | | | 17,849 | | | 967,429 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 22,941,415 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 28,933,804 |
| | | | | | | |
5
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–6.5% | | | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.5% | | | | | | | |
Amgen, Inc.(a) | | | | 12,700 | | $ | 672,338 |
Celgene Corp.(a) | | | | 33,250 | | | 1,590,680 |
Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a) | | | | 81,450 | | | 3,815,118 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,078,136 |
| | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.6% | | | | | | | |
Alcon, Inc. | | | | 8,886 | | | 1,031,842 |
Baxter International, Inc. | | | | 17,355 | | | 919,121 |
Covidien PLC | | | | 6,400 | | | 239,616 |
St. Jude Medical, Inc.(a) | | | | 4,100 | | | 168,510 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,359,089 |
| | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.5% | | | | | | | |
Cardinal Health, Inc. | | | | 17,300 | | | 528,515 |
Celesio AG | | | | 3,800 | | | 87,292 |
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA | | | | 3,700 | | | 166,265 |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a) | | | | 29,050 | | | 1,324,970 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,107,042 |
| | | | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–3.9% | | | | | | | |
AstraZeneca PLC | | | | 15,500 | | | 683,433 |
Bayer AG | | | | 9,200 | | | 494,410 |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | | | | 17,400 | | | 353,394 |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | | | 21,300 | | | 737,832 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | | | | 42,663 | | | 753,569 |
Johnson & Johnson | | | | 20,400 | | | 1,158,720 |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | | | 76,200 | | | 2,130,552 |
Novartis AG | | | | 12,954 | | | 527,321 |
Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B | | | | 10,328 | | | 562,517 |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | | 170,600 | | | 2,559,000 |
Roche Holding AG | | | | 4,638 | | | 631,938 |
Sanofi-Aventis | | | | 22,559 | | | 1,333,009 |
Schering-Plough Corp. | | | | 47,700 | | | 1,198,224 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | | | 65,273 | | | 3,220,570 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,344,489 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 26,888,756 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–6.0% | | | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–0.1% | | | | | | | |
Denso Corp. | | | | 9,200 | | | 235,820 |
Magna International, Inc.–Class A | | | | 2,500 | | | 106,070 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 341,890 |
| | | | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–0.6% | | | | | | | |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG | | | | 6,075 | | | 229,484 |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | | | | 11,700 | | | 321,877 |
Isuzu Motors Ltd. | | | | 76,000 | | | 121,927 |
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. | | | | 70,900 | | | 430,284 |
Renault SA(a) | | | | 12,700 | | | 469,221 |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Toyota Motor Corp. | | | | 7,000 | | $ | 264,722 |
Toyota Motor Corp. (Sponsored ADR) | | | | 5,800 | | | 438,074 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,275,589 |
| | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTORS–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Li & Fung Ltd. | | | | 56,000 | | | 149,522 |
| | | | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.7% | | | | | | | |
Accor SA | | | | 1,000 | | | 39,843 |
Carnival PLC | | | | 21,954 | | | 584,714 |
Compass Group PLC | | | | 52,895 | | | 298,576 |
McDonald’s Corp. | | | | 28,400 | | | 1,632,716 |
TABCORP Holdings Ltd. | | | | 24,000 | | | 138,123 |
Thomas Cook Group PLC | | | | 31,100 | | | 105,381 |
TUI Travel PLC | | | | 28,600 | | | 109,328 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,908,681 |
| | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.3% | | | |
DR Horton, Inc. | | | | 25,900 | | | 242,424 |
Electrolux AB Series B(a) | | | | 6,700 | | | 93,730 |
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | | | | 19,800 | | | 268,379 |
Sharp Corp. | | | | 26,000 | | | 269,730 |
Sony Corp. | | | | 9,600 | | | 250,455 |
Whirlpool Corp. | | | | 3,000 | | | 127,680 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,252,398 |
| | | | | | | |
INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–0.1% | | | | | | | |
Amazon.Com, Inc.(a) | | | | 6,600 | | | 552,156 |
| | | | | | | |
LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc. | | | | 6,300 | | | 69,097 |
| | | | | | | |
MEDIA–2.0% | | | | | | | |
British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC | | | | 28,490 | | | 213,866 |
CBS Corp.–Class B | | | | 81,100 | | | 561,212 |
Comcast Corp.–Class A | | | | 13,700 | | | 198,513 |
Lagardere SCA | | | | 2,900 | | | 96,684 |
Liberty Media Corp.–Entertainment Series A(a) | | | | 18,700 | | | 500,225 |
News Corp.–Class A | | | | 165,000 | | | 1,503,150 |
Pearson PLC | | | | 16,607 | | | 167,237 |
SES SA (FDR) | | | | 23,445 | | | 448,317 |
Time Warner Cable, Inc.–Class A | | | | 47,500 | | | 1,504,325 |
Time Warner, Inc. | | | | 55,933 | | | 1,408,952 |
Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a) | | | | 28,400 | | | 644,680 |
The Walt Disney Co. | | | | 48,577 | | | 1,133,301 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,380,462 |
| | | | | | | |
MULTILINE RETAIL–1.0% | | | | | | | |
JC Penney Co., Inc. | | | | 18,700 | | | 536,877 |
Kohl’s Corp.(a) | | | | 46,840 | | | 2,002,410 |
Macy’s, Inc. | | | | 27,800 | | | 326,928 |
Next PLC | | | | 11,505 | | | 278,747 |
Target Corp. | | | | 27,360 | | | 1,079,899 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,224,861 |
| | | | | | | |
6
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.0% | | | | | | | |
AutoNation, Inc.(a) | | | | 22,700 | | $ | 393,845 |
Foot Locker, Inc. | | | | 13,700 | | | 143,439 |
The Gap, Inc. | | | | 14,000 | | | 229,600 |
Hennes & Mauritz AB– Class B | | | | 4,810 | | | 240,184 |
Home Depot, Inc. | | | | 30,500 | | | 720,715 |
Kingfisher PLC | | | | 119,487 | | | 350,558 |
Limited Brands, Inc. | | | | 35,400 | | | 423,738 |
Lowe’s Cos, Inc. | | | | 76,500 | | | 1,484,865 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,986,944 |
| | | | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.2% | | | | | | | |
Jones Apparel Group, Inc. | | | | 12,600 | | | 135,198 |
Nike, Inc.–Class B | | | | 5,900 | | | 305,502 |
VF Corp. | | | | 3,900 | | | 215,865 |
Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd. | | | | 9,000 | | | 21,171 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 677,736 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 24,819,336 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–4.7% | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–0.8% | | | | | | | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV | | | | 13,390 | | | 485,516 |
The Coca-Cola Co. | | | | 3,725 | | | 178,763 |
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. | | | | 37,200 | | | 619,380 |
Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. | | | | 14,300 | | | 483,912 |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | | | 28,650 | | | 1,574,604 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,342,175 |
| | | | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.3% | | | | | | | |
Aeon Co. Ltd. | | | | 19,500 | | | 192,406 |
Casino Guichard Perrachon SA | | | | 3,100 | | | 209,950 |
Costco Wholesale Corp. | | | | 36,650 | | | 1,674,905 |
Delhaize Group | | | | 3,800 | | | 267,537 |
Koninklijke Ahold NV | | | | 26,060 | | | 300,433 |
The Kroger Co. | | | | 12,500 | | | 275,625 |
Metro AG | | | | 3,400 | | | 162,446 |
Safeway, Inc. | | | | 20,300 | | | 413,511 |
Sysco Corp. | | | | 15,000 | | | 337,200 |
Tesco PLC | | | | 155,117 | | | 905,859 |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | | | | 16,750 | | | 811,370 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,551,242 |
| | | | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–1.2% | | | | | | | |
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. | | | | 37,700 | | | 1,009,229 |
Associated British Foods PLC | | | | 25,000 | | | 314,957 |
Bunge Ltd. | | | | 12,300 | | | 741,075 |
ConAgra Foods, Inc. | | | | 27,600 | | | 526,056 |
Del Monte Foods Co. | | | | 9,100 | | | 85,358 |
General Mills, Inc. | | | | 4,800 | | | 268,896 |
Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A | | | | 25,800 | | | 653,772 |
Nestle SA | | | | 14,322 | | | 540,776 |
Sara Lee Corp. | | | | 12,700 | | | 123,952 |
Smithfield Foods, Inc.(a) | | | | 17,800 | | | 248,666 |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Suedzucker AG | | | | 1,500 | | $ | 30,402 |
Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A | | | | 29,800 | | | 375,778 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,918,917 |
| | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–0.7% | | | | | | | |
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | | | | 5,500 | | | 389,070 |
Kimberly-Clark Corp. | | | | 4,300 | | | 225,449 |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | | | 36,121 | | | 1,845,783 |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | | | 14,661 | | | 669,537 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,129,839 |
| | | | | | | |
PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.1% | | | | | | | |
L’Oreal SA | | | | 3,224 | | | 242,006 |
| | | | | | | |
TOBACCO–0.6% | | | | | | | |
Altria Group, Inc. | | | | 52,800 | | | 865,392 |
British American Tobacco PLC | | | | 26,088 | | | 720,137 |
Lorillard, Inc. | | | | 6,500 | | | 440,505 |
Reynolds American, Inc. | | | | 10,000 | | | 386,200 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,412,234 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 19,596,413 |
| | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–4.0% | | | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.4% | | | | | | | |
BAE Systems PLC | | | | 63,380 | | | 354,169 |
Boeing Co. | | | | 2,800 | | | 119,000 |
Bombardier, Inc.–Class B | | | | 32,400 | | | 96,101 |
Northrop Grumman Corp. | | | | 12,200 | | | 557,296 |
Raytheon Co. | | | | 10,100 | | | 448,743 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,575,309 |
| | | | | | | |
AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS–0.2% | | | | | | | |
Deutsche Post AG | | | | 24,880 | | | 324,858 |
FedEx Corp. | | | | 10,200 | | | 567,324 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 892,182 |
| | | | | | | |
AIRLINES–0.1% | | | | | | | |
Deutsche Lufthansa AG | | | | 4,200 | | | 52,746 |
Qantas Airways Ltd. | | | | 65,664 | | | 106,330 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 159,076 |
| | | | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.1% | | | | | | | |
Masco Corp. | | | | 37,200 | | | 356,376 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.0% | | | | | | | |
China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd.–Class H(a) | | | | 102,500 | | | 157,295 |
| | | | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.9% | | | | | | | |
Cooper Industries Ltd.–Class A | | | | 16,200 | | | 503,010 |
Emerson Electric Co. | | | | 36,020 | | | 1,167,048 |
Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd. | | | | 5,000 | | | 22,493 |
Gamesa Corp. Tecnologica SA | | | | 19,480 | | | 371,390 |
Schneider Electric SA | | | | 4,278 | | | 327,431 |
7
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S(a) | | | | 6,188 | | $ | 444,080 |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S (ADR)(a) | | | | 35,600 | | | 849,060 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,684,512 |
| | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.3% | | | | | | | |
Bidvest Group Ltd. | | | | 15,756 | | | 197,710 |
General Electric Co. | | | | 78,900 | | | 924,708 |
Textron, Inc. | | | | 25,600 | | | 247,296 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,369,714 |
| | | | | | | |
MACHINERY–1.0% | | | | | | | |
Atlas Copco AB–Class A | | | | 23,454 | | | 236,163 |
Caterpillar, Inc. | | | | 10,700 | | | 353,528 |
Crane Co. | | | | 6,000 | | | 133,860 |
Danaher Corp. | | | | 17,500 | | | 1,080,450 |
Deere & Co. | | | | 4,700 | | | 187,765 |
Dover Corp. | | | | 5,800 | | | 191,922 |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | | | | 23,400 | | | 873,756 |
MAN AG | | | | 2,942 | | | 181,020 |
NGK Insulators Ltd. | | | | 13,000 | | | 264,963 |
SPX Corp. | | | | 4,300 | | | 210,571 |
Terex Corp.(a) | | | | 17,300 | | | 208,811 |
Vallourec | | | | 700 | | | 85,560 |
Volvo AB–Class B | | | | 36,250 | | | 224,516 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,232,885 |
| | | | | | | |
MARINE–0.1% | | | | | | | |
Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. | | | | 40,000 | | | 258,494 |
| | | | | | | |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.1% | | | |
Adecco SA | | | | 2,100 | | | 87,774 |
Randstad Holding NV(a) | | | | 6,300 | | | 175,080 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 262,854 |
| | | | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–0.4% | | | | | | | |
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. | | | | 2,600 | | | 191,204 |
East Japan Railway Co. | | | | 3,400 | | | 204,700 |
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | | 32,100 | | | 256,479 |
Union Pacific Corp. | | | | 17,500 | | | 911,050 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,563,433 |
| | | | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.4% | | | | | | | |
Mitsubishi Corp. | | | | 40,900 | | | 754,737 |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | | | | 78,200 | | | 926,645 |
Wolseley PLC(a) | | | | 5,000 | | | 95,716 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,777,098 |
| | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Macquarie Infrastructure Group | | | | 69,600 | | | 80,010 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,369,238 |
| | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–2.9% | | | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–1.2% | | | | | | | |
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. | | | | 13,500 | | | 871,965 |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
BASF SE | | | | 11,000 | | $ | 438,260 |
E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. | | | | 41,000 | | | 1,050,420 |
Eastman Chemical Co. | | | | 11,600 | | | 439,640 |
JSR Corp. | | | | 11,500 | | | 196,979 |
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. | | | | 38,500 | | | 162,845 |
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. | | | | 400 | | | 1,275 |
Monsanto Co. | | | | 13,485 | | | 1,002,475 |
Syngenta AG | | | | 2,636 | | | 613,307 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,777,166 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.1% | | | | | | | |
CRH PLC (Dublin) | | | | 1,831 | | | 42,084 |
CRH PLC (London) | | | | 10,928 | | | 250,268 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 292,352 |
| | | | | | | |
CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Amcor Ltd. | | | | 17,780 | | | 71,494 |
| | | | | | | |
METALS & MINING–1.6% | | | | | | | |
Anglo American PLC | | | | 8,200 | | | 239,760 |
ArcelorMittal (Euronext Amsterdam) | | | | 29,628 | | | 980,485 |
ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg) | | | | 4,400 | | | 146,907 |
ArcelorMittal (New York) | | | | 21,700 | | | 717,836 |
Barrick Gold Corp. | | | | 11,147 | | | 375,193 |
BHP Billiton Ltd. | | | | 6,400 | | | 175,334 |
BHP Billiton PLC | | | | 23,756 | | | 535,427 |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. | | | | 28,400 | | | 1,423,124 |
JFE Holdings, Inc. | | | | 4,900 | | | 164,627 |
MMC Norilsk Nickel (ADR)(a) | | | | 21,150 | | | 192,465 |
Nucor Corp. | | | | 5,200 | | | 231,036 |
Rio Tinto PLC | | | | 6,170 | | | 213,676 |
Rio Tinto PLC (Sponsored ADR) | | | | 2,500 | | | 409,675 |
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. | | | | 14,000 | | | 196,670 |
Vale SA (Sponsored ADR)–Class B | | | | 18,700 | | | 329,681 |
Xstrata PLC | | | | 25,500 | | | 277,140 |
Yamato Kogyo Co. Ltd. | | | | 700 | | | 20,608 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,629,644 |
| | | | | | | |
PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Svenska Cellulosa AB–Class B | | | | 4,600 | | | 48,431 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 11,819,087 |
| | | | | | | |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.4% | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.9% | | | | | | | |
AT&T, Inc. | | | | 125,800 | | | 3,124,872 |
BCE, Inc. | | | | 5,700 | | | 117,612 |
8
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Bezeq Israeli Telecommunication Corp. Ltd. | | | | 51,400 | | $ | 94,878 |
Deutsche Telekom AG | | | | 39,900 | | | 471,720 |
France Telecom SA | | | | 19,100 | | | 434,595 |
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | | | | 7,200 | | | 293,223 |
Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd. | | | | 95,485 | | | 167,519 |
Telecom Italia SpA (ordinary shares) | | | | 217,300 | | | 301,284 |
Telecom Italia SpA (savings shares) | | | | 148,800 | | | 146,585 |
Telefonica SA | | | | 70,343 | | | 1,597,467 |
TELUS Corp.–Class A | | | | 4,100 | | | 105,747 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | | 32,000 | | | 983,360 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,838,862 |
| | | | | | | |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.5% | | | | | | | |
KDDI Corp. | | | | 49 | | | 259,996 |
MTN Group Ltd. | | | | 12,492 | | | 191,858 |
Sprint Nextel Corp.(a) | | | | 166,800 | | | 802,308 |
Vodafone Group PLC | | | | 429,753 | | | 835,843 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,090,005 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,928,867 |
| | | | | | | |
UTILITIES–1.5% | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.5% | | | | | | | |
American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | | 15,000 | | | 433,350 |
CEZ | | | | 6,600 | | | 294,996 |
E.ON AG | | | | 16,426 | | | 583,090 |
Edison International | | | | 17,600 | | | 553,696 |
Entergy Corp. | | | | 900 | | | 69,768 |
Pinnacle West Capital Corp. | | | | 5,700 | | | 171,855 |
The Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | | 4,400 | | | 113,130 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,219,885 |
| | | | | | | |
GAS UTILITIES–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Atmos Energy Corp. | | | | 2,800 | | | 70,112 |
| | | | | | | |
INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.1% | | | | | | | |
Drax Group PLC | | | | 18,100 | | | 131,019 |
Iberdrola Renovables SA(a) | | | | 36,800 | | | 168,712 |
RRI Energy, Inc.(a) | | | | 37,200 | | | 186,372 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 486,103 |
| | | | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–0.9% | | | | | | | |
Alliant Energy Corp. | | | | 13,100 | | | 342,303 |
Ameren Corp. | | | | 4,100 | | | 102,049 |
Centrica PLC | | | | 229,185 | | | 842,721 |
CMS Energy Corp. | | | | 11,900 | | | 143,752 |
Consolidated Edison, Inc. | | | | 3,500 | | | 130,970 |
Dominion Resources, Inc. | | | | 15,300 | | | 511,326 |
GDF Suez | | | | 6,174 | | | 231,107 |
National Grid PLC | | | | 21,142 | | | 190,779 |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
NiSource, Inc. | | | | | 39,400 | | $ | 459,404 |
RWE AG | | | | | 4,850 | | | 382,469 |
Xcel Energy, Inc. | | | | | 16,000 | | | 294,560 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 3,631,440 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 6,407,540 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $266,310,626) | | | | | | | | 259,831,323 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | Principal Amount (000) | | |
CORPORATES– INVESTMENT GRADES–10.7% | | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–5.7% | | | | | | | | |
BASIC–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
Alcoa, Inc. 6.75%, 7/15/18 | | $ | | | 145 | | | 128,641 |
ArcelorMittal 6.125%, 6/01/18 | | | | | 330 | | | 288,750 |
6.50%, 4/15/14 | | | | | 105 | | | 100,592 |
BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd. 7.25%, 3/01/16 | | | | | 203 | | | 228,469 |
The Dow Chemical Co. 7.375%, 11/01/29 | | | | | 15 | | | 13,632 |
7.60%, 5/15/14 | | | | | 195 | | | 200,850 |
8.55%, 5/15/19 | | | | | 145 | | | 145,258 |
EI Du Pont de Nemours & Co. 5.875%, 1/15/14 | | | | | 176 | | | 190,592 |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. 8.25%, 4/01/15 | | | | | 160 | | | 161,600 |
8.375%, 4/01/17 | | | | | 185 | | | 186,388 |
Inco Ltd. 7.75%, 5/15/12 | | | | | 80 | | | 86,194 |
International Paper Co. 5.30%, 4/01/15 | | | | | 219 | | | 200,849 |
7.40%, 6/15/14 | | | | | 235 | | | 233,933 |
7.95%, 6/15/18 | | | | | 190 | | | 183,301 |
Packaging Corp. of America 5.75%, 8/01/13 | | | | | 30 | | | 28,833 |
PPG Industries, Inc. 5.75%, 3/15/13 | | | | | 250 | | | 259,869 |
Rio Tinto Finance USA Ltd. 6.50%, 7/15/18 | | | | | 345 | | | 345,201 |
Weyerhaeuser Co. 6.75%, 3/15/12 | | | | | 265 | | | 265,096 |
7.375%, 3/15/32 | | | | | 110 | | | 87,797 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 3,335,845 |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL GOODS–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Boeing Co. 6.00%, 3/15/19 | | | | | 295 | | | 321,676 |
John Deere Capital Corp. 5.25%, 10/01/12 | | | | | 300 | | | 316,894 |
Lafarge SA 6.15%, 7/15/11 | | | | | 172 | | | 173,846 |
9
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
Tyco International Finance SA 6.00%, 11/15/13 | | $ | | | 200 | | $ | 203,364 |
8.50%, 1/15/19 | | | | | 140 | | | 155,229 |
United Technologies Corp. 4.875%, 5/01/15 | | | | | 181 | | | 192,470 |
Vulcan Materials Co. 5.60%, 11/30/12 | | | | | 90 | | | 92,932 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 1,456,411 |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– MEDIA–0.7% |
British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC 8.20%, 7/15/09 | | | | | 20 | | | 20,012 |
BSKYB Finance UK PLC 5.625%, 10/15/15(b) | | | | | 175 | | | 172,300 |
CBS Corp. 8.875%, 5/15/19 | | | | | 330 | | | 321,621 |
Comcast Cable Communications Holdings, Inc. 9.455%, 11/15/22 | | | | | 180 | | | 210,446 |
Comcast Corp. 5.30%, 1/15/14 | | | | | 230 | | | 237,854 |
5.50%, 3/15/11 | | | | | 275 | | | 286,147 |
News America, Inc. 6.55%, 3/15/33 | | | | | 45 | | | 40,276 |
9.25%, 2/01/13 | | | | | 144 | | | 164,187 |
Reed Elsevier Capital, Inc. 8.625%, 1/15/19 | | | | | 140 | | | 159,065 |
RR Donnelley & Sons Co. 4.95%, 4/01/14 | | | | | 25 | | | 21,763 |
5.50%, 5/15/15 | | | | | 120 | | | 102,998 |
11.25%, 2/01/19 | | | | | 190 | | | 201,140 |
Time Warner Cable, Inc. 7.50%, 4/01/14 | | | | | 145 | | | 159,731 |
Time Warner Entertainment Co. 8.375%, 3/15/23 | | | | | 311 | | | 342,917 |
WPP Finance UK 5.875%, 6/15/14 | | | | | 150 | | | 140,032 |
8.00%, 9/15/14 | | | | | 350 | | | 355,435 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 2,935,924 |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–1.2% |
AT&T Corp. 7.30%, 11/15/11 | | | | | 125 | | | 137,080 |
8.00%, 11/15/31 | | | | | 15 | | | 17,313 |
BellSouth Corp. 5.20%, 9/15/14 | | | | | 94 | | | 97,857 |
British Telecommunications PLC 9.125%, 12/15/10(c) | | | | | 375 | | | 398,277 |
Embarq Corp. 6.738%, 6/01/13 | | | | | 190 | | | 191,794 |
7.082%, 6/01/16 | | | | | 498 | | | 486,343 |
New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc. 7.875%, 3/01/11 | | | | | 275 | | | 296,578 |
8.75%, 3/01/31 | | | | | 160 | | | 195,010 |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
Pacific Bell Telephone Co. 6.625%, 10/15/34 | | $ | | | 230 | | $ | 219,430 |
Qwest Corp. 7.50%, 10/01/14 | | | | | 295 | | | 281,356 |
7.875%, 9/01/11 | | | | | 265 | | | 265,000 |
8.875%, 3/15/12 | | | | | 230 | | | 231,725 |
Telecom Italia Capital SA 4.00%, 1/15/10 | | | | | 440 | | | 442,109 |
6.00%, 9/30/34 | | | | | 65 | | | 54,899 |
6.175%, 6/18/14 | | | | | 305 | | | 308,439 |
6.375%, 11/15/33 | | | | | 60 | | | 53,325 |
Telus Corp. 8.00%, 6/01/11 | | | | | 65 | | | 69,763 |
US Cellular Corp. 6.70%, 12/15/33 | | | | | 250 | | | 239,492 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. 4.90%, 9/15/15 | | | | | 168 | | | 167,802 |
5.25%, 4/15/13 | | | | | 225 | | | 236,133 |
Verizon New Jersey, Inc. Series A 5.875%, 1/17/12 | | | | | 154 | | | 161,434 |
Vodafone Group PLC 5.50%, 6/15/11 | | | | | 220 | | | 231,483 |
7.75%, 2/15/10 | | | | | 85 | | | 87,874 |
7.875%, 2/15/30 | | | | | 100 | | | 114,697 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 4,985,213 |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL– AUTOMOTIVE–0.1% | | | |
Daimler Finance North America LLC 5.75%, 9/08/11 | | | | | 135 | | | 137,753 |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–ENTERTAINMENT–0.1% | | | |
Time Warner, Inc. 6.875%, 5/01/12 | | | | | 210 | | | 224,646 |
The Walt Disney Co. 5.50%, 3/15/19 | | | | | 240 | | | 251,553 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 476,199 |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.1% | | | |
Marriott International, Inc. Series J 5.625%, 2/15/13 | | | | | 216 | | | 213,243 |
MDC Holdings, Inc. 5.50%, 5/15/13 | | | | | 140 | | | 135,503 |
Toll Brothers Finance Corp. 6.875%, 11/15/12 | | | | | 135 | | | 130,083 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 478,829 |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–RETAILERS–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
CVS Caremark Corp. 6.125%, 8/15/16 | | | | | 100 | | | 103,590 |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 4.25%, 4/15/13 | | | | | 125 | | | 129,877 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 233,467 |
| | | | | | | | |
10
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–1.2% | | | |
Avon Products, Inc. 6.50%, 3/01/19 | | $ | | | 305 | | $ | 334,283 |
Bottling Group LLC 6.95%, 3/15/14 | | | | | 265 | | | 302,254 |
Bunge Ltd. Finance Corp. 5.10%, 7/15/15 | | | | | 69 | | | 63,271 |
5.875%, 5/15/13 | | | | | 180 | | | 179,167 |
Cadbury Schweppes US Finance LLC 5.125%, 10/01/13(b) | | | | | 260 | | | 256,723 |
Campbell Soup Co. 6.75%, 2/15/11 | | | | | 260 | | | 281,288 |
The Coca-Cola Co. 5.35%, 11/15/17 | | | | | 280 | | | 299,025 |
ConAgra Foods, Inc. 7.875%, 9/15/10 | | | | | 3 | | | 3,179 |
Diageo Capital PLC 7.375%, 1/15/14 | | | | | 265 | | | 299,836 |
Fisher Scientific International, Inc. 6.125%, 7/01/15 | | | | | 196 | | | 196,735 |
6.75%, 8/15/14 | | | | | 29 | | | 29,804 |
Fortune Brands, Inc. 4.875%, 12/01/13 | | | | | 201 | | | 195,677 |
Johnson & Johnson 5.55%, 8/15/17 | | | | | 270 | | | 293,464 |
Kraft Foods, Inc. 4.125%, 11/12/09 | | | | | 115 | | | 116,207 |
5.25%, 10/01/13 | | | | | 179 | | | 185,089 |
The Kroger Co. 6.80%, 12/15/18 | | | | | 79 | | | 84,559 |
Pepsico, Inc. 4.65%, 2/15/13 | | | | | 285 | | | 299,194 |
Pfizer, Inc. 5.35%, 3/15/15 | | | | | 295 | | | 317,007 |
The Procter & Gamble Co. 4.70%, 2/15/19 | | | | | 294 | | | 298,158 |
Reynolds American, Inc. 7.25%, 6/01/13 | | | | | 150 | | | 154,253 |
7.625%, 6/01/16 | | | | | 250 | | | 250,749 |
Safeway, Inc. 4.95%, 8/16/10 | | | | | 90 | | | 91,848 |
6.50%, 3/01/11 | | | | | 15 | | | 15,886 |
Whirlpool Corp. 8.60%, 5/01/14 | | | | | 45 | | | 47,025 |
Wyeth 5.50%, 2/01/14 | | | | | 210 | | | 224,749 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 4,819,430 |
| | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Amerada Hess Corp. 7.875%, 10/01/29 | | | | | 80 | | | 86,772 |
Apache Corp. 5.25%, 4/15/13 | | | | | 165 | | | 173,323 |
Baker Hughes, Inc. 6.50%, 11/15/13 | | | | | 150 | | | 166,371 |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. 5.15%, 2/01/13 | | $ | | | 100 | | $ | 101,762 |
Conoco, Inc. 6.95%, 4/15/29 | | | | | 66 | | | 71,116 |
Nabors Industries, Inc. 9.25%, 1/15/19(b) | | | | | 315 | | | 363,188 |
Noble Energy, Inc. 8.25%, 3/01/19 | | | | | 303 | | | 344,736 |
The Premcor Refining Group, Inc. 7.50%, 6/15/15 | | | | | 161 | | | 167,042 |
Valero Energy Corp. 4.75%, 6/15/13 | | | | | 80 | | | 76,559 |
6.875%, 4/15/12 | | | | | 290 | | | 308,389 |
Weatherford International Ltd. 5.15%, 3/15/13 | | | | | 125 | | | 124,670 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 1,983,928 |
| | | | | | | | |
SERVICES–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
The Western Union Co. 5.93%, 10/01/16 | | | | | 90 | | | 90,864 |
| | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY–0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. 5.25%, 2/22/11 | | | | | 280 | | | 295,243 |
Computer Sciences Corp. 5.50%, 3/15/13 | | | | | 180 | | | 179,053 |
Dell, Inc. 5.625%, 4/15/14 | | | | | 185 | | | 195,382 |
Electronic Data Systems Corp. Series B 6.00%, 8/01/13 | | | | | 375 | | | 409,368 |
Motorola, Inc. 6.50%, 9/01/25 | | | | | 175 | | | 122,500 |
7.50%, 5/15/25 | | | | | 35 | | | 26,775 |
7.625%, 11/15/10 | | | | | 49 | | | 49,852 |
Oracle Corp. 4.95%, 4/15/13 | | | | | 147 | | | 153,932 |
5.25%, 1/15/16 | | | | | 390 | | | 408,102 |
Xerox Corp. 7.625%, 6/15/13 | | | | | 55 | | | 55,398 |
8.25%, 5/15/14 | | | | | 280 | | | 291,161 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 2,186,766 |
| | | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION– AIRLINES–0.0% | | | |
Southwest Airlines Co. 5.25%, 10/01/14 | | | | | 92 | | | 88,653 |
| | | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION– RAILROAD–0.0% | | | |
Canadian Pacific Railway Co. 6.50%, 5/15/18 | | | | | 58 | | | 57,644 |
CSX Corp. 5.50%, 8/01/13 | | | | | 35 | | | 35,623 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 93,267 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 23,302,549 |
| | | | | | | | |
11
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–3.9% | | | |
BANKING–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
American Express Co. 8.125%, 5/20/19 | | $ | | | 325 | | $ | 337,262 |
ANZ National International Ltd. 6.20%, 7/19/13(b) | | | | | 335 | | | 345,871 |
Bank of America Corp. 4.50%, 8/01/10 | | | | | 260 | | | 261,269 |
4.875%, 1/15/13 | | | | | 285 | | | 281,571 |
7.375%, 5/15/14 | | | | | 340 | | | 351,225 |
Barclays Bank PLC 5.45%, 9/12/12 | | | | | 620 | | | 646,418 |
8.55%, 6/15/11(b)(d) | | | | | 50 | | | 33,500 |
BBVA International Preferred SA Unipersonal 5.919%, 4/18/17(d) | | | | | 130 | | | 76,700 |
The Bear Stearns Co., Inc. 5.55%, 1/22/17 | | | | | 290 | | | 268,759 |
5.70%, 11/15/14 | | | | | 190 | | | 193,585 |
7.625%, 12/07/09 | | | | | 223 | | | 228,648 |
Citigroup, Inc. 4.625%, 8/03/10 | | | | | 175 | | | 174,128 |
5.50%, 4/11/13 | | | | | 230 | | | 215,566 |
6.50%, 8/19/13 | | | | | 260 | | | 252,558 |
8.50%, 5/22/19 | | | | | 475 | | | 483,189 |
Compass Bank 5.50%, 4/01/20 | | | | | 215 | | | 160,220 |
Countrywide Financial Corp. 6.25%, 5/15/16 | | | | | 92 | | | 81,620 |
5.80%, 6/07/12 | | | | | 96 | | | 96,598 |
Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. Series L 4.00%, 3/22/11 | | | | | 59 | | | 58,227 |
Credit Suisse First Boston USA, Inc. 5.50%, 8/15/13 | | | | | 120 | | | 125,071 |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 4.75%, 7/15/13 | | | | | 200 | | | 200,267 |
5.125%, 1/15/15 | | | | | 140 | | | 137,708 |
7.35%, 10/01/09 | | | | | 60 | | | 60,921 |
7.50%, 2/15/19 | | | | | 550 | | | 588,925 |
JP Morgan Chase & Co. 6.75%, 2/01/11 | | | | | 160 | | | 167,274 |
JP Morgan Chase Capital XXV Series Y 6.80%, 10/01/37 | | | | | 51 | | | 43,860 |
Marshall & Ilsley Bank 4.85%, 6/16/15 | | | | | 250 | | | 180,479 |
5.00%, 1/17/17 | | | | | 205 | | | 139,957 |
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 6.05%, 5/16/16 | | | | | 245 | | | 219,372 |
Morgan Stanley 5.05%, 1/21/11 | | | | | 100 | | | 101,972 |
5.30%, 3/01/13 | | | | | 135 | | | 136,737 |
6.60%, 4/01/12 | | | | | 145 | | | 153,520 |
5.625%, 1/09/12 | | | | | 210 | | | 214,915 |
6.625%, 4/01/18 | | | | | 345 | | | 343,933 |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
National Capital Trust II 5.486%, 12/29/49(b)(d) | | $ | | | 91 | | $ | 60,060 |
National City Bank of Cleveland Ohio 6.25%, 3/15/11 | | | | | 250 | | | 255,341 |
North Fork Bancorporation, Inc. 5.875%, 8/15/12 | | | | | 100 | | | 91,575 |
Rabobank Nederland 11.00%, 6/30/19(b)(d) | | | | | 95 | | | 105,688 |
Regions Financial Corp. 6.375%, 5/15/12 | | | | | 275 | | | 252,297 |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC 5.00%, 10/01/14 | | | | | 205 | | | 163,879 |
SouthTrust Corp. 5.80%, 6/15/14 | | | | | 225 | | | 223,394 |
Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. 4.80%, 9/01/10 | | | | | 155 | | | 151,403 |
UBS Preferred Funding Trust I 8.622%, 10/01/10(d) | | | | | 40 | | | 28,484 |
UBS Preferred Funding Trust II 7.247%, 6/26/11(d) | | | | | 250 | | | 148,604 |
Unicredito Italiano Capital Trust II 9.20%, 10/05/10(b)(d) | | | | | 330 | | | 212,518 |
Union Bank of California 5.95%, 5/11/16 | | | | | 250 | | | 231,274 |
Union Planters Corp. 7.75%, 3/01/11 | | | | | 183 | | | 177,623 |
Wachovia Corp. 5.50%, 5/01/13 | | | | | 320 | | | 330,561 |
Wells Fargo & Co. 4.20%, 1/15/10 | | | | | 85 | | | 85,979 |
5.625%, 12/11/17 | | | | | 295 | | | 290,378 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 10,170,883 |
| | | | | | | | |
BROKERAGE–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Lazard Group 6.85%, 6/15/17 | | | | | 160 | | | 146,985 |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCE–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
General Electric Capital Corp. 4.80%, 5/01/13 | | | | | 315 | | | 315,343 |
5.625%, 5/01/18 | | | | | 480 | | | 453,976 |
Series A 4.375%, 11/21/11 | | | | | 25 | | | 25,120 |
HSBC Finance Corp. 7.00%, 5/15/12 | | | | | 125 | | | 128,871 |
International Lease Finance Corp. 5.65%, 6/01/14 | | | | | 28 | | | 20,290 |
SLM Corp. 5.125%, 8/27/12 | | | | | 65 | | | 55,598 |
5.40%, 10/25/11 | | | | | 185 | | | 166,387 |
Series A 5.375%, 1/15/13–5/15/14 | | | | | 650 | | | 534,455 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 1,700,040 |
| | | | | | | | |
12
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings Ltd. 7.50%, 8/01/16 | | $ | | | 160 | | $ | 135,486 |
The Allstate Corp. 6.125%, 5/15/37(d) | | | | | 235 | | | 172,725 |
Assurant, Inc. 5.625%, 2/15/14 | | | | | 135 | | | 120,414 |
Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp. 4.20%, 12/15/10 | | | | | 115 | | | 118,563 |
Genworth Financial, Inc. 6.515%, 5/22/18 | | | | | 315 | | | 210,555 |
ING Capital Funding Trust III 8.439%, 12/31/10(d) | | | | | 200 | | | 126,000 |
ING Groep NV 5.775%, 12/08/15(d) | | | | | 65 | | | 38,025 |
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. 5.75%, 3/15/14(b) | | | | | 165 | | | 130,631 |
Lincoln National Corp. 8.75%, 7/01/19 | | | | | 98 | | | 98,830 |
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. 8.875%, 6/01/39(b) | | | | | 185 | | | 196,450 |
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. 5.81%, 12/15/24(b)(d) | | | | | 500 | | | 293,621 |
Principal Financial Group, Inc. 7.875%, 5/15/14 | | | | | 260 | | | 273,908 |
Prudential Financial, Inc. 6.20%, 1/15/15 | | | | | 45 | | | 43,992 |
7.375%, 6/15/19 | | | | | 35 | | | 34,364 |
5.15%, 1/15/13 | | | | | 205 | | | 198,941 |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 4.125%, 8/15/09 | | | | | 67 | | | 67,100 |
5.25%, 3/15/11 | | | | | 280 | | | 288,970 |
WellPoint, Inc. 4.25%, 12/15/09 | | | | | 148 | | | 149,758 |
5.25%, 1/15/16 | | | | | 50 | | | 47,371 |
XL Capital Ltd. 5.25%, 9/15/14 | | | | | 135 | | | 113,301 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 2,859,005 |
| | | | | | | | |
REITS–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
ERP Operating LP 5.25%, 9/15/14 | | | | | 105 | | | 99,685 |
HCP, Inc. 5.95%, 9/15/11 | | | | | 340 | | | 332,766 |
Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. 5.125%, 4/01/14 | | | | | 131 | | | 115,457 |
8.125%, 5/01/11 | | | | | 225 | | | 224,141 |
Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. 6.50%, 7/15/11 | | | | | 180 | | | 177,331 |
Simon Property Group LP 5.00%, 3/01/12 | | | | | 90 | | | 89,717 |
5.625%, 8/15/14 | | | | | 179 | | | 170,924 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 1,210,021 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 16,086,934 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
UTILITY–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
Carolina Power & Light Co. 6.50%, 7/15/12 | | $ | | | 275 | | $ | 299,538 |
Exelon Corp. 6.75%, 5/01/11 | | | | | 25 | | | 26,094 |
FirstEnergy Corp. Series B 6.45%, 11/15/11 | | | | | 290 | | | 302,690 |
Series C 7.375%, 11/15/31 | | | | | 275 | | | 259,561 |
FPL Group Capital, Inc. 6.35%, 10/01/66(d) | | | | | 55 | | | 42,900 |
6.65%, 6/15/67(d) | | | | | 170 | | | 136,000 |
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. 5.875%, 10/01/12 | | | | | 170 | | | 181,051 |
Nisource Finance Corp. 6.80%, 1/15/19 | | | | | 330 | | | 309,241 |
7.875%, 11/15/10 | | | | | 40 | | | 41,316 |
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. 4.80%, 3/01/14 | | | | | 200 | | | 210,556 |
6.05%, 3/01/34 | | | | | 38 | | | 39,423 |
Progress Energy, Inc. 7.10%, 3/01/11 | | | | | 19 | | | 20,208 |
Public Service Company of Colorado Series 10 7.875%, 10/01/12 | | | | | 130 | | | 150,608 |
The Southern Co. Series A 5.30%, 1/15/12 | | | | | 114 | | | 119,700 |
SPI Electricity & Gas Australia Holdings Pty Ltd. 6.15%, 11/15/13(b) | | | | | 488 | | | 482,321 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 2,621,207 |
| | | | | | | | |
NATURAL GAS–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Duke Energy Field Services Corp. 7.875%, 8/16/10 | | | | | 15 | | | 15,691 |
Energy Transfer Partners LP 6.70%, 7/01/18 | | | | | 195 | | | 199,349 |
7.50%, 7/01/38 | | | | | 225 | | | 236,281 |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC Series G 5.60%, 10/15/14 | | | | | 125 | | | 128,467 |
Texas Eastern Transmission Corp. 7.30%, 12/01/10 | | | | | 160 | | | 165,660 |
TransCanada Pipelines Ltd. 6.35%, 5/15/67(d) | | | | | 120 | | | 83,400 |
Williams Co., Inc. 7.875%, 9/01/21 | | | | | 214 | | | 210,790 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 1,039,638 |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER UTILITY–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Veolia Environnement 6.00%, 6/01/18 | | | | | 210 | | | 214,044 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 3,874,889 |
| | | | | | | | |
13
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.2% | | | |
AGENCIES–NOT GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED–0.2% | | | |
Gaz Capital SA 6.212%, 11/22/16(b) | | $ | | | 510 | | $ | 428,400 |
TransCapitalInvest Ltd. for OJSC AK Transneft 8.70%, 8/07/18(b) | | | | | 345 | | | 327,750 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 756,150 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Corporates–Investment Grades (cost $44,759,309) | | | | | | | | 44,020,522 |
| | | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS–TREASURIES–7.6% | | | |
TREASURIES–7.6% | | | | | | | | |
SWEDEN–0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Sweden Government Bond Series 1045 5.25%, 3/15/11 | | | SEK | | 6,815 | | | 943,878 |
Series 1046 5.50%, 10/08/12 | | | | | 6,435 | | | 923,162 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 1,867,040 |
| | | | | | | | |
UNITED STATES–7.1% | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Bonds 3.75%, 11/15/18 | | $ | | | 7,230 | | | 7,354,862 |
4.50%, 2/15/36 | | | | | 2,330 | | | 2,400,264 |
U.S. Treasury Notes 0.875%, 2/28/11– 5/31/11 | | | | | 8,440 | | | 8,421,058 |
1.75%, 1/31/14 | | | | | 10,065 | | | 9,781,972 |
2.125%, 1/31/10 | | | | | 1,365 | | | 1,378,597 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 29,336,753 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Treasuries (cost $30,977,392) | | | | | | | | 31,203,793 |
| | | | | | | | |
MORTGAGE PASS-THRU’S–5.6% | | | |
AGENCY FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–5.2% | | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold Series 2005 4.50%, 8/01/35– 10/01/35 | | | | | 1,797 | | | 1,794,819 |
5.50%, 1/01/35 | | | | | 1,877 | | | 1,946,310 |
Series 2007 5.50%, 7/01/35 | | | | | 201 | | | 209,103 |
Series 2008 6.50%, 5/01/35 | | | | | 73 | | | 78,831 |
Federal National Mortgage Association Series 2003 5.00%, 11/01/33 | | | | | 581 | | | 594,309 |
Series 2004 5.50%, 2/01/34–11/01/34 | | | | | 839 | | | 870,801 |
6.00%, 9/01/34–11/01/34 | | | | | 720 | | | 757,177 |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
Series 2005 4.50%, 8/01/35 | | $ | | | 625 | | $ | 625,660 |
Series 2006 5.00%, 2/01/36 | | | | | 2,197 | | | 2,244,138 |
6.00%, 3/01/36 | | | | | 317 | | | 332,236 |
Series 2007 4.50%, 9/01/35–1/01/36 | | | | | 1,815 | | | 1,819,176 |
5.00%, 11/01/35–7/01/36 | | | | | 619 | | | 632,630 |
5.50%, 1/01/37–8/01/37 | | | | | 3,154 | | | 3,271,700 |
Series 2008 5.50%, 8/01/37 | | | | | 1,470 | | | 1,522,700 |
6.00%, 3/01/37 | | | | | 3,025 | | | 3,173,747 |
Government National Mortgage Association Series 2008 6.50%, 12/20/38 | | | | | 961 | | | 1,018,368 |
Series 2009 5.50%, 2/15/39 | | | | | 549 | | | 567,878 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 21,459,583 |
| | | | | | | | |
AGENCY ARMS–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Series 2008 5.621%, 11/01/37(e) | | | | | 335 | | | 351,106 |
Federal National Mortgage Association Series 2006 5.454%, 2/01/36(e) | | | | | 373 | | | 389,279 |
5.816%, 11/01/36(e) | | | | | 94 | | | 98,273 |
6.235%, 3/01/36 | | | | | 273 | | | 287,094 |
Series 2007 4.725%, 3/01/34(e) | | | | | 617 | | | 625,671 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 1,751,423 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s (cost $22,552,461) | | | | | | | | 23,211,006 |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–4.0% | | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–4.0% | | | | | | | | |
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc. Series 2001-PB1, Class A2 5.787%, 5/11/35 | | | | | 1,027 | | | 1,041,589 |
Series 2004-4, Class A3 4.128%, 7/10/42 | | | | | 167 | | | 166,983 |
Series 2004-6, Class A2 4.161%, 12/10/42 | | | | | 132 | | | 131,502 |
Series 2005-6, Class A4 5.351%, 9/10/47 | | | | | 315 | | | 273,688 |
Series 2006-5, Class A4 5.414%, 9/10/47 | | | | | 355 | | | 283,059 |
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc. Series 2006-PW12, Class A4 5.903%, 9/11/38 | | | | | 250 | | | 217,418 |
14
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
Series 2007-PW18, Class A4 5.70%, 6/11/50 | | $ | | | 280 | | $ | 222,445 |
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2004-C1, Class A4 5.545%, 4/15/40 | | | | | 110 | | | 98,330 |
Series 2008-C7, Class A4 6.299%, 12/10/49 | | | | | 440 | | | 359,716 |
Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2006-C8, Class A4 5.306%, 12/10/46 | | | | | 130 | | | 94,778 |
Series 2007-C9, Class A4 6.01%, 12/10/49 | | | | | 650 | | | 516,595 |
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates
| | | | | | | | |
Series 2006-C3, Class A3 6.02%, 6/15/38 | | | | | 620 | | | 452,521 |
Series 2006-C4, Class A3 5.467%, 9/15/39 | | | | | 235 | | | 164,438 |
Series 2006-C5, Class A3 5.311%, 12/15/39 | | | | | 345 | | | 236,455 |
CS First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2003-CK2, Class A2 3.861%, 3/15/36 | | | | | 3 | | | 2,503 |
Series 2004-C1, Class A4 4.75%, 1/15/37 | | | | | 70 | | | 62,608 |
Series 2005-C1, Class A4 5.014%, 2/15/38 | | | | | 260 | | | 219,474 |
GE Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp. Series 2005-C3, Class A3FX 4.863%, 7/10/45 | | | | | 360 | | | 352,321 |
Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp. Series 2005-GG3, Class A4 4.799%, 8/10/42 | | | | | 85 | | | 72,342 |
Series 2007-GG9, Class A2 5.381%, 3/10/39 | | | | | 520 | | | 488,238 |
Series 2007-GG9, Class A4 5.444%, 3/10/39 | | | | | 410 | | | 326,817 |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II Series 2001-ROCK, Class C 6.878%, 5/03/18(b) | | | | | 605 | | | 654,002 |
Series 2004-GG2, Class A6 5.396%, 8/10/38 | | | | | 80 | | | 71,322 |
Series 2006-GG8, Class A2 5.479%, 11/10/39 | | | | | 185 | | | 172,674 |
JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2004-C1, Class A2 4.302%, 1/15/38 | | | | | 60 | | | 54,490 |
Series 2005-CB11, Class A4 5.335%, 8/12/37 | | | | | 170 | | | 151,318 |
Series 2005-LDP3, Class A2 4.851%, 8/15/42 | | | | | 100 | | | 95,573 |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
Series 2005-LDP4, Class A2 4.79%, 10/15/42 | | $ | | | 188 | | $ | 185,736 |
Series 2005-LDP5, Class A2 5.198%, 12/15/44 | | | | | 60 | | | 58,069 |
Series 2006-CB14, Class A4 5.481%, 12/12/44 | | | | | 315 | | | 254,240 |
Series 2006-CB15, Class A4 5.814%, 6/12/43 | | | | | 595 | | | 467,981 |
Series 2006-CB16, Class A4 5.552%, 5/12/45 | | | | | 335 | | | 269,211 |
Series 2006-CB17, Class A4 5.429%, 12/12/43 | | | | | 350 | | | 282,950 |
Series 2007-CB18, Class A4 5.44%, 6/12/47 | | | | | 445 | | | 335,088 |
Series 2007-LD11, Class A4 6.007%, 6/15/49 | | | | | 195 | | | 148,909 |
Series 2007-LDPX, Class A3 5.42%, 1/15/49 | | | | | 475 | | | 349,642 |
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2003-C3, Class A4 4.166%, 5/15/32 | | | | | 150 | | | 137,670 |
Series 2004-C4, Class A4 5.409%, 6/15/29 | | | | | 40 | | | 34,646 |
Series 2004-C8, Class A2 4.201%, 12/15/29 | | | | | 122 | | | 121,542 |
Series 2005-C1, Class A4 4.742%, 2/15/30 | | | | | 120 | | | 105,197 |
Series 2005-C7, Class A4 5.197%, 11/15/30 | | | | | 50 | | | 42,942 |
Series 2006-C1, Class A4 5.156%, 2/15/31 | | | | | 1,095 | | | 911,913 |
Series 2006-C3, Class A4 5.661%, 3/15/39 | | | | | 285 | | | 239,773 |
Series 2006-C4, Class A4 6.08%, 6/15/38 | | | | | 275 | | | 230,249 |
Series 2006-C6, Class A4 5.372%, 9/15/39 | | | | | 660 | | | 535,135 |
Series 2006-C7, Class A3 5.347%, 11/15/38 | | | | | 195 | | | 155,016 |
Series 2007-C1, Class A4 5.424%, 2/15/40 | | | | | 210 | | | 152,645 |
Series 2008-C1, Class A2 6.317%, 4/15/41 | | | | | 650 | | | 531,832 |
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust Series 2005-CKI1, Class A6 5.415%, 11/12/37 | | | | | 40 | | | 33,930 |
Series 2005-MKB2, Class A2 4.806%, 9/12/42 | | | | | 320 | | | 317,110 |
Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-2, Class A4 6.104%, 6/12/46 | | | | | 110 | | | 90,399 |
Series 2006-3, Class A4 5.414%, 7/12/46 | | | | | 480 | | | 361,363 |
Series 2007-9, Class A4 5.70%, 9/12/49 | | | | | 440 | | | 303,485 |
Morgan Stanley Capital I Series 2004-HQ4, Class A5 4.59%, 4/14/40 | | | | | 190 | | | 178,099 |
15
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
Series 2005-HQ5, Class A4 5.168%, 1/14/42 | | $ | | | 1,035 | | $ | 933,050 |
Series 2007-IQ15, Class A4 6.076%, 6/11/49 | | | | | 90 | | | 67,779 |
Series 2007-T27, Class A4 5.803%, 6/11/42 | | | | | 210 | | | 176,203 |
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C27, Class A3 5.765%, 7/15/45 | | | | | 630 | | | 503,620 |
Series 2007-C31, Class A4 5.509%, 4/15/47 | | | | | 190 | | | 126,018 |
Series 2007-C32, Class A2 5.924%, 6/15/49 | | | | | 640 | | | 597,296 |
Series 2007-C32, Class A3 5.929%, 6/15/49 | | | | | 625 | | | 434,050 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 16,655,987 |
| | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE CMBS–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II Series 2007-EOP, Class E 0.758%, 3/06/20(b)(e) | | | | | 75 | | | 51,475 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $19,588,994) | | | | | | | | 16,707,462 |
| | | | | | | | |
AGENCIES–2.3% | | | | | | | | |
AGENCY DEBENTURES–2.3% | | | | | |
Citigroup Funding, Inc.–FDIC Insured 0.936%, 5/05/11(e) | | | | | 2,175 | | | 2,177,384 |
Federal Home Loan Bank 4.625%, 10/10/12 | | | | | 115 | | | 124,296 |
5.00%, 11/17/17 | | | | | 885 | | | 941,741 |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 5.125%, 11/17/17 | | | | | 3,610 | | | 3,962,076 |
Federal National Mortgage Association 6.25%, 5/15/29 | | | | | 740 | | | 868,779 |
6.625%, 11/15/30 | | | | | 1,092 | | | 1,337,454 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Agencies (cost $9,259,393) | | | | | | | | 9,411,730 |
| | | | | | | | |
CORPORATES–NON- INVESTMENT GRADES–1.1% | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
BASIC–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Ineos Group Holdings PLC 8.50%, 2/15/16(b) | | | | | 75 | | | 23,250 |
Stora Enso Oyj 7.375%, 5/15/11 | | | | | 175 | | | 165,721 |
United States Steel Corp. 5.65%, 6/01/13 | | | | | 251 | | | 225,906 |
6.05%, 6/01/17 | | | | | 10 | | | 8,529 |
Westvaco Corp. 8.20%, 1/15/30 | | | | | 15 | | | 13,251 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 436,657 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL GOODS–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Hanson Australia Funding Ltd. 5.25%, 3/15/13 | | $ | | | 120 | | $ | 94,356 |
Masco Corp. 6.125%, 10/03/16 | | | | | 275 | | | 230,889 |
Mohawk Industries, Inc. 6.625%, 1/15/16 | | | | | 245 | | | 217,702 |
Owens Corning, Inc. 6.50%, 12/01/16 | | | | | 178 | | | 156,028 |
Textron Financial Corp. 4.60%, 5/03/10 | | | | | 40 | | | 38,200 |
5.125%, 2/03/11 | | | | | 73 | | | 66,997 |
5.40%, 4/28/13 | | | | | 53 | | | 43,395 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 847,567 |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– MEDIA–0.0% | | | |
Cablevision Systems Corp. Series B 8.00%, 4/15/12 | | | | | 45 | | | 44,550 |
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. 5.50%, 9/15/14 | | | | | 185 | | | 40,700 |
DirecTV Holdings LLC 6.375%, 6/15/15 | | | | | 40 | | | 37,000 |
Univision Communications, Inc. 12.00%, 7/01/14(b) | | | | | 36 | | | 33,480 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 155,730 |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.0% | | | |
Qwest Communications International, Inc. 7.50%, 2/15/14 | | | | | 25 | | | 22,812 |
Series B 7.50%, 2/15/14 | | | | | 15 | | | 13,688 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 36,500 |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL– AUTOMOTIVE–0.1% | | | |
Ford Motor Credit Co. 7.375%, 10/28/09 | | | | | 160 | | | 158,628 |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL– OTHER–0.2% | | | |
Centex Corp. 5.45%, 8/15/12 | | | | | 99 | | | 93,307 |
Sheraton Holding Corp. 7.375%, 11/15/15 | | | | | 262 | | | 241,040 |
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 6.25%, 2/15/13 | | | | | 250 | | | 232,500 |
7.875%, 5/01/12 | | | | | 212 | | | 195,040 |
Wyndham Worldwide Corp. 6.00%, 12/01/16 | | | | | 70 | | | 54,747 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 816,634 |
| | | | | | | | |
16
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–RETAILERS–0.0% | | | | | |
Limited Brands, Inc. 6.90%, 7/15/17 | | $ | | | 25 | | $ | 21,633 |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.0% | | | | | |
Bausch & Lomb, Inc. 9.875%, 11/01/15 | | | | | 130 | | | 124,150 |
HCA, Inc. 8.50%, 4/15/19(b) | | | | | 35 | | | 34,387 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 158,537 |
| | | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION– AIRLINES–0.0% | | | |
UAL Pass Through Trust Series 2007-1 Series 071A 6.636%, 7/02/22 | | | | | 79 | | | 59,353 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 2,691,239 |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.4% | | | |
BANKING–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
ABN Amro Bank NV 4.31%, 3/10/16(d) | | | EUR | | 90 | | | 51,765 |
BankAmerica Capital II Series 2 8.00%, 12/15/26 | | $ | | | 94 | | | 78,010 |
Commerzbank Capital Funding Trust I 5.012%, 4/12/16(d) | | | EUR | | 200 | | | 89,783 |
Dexia Credit Local 4.30%, 11/18/15(d) | | | | | 300 | | | 151,509 |
HBOS Capital Funding LP 4.939%, 5/23/16(d) | | | | | 56 | | | 25,925 |
HBOS Euro Finance LP 7.627%, 12/09/11(d) | | | | | 75 | | | 42,086 |
KBC Bank Funding Trust III 9.86%, 11/29/49(b)(d) | | $ | | | 247 | | | 108,680 |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC 5.92%, 10/01/15(b)(d) | | | | | 100 | | | 35,000 |
6.267%, 11/14/16(b)(d) | | | | | 450 | | | 153,000 |
6.657%, 5/21/37(b)(d) | | | | | 400 | | | 144,000 |
Northern Rock PLC 5.60%, 4/30/14(b)(d) | | | | | 445 | | | 89,000 |
RBS Capital Trust III 5.512%, 9/30/14(d) | | | | | 125 | | | 51,250 |
Zions Bancorp 5.50%, 11/16/15 | | | | | 35 | | | 25,193 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 1,045,201 |
| | | | | | | | |
BROKERAGE–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. 7.875%, 11/01/09–8/15/10(f) | | | | | 370 | | | 54,575 |
5.00%, 1/14/11(f) | | | | | 80 | | | 11,800 |
6.20%, 9/26/14(f) | | | | | 33 | | | 4,867 |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
Series G 4.80%, 3/13/14(f) | | $ | | | 42 | | $ | 6,195 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 77,437 |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCE–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
American General Finance Corp. 4.875%, 7/15/12 | | | | | 45 | | | 26,640 |
5.85%, 6/01/13 | | | | | 100 | | | 57,364 |
CIT Group, Inc. 5.00%, 2/01/15 | | | | | 205 | | | 120,747 |
5.85%, 9/15/16 | | | | | 155 | | | 87,506 |
7.625%, 11/30/12 | | | | | 290 | | | 198,576 |
5.125%, 9/30/14 | | | | | 40 | | | 23,577 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 514,410 |
| | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. 7.80%, 3/15/37(b) | | | | | 65 | | | 36,400 |
| | | | | | | | |
REITS–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
AMR REAL ESTATE PTR/FIN 7.125%, 2/15/13 | | | | | 45 | | | 40,613 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 1,714,061 |
| | | | | | | | |
UTILITY–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Dynegy Holdings, Inc. 8.375%, 5/01/16 | | | | | 115 | | | 97,462 |
Edison Mission Energy 7.00%, 5/15/17 | | | | | 95 | | | 72,913 |
NRG Energy, Inc. 7.25%, 2/01/14 | | | | | 105 | | | 101,850 |
7.375%, 2/01/16 | | | | | 35 | | | 33,119 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 305,344 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Corporates–Non-Investment Grades (cost $6,201,315) | | | | | | | | 4,710,644 |
| | | | | | | | |
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–0.6% | | | |
CREDIT CARDS–FLOATING RATE–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Chase Issuance Trust FRN Series 2007-A1, Class A1 | | | | | | | | |
0.339%, 3/15/13(e) | | | | | 640 | | | 628,259 |
MBNA Credit Card Master Note Trust FRN Series 2005-A9, Class A9 0.359%, 4/15/13(e) | | | | | 660 | | | 649,153 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 1,277,412 |
| | | | | | | | |
HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING RATE–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc. Series 2007-HE3, Class M1 | | | | | | | | |
0.764%, 4/25/37(e) | | | | | 100 | | | 2,100 |
Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC Series 2003-CB1, Class AF 3.95%, 1/25/33(c) | | | | | 219 | | | 183,609 |
17
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
HFC Home Equity Loan Asset Backed Certificates Series 2007-1, Class M1 | | | | | | | | |
0.695%, 3/20/36(e) | | $ | | | 365 | | $ | 134,827 |
Home Equity Asset Trust Series 2007-3, Class M1 | | | | | | | | |
0.664%, 8/25/37(e) | | | | | 275 | | | 6,848 |
Indymac Residential Asset Backed Trust Series 2006-D, Class 2A2 | | | | | | | | |
0.424%, 11/25/36(e) | | | | | 295 | | | 207,774 |
IXIS Real Estate Capital Trust Series 2006-HE3, Class A2 | | | | | | | | |
0.414%, 1/25/37(e) | | | | | 174 | | | 124,304 |
Newcastle Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2007-1, Class 2A1 | | | | | | | | |
0.444%, 4/25/37(e) | | | | | 232 | | | 154,253 |
Option One Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2007-2, Class M1 | | | | | | | | |
0.674%, 3/25/37(e) | | | | | 125 | | | 2,787 |
RAAC Series Series 2006-SP3, Class A1 | | | | | | | | |
0.394%, 8/25/36(e) | | | | | 48 | | | 44,645 |
Residential Asset Securities Corp. Series 2003-KS3, Class A2 | | | | | | | | |
0.914%, 5/25/33(e) | | | | | 2 | | | 1,024 |
Soundview Home Equity Loan Trust Series 2007-OPT2, Class 2A2 | | | | | | | | |
0.444%, 7/25/37(e) | | | | | 300 | | | 98,307 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 960,478 |
| | | | | | | | |
HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.1% | | | |
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates Series 2007-S1, Class A3 | | | | | | | | |
5.81%, 11/25/36 | | | | | 569 | | | 103,395 |
Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC Series 2005-CB7, Class AF2 | | | | | | | | |
5.147%, 11/25/35 | | | | | 8 | | | 7,978 |
Home Equity Mortgage Trust Series 2005-4, Class A3 | | | | | | | | |
4.742%, 1/25/36 | | | | | 19 | | | 18,400 |
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities II, Inc. Series 2005-HI2, Class A3 | | | | | | | | |
4.46%, 5/25/35 | | | | | 6 | | | 6,107 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 135,880 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Asset-Backed Securities (cost $3,944,079) | | | | | | | | 2,373,770 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.5% | | | | | |
BRAZIL–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Republic of Brazil 8.25%, 1/20/34 | | $ | | | 765 | | $ | 910,350 |
| | | | | | | | |
PERU–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Republic of Peru 8.375%, 5/03/16 | | | | | 180 | | | 207,450 |
9.875%, 2/06/15 | | | | | 410 | | | 501,225 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 708,675 |
| | | | | | | | |
RUSSIA–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Russian Federation 7.50%, 3/31/30(b) | | | | | 298 | | | 292,987 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Sovereign Bonds (cost $1,776,406) | | | | | | | | 1,912,012 |
| | | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN AGENCIES–0.3% | | | |
UNITED KINGDOM–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Barclays Bank PLC Series E 2.875%, 12/23/11 | | | GBP | | 330 | | | 549,324 |
The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC 2.625%, 5/11/12(b) | | $ | | | 695 | | | 699,994 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Sovereign Agencies (cost $1,172,761) | | | | | | | | 1,249,318 |
| | | | | | | | |
QUASI-SOVEREIGNS–0.3% | | | | | |
RUSSIA–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
RSHB Capital SA for OJSC Russian Agricultural Bank 6.299%, 5/15/17(b) | | | | | 295 | | | 253,700 |
7.75%, 5/29/18(b) | | | | | 1,025 | | | 930,188 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Quasi-Sovereigns (cost $1,306,739) | | | | | | | | 1,183,888 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | |
PREFERRED STOCKS–0.2% | | | | | |
UTILITY–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
OTHER UTILITY–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Dte Energy Trust I 7.80% | | | | | 20,000 | | | 498,400 |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.1% | | | |
Centaur Funding Corp. 9.08%(b) | | | | | 200 | | | 161,000 |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
BANKING–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC 5.75% | | | | | 10,000 | | | 97,500 |
| | | | | | | | |
18
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.0% | | | |
AGENCIES–GOVERNMENT SPONSORED–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Series Z 8.375% | | | | | 4,750 | | $ | 5,795 |
Federal National Mortgage Association 8.25% | | | | | 5,750 | | | 7,705 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 13,500 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Preferred Stocks (cost $1,245,116) | | | | | | | | 770,400 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | |
CMOS–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY ARMS–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust Series 2006-1, Class 22A1 5.317%, 2/25/36(d) | | $ | | | 175 | | | 73,883 |
Series 2006-3, Class 22A1 5.956%, 5/25/36(d) | | | | | 237 | | | 111,446 |
Series 2007-1, Class 21A1 5.663%, 1/25/47(d) | | | | | 59 | | | 27,176 |
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. Series 2005-2, Class 1A4 5.122%, 5/25/35(d) | | | | | 109 | | | 73,152 |
Series 2006-AR1, Class 3A1 5.50%, 3/25/36(e) | | | | | 118 | | | 69,722 |
Deutsche Mortgage Securities, Inc. Series 2005-WF1, Class 1A1 5.119%, 6/26/35(b) | | | | | 107 | | | 96,259 |
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2006-AR7, Class 4A1 5.844%, 5/25/36(d) | | | | | 74 | | | 31,716 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 483,354 |
| | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust Series 2005-62, Class 2A1 2.34%, 12/25/35(e) | | | | | 51 | | | 23,631 |
Series 2006-OA14, Class 3A1 2.19%, 11/25/46(e) | | | | | 180 | | | 62,542 |
Series 2007-OA3, Class M1 0.624%, 4/25/47(e) | | | | | 185 | | | 2,611 |
Lehman XS Trust Series 2007-4N, Class M1 0.764%, 3/25/47(e) | | | | | 265 | | | 1,913 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 90,697 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.0% | | | |
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc. Series 2005-A8, Class A1C1 5.25%, 8/25/36 | | $ | | | 79 | | $ | 65,743 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total CMOs (cost $1,637,084) | | | | | | | | 639,794 |
| | | | | | | | |
EMERGING MARKETS–SOVEREIGNS–0.1% | | | |
INDONESIA–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Indonesia Government International Bond 11.625%, 3/04/19(b) (cost $481,551) | | | | | 485 | | | 618,375 |
| | | | | | | | |
EMERGING MARKETS– CORPORATE BONDS–0.0% | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
BASIC–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Steel Capital SA for OAO Severstal 9.75%, 7/29/13(b) (cost $100,000) | | | | | 100 | | | 84,500 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | |
RIGHTS–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
METALS & MINING–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Rio Tinto PLC(a) | | | | | 3,239 | | | 37,195 |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Fortis(a) | | | | | 5,366 | | | 0 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Rights (cost $47,999) | | | | | | | | 37,195 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
AGENCY DISCOUNT NOTES–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Notes Zero Coupon, 7/01/09 (cost $3,800,000) | | $ | | | 3,800 | | | 3,800,000 |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–97.3% (cost $415,161,225) | | | | | | | | 401,765,732 |
Other assets less liabilities–2.7% | | | | | | | | 11,305,268 |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | | $ | 413,071,000 |
| | | | | | | | |
19
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Type | | Number of Contracts | | Expiration Month | | Original Value | | Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Purchased Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DJ EURO STOXX 50 | | 10 | | September 2009 | | $ | 340,794 | | $ | 336,406 | | $ | (4,388 | ) |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value on Origination Date | | U.S. $ Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,279 | | $ | 901,567 | | $ | 1,026,968 | | $ | 125,401 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 195 | | | 146,474 | | | 156,574 | | | 10,100 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,210 | | | 918,995 | | | 971,565 | | | 52,570 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,455 | | | 1,119,783 | | | 1,168,287 | | | 48,504 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 2,103 | | | 1,612,160 | | | 1,688,596 | | | 76,436 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,061 | | | 827,601 | | | 851,926 | | | 24,325 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 165 | | | 131,142 | | | 132,486 | | | 1,344 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 306 | | | 243,276 | | | 245,701 | | | 2,425 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 207 | | | 167,231 | | | 166,210 | | | (1,021 | ) |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 337 | | | 263,972 | | | 270,593 | | | 6,621 | |
Australian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 1,413 | | | 1,121,597 | | | 1,132,186 | | | 10,589 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 254 | | | 399,158 | | | 417,862 | | | 18,704 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 290 | | | 461,869 | | | 477,087 | | | 15,218 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 212 | | | 343,726 | | | 348,767 | | | 5,041 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 416 | | | 679,183 | | | 684,373 | | | 5,190 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 1,251 | | | 2,038,004 | | | 2,058,053 | | | 20,049 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 380 | | | 626,468 | | | 625,148 | | | (1,320 | ) |
British Pound settling 9/15/09 | | 131 | | | 211,825 | | | 215,494 | | | 3,669 | |
British Pound settling 9/15/09 | | 715 | | | 1,172,007 | | | 1,176,171 | | | 4,164 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 92 | | | 81,143 | | | 79,117 | | | (2,026 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 211 | | | 182,858 | | | 181,453 | | | (1,405 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 184 | | | 245,327 | | | 258,122 | | | 12,795 | |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 2,664 | | | 3,619,976 | | | 3,737,153 | | | 117,177 | |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 359 | | | 509,277 | | | 503,618 | | | (5,659 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 574 | | | 814,104 | | | 805,227 | | | (8,877 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 558 | | | 772,439 | | | 782,782 | | | 10,343 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 20,046 | | | 204,624 | | | 208,198 | | | 3,574 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 32,574 | | | 329,730 | | | 338,315 | | | 8,585 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 284,229 | | | 2,958,130 | | | 2,952,012 | | | (6,118 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 353,695 | | | 3,681,102 | | | 3,673,488 | | | (7,614 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 86,814 | | | 912,199 | | | 901,653 | | | (10,546 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 18,365 | | | 192,970 | | | 190,739 | | | (2,231 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 9/15/09 | | 131,062 | | | 1,344,570 | | | 1,361,665 | | | 17,095 | |
New Zealand Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 598 | | | 358,411 | | | 384,752 | | | 26,341 | |
New Zealand Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 699 | | | 451,205 | | | 449,736 | | | (1,469 | ) |
New Zealand Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,360 | | | 858,976 | | | 875,023 | | | 16,047 | |
New Zealand Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 1,772 | | | 1,103,282 | | | 1,137,970 | | | 34,688 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/17/09 | | 880 | | | 135,177 | | | 136,688 | | | 1,511 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/17/09 | | 5,772 | | | 891,993 | | | 896,549 | | | 4,556 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/17/09 | | 8,963 | | | 1,385,124 | | | 1,392,199 | | | 7,075 | |
20
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value on Origination Date | | U.S. $ Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts: (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/17/09 | | 9,978 | | $ | 1,552,755 | | $ | 1,549,856 | | $ | (2,899 | ) |
Norwegian Krone settling 9/15/09 | | 5,737 | | | 900,204 | | | 890,481 | | | (9,723 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 7,937 | | | 1,048,121 | | | 1,028,705 | | | (19,416 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 1,597 | | | 210,892 | | | 206,985 | | | (3,907 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 1,056 | | | 133,433 | | | 136,867 | | | 3,434 | |
Swiss Franc settling 8/17/09 | | 310 | | | 281,384 | | | 285,472 | | | 4,088 | |
| | | | |
Sale Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 563 | | | 823,303 | | | 926,206 | | | (102,903 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 202 | | | 303,828 | | | 332,315 | | | (28,487 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 207 | | | 310,438 | | | 340,541 | | | (30,103 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 193 | | | 291,613 | | | 317,509 | | | (25,896 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 95 | | | 144,789 | | | 156,287 | | | (11,498 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 1,056 | | | 1,635,512 | | | 1,737,254 | | | (101,742 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 5,195 | | | 8,045,912 | | | 8,546,432 | | | (500,520 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/25/09 | | 317 | | | 519,503 | | | 522,037 | | | (2,534 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 289 | | | 246,703 | | | 248,531 | | | (1,828 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,738 | | | 1,502,655 | | | 1,494,622 | | | 8,033 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 260 | | | 224,793 | | | 223,591 | | | 1,202 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 156 | | | 142,648 | | | 134,155 | | | 8,493 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 409 | | | 364,657 | | | 351,726 | | | 12,931 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 1,801 | | | 1,632,228 | | | 1,549,061 | | | 83,167 | |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 12 | | | 15,577 | | | 16,355 | | | (778 | ) |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 121 | | | 161,364 | | | 169,398 | | | (8,034 | ) |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 6 | | | 8,566 | | | 8,623 | | | (57 | ) |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 35 | | | 49,147 | | | 48,630 | | | 517 | |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 20 | | | 28,055 | | | 28,031 | | | 24 | |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 82 | | | 113,779 | | | 115,318 | | | (1,539 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 558 | | | 767,250 | | | 782,782 | | | (15,532 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 362 | | | 505,678 | | | 507,827 | | | (2,149 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 117 | | | 162,736 | | | 164,132 | | | (1,396 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 1,128 | | | 1,588,449 | | | 1,582,398 | | | 6,051 | |
Euro settling 9/15/09 | | 266 | | | 372,765 | | | 373,111 | | | (346 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 48,196 | | | 509,267 | | | 500,565 | | | 8,702 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 105,218 | | | 1,108,725 | | | 1,092,798 | | | 15,927 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 86,700 | | | 897,701 | | | 900,469 | | | (2,768 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 135,845 | | | 1,411,348 | | | 1,410,891 | | | 457 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 45,339 | | | 460,107 | | | 470,892 | | | (10,785 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 639 | | | 6,518 | | | 6,637 | | | (119 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 86,814 | | | 885,450 | | | 901,653 | | | (16,203 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 268,607 | | | 2,805,295 | | | 2,789,761 | | | 15,534 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 145,888 | | | 1,523,635 | | | 1,515,198 | | | 8,437 | |
Japanese Yen settling 9/15/09 | | 33,686 | | | 351,335 | | | 349,980 | | | 1,355 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/17/09 | | 9,843 | | | 1,524,628 | | | 1,528,887 | | | (4,259 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 7/28/09 | | 14,752 | | | 1,950,397 | | | 1,912,059 | | | 38,338 | |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 1,057 | | | 134,669 | | | 136,997 | | | (2,328 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 6,880 | | | 893,646 | | | 891,709 | | | 1,937 | |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 5,522 | | | 717,255 | | | 715,700 | | | 1,555 | |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 7,712 | | | 972,890 | | | 999,543 | | | (26,653 | ) |
21
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value on Origination Date | | U.S. $ Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Sale Contracts: (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Swiss Franc settling 8/17/09 | | 140 | | $ | 124,180 | | $ | 128,923 | | $ | (4,743 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 8/17/09 | | 310 | | | 279,068 | | | 285,472 | | | (6,404 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 8/17/09 | | 1,646 | | | 1,481,762 | | | 1,515,763 | | | (34,001 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 8/17/09 | | 228 | | | 209,810 | | | 209,960 | | | (150 | ) |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $7,908,698 or 1.9% of net assets. |
(c) | Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2009. |
(d) | Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2009. |
(e) | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2009. |
(f) | Security is in default and is non-income producing. |
The fund currently owns investments collateralized by subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans are offered to homeowners who do not have a history of debt or who have had problems meeting their debt obligations. Because repayment is less certain, subprime borrowers pay a higher rate of interest than prime borrowers. As of June 30, 2009, the fund’s total exposure to subprime investments was 0.38% of net assets. These investments are valued in accordance with the fund’s Valuation Policies (see Note A for additional details).
Currency Abbreviations:
EUR—Euro Dollar
GBP—Great British Pound
SEK—Swedish Krona
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
ARMS—Adjustable Rate Mortgages
CMBS—Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
FDR—Fiduciary Depositary Receipt
FRN—Floating Rate Note
LP—Limited Partnership
OJSC—Open Joint Stock Company
REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust
See notes to financial statements.
22
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $415,161,225) | | $ | 401,765,732 | |
Cash | | | 6,726,073 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $809,456) | | | 856,574 | (a) |
Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 910,319 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency contracts | | | 4,239,648 | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | | 2,001,165 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 451,456 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 416,950,967 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 1,027,986 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 2,377,774 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 185,088 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 71,669 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 70,692 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 28,413 | |
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | | | 4,770 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 124 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 113,451 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 3,879,967 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 413,071,000 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 46,362 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 508,347,631 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 3,354,137 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (85,179,286 | ) |
Net unrealized depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (13,497,844 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | 413,071,000 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 64,933,131 | | 7,250,799 | | $ | 8.96 |
B | | $ | 348,137,869 | | 39,110,994 | | $ | 8.90 |
(a) | An amount equivalent to U.S. $40,129 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open futures contracts outstanding at June 30, 2009. |
See notes to financial statements.
23
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $226,999) | | $ | 3,825,511 | |
Interest | | | 3,145,298 | |
| | | | |
Total investment income | | | 6,970,809 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 986,713 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 371,348 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 265 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 1,298 | |
Custodian | | | 108,049 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Audit | | | 31,760 | |
Legal | | | 14,632 | |
Printing | | | 12,860 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,250 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 17,817 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 1,591,832 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 5,378,977 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | (45,604,897 | ) |
Futures | | | 29,428 | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | (269,255 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 61,282,885 | |
Futures | | | (8,572 | ) |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (1,527,376 | ) |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 13,902,213 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 19,281,190 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
24
| | |
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 5,378,977 | | | $ | 6,628,409 | |
Net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (45,844,724 | ) | | | (35,604,381 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 59,746,937 | | | | (79,848,031 | ) |
Contributions from Adviser | | | –0 | – | | | 6 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 19,281,190 | | | | (108,823,997 | ) |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (716,042 | ) | | | (296 | ) |
Class B | | | (3,162,663 | ) | | | (7,557,243 | ) |
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (217 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (5,342,366 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 44,180,584 | | | | 263,761,629 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase | | | 59,583,069 | | | | 142,037,510 | |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 353,487,931 | | | | 211,450,421 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $3,354,137 and $1,853,865, respectively) | | $ | 413,071,000 | | | $ | 353,487,931 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
25
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTESTO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to maximize total return consistent with the Adviser’s determination of reasonable risk. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
26
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
2. Fair Value Measurements
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - U.S. | | $ | 156,277,835 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 156,277,835 | |
Common Stocks - Foreign | | | 16,499,428 | | | | 86,896,091 | | | | 157,969 | | | | 103,553,488 | |
Corporates - Investment Grades | | | –0 | – | | | 42,918,501 | | | | 1,102,021 | | | | 44,020,522 | |
Governments - Treasuries | | | –0 | – | | | 31,203,793 | | | | –0 | – | | | 31,203,793 | |
Mortgage Pass-Thru’s | | | –0 | – | | | 23,211,006 | | | | –0 | – | | | 23,211,006 | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 16,556,145 | | | | 151,317 | | | | 16,707,462 | |
Agencies | | | –0 | – | | | 9,411,730 | | | | –0 | – | | | 9,411,730 | |
Corporates - Non-Investment Grades | | | –0 | – | | | 4,545,661 | | | | 164,983 | | | | 4,710,644 | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 1,277,412 | | | | 1,096,358 | | | | 2,373,770 | |
Governments - Sovereign Bonds | | | –0 | – | | | 708,675 | | | | 1,203,337 | | | | 1,912,012 | |
Governments - Sovereign Agencies | | | –0 | – | | | 1,249,318 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,249,318 | |
Quasi-Sovereigns | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 1,183,888 | | | | 1,183,888 | |
Preferred Stocks | | | –0 | – | | | 770,400 | | | | –0 | – | | | 770,400 | |
CMOs | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 639,794 | | | | 639,794 | |
Emerging Markets - Sovereigns | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 618,375 | | | | 618,375 | |
Emerging Markets - Corporate Bonds | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 84,500 | | | | 84,500 | |
Rights | | | 37,195 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 37,195 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | –0 | – | | | 3,800,000 | | | | –0 | – | | | 3,800,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 172,814,458 | | | | 222,548,732 | | | | 6,402,542 | | | | 401,765,732 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | (4,388 | ) | | | (117,667 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (122,055 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 172,810,070 | | | $ | 222,431,065 | | | $ | 6,402,542 | | | $ | 401,643,677 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
27
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTESTO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Common Stocks - Foreign | | | Corporates - Investment Grades | | | Commercial Mortgage- Backed Securities | | | Corporates - Non-Investment Grades | | | Asset- Backed Securities | |
Balance as of 12/31/08 | | $ | 156,101 | | | $ | 322,113 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 313,828 | | | $ | 1,423,710 | |
Accrued discounts/premiums | | | –0 | – | | | 480 | | | | –0 | – | | | 50 | | | | 883 | |
Realized gain (loss) | | | (2,752 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 29 | | | | 1,743 | |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 78,370 | | | | 142,950 | | | | 12,216 | | | | 39,174 | | | | (142,690 | ) |
Net purchases (sales) | | | (73,750 | ) | | | 305,113 | | | | –0 | – | | | 32,129 | | | | (187,288 | ) |
Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | | | –0 | – | | | 331,365 | | | | 139,101 | | | | (220,227 | ) | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 157,969 | | | $ | 1,102,021 | | | $ | 151,317 | | | $ | 164,983 | | | $ | 1,096,358 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/09 * | | $ | 42,242 | | | $ | 23,828 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 38,664 | | | $ | (142,690 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | Governments - Sovereign Bonds | | | Quasi- Sovereigns | | | CMOs | | | Emerging Markets - Sovereigns | | | Emerging Markets - Corporate Bonds | |
Balance as of 12/31/08 | | $ | 935,212 | | | $ | 168,150 | | | $ | 835,035 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – |
Accrued discounts/premiums | | | (411 | ) | | | 854 | | | | (128 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Realized gain (loss) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | (40,279 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 42,667 | | | | 353,759 | | | | 76,463 | | | | 136,886 | | | | 31,500 | |
Net purchases (sales) | | | (316,876 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (231,297 | ) | | | 481,489 | | | | –0 | – |
Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | | | 542,745 | | | | 661,125 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 53,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 1,203,337 | | | $ | 1,183,888 | | | $ | 639,794 | | | $ | 618,375 | | | $ | 84,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/09 * | | $ | (24,451 | ) | | $ | 84,696 | | | $ | 28,091 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Total | |
Balance as of 12/31/08 | | $ | 4,154,149 | |
Accrued discounts/premiums | | | 1,728 | |
Realized gain (loss) | | | (41,259 | ) |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 771,295 | |
Net purchases (sales) | | | 9,520 | |
Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | | | 1,507,109 | |
| | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 6,402,542 | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/09 * | | $ | 50,380 | |
| | | | |
* | The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations. |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent
28
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Repurchase Agreements
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may be delayed or limited.
9. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements (see Note D.1).
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
29
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTESTO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to .75% and 1.00% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. Prior to February 12, 2007, the Portfolio’s total operating expenses on an annual basis were limited to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 the Adviser did not waive any advisory fees.
During the year ended December 31, 2008 the Adviser made a payment of $6 to the Portfolio in connection with a trading error.
Pursuant to the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio has agreed to reimburse the Adviser for the cost of providing the Portfolio with certain legal and accounting services. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 the total amount of such fees was $45,840. The Adviser did not waive any portion of such services.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009 amounted to $175,388, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | Sales |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 150,020,860 | | $ | 110,866,933 |
U.S. government securities | | | 54,360,909 | | | 44,231,955 |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 19,449,900 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (32,845,393 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | $ | (13,395,493 | ) |
| | | | |
30
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
The Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of anticipated movements in the market. The Portfolio 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 contracts and movements in the price of the securities hedged or used for cover. The Portfolio may also purchase or sell futures contracts 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 Portfolio enters into a futures contract, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 futures contracts is generally less than privately negotiated futures contracts, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, provides a guarantee of performance. This guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e., margin requirements). When the contract is closed, the Portfolio 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.
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options
31
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTESTO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
At June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives (not designated as hedging instruments under FAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 910,319 | | Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 1,027,986 | |
Equity contracts | | | | | | | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | | | 4,388 | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 910,319 | | | | $ | 1,032,374 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Includes cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in portfolio of investments. Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. |
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | $ | (285,686 | ) | | $ | (1,552,316 | ) |
Equity contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts; change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts | | | 29,428 | | | | (8,572 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | (256,258 | ) | | $ | (1,560,888 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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).
32
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
3. Dollar Rolls
The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio did not participate in dollar roll transactions.
NOTE E: Capital Stock
Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 175,663 | | | 26,690 | | | | | $ | 1,472,568 | | | $ | 226,132 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 79,384 | | | –0 | – | | | | | 716,042 | | | | –0 | – |
Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Balanced Shares Portfolio | | –0 | – | | 8,694,602 | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 90,961,719 | |
Shares redeemed | | (827,006 | ) | | (899,299 | ) | | | | | (6,749,404 | ) | | | (7,772,470 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | (571,959 | ) | | 7,821,993 | | | | | $ | (4,560,794 | ) | | $ | 83,415,381 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 7,670,233 | | | 15,581,451 | | | | | $ | 63,676,388 | | | $ | 164,069,127 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 352,583 | | | 1,124,077 | | | | | | 3,162,663 | | | | 12,899,609 | |
Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Balanced Shares Portfolio | | –0 | – | | 2,754,448 | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 28,651,812 | |
Shares redeemed | | (2,249,433 | ) | | (2,430,837 | ) | | | | | (18,097,673 | ) | | | (25,274,300 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | 5,773,383 | | | 17,029,139 | | | | | $ | 48,741,378 | | | $ | 180,346,248 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit risk rating. Credit risk is greater for
33
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTESTO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Acquisition of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio by AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”)
On September 28, 2008, the Portfolio acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio (“Balanced Shares”) in a tax free event, pursuant to a Plan of Acquisition and Liquidation. As a result of the acquisition, stockholders of Balanced Shares received shares of the Portfolio equivalent to the aggregate net asset value of the shares they held in Balanced Shares. On September 28, 2008, the acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 11,449,051 shares of the Portfolio for 8,365,648 shares of Balanced Shares. The aggregate net assets of the Portfolio and Balanced Shares immediately before the acquisition were $269,014,856 and $119,613,531 (including $5,935,661 of net unrealized depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities), respectively. Immediately after the acquisition, the combined net assets of the Portfolio amounted to $388,628,387.
NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 7,609,285 | | $ | 3,822,032 |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 5,290,837 | | | 2,735,872 |
| | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 12,900,122 | | $ | 6,557,904 |
| | | | | | |
NOTE J: Component of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 3,738,368 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (30,934,726 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (83,568,312 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (110,764,670 | )(c) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of $20,877,023 (of which approximately $2,981,323 were attributable to the purchase of net assets of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio) of which $2,981,323 expires in the year 2015 and $17,895,700 expires in the year 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. As a result of the merger with AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio into the Portfolio, various limitations and reductions regarding the future utilization of certain capital loss carryforwards were applied, based on certain provisions in the Internal Revenue Code. Net capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers post October capital losses of $10,057,703 to January 1, 2009. |
34
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, and the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies. |
(c) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) is attributable to deferred income from an underlying security. |
NOTE K: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
35
| | |
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | July 1, 2004(a) to December 31, 2004 | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $8.63 | | | $13.05 | | | $12.87 | | | $11.39 | | | $10.69 | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (b) | | .13 | | | .22 | (c) | | .31 | (c) | | .25 | (c) | | .18 | (c) | | .07 | (c) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | .30 | | | (3.97 | ) | | .41 | | | 1.32 | | | .60 | | | .62 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | .00 | (d) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .43 | | | (3.75 | ) | | .72 | | | 1.57 | | | .78 | | | .69 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.10 | ) | | (.39 | ) | | (.32 | ) | | (.09 | ) | | (.05 | ) | | –0 | – |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | –0 | – | | (.28 | ) | | (.22 | ) | | –0 | – | | (.03 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.10 | ) | | (.67 | ) | | (.54 | ) | | (.09 | ) | | (.08 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $8.96 | | | $8.63 | | | $13.05 | | | $12.87 | | | $11.39 | | | $10.69 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (e) | | 4.96 | %* | | (30.01 | )%* | | 5.55 | % | | 13.92 | % | | 7.30 | % | | 6.90 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $64,933 | | | $67,526 | | | $10 | | | $11,111 | | | $9,746 | | | $9,089 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .68 | %(f) | | .75 | %(g) | | .76 | % | | .99 | %(g) | | 1.20 | % | | 1.20 | %(f) |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .68 | %(f) | | .78 | %(g) | | .85 | % | | 1.07 | %(g) | | 1.54 | % | | 2.87 | %(f) |
Net investment income | | 3.20 | %(f) | | 3.08 | %(c)(g) | | 2.33 | %(c) | | 2.08 | %(c)(g) | | 1.64 | %(c) | | 1.36 | %(c)(f) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 45 | % | | 93 | % | | 77 | % | | 203 | % | | 139 | % | | 44 | % |
See footnote summary on page 38.
36
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | July 1, 2004(a) to December 31, 2004 | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $8.58 | | | $12.97 | | | $12.81 | | | $11.34 | | | $10.67 | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (b) | | .12 | | | .26 | (c) | | .27 | (c) | | .22 | (c) | | .15 | (c) | | .06 | (c) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | .28 | | | (4.02 | ) | | .41 | | | 1.33 | | | .60 | | | .61 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | .00 | (d) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .40 | | | (3.76 | ) | | .68 | | | 1.55 | | | .75 | | | .67 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.08 | ) | | (.35 | ) | | (.30 | ) | | (.08 | ) | | (.05 | ) | | –0 | – |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | –0 | – | | (.28 | ) | | (.22 | ) | | –0 | – | | (.03 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.08 | ) | | (.63 | ) | | (.52 | ) | | (.08 | ) | | (.08 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $8.90 | | | $8.58 | | | $12.97 | | | $12.81 | | | $11.34 | | | $10.67 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (e) | | 4.69 | %* | | (30.20 | )%* | | 5.26 | % | | 13.75 | % | | 7.01 | % | | 6.70 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $348,138 | | | $285,962 | | | $211,440 | | | $124,992 | | | $64,325 | | | $17,866 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .93 | %(f) | | 1.00 | %(g) | | 1.01 | % | | 1.23 | %(g) | | 1.45 | % | | 1.45 | %(f) |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .93 | %(f) | | 1.02 | %(g) | | 1.07 | % | | 1.31 | %(g) | | 1.77 | % | | 3.34 | %(f) |
Net investment income | | 2.96 | %(f) | | 2.48 | %(c)(g) | | 2.11 | %(c) | | 1.84 | %(c)(g) | | 1.31 | %(c) | | 1.49 | %(c)(f) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 45 | % | | 93 | % | | 77 | % | | 203 | % | | 139 | % | | 44 | % |
See footnote summary on page 38.
37
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
(a) | Commencement of operations. |
(b) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) | Net of expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.005. |
(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. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(g) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 by 0.05% and 0.10%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
38
| | |
|
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE VALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by the August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Management fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Management fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 06/30/08 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Balanced | | 55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 45 bp on next $2.5 billion 40 bp on the balance | | $ | 256.7 | | Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser was entitled to receive $94,000 (0.06% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services but waived the amount in its entirety.
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on July 24, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on August 5-7, 2008. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc., which the Adviser also manages, has lower breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule compared to the Balanced category: 60 bp on the first $200 million, 50 bp on the next $200 million, 40 bp on the balance. |
39
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE VALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse a portion of the Portfolio’s total operating expense to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s current fiscal year. It should be noted that the expense caps of the Portfolio were reduced to the percentages set forth below effective February 12, 2007. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days of written notice. Also set forth below are the Portfolio’s gross expense ratios as of December 31, 2007:
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Cap Pursuant to Expense Limitation Undertaking | | Gross Expense Ratio (12/31/07) | | Fiscal Year End |
Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio | | Class A 0.75% Class B 1.00% | | 0.85%
1.07% | | December 31 |
I. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 With respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no category in the Form ADV for institutional products that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio.
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy, a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy:5
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee |
Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio | | Balanced Wealth Strategy | | 0.55% on first $2.5 billion 0.45% on next $2.5 billion 0.40% on the balance | | 0.55% |
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
5 | It should be noted that the ABMF was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the ABMF. |
40
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for Global Balanced Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Luxembourg Fund | | Fee |
Balanced Wealth Strategy | | Global Balanced Portfolio | | |
| | Class A6 | | 1.40% |
| | Class I (Institutional) | | 0.70% |
The AllianceBernstein Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative services. The fee schedules of the ITM mutual funds that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio are as follows:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | ITM Mutual Fund | | Fee |
Balanced Wealth Strategy | | Alliance Global Balance—Neutral7 | | 0.70% |
| | Alliance Global Balance—Aggressive7 | | 0.75% |
The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)8 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.9
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee10 | | Lipper Group Median | | Rank |
Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio | | 0.550 | | 0.714 | | 5/14 |
6 | Class A shares of the Luxembourg funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory and distribution-related services. |
7 | This ITM fund is privately placed or institutional. |
8 | Note that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
9 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
10 | The contractual management fee would not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. As previously noted, the Adviser waived such reimbursements during the most recently completed fiscal year. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waivers or expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee. |
41
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE VALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU11 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)12 | | Lipper Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio | | 0.754 | | 0.838 | | 6/14 | | 0.706 | | 18/28 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2007, relative to 2006.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset research expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter and distributor, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, ABI received $409,112 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $270,919 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio paid ABIS a fee of $786.13
11 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
12 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
13 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007. |
42
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s research expenses and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,14 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli15 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their comparable peers.16 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund assets under management (“AUM”), family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.
The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally in line with their peers.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $717 billion as of June 30, 2008, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
14 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
15 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
16 | The two dimensional analysis also showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
43
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE VALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1 and 3 year net performance rankings of the Portfolio17 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)18 for the periods ended April 30, 2008.19
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balanced Wealth Strategy | | Portfolio Return | | PG Median | | PU Median | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –1.69 | | – | 1.09 | | – | 0.07 | | 9/13 | | 51/66 |
3 year | | 8.95 | | | 7.02 | | | 7.02 | | 2/12 | | 5/44 |
Set forth below is the 1, 3 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)20 versus its benchmark.
| | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending April 30, 2008 Annualized Net Performance (%) |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%)21 |
Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio | | – | 1.69 | | 8.95 | | 7.91 |
60% S&P 500 Stock Index / 40% Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index | | | 0.00 | | 7.02 | | 6.78 |
S&P 500 Stock Index | | – | 4.68 | | 8.23 | | 7.45 |
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index | | | 6.87 | | 4.93 | | 5.11 |
Inception Date: July 1, 2004 | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: September 3, 2008
17 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
18 | The Portfolio’s PG/PU are not identical to the Portfolio’s EG/EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund in/from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
19 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
20 | The performance returns shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
21 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through April 30, 2008. |
44
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Growth Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,084.15 | | $ | 5.53 | | 1.07 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,019.49 | | $ | 5.36 | | 1.07 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,083.08 | | $ | 6.87 | | 1.33 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,018.20 | | $ | 6.66 | | 1.33 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Google, Inc.—Class A | | $ | 2,898,431 | | 3.3 | % |
Intel Corp. | | | 2,823,430 | | 3.2 | |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | | | 2,675,825 | | 3.0 | |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | | | 2,548,195 | | 2.9 | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 2,478,282 | | 2.8 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | 2,442,367 | | 2.8 | |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | 2,434,472 | | 2.7 | |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | | 2,233,931 | | 2.5 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 2,033,529 | | 2.3 | |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | | 2,008,788 | | 2.3 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 24,577,250 | | 27.8 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Information Technology | | $ | 28,960,657 | | 32.9 | % |
Health Care | | | 14,556,142 | | 16.5 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 12,173,247 | | 13.8 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 9,986,465 | | 11.4 | |
Industrials | | | 9,439,192 | | 10.7 | |
Energy | | | 7,799,006 | | 8.9 | |
Financials | | | 3,505,186 | | 4.0 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 907,190 | | 1.0 | |
Materials | | | 701,770 | | 0.8 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 88,028,855 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The fund components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–99.7% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–32.8% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–4.3% | | | | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc.(a) | | 72,640 | | $ | 1,354,010 |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | 53,860 | | | 2,434,472 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,788,482 |
| | | | | |
COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–7.5% | | | | | |
Apple, Inc.(a) | | 17,400 | | | 2,478,282 |
EMC Corp.(a) | | 77,900 | | | 1,020,490 |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | | 65,930 | | | 2,548,195 |
NetApp, Inc.(a) | | 30,900 | | | 609,348 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,656,315 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–1.6% | | | | | |
Corning, Inc. | | 87,440 | | | 1,404,286 |
| | | | | |
INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–3.3% | | | | | |
Google, Inc.–Class A(a) | | 6,875 | | | 2,898,431 |
| | | | | |
IT SERVICES–1.0% | | | | | |
Visa, Inc.–Class A | | 13,640 | | | 849,226 |
| | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–7.3% | | | | | |
Altera Corp. | | 61,400 | | | 999,592 |
Analog Devices, Inc. | | 41,900 | | | 1,038,282 |
Intel Corp. | | 170,600 | | | 2,823,430 |
Marvell Technology Group Ltd.(a) | | 95,020 | | | 1,106,033 |
Nvidia Corp.(a) | | 46,900 | | | 529,501 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,496,838 |
| | | | | |
SOFTWARE–7.8% | | | | | |
Activision Blizzard, Inc.(a) | | 54,900 | | | 693,387 |
Adobe Systems, Inc.(a) | | 39,860 | | | 1,128,038 |
Microsoft Corp. | | 102,750 | | | 2,442,367 |
Red Hat, Inc.(a) | | 61,190 | | | 1,231,755 |
Salesforce.com, Inc.(a) | | 10,450 | | | 398,876 |
Symantec Corp.(a) | | 62,510 | | | 972,656 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,867,079 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 28,960,657 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–16.5% | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–5.4% | | | | | |
Amgen, Inc.(a) | | 28,000 | | | 1,482,320 |
Celgene Corp.(a) | | 27,320 | | | 1,306,989 |
Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a) | | 33,800 | | | 1,583,192 |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | 10,200 | | | 363,528 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,736,029 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–3.8% | | | | | |
Alcon, Inc. | | 3,380 | | | 392,486 |
Baxter International, Inc. | | 31,500 | | | 1,668,240 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Covidien PLC | | 13,940 | | $ | 521,913 |
St. Jude Medical, Inc.(a) | | 18,200 | | | 748,020 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,330,659 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.7% | | | | | |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a) | | 33,540 | | | 1,529,759 |
| | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–5.6% | | | | | |
Abbott Laboratories | | 23,800 | | | 1,119,552 |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | | 60,350 | | | 1,225,709 |
Schering-Plough Corp. | | 48,300 | | | 1,213,296 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 22,050 | | | 1,087,947 |
Wyeth | | 6,900 | | | 313,191 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,959,695 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 14,556,142 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–13.8% | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–4.5% | | | | | |
The Coca-Cola Co. | | 41,630 | | | 1,997,824 |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | 36,550 | | | 2,008,788 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,006,612 |
| | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–5.7% | | | | | |
Costco Wholesale Corp. | | 17,700 | | | 808,890 |
CVS Caremark Corp. | | 47,200 | | | 1,504,264 |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | | 55,240 | | | 2,675,825 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,988,979 |
| | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–0.4% | | | | | |
General Mills, Inc. | | 5,620 | | | 314,832 |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.1% | | | | | |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | 18,900 | | | 965,790 |
| | | | | |
TOBACCO–2.1% | | | | | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | 43,490 | | | 1,897,034 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 12,173,247 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–11.3% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–1.9% | | | | | |
Apollo Group, Inc.–Class A(a) | | 15,400 | | | 1,095,248 |
DeVry, Inc. | | 11,200 | | | 560,448 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,655,696 |
| | | | | |
INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–0.9% | | | | | |
Amazon.Com, Inc.(a) | | 9,100 | | | 761,306 |
| | | | | |
MEDIA–3.9% | | | | | |
Discovery Communications, Inc.–Class A(a) | | 26,100 | | | 588,555 |
Liberty Media Corp.–Entertainment Series A(a) | | 45,670 | | | 1,221,672 |
Time Warner Cable, Inc.–Class A | | 22,500 | | | 712,575 |
Time Warner, Inc. | | 21,410 | | | 539,318 |
The Walt Disney Co. | | 18,120 | | | 422,740 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,484,860 |
| | | | | |
3
| | |
GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
MULTILINE RETAIL–2.5% | | | | | |
Kohl’s Corp.(a) | | 18,820 | | $ | 804,555 |
Target Corp. | | 34,690 | | | 1,369,214 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,173,769 |
| | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.2% | | | | | |
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.(a) | | 11,300 | | | 430,304 |
Ross Stores, Inc. | | 17,550 | | | 677,430 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,107,734 |
| | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.9% | | | | | |
Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.–Class A | | 15,000 | | | 803,100 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 9,986,465 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–10.7% | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–3.4% | | | | | |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | | 19,710 | | | 1,589,612 |
United Technologies Corp. | | 27,670 | | | 1,437,733 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,027,345 |
| | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.1% | | | | | |
Fluor Corp. | | 19,100 | | | 979,639 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.5% | | | | | |
Ametek, Inc. | | 12,710 | | | 439,512 |
| | | | | |
MACHINERY–3.5% | | | | | |
Danaher Corp. | | 19,020 | | | 1,174,295 |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | | 33,100 | | | 1,235,954 |
PACCAR, Inc. | | 19,400 | | | 630,694 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,040,943 |
| | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–1.5% | | | | | |
Union Pacific Corp. | | 25,490 | | | 1,327,009 |
| | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.7% | | | | | |
WW Grainger, Inc. | | 7,630 | | | 624,744 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 9,439,192 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY–8.8% | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–3.6% | | | | | |
Cameron International Corp.(a) | | 12,030 | | | 340,449 |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a) | | 19,260 | | | 629,032 |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | 41,285 | | | 2,233,931 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,203,412 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–5.2% | | | | | |
EOG Resources, Inc. | | 6,660 | | $ | 452,347 |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | 18,000 | | | 1,258,380 |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 30,900 | | | 2,033,529 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR) | | 18,820 | | | 771,244 |
XTO Energy, Inc. | | 2,100 | | | 80,094 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,595,594 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 7,799,006 |
| | | | | |
FINANCIALS–4.0% | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–1.4% | | | | | |
The Blackstone Group LP | | 29,000 | | | 305,660 |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | | 2,980 | | | 214,590 |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | 3,100 | | | 457,064 |
Morgan Stanley | | 8,600 | | | 245,186 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,222,500 |
| | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.7% | | | | | |
CME Group, Inc.–Class A | | 1,300 | | | 404,443 |
IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.(a) | | 4,870 | | | 556,349 |
JP Morgan Chase & Co. | | 15,600 | | | 532,116 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,492,908 |
| | | | | |
INSURANCE–0.9% | | | | | |
Aflac, Inc. | | 10,900 | | | 338,881 |
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. | | 11,250 | | | 294,525 |
Principal Financial Group, Inc. | | 8,300 | | | 156,372 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 789,778 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,505,186 |
| | | | | |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.0% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.0% | | | | | |
Qwest Communications International, Inc. | | 218,600 | | | 907,190 |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS–0.8% | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–0.8% | | | | | |
Monsanto Co. | | 9,440 | | | 701,770 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.7% (cost $82,098,734) | | | | | 88,028,855 |
Other assets less liabilities–0.3% | | | | | 301,208 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 88,330,063 |
| | | | | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
LP— Limited Partnership
See notes to financial statements.
4
| | |
GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $82,098,734) | | $ | 88,028,855 | |
Cash | | | 124,037 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 3,494,640 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 93,533 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 83,970 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 91,825,035 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 3,306,211 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 54,687 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 26,840 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 11,265 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 4,799 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 209 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 90,961 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 3,494,972 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 88,330,063 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 6,274 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 156,196,531 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 14,355 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (73,817,218 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation of investments | | | 5,930,121 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 88,330,063 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 33,688,636 | | 2,355,724 | | $ | 14.30 |
B | | $ | 54,641,427 | | 3,918,133 | | $ | 13.95 |
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $19,796) | | $ | 525,247 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 311,810 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 63,895 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 546 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 873 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Custodian | | | 42,756 | |
Audit | | | 22,800 | |
Legal | | | 14,230 | |
Printing | | | 4,732 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,250 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 2,160 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 510,892 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 14,355 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (7,359,198 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 13,994,531 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment transactions | | | 6,635,333 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 6,649,688 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
| | |
GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) | | $ | 14,355 | | | $ | (520,258 | ) |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (7,359,198 | ) | | | (17,774,738 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 13,994,531 | | | | (55,558,865 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 6,649,688 | | | | (73,853,861 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (5,559,351 | ) | | | (36,261,841 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 1,090,337 | | | | (110,115,702 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 87,239,726 | | | | 197,355,428 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $14,355 and $0, respectively) | | $ | 88,330,063 | | | $ | 87,239,726 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may frequently value 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
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is
8
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 88,028,855 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 88,028,855 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 88,028,855 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 88,028,855 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
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GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Portfolio did not engage in derivative transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009, amounted to $110,593, of which $2,768 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution
10
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 114,620,061 | | | $ | 120,168,987 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 6,670,438 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (740,317 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 5,930,121 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 on 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
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GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 48,462 | | | 93,542 | | | | | $ | 626,281 | | | $ | 1,743,430 | |
Shares redeemed | | (270,278 | ) | | (826,834 | ) | | | | | (3,477,347 | ) | | | (14,986,519 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (221,816 | ) | | (733,292 | ) | | | | $ | (2,851,066 | ) | | $ | (13,243,089 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 187,932 | | | 172,900 | | | | | $ | 2,399,290 | | | $ | 2,923,873 | |
Shares redeemed | | (405,032 | ) | | (1,457,854 | ) | | | | | (5,107,575 | ) | | | (25,942,625 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (217,100 | ) | | (1,284,954 | ) | | | | $ | (2,708,285 | ) | | $ | (23,018,752 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Derivative Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | $ | (65,084,542 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (9,437,887 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (74,522,429 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $52,498,835 of which $33,056,736 expires in the year 2010, $14,915,472 expires in the year 2011 and $4,526,627 expires in the year 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Net capital loss incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers to January 1, 2009 post October capital losses of $12,585,707. |
(b) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a
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GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.
14
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GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $13.19 | | | $22.91 | | | $20.27 | | | $20.49 | | | $18.30 | | | $15.95 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (a) | | .01 | | | (.04 | ) | | (.05 | ) | | (.04 | ) | | (.08 | ) | | (.07 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | 1.10 | | | (9.68 | ) | | 2.69 | | | (.18 | ) | | 2.27 | | | 2.42 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | 1.11 | | | (9.72 | ) | | 2.64 | | | (.22 | ) | | 2.19 | | | 2.35 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $14.30 | | | $13.19 | | | $22.91 | | | $20.27 | | | $20.49 | | | $18.30 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (b) | | 8.42 | %* | | (42.43 | )%* | | 13.02 | % | | (1.07 | )% | | 11.97 | % | | 14.73 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $33,689 | | | $33,992 | | | $75,834 | | | $93,459 | | | $123,535 | | | $137,345 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses | | 1.07 | %(c) | | .94 | % | | .90 | % | | .90 | %(d) | | .88 | % | | .88 | % |
Net investment income (loss) | | .18 | %(c) | | (.22 | )% | | (.23 | )% | | (.22 | )%(d) | | (.43 | )% | | (.43 | )% |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 138 | % | | 103 | % | | 60 | % | | 55 | % | | 49 | % | | 56 | % |
See footnote summary on page 16.
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GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $12.88 | | | $22.42 | | | $19.90 | | | $20.15 | | | $18.05 | | | $15.76 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss (a) | | (.00 | )(e) | | (.08 | ) | | (.10 | ) | | (.09 | ) | | (.12 | ) | | (.11 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | 1.07 | | | (9.46 | ) | | 2.62 | | | (.16 | ) | | 2.22 | | | 2.40 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | 1.07 | | | (9.54 | ) | | 2.52 | | | (.25 | ) | | 2.10 | | | 2.29 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $13.95 | | | $12.88 | | | $22.42 | | | $19.90 | | | $20.15 | | | $18.05 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (b) | | 8.31 | %* | | (42.55 | )%* | | 12.66 | % | | (1.24 | )% | | 11.64 | % | | 14.53 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $54,641 | | | $53,248 | | | $121,521 | | | $131,337 | | | $167,595 | | | $152,899 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses | | 1.33 | %(c) | | 1.19 | % | | 1.15 | % | | 1.15 | %(d) | | 1.13 | % | | 1.13 | % |
Net investment loss | | (.06 | )%(c) | | (.47 | )% | | (.49 | )% | | (.47 | )%(d) | | (.68 | )% | | (.68 | )% |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 138 | % | | 103 | % | | 60 | % | | 55 | % | | 49 | % | | 56 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | 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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(d) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
(e) | Amount less than $0.005. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 by 0.25% and 0.03%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
16
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GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s
17
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GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Russell 3000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2009 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (September 1994 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 5th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period and 2nd out of 2 of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in the 1-, 3-and 5-year periods but outperformed the Index in the 10-year and since inception periods. Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser concerning the Portfolio’s performance and of the improvement in the Portfolio’s relative performance ranking in the 1-year period, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time was acceptable. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2009 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in 2009 the Portfolio had outperformed the Lipper VA Multi-Cap Growth Funds Average and the Index. The directors also noted that at their February 2009 meetings they had approved a broadening of the number of stocks in the Portfolio’s portfolio, and that the Adviser expected that the Portfolio’s more diversified investment approach would result in improved risk-adjusted performance. The directors determined to continue to closely monitor the Portfolio’s performance.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. 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 noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points was the same as the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the administrative expense reimbursement was 7 basis points in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year, and that as a result the rate of total compensation received by the Adviser from the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was higher than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that in light of the Portfolio’s historical investment performance, they had asked the Adviser to address the continued appropriateness of the Portfolio’s fee rate. In response the Adviser informed the directors that the Adviser had begun to implement changes and enhancements to address investment performance and discussed the new leadership for the Adviser effective December 2008. The Adviser further noted, among other things, that while it would take time to realize the benefits of these changes, relative investment performance in 2009 had shown improvement. The directors noted that they had discussed their concerns about the relative performance of a number of the AllianceBernstein equity funds with senior management of the Adviser. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s assets had declined significantly, primarily as a result of market declines rather than redemptions, and that the Portfolio’s fixed costs had resulted in an increase in the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s relatively modest size (less than $80 million at February 29, 2009) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in administrative expense reimbursement, which does not vary with a Portfolio’s size, having a significant effect on the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds generally. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
19
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GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Growth | | 75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 65 bp on next $2.5 billion 60 bp on the balance | | $ | 76.0 | | Growth Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $91,500 (0.07% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Total Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year |
Growth Portfolio | | Class A 0.94% Class B 1.19% | | December 31 |
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7, 2009. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2009 net assets:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule | | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee (%) | | Portfolio Effective Adv. Fee (%) |
Growth Portfolio | | $76.0 | | U.S. Growth Schedule 80 bp on 1st $25m 50 bp on next $25m 40 bp on next $50m 30 bp on next $100m 25 bp on the balance Minimum account size $25m | | 0.564 | | 0.750 |
The Adviser also manages The AllianceBernstein Portfolios Growth Fund (“Growth Fund”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of the Growth Fund and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Growth Fund been applicable to the Portfolio:5
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee (%) | | Portfolio Effective Adv. Fee (%) |
Growth Portfolio | | Growth Fund | | 0.75% on first $2.5 billion 0.65% on next $2.5 billion 0.60% on the balance | | 0.550 | | 0.550 |
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
5 | It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. |
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GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The AllianceBernstein Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedules of the ITM mutual funds that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio are as follows:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | ITM Mutual Fund | | Fee (%) |
Growth Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein U.S. Growth Stock Fund Hedged/Unhedged | | 0.750 |
| | AllianceBernstein U.S. Growth Stock Fund F/FVA6 | | 0.700 |
The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)7 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.8
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee9 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median | | Rank |
Growth Portfolio | | 0.750 | | 0.751 | | 3/8 |
Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU10 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio. It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year end. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.11
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)12 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Growth Portfolio | | 0.939 | | 0.912 | | 6/8 | | 0.873 | | 30/39 |
6 | This ITM fund is privately placed or institutional. |
7 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
8 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
9 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. |
10 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
11 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
12 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, ABI received $214,608 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $491,529 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.13
The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
13 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2008. |
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GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,14 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli15 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.16 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.20
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –36.91 | | –38.50 | | –38.74 | | 2/8 | | 15/50 |
3 year | | –15.64 | | –14.19 | | –13.59 | | 7/8 | | 39/48 |
5 year | | –5.44 | | –3.15 | | –3.75 | | 7/7 | | 31/39 |
10 year | | –4.56 | | –3.96 | | –3.31 | | 2/2 | | 18/23 |
14 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
15 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
16 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
18 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
19 | The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
20 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)21 versus its benchmark.22 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.23
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | 10 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
Growth Portfolio | | –36.91 | | –15.64 | | –5.44 | | –4.56 | | 5.02 | | 19.50 | | –0.31 | | 10 |
Russell 3000 Growth Index22,23,24 | | –36.51 | | –11.38 | | –4.75 | | –5.04 | | 4.33 | | 18.94 | | –0.35 | | 10 |
Inception Date: September 15, 1994 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
21 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
22 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. It should be noted that the inception date of the Portfolio’s benchmark is the nearest month-end after the Portfolio’s inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date. |
23 | Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
24 | Effective May 1, 2009, the Portfolio’s benchmark will change from Russell 3000 Index to Russell 1000 Index. |
25
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Growth & Income Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,036.27 | | $ | 3.33 | | 0.66 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,021.52 | | $ | 3.31 | | 0.66 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,034.07 | | $ | 4.59 | | 0.91 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,020.28 | | $ | 4.56 | | 0.91 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | $ | 46,692,889 | | 4.8 | % |
Raytheon Co. | | | 35,304,522 | | 3.7 | |
Total SA (Sponsored ADR) | | | 34,596,029 | | 3.6 | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | | 34,595,022 | | 3.6 | |
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. | | | 31,135,350 | | 3.2 | |
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.—Class 3 | | | 30,059,579 | | 3.1 | |
SAIC, Inc. | | | 29,503,775 | | 3.1 | |
Amgen, Inc. | | | 27,189,984 | | 2.8 | |
Lorillard, Inc. | | | 26,813,878 | | 2.8 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 25,971,258 | | 2.6 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 321,862,286 | | 33.3 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Health Care | | $ | 185,660,401 | | 19.2 | % |
Energy | | | 159,091,059 | | 16.5 | |
Industrials | | | 124,355,411 | | 12.9 | |
Information Technology | | | 117,683,934 | | 12.2 | |
Financials | | | 109,331,832 | | 11.3 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 108,475,011 | | 11.2 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 95,440,504 | | 9.9 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 37,525,356 | | 3.9 | |
Utilities | | | 15,996,838 | | 1.6 | |
Materials | | | 13,140,801 | | 1.3 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 966,701,147 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The fund components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–100.0% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–19.2% | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–4.6% | | | | | |
Amgen, Inc.(a) | | 513,600 | | $ | 27,189,984 |
Biogen Idec, Inc.(a) | | 385,000 | | | 17,382,750 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 44,572,734 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–6.9% | | | | | |
Aetna, Inc. | | 536,000 | | | 13,426,800 |
AmerisourceBergen Corp.–Class A | | 199,300 | | | 3,535,582 |
Humana, Inc.(a) | | 130,100 | | | 4,197,026 |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a) | | 418,094 | | | 19,069,267 |
Quest Diagnostics, Inc. | | 173,800 | | | 9,807,534 |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | 652,300 | | | 16,294,454 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 66,330,663 |
| | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–7.7% | | | | | |
Abbott Laboratories | | 361,100 | | | 16,986,144 |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | 509,100 | | | 17,635,224 |
Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.(a) | | 228,575 | | | 4,096,064 |
Forest Laboratories, Inc.(a) | | 407,320 | | | 10,227,805 |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | 256,210 | | | 7,163,632 |
Novartis AG (Sponsored ADR) | | 84,100 | | | 3,430,439 |
Schering-Plough Corp. | | 605,800 | | | 15,217,696 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 74,757,004 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 185,660,401 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY–16.4% | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.4% | | | | | |
Cameron International Corp.(a) | | 240,655 | | | 6,810,537 |
Noble Corp. | | 231,540 | | | 7,004,085 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 13,814,622 |
| | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–15.0% | | | | | |
Chevron Corp. | | 390,200 | | | 25,850,750 |
ConocoPhillips | | 160,820 | | | 6,764,089 |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | 667,900 | | | 46,692,889 |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 394,640 | | | 25,971,258 |
Total SA (Sponsored ADR) | | 637,950 | | | 34,596,029 |
Valero Energy Corp. | | 319,800 | | | 5,401,422 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 145,276,437 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 159,091,059 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–12.9% | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–9.4% | | | | | |
Goodrich Corp. | | 310,400 | | | 15,510,688 |
Honeywell International, Inc. | | 202,570 | | | 6,360,698 |
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.–Class 3 | | 433,260 | | | 30,059,579 |
Raytheon Co. | | 794,610 | | | 35,304,522 |
United Technologies Corp. | | 65,900 | | | 3,424,164 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 90,659,651 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.8% | | | | | |
Fluor Corp. | | 287,080 | | $ | 14,724,333 |
URS Corp.(a) | | 57,300 | | | 2,837,496 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 17,561,829 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.4% | | | | | |
Hubbell, Inc.–Class B | | 113,520 | | | 3,639,451 |
| | | | | |
MACHINERY–1.0% | | | | | |
Dover Corp. | | 103,800 | | | 3,434,742 |
Joy Global, Inc. | | 181,940 | | | 6,498,897 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 9,933,639 |
| | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.3% | | | | | |
WESCO International, Inc.(a) | | 102,270 | | | 2,560,841 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 124,355,411 |
| | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–12.2% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.3% | | | | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc.(a) | | 456,000 | | | 8,499,840 |
F5 Networks, Inc.(a) | | 104,660 | | | 3,620,189 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 12,120,029 |
| | | | | |
COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–0.7% | | | | | |
EMC Corp.(a) | | 268,100 | | | 3,512,110 |
NetApp, Inc.(a) | | 186,600 | | | 3,679,752 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 7,191,862 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.4% | | | | | |
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.– Class A(a) | | 100,590 | | | 3,749,995 |
| | | | | |
INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–1.4% | | | | | |
Ebay, Inc.(a) | | 339,100 | | | 5,808,783 |
VeriSign, Inc.(a) | | 409,100 | | | 7,560,168 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 13,368,951 |
| | | | | |
IT SERVICES–5.7% | | | | | |
Accenture Ltd.–Class A | | 520,925 | | | 17,430,151 |
Alliance Data Systems Corp.(a) | | 194,100 | | | 7,994,979 |
SAIC, Inc.(a) | | 1,590,500 | | | 29,503,775 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 54,928,905 |
| | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.4% | | | | | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 400,800 | | | 3,771,528 |
| | | | | |
3
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
SOFTWARE–2.3% | | | | | |
Symantec Corp.(a) | | 1,449,400 | | $ | 22,552,664 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 117,683,934 |
| | | | | |
FINANCIALS–11.3% | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–1.6% | | | | | |
BlackRock, Inc.–Class A | | 44,050 | | | 7,727,251 |
Morgan Stanley | | 131,800 | | | 3,757,618 |
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.(a) | | 228,460 | | | 4,007,188 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 15,492,057 |
| | | | | |
INSURANCE–9.7% | | | | | |
ACE Ltd. | | 416,490 | | | 18,421,353 |
Arch Capital Group Ltd.(a) | | 422,777 | | | 24,766,277 |
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. | | 1,189,280 | | | 31,135,350 |
Loews Corp. | | 265,270 | | | 7,268,398 |
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. | | 263,180 | | | 12,248,397 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 93,839,775 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 109,331,832 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–11.2% | | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–3.3% | | | | | |
Safeway, Inc. | | 345,070 | | | 7,029,076 |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | | 511,300 | | | 24,767,372 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 31,796,448 |
| | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–1.2% | | | | | |
ConAgra Foods, Inc. | | 603,355 | | | 11,499,946 |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–0.4% | | | | | |
Kimberly-Clark Corp. | | 71,900 | | | 3,769,717 |
| | | | | |
TOBACCO–6.3% | | | | | |
Lorillard, Inc. | | 395,660 | | | 26,813,878 |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | 793,100 | | | 34,595,022 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 61,408,900 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 108,475,011 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–9.9% | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–0.3% | | | | | |
WABCO Holdings, Inc. | | 151,490 | | | 2,681,373 |
| | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–1.9% | | | | | |
Apollo Group, Inc.–Class A(a) | | 260,965 | | | 18,559,831 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
MEDIA–4.2% | | | | | |
Comcast Corp.–Class A | | 1,270,360 | | $ | 18,407,516 |
The DIRECTV Group, Inc.(a) | | 301,000 | | | 7,437,710 |
DISH Network Corp.– Class A(a) | | 229,080 | | | 3,713,387 |
Time Warner Cable, Inc.–Class A | | 116,394 | | | 3,686,198 |
Time Warner, Inc. | | 291,566 | | | 7,344,548 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 40,589,359 |
| | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–3.5% | | | | | |
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | | 222,780 | | | 9,243,142 |
Home Depot, Inc. | | 639,300 | | | 15,106,659 |
Ross Stores, Inc. | | 239,900 | | | 9,260,140 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 33,609,941 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 95,440,504 |
| | | | | |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.9% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.9% | | | | | |
CenturyTel, Inc. | | 148,820 | | | 4,568,774 |
Qwest Communications International, Inc. | | 5,844,900 | | | 24,256,335 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | 283,119 | | | 8,700,247 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 37,525,356 |
| | | | | |
UTILITIES–1.6% | | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–1.6% | | | | | |
NSTAR | | 222,800 | | | 7,154,108 |
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. | | 271,000 | | | 8,842,730 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 15,996,838 |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS–1.4% | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–1.4% | | | | | |
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | | 98,500 | | | 7,302,790 |
FMC Corp. | | 50,970 | | | 2,410,881 |
Terra Industries, Inc. | | 141,500 | | | 3,427,130 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 13,140,801 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–100.0% (cost $955,805,929) | | | | | 966,701,147 |
Other assets less liabilities–0.0% | | | | | 467,309 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 967,168,456 |
| | | | | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
4
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $955,805,929) | | $ | 966,701,147 | |
Cash | | | 10,033,542 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 6,533,136 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 1,151,640 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 250,071 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 984,669,536 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 11,548,103 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 4,818,924 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 447,136 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 160,190 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 26,840 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 125 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 499,762 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 17,501,080 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 967,168,456 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 73,581 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 1,484,605,129 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 6,310,174 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (534,715,646 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation of investments | | | 10,895,218 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 967,168,456 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 196,208,530 | | 14,826,827 | | $ | 13.23 |
B | | $ | 770,959,926 | | 58,754,307 | | $ | 13.12 |
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $256,180) | | $ | 10,560,730 | |
Interest | | | 53 | |
| | | | |
Total investment income | | | 10,560,783 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 2,586,713 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 930,861 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 983 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 3,717 | |
Printing | | | 296,420 | |
Custodian | | | 112,759 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Audit | | | 23,012 | |
Legal | | | 19,735 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,247 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 10,675 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 4,031,962 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 6,528,821 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (152,595,396 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 173,570,873 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment transactions | | | 20,975,477 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 27,504,298 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 6,528,821 | | | $ | 22,390,737 | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (152,595,396 | ) | | | (378,196,121 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 173,570,873 | | | | (448,327,173 | ) |
Contributions from Adviser | | | –0 | – | | | 11,869 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 27,504,298 | | | | (804,120,688 | ) |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (5,398,932 | ) | | | (6,963,791 | ) |
Class B | | | (17,210,452 | ) | | | (22,799,055 | ) |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (59,285,910 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (235,239,159 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (69,640,232 | ) | | | (54,046,163 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total decrease | | | (64,745,318 | ) | | | (1,182,454,766 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 1,031,913,774 | | | | 2,214,368,540 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $6,310,174 and $22,390,737, respectively) | | $ | 967,168,456 | | | $ | 1,031,913,774 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may frequently value 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
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is
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defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 966,701,147 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 966,701,147 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 966,701,147 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 966,701,147 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Portfolio did not engage in derivative transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
During the year ended December 31, 2008 and in response to the Independent Directors’ request, the Adviser made a payment of $11,869 to the Portfolio in connection with an error made by the Adviser in processing a claim for class action settlement proceeds on behalf of the Portfolio.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009 amounted to $1,308,421, of which $179,879 and $0, respectively was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently
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limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 629,481,590 | | | $ | 703,375,572 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 68,502,992 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (57,607,774 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 10,895,218 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes, as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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, or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
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GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 1,415,742 | | | 1,422,289 | | | | | $ | 17,376,958 | | | $ | 26,884,551 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 401,109 | | | 3,373,203 | | | | | | 5,398,932 | | | | 66,249,701 | |
Shares redeemed | | (3,161,625 | ) | | (5,634,317 | ) | | | | | (40,167,395 | ) | | | (106,311,617 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (1,344,774 | ) | | (838,825 | ) | | | | $ | (17,391,505 | ) | | $ | (13,177,365 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 1,357,929 | | | 1,933,193 | | | | | $ | 17,223,401 | | | $ | 34,213,413 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 1,289,172 | | | 13,259,929 | | | | | | 17,210,452 | | | | 258,038,214 | |
Shares redeemed | | (7,121,670 | ) | | (18,180,823 | ) | | | | | (86,682,580 | ) | | | (333,120,425 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (4,474,569 | ) | | (2,987,701 | ) | | | | $ | (52,248,727 | ) | | $ | (40,868,798 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments
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and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 69,586,813 | | $ | 38,271,652 |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 254,701,102 | | | 112,866,696 |
| | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions | | | 324,287,915 | | | 151,138,348 |
| | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 324,287,915 | | $ | 151,138,348 |
| | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 22,390,737 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (333,984,780 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (210,811,125 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (522,405,168 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of $242,328,682 of which $242,328,682 expires in the year 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Net capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers post-October capital losses of $91,656,098 to January 1, 2009. |
(b) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser
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GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
(“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
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GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $13.10 | | | $26.82 | | | $27.19 | | | $24.88 | | | $24.08 | | | $21.80 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .10 | | | .30 | | | .39 | | | .36 | | | .31 | | | .36 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | .38 | | | (9.77 | ) | | .97 | | | 3.66 | | | .85 | | | 2.12 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | .00 | (c) | | .06 | | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .48 | | | (9.47 | ) | | 1.42 | | | 4.02 | | | 1.16 | | | 2.48 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.35 | ) | | (.45 | ) | | (.41 | ) | | (.37 | ) | | (.36 | ) | | (.20 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | –0 | – | | (3.80 | ) | | (1.38 | ) | | (1.34 | ) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.35 | ) | | (4.25 | ) | | (1.79 | ) | | (1.71 | ) | | (.36 | ) | | (.20 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $13.23 | | | $13.10 | | | $26.82 | | | $27.19 | | | $24.88 | | | $24.08 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 3.63 | %* | | (40.60 | )%* | | 5.12 | %** | | 17.29 | % | | 4.86 | % | | 11.46 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $196,208 | | | $211,920 | | | $456,159 | | | $529,732 | | | $571,372 | | | $627,689 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .66 | %(e) | | .62 | % | | .59 | % | | .61 | %(f) | | .59 | % | | .60 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .66 | %(e) | | .62 | % | | .59 | % | | .61 | %(f) | | .59 | % | | .65 | % |
Net investment income | | 1.58 | %(e) | | 1.61 | % | | 1.43 | % | | 1.42 | %(f) | | 1.29 | % | | 1.62 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 67 | % | | 184 | % | | 74 | % | | 60 | % | | 72 | % | | 50 | % |
See footnote summary on page 16.
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GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $12.97 | | | $26.55 | | | $26.93 | | | $24.65 | | | $23.87 | | | $21.62 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .08 | | | .25 | | | .32 | | | .29 | | | .25 | | | .31 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | .37 | | | (9.66 | ) | | .96 | | | 3.63 | | | .83 | | | 2.10 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | .00 | (c) | | .06 | | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .45 | | | (9.41 | ) | | 1.34 | | | 3.92 | | | 1.08 | | | 2.41 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.30 | ) | | (.37 | ) | | (.34 | ) | | (.30 | ) | | (.30 | ) | | (.16 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | –0 | – | | (3.80 | ) | | (1.38 | ) | | (1.34 | ) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.30 | ) | | (4.17 | ) | | (1.72 | ) | | (1.64 | ) | | (.30 | ) | | (.16 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $13.12 | | | $12.97 | | | $26.55 | | | $26.93 | | | $24.65 | | | $23.87 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 3.41 | %* | | (40.69 | )%* | | 4.86 | %** | | 16.98 | % | | 4.60 | % | | 11.22 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $770,960 | | | $819,994 | | | $1,758,210 | | | $2,013,964 | | | $2,073,693 | | | $2,044,741 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .91 | %(e) | | .87 | % | | .84 | % | | .86 | %(f) | | .85 | % | | .85 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .91 | %(e) | | .87 | % | | .84 | % | | .86 | %(f) | | .85 | % | | .90 | % |
Net investment income | | 1.34 | %(e) | | 1.36 | % | | 1.18 | % | | 1.17 | %(f) | | 1.05 | % | | 1.39 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 67 | % | | 184 | % | | 74 | % | | 60 | % | | 72 | % | | 50 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser. |
(c) | Amount less than $0.005. |
(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. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(f) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 by 0.40% and 0.46%, respectively. |
** | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio in connection with an error made by the Adviser in processing a class action settlement claim, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the year ended December 31, 2007 by 0.19%. |
See notes to financial statements.
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GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts 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 Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
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GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2009 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (January 1991 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1- and 3-year periods, 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period and 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 1-, 3- and 10-year periods but underperformed the Index in the 5-year and since inception periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. 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 also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The directors noted that because of the small number of funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category, at the request of the Adviser and the Fund’s Senior Officer, Lipper had expanded the Expense Group of the Fund to include peers that had a similar (but not the same) Lipper investment objective/classification. The Expense Universe for the Portfolio had also been expanded by Lipper pursuant to Lipper’s standard guidelines and not at the request of the Adviser or the Fund’s Senior Officer. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 55 basis points, plus the 1 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was the same as the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group median and lower than the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
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GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS, EXPENSE CAPS & RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Value | | 55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 45 bp on next $2.5 billion 40 bp on the balance | | $ | 839.6 | | Growth & Income Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $91,500 (0.01% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Total Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year |
Growth & Income Portfolio | | Class A 0.62% Class B 0.87% | | December 31 |
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7, 2009. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2009 net assets:
| | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule | | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Growth & Income Portfolio | | $ | 839.6 | | Relative Value Schedule 65 bp on 1st $25m 50 bp on next $25m 40 bp on next $50m 30 bp on next $100m 25 bp on the balance Minimum account size $25m | | 0.284 | | 0.550 |
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc. (“Growth & Income Fund, Inc.”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
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GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc.5 and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the AllianceBernstein retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Growth & Income Portfolio | | Growth & Income Fund, Inc. | | 0.55% on first $2.5 billion 0.45% on next $2.5 billion 0.40% on the balance | | 0.750 | | 0.750 |
The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the fees set forth for American Value Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. It should be noted that Class A shares of the Luxembourg funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.
| | | |
Fund | | Fee | |
American Value Portfolio | | | |
Class A | | 1.50 | % |
Class I (Institutional) | | 0.70 | % |
The Adviser provides sub-advisory investment services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the following fees for each of these sub-advisory relationships. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Funds had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to those Funds based on February 28, 2009 net assets and the Funds’ advisory fees:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Sub-Advised Fund | | Sub-Advised Fund Fee Schedule | | Sub-advised Fund Effective Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Growth & Income Portfolio | | Client No. 1 | | 0.30% on first $1 billion 0.25% on next $500 million 0.20% thereafter | | 0.300 | | 0.550 |
| | | | |
| | Client No.26 | | 0.30% | | 0.300 | | 0.550 |
It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides, pursuant to the sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)7 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.8
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment
5 | It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. |
6 | The client is an affiliate of the Adviser. |
7 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
8 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers in the view of the Senior Officer and the Adviser. Consequently, at the request of the Senior Officer and the Adviser, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee9 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median | | Rank |
Growth & Income Portfolio10 | | 0.550 | | 0.563 | | 6/12 |
However, because Lipper had expanded the EG of the Portfolio, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also expanded to include the universes of those peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.11 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.12
It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year ends. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.13
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)14 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Growth & Income Portfolio15 | | 0.618 | | 0.600 | | 9/12 | | 0.789 | | 20/115 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.
9 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. |
10 | The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, five other variable insurance product (“VIP”) Large-Cap Value funds (“LCVE”) and six VIP Large-Cap Core funds (“LCCE”). |
11 | It should be noted that the expansion of the Portfolio’s EU was not requested by the Adviser or the Senior Officer. They requested that only the EG be expanded. |
12 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
13 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
14 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
15 | The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP LCVE and LCCE funds, excluding outliers. |
23
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $3,154,150 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $119,023 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.16
The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,17 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli18 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two
16 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2008. |
17 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
18 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
24
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.19 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio20 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)21 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.22
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –39.29 | | –40.52 | | –40.87 | | 2/6 | | 21/59 |
3 year | | –11.77 | | –13.21 | | –12.54 | | 2/6 | | 20/56 |
5 year | | –4.25 | | –4.39 | | –4.21 | | 2/5 | | 26/48 |
10 year | | 0.65 | | 0.65 | | –0.35 | | 3/5 | | 7/25 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)23 versus its benchmark.24 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.25
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | 10 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
Growth & Income Portfolio | | –39.29 | | –11.77 | | –4.25 | | 0.65 | | 7.23 | | 16.43 | | –0.08 | | 10 |
Russell 1000 Value Index | | –41.78 | | –13.09 | | –3.52 | | 0.05 | | 8.76 | | 14.94 | | –0.15 | | 10 |
Inception Date: January 14, 1991 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
19 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
20 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper |
21 | The Portfolio’s PG and PU are not identical to the Portfolio’s EG and EU. The criteria for including in or excluding a fund in/from a PG/PU is somewhat different from that of an EG/EU. |
22 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
23 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
24 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. |
25 | Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
25
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
26
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Global Thematic Growth Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,216.51 | | $ | 5.55 | | 1.01 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,019.79 | | $ | 5.06 | | 1.01 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,214.62 | | $ | 6.92 | | 1.26 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,018.55 | | $ | 6.31 | | 1.26 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. | | $ | 3,342,035 | | 2.1 | % |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR) | | | 3,143,166 | | 2.0 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 3,033,841 | | 1.9 | |
Toyota Motor Corp. (Sponsored ADR) | | | 2,817,269 | | 1.8 | |
China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd. (ADR) | | | 2,752,042 | | 1.7 | |
Illumina, Inc. | | | 2,690,754 | | 1.7 | |
Shaw Group, Inc. | | | 2,683,439 | | 1.7 | |
Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ADR) | | | 2,635,695 | | 1.6 | |
Denbury Resources, Inc. | | | 2,555,655 | | 1.6 | |
Juniper Networks, Inc. | | | 2,494,520 | | 1.6 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 28,148,416 | | 17.7 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Financials | | $ | 25,960,550 | | 16.6 | % |
Industrials | | | 23,074,129 | | 14.8 | |
Information Technology | | | 21,196,326 | | 13.6 | |
Energy | | | 20,670,809 | | 13.3 | |
Materials (Common Stocks & Rights) | | | 17,038,861 | | 10.9 | |
Health Care | | | 13,300,292 | | 8.5 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 11,884,370 | | 7.6 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 11,078,106 | | 7.1 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 8,042,243 | | 5.2 | |
Utilities (Common Stocks & Rights) | | | 3,671,980 | | 2.4 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 155,917,666 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The fund components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COUNTRY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
United States | | $ | 63,815,071 | | 40.9 | % |
China | | | 15,019,932 | | 9.6 | |
Japan | | | 11,712,474 | | 7.5 | |
Brazil | | | 11,688,068 | | 7.5 | |
United Kingdom | | | 8,449,462 | | 5.4 | |
Hong Kong | | | 6,798,275 | | 4.4 | |
Switzerland | | | 5,754,312 | | 3.7 | |
South Africa | | | 5,451,923 | | 3.5 | |
Canada | | | 4,279,822 | | 2.7 | |
Taiwan | | | 3,888,710 | | 2.5 | |
Netherlands | | | 3,266,387 | | 2.1 | |
Singapore | | | 2,250,246 | | 1.5 | |
France | | | 1,852,126 | | 1.2 | |
Other* | | | 11,690,858 | | 7.5 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 155,917,666 | | 100.0 | % |
* | “Other” country weightings represent 1.1% or less in the following countries: Australia, Chile, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Panama and South Korea. |
3
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–97.6% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
FINANCIALS–16.3% | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–7.1% | | | | | |
BlackRock, Inc.–Class A | | 9,700 | | $ | 1,701,574 |
The Charles Schwab Corp. | | 96,500 | | | 1,692,610 |
Credit Suisse Group AG (Sponsored ADR) | | 53,600 | | | 2,451,128 |
Man Group PLC | | 417,721 | | | 1,914,787 |
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.(a) | | 94,600 | | | 1,659,284 |
Yuanta Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | | 2,848,000 | | | 1,903,775 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 11,323,158 |
| | | | | |
COMMERCIAL BANKS–5.5% | | | | | |
Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ADR) | | 166,500 | | | 2,635,695 |
Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.(a) | | 59,290 | | | 1,494,739 |
Standard Chartered PLC | | 124,465 | | | 2,340,315 |
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | | 223,000 | | | 2,250,246 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,720,995 |
| | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.2% | | | | | |
Nasdaq QMX Group, Inc. (a) | | 87,700 | | | 1,868,887 |
| | | | | |
INSURANCE–1.1% | | | | | |
China Life Insurance Co. Ltd.–Class H | | 496,000 | | | 1,822,900 |
| | | | | |
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–1.4% | | | | | |
Ciputra Development Tbk PT(a) | | 5,869,500 | | | 411,611 |
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | | 146,000 | | | 1,812,999 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,224,610 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 25,960,550 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–14.5% | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–5.0% | | | | | |
China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd.–Class H(a) | | 1,246,000 | | | 1,912,099 |
Quanta Services, Inc.(a) | | 74,300 | | | 1,718,559 |
Shaw Group, Inc.(a) | | 97,900 | | | 2,683,439 |
URS Corp.(a) | | 33,000 | | | 1,634,160 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 7,948,257 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.3% | | | | | |
ABB Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 134,000 | | | 2,114,520 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.0% | | | | | |
Siemens AG | | 22,282 | | | 1,540,859 |
| | | | | |
MACHINERY–4.2% | | | | | |
The Japan Steel Works Ltd. | | 165,000 | | | 2,033,460 |
NGK Insulators Ltd. | | 44,000 | | | 896,797 |
PACCAR, Inc. | | 53,500 | | | 1,739,285 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Weg SA | | 280,900 | | $ | 1,992,605 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,662,147 |
| | | | | |
MARINE–1.5% | | | | | |
China COSCO Holdings Co. Ltd.–Class H | | 980,000 | | | 1,157,297 |
China Shipping Container Lines Co. Ltd.–Class H (a) | | 4,528,000 | | | 1,206,625 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,363,922 |
| | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–1.5% | | | | | |
Canadian National Railway Co. | | 56,900 | | | 2,444,424 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 23,074,129 |
| | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–13.3% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–3.1% | | | | | |
Juniper Networks, Inc.(a) | | 105,700 | | | 2,494,520 |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | 54,800 | | | 2,476,960 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,971,480 |
| | | | | |
COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–2.5% | | | | | |
Apple, Inc.(a) | | 13,900 | | | 1,979,777 |
Toshiba Corp. | | 559,000 | | | 2,025,226 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,005,003 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–1.0% | | | | | |
Byd Co. Ltd.–Class H(a) | | 383,000 | | | 1,509,653 |
| | | | | |
Internet Software & Services–2.1% | | | | | |
Equinix, Inc.(a) | | 22,300 | | | 1,622,102 |
Tencent Holdings Ltd. | | 146,000 | | | 1,693,980 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,316,082 |
| | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.2% | | | | | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 210,939 | | | 1,984,936 |
| | | | | |
SOFTWARE–3.4% | | | | | |
Activision Blizzard, Inc.(a) | | 137,000 | | | 1,730,310 |
Red Hat, Inc.(a) | | 96,100 | | | 1,934,493 |
Salesforce.com, Inc.(a) | | 45,700 | | | 1,744,369 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 5,409,172 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 21,196,326 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY–13.0% | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–4.1% | | | | | |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a) | | 49,700 | | | 1,623,202 |
Saipem SpA | | 68,369 | | | 1,670,368 |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | 44,200 | | | 2,391,662 |
WorleyParsons Ltd. | | 39,865 | | | 759,762 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,444,994 |
| | | | | |
4
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–8.9% | | | | | |
Cameco Corp. | | 71,543 | | $ | 1,835,398 |
Denbury Resources, Inc.(a) | | 173,500 | | | 2,555,655 |
EOG Resources, Inc. | | 28,000 | | | 1,901,760 |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 46,100 | | | 3,033,841 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR) | | 76,700 | | | 3,143,166 |
Tullow Oil PLC | | 113,378 | | | 1,755,995 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 14,225,815 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 20,670,809 |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS–10.5% | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–3.5% | | | | | |
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. | | 30,900 | | | 1,995,831 |
Monsanto Co. | | 25,300 | | | 1,880,802 |
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (ADR) | | 45,500 | | | 1,646,645 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 5,523,278 |
| | | | | |
METALS & MINING–7.0% | | | | | |
AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (ADR) | | 57,600 | | | 2,109,888 |
ArcelorMittal (New York) | | 57,100 | | | 1,888,868 |
Hitachi Metals Ltd. | | 204,000 | | | 1,736,427 |
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. | | 151,036 | | | 3,342,035 |
Rio Tinto PLC | | 61,986 | | | 2,146,662 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 11,223,880 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 16,747,158 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–8.3% | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–2.6% | | | | | |
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | 39,200 | | | 872,984 |
Cepheid, Inc.(a) | | 94,500 | | | 890,190 |
Genomic Health, Inc.(a) | | 91,100 | | | 1,578,763 |
Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a) | | 18,800 | | | 880,592 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,222,529 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.7% | | | | | |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a) | | 24,000 | | | 1,094,640 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–0.7% | | | | | |
athenahealth, Inc.(a) | | 30,200 | | | 1,117,702 |
| | | | | |
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–2.5% | | | | | |
Illumina, Inc.(a) | | 69,100 | | | 2,690,754 |
Qiagen NV(a) | | 74,100 | | | 1,377,519 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,068,273 |
| | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–1.8% | | | | | |
Roche Holding AG | | 8,724 | | | 1,188,664 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 32,600 | | | 1,608,484 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,797,148 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 13,300,292 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–7.5% | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–1.1% | | | | | |
BorgWarner, Inc. | | 51,900 | | | 1,772,385 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–1.8% | | | | | |
Toyota Motor Corp. (Sponsored ADR) | | 37,300 | | $ | 2,817,269 |
| | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–1.2% | | | | | |
New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. (Sponsored ADR)(a) | | 27,500 | | | 1,852,400 |
| | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.1% | | | | | |
Carnival Corp. | | 69,100 | | | 1,780,707 |
| | | | | |
INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–1.3% | | | | | |
Amazon.Com, Inc.(a) | | 25,000 | | | 2,091,500 |
| | | | | |
MEDIA–1.0% | | | | | |
The Walt Disney Co. | | 67,300 | | | 1,570,109 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 11,884,370 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–6.9% | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–0.9% | | | | | |
Heckmann Corp.(a) | | 400,500 | | | 1,501,875 |
| | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.4% | | | |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | | 45,000 | | | 2,179,800 |
| | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–3.5% | | | | | |
Chaoda Modern Agriculture Holdings Ltd. | | 3,754,000 | | | 2,195,252 |
Perdigao SA (Sponsored ADR)(a) | | 42,100 | | | 1,607,378 |
Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding Corp. | | 1,058,000 | | | 1,741,675 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 5,544,305 |
| | | | | |
PERSONAL PRODUCTS–1.1% | | | | | |
L’Oreal SA | | 24,674 | | | 1,852,126 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 11,078,106 |
| | | | | |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–5.0% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.6% | | | | | |
China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd. (ADR) | | 206,300 | | | 2,752,042 |
Global Village Telecom Holding SA(a) | | 139,100 | | | 2,309,223 |
Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk PT | | 1,050,500 | | | 777,684 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 5,838,949 |
| | | | | |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.4% | | | | | |
Softbank Corp. | | 113,100 | | | 2,203,294 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,042,243 |
| | | | | |
UTILITIES–2.3% | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.0% | | | | | |
Exelon Corp. | | 29,500 | | | 1,510,695 |
| | | | | |
5
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–1.3% | | | | | |
China Resources Power Holdings Co. | | 960,000 | | $ | 2,123,303 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,633,998 |
| | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $142,771,555) | | | | | 155,587,981 |
| | | | | |
RIGHTS–0.2% | | | |
MATERIALS–0.2% | | | | | |
METALS & MINING–0.2% | | | | | |
Rio Tinto PLC(a) | | 25,402 | | | 291,703 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
UTILITIES–0.0% | | | | | |
INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.0% | | | | | |
China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd.(a) | | 89,200 | | $ | 37,982 |
| | | | | |
Total Rights (cost $348,088) | | | | | 329,685 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–97.8% (cost $143,119,643) | | | | | 155,917,666 |
Other assets less liabilities–2.2% | | | | | 3,547,288 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 159,464,954 |
| | | | | |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value on Origination Date | | U.S. $ Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Australian Dollar settling 7/15/09 | | 5,532 | | $ | 4,172,788 | | $ | 4,453,068 | | $ | 280,280 | |
British Pound settling 7/15/09 | | 2,951 | | | 4,440,458 | | | 4,854,941 | | | 414,483 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 7/15/09 | | 5,022 | | | 4,331,924 | | | 4,317,859 | | | (14,065 | ) |
Euro settling 7/15/09 | | 9,613 | | | 12,948,903 | | | 13,485,848 | | | 536,945 | |
Japanese Yen settling 7/15/09 | | 538,813 | | | 5,448,059 | | | 5,593,987 | | | 145,928 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 7/15/09 | | 2,744 | | | 426,286 | | | 426,587 | | | 301 | |
Swedish Krona settling 7/15/09 | | 11,641 | | | 1,508,273 | | | 1,508,888 | | | 615 | |
Sale Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Canadian Dollar settling 7/15/09 | | 1,655 | | | 1,459,500 | | | 1,422,950 | | | 36,550 | |
Japanese Yen settling 7/15/09 | | 150,451 | | | 1,554,792 | | | 1,561,991 | | | (7,199 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 7/15/09 | | 643 | | | 572,982 | | | 591,881 | | | (18,899 | ) |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $143,119,643) | | $ | 155,917,666 | |
Cash | | | 1,539,127 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $1,022,817) | | | 1,029,859 | |
Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 1,415,102 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency contracts | | | 832,913 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 122,371 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 119,986 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 160,977,024 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 40,163 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 1,121,952 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 99,736 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 91,621 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 27,340 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 22,890 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 124 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 108,244 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,512,070 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 159,464,954 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 12,217 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 420,480,207 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 589,077 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (275,789,650 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 14,173,103 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 159,464,954 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 49,739,561 | | 3,751,344 | | $ | 13.26 |
B | | $ | 109,725,393 | | 8,465,437 | | $ | 12.96 |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $42,851) | | $ | 1,401,648 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 494,471 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 112,732 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 798 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 1,722 | |
Custodian | | | 52,883 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Printing | | | 27,665 | |
Audit | | | 22,888 | |
Legal | | | 13,351 | |
Directors' fees | | | 1,225 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 3,962 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 777,537 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 624,111 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | (19,000,488 | ) |
Foreign currency transactions | | | (355,832 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 43,685,791 | |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 1,376,887 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 25,706,358 | |
| | | | |
Contributions from Adviser (see Note B) | | | 19,268 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 26,349,737 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) | | $ | 624,111 | | | $ | (332,124 | ) |
Net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (19,356,320 | ) | | | (45,118,780 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 45,062,678 | | | | (77,916,590 | ) |
Contributions from Adviser | | | 19,268 | | | | 2,781 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 26,349,737 | | | | (123,364,713 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | 8,302,080 | | | | (37,215,115 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 34,651,817 | | | | (160,579,828 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 124,813,137 | | | | 285,392,965 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income (accumulated net investment loss) of $589,077 and $(35,034), respectively) | | $ | 159,464,954 | | | $ | 124,813,137 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
9
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), formerly AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio, is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time (see Note A.2).
2. Fair Value Measurements
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a
10
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financials | | $ | 12,009,178 | | | $ | 13,951,372 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 25,960,550 |
Industrials | | | 14,326,992 | | | | 8,747,137 | | | | –0 | – | | | 23,074,129 |
Information Technology | | | 15,967,467 | | | | 5,228,859 | | | | –0 | – | | | 21,196,326 |
Energy | | | 16,484,684 | | | | 4,186,125 | | | | –0 | – | | | 20,670,809 |
Material | | �� | 11,960,399 | | | | 5,078,462 | | | | –0 | – | | | 17,038,861 |
Health Care | | | 12,111,628 | | | | 1,188,664 | | | | –0 | – | | | 13,300,292 |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 11,884,370 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 11,884,370 |
Consumer Staple | | | 5,289,053 | | | | 5,789,053 | | | | –0 | – | | | 11,078,106 |
Telecommunication Services | | | 5,061,265 | | | | 2,980,978 | | | | –0 | – | | | 8,042,243 |
Utilities | | | 1,548,677 | | | | 2,123,303 | | | | –0 | – | | | 3,671,980 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 106,643,713 | | | | 49,273,953 | + | | | –0 | – | | | 155,917,666 |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | 1,374,939 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,374,939 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 106,643,713 | | | $ | 50,648,892 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 157,292,605 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
+ | The earlier close of the foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred between the close of the foreign markets and the time at which the Portfolio values its securities which may materially affect the value of securities trading in such markets. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available. Accordingly, a significant portion of the Portfolio’s investments are categorized as Level 2 investments. |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
11
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio’s 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 Portfolio 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 the FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. (see Note D.1)
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of ..75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Adviser reimbursed the Portfolio $19,268 for losses incurred due to a trade processing error.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser made a payment of $2,781 to the Portfolio in connection with an error made by the Adviser in processing a claim for class action settlement proceeds on behalf of the Portfolio.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
12
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009, amounted to $391,167, of which $764 and $0 was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $ 576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to ..50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 238,447,241 | | | $ | 224,086,931 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purpose. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 15,447,660 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (2,649,637 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 12,798,023 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes as a means of making a direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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 sales 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”.
13
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
At June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives (not designated as hedging instruments under FAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | Liability Derivatives |
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 1,415,102 | | Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 40,163 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 1,415,102 | | | | $ | 40,163 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009
| | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on transactions from foreign currency transactions/change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | $ | (12,717 | ) | | $ | 1,374,939 |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | (12,717 | ) | | $ | 1,374,939 |
| | | | | | | | | |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 448,054 | | | 288,728 | | | | | $ | 5,426,027 | | | $ | 4,632,451 | |
Shares redeemed | | (358,787 | ) | | (1,161,277 | ) | | | | | (3,940,491 | ) | | | (18,867,326 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | 89,267 | | | (872,549 | ) | | | | $ | 1,485,536 | | | $ | (14,234,875 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 1,503,355 | | | 1,925,801 | | | | | $ | 17,728,485 | | | $ | 31,278,399 | |
Shares redeemed | | (990,596 | ) | | (3,401,467 | ) | | | | | (10,911,941 | ) | | | (54,258,639 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | 512,759 | | | (1,475,666 | ) | | | | $ | 6,816,544 | | | $ | (22,980,240 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | $ | (251,136,929 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (36,221,010 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (287,357,939 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $239,453,233 of which $15,961,952 expires in the year 2009, $172,308,210 expires in the year 2010, $21,233,397 expires in the year 2011, and $29,949,674 expires in the year 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Net capital losses and net foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio deferred to January 1, 2009, post October foreign currency losses of $35,034 and post October capital losses of $11,648,662. |
(b) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle
16
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
17
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|
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $10.90 | | | $20.71 | | | $17.23 | | | $15.86 | | | $15.27 | | | $14.49 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (a) | | .06 | | | .00 | (b) | | (.03 | ) | | (.05 | ) | | (.05 | ) | | (.03 | )(c) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | 2.30 | | | (9.81 | ) | | 3.51 | | | 1.42 | | | .64 | | | .81 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | .00 | (b) | | .00 | (b) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | 2.36 | | | (9.81 | ) | | 3.48 | | | 1.37 | | | .59 | | | .78 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $13.26 | | | $10.90 | | | $20.71 | | | $17.23 | | | $15.86 | | | $15.27 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 21.65 | %* | | (47.37 | )%* | | 20.20 | % | | 8.64 | % | | 3.86 | % | | 5.38 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $49,740 | | | $39,933 | | | $93,919 | | | $86,819 | | | $99,781 | | | $117,145 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.01 | %(e) | | .93 | % | | .93 | % | | .92 | %(f) | | .92 | % | | .88 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.01 | %(e) | | .93 | % | | .93 | % | | .92 | %(f) | | .92 | % | | 1.06 | % |
Net investment income (loss) | | 1.13 | %(e) | | .00 | %(b) | | (.15 | )% | | (.30 | )%(f) | | (.32 | )% | | (.22 | )%(c) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 174 | % | | 141 | % | | 132 | % | | 117 | % | | 98 | % | | 86 | % |
See footnote summary on page 19.
18
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $10.67 | | | $20.31 | | | $16.94 | | | $15.63 | | | $15.08 | | | $14.35 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss (a) | | 0.05 | | | (.04 | ) | | (.07 | ) | | (.09 | ) | | (.08 | ) | | (.07 | )(c) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | 2.24 | | | (9.60 | ) | | 3.44 | | | 1.40 | | | .63 | | | .80 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | .00 | (b) | | .00 | (b) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | 2.29 | | | (9.64 | ) | | 3.37 | | | 1.31 | | | .55 | | | .73 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $12.96 | | | $10.67 | | | $20.31 | | | $16.94 | | | $15.63 | | | $15.08 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 21.46 | %* | | (47.46 | )%* | | 19.89 | % | | 8.38 | % | | 3.65 | % | | 5.09 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $109,725 | | | $84,880 | | | $191,474 | | | $177,350 | | | $148,075 | | | $164,721 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.26 | %(e) | | 1.18 | % | | 1.17 | % | | 1.18 | %(f) | | 1.17 | % | | 1.13 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.26 | %(e) | | 1.18 | % | | 1.17 | % | | 1.18 | %(f) | | 1.17 | % | | 1.31 | % |
Net investment loss | | .86 | %(e) | | (.24 | )% | | (.40 | )% | | (.55 | )%(f) | | (.57 | )% | | (.47 | )%(c) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 174 | % | | 141 | % | | 132 | % | | 117 | % | | 98 | % | | 86 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Amount is less than 0.005. |
(c) | Net of expenses reimbursed or waived 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. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(f) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 by 0.06% and 0.03%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
19
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio (formerly named AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio) (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s
20
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Information Technology Index (Net) (the “MSCI World IT Index”) and the MSCI World Index (Net) (the “MSCI World Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2009 and (in the case of comparisons with the indices) the since inception period (January 1996 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period and 1st out of 1 of the Performance Group and 3rd out of 4 of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the MSCI World IT Index in the 10-year period but underperformed that index in all other periods reviewed and underperformed the MSCI World Index in all periods reviewed. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2009 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares) and noted that the Portfolio had outperformed the MSCI World Index in the year-to-date, 1- and 3-year periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been acceptable. The directors also noted that at the February 2009 meetings, they had approved modifications to the Portfolio’s investment strategy and policies, including a new benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Index, and a name change to AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio from AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio effective May 1, 2009. As a result, the Portfolio’s investment performance prior to May 1, 2009 was not likely to be representative of performance under the new management strategy. The directors determined to closely monitor the Portfolio’s performance.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 Adviser informed the directors that there are no institutional products managed by it that have an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and noted that the Adviser charged institutional clients lower fees for advising comparably sized institutional accounts using strategies that differ from those of the Portfolio but which involved investments in securities of the same type that the Portfolio invests in (i.e., equity securities). The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund except that the Portfolio’s fee rate is a monthly fee based on average daily net assets whereas the Corresponding Fund’s fee rate is a quarterly fee based on net asset value at the end of each quarter.
21
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCEDISCLOSURE | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the administrative expense reimbursement was 5 basis points in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year, and that as a result the rate of total compensation received by the Adviser from the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was higher than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was the same as the Expense Group median and lower than the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
22
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2,3 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.4
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Specialty | | 75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
65 bp on next $2.5 billion
60 bp on the balance | | $ | 110.2 | | Global Technology Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $92,750 (0.05% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7, 2009. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | On February 3, 2009, the Board of Directors approved the Adviser’s proposal to broaden the Portfolio’s non-fundamental policy and change the Portfolio’s name to AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio, effective May 1, 2009. |
4 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
23
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Total Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year |
Global Technology Portfolio | | Class A 0.93% | | December 31 |
| | Class B 1.18% | | |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.5 However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio.
The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the fees set forth for International Technology Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. It should be noted that Class A shares of the fund are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.
| | | |
Fund | | Fee | |
International Technology Portfolio | | | |
Class A | | 2.00 | % |
Class I (Institutional) | | 1.20 | % |
The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.
5 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
24
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)6 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.7
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee8 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Rank |
Global Technology Portfolio | | 0.750 | | 0.765 | | 3/9 |
Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is as a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all portfolios that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.9
It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year ends. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.10
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)11 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Global Technology Portfolio | | 0.927 | | 0.927 | | 5/9 | | 0.968 | | 7/16 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.
6 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively small average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
7 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
8 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. |
9 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one portfolio. |
10 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
11 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
25
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $342,959 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $255,916 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.12
The Portfolio may effect brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Portfolio did not effect any brokerage transactions with and pay any commission to SCB. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,13 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory
12 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2008. |
13 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
26
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli14 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.15 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio16 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)17 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.18
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –41.48 | | –37.89 | | –39.25 | | 8/9 | | 13/20 |
3 year | | –14.86 | | –13.87 | | –13.43 | | 7/9 | | 12/18 |
5 year | | –7.26 | | –7.01 | | –6.68 | | 5/8 | | 8/14 |
10 year | | –5.73 | | N/A | | –2.73 | | 1/1 | | 3/4 |
14 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
15 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
16 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
17 | The Fund’s PG is identical to the Fund’s EG. The Fund’s PU is not identical to the Fund’s EU as the criteria for including or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
18 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
19 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
20 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. |
21 | Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
27
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)19 versus its benchmarks.20 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.21
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance | | |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | 10 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
Global Technology Portfolio | | –41.48 | | –14.86 | | –7.26 | | –5.73 | | 1.37 | | 29.65 | | –0.16 | | 10 |
MSCI World IT Index (Net)22 | | –38.69 | | –13.15 | | –7.03 | | –7.14 | | 2.76 | | 29.52 | | –0.33 | | 10 |
MSCI AC World Index (Net) | | –41.43 | | –12.15 | | –2.63 | | –1.76 | | 2.47 | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A |
Inception Date: January 11, 1996 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
22 | The benchmark will change effective May 1, 2009 from MSCI World IT Index (Net) to MSCI AC World Index (Net). |
28
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees of other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees of other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intermediate Bond Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,076.31 | | $ | 3.40 | | 0.66 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,021.52 | | $ | 3.31 | | 0.66 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,075.36 | | $ | 4.68 | | 0.91 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,020.28 | | $ | 4.56 | | 0.91 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
SECURITY TYPE | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Corporates—Investment Grades | | $ | 58,027,530 | | 37.0 | % |
Mortgage Pass-Thru’s | | | 31,941,130 | | 20.4 | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | 22,683,117 | | 14.5 | |
Governments—Treasuries | | | 21,277,571 | | 13.6 | |
Corporates—Non-Investment Grades | | | 9,370,493 | | 6.0 | |
Agencies | | | 4,109,594 | | 2.6 | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | 1,927,064 | | 1.2 | |
Quasi-Sovereigns | | | 1,785,295 | | 1.1 | |
Governments—Sovereign Agencies | | | 1,708,017 | | 1.1 | |
Governments—Sovereign Bonds | | | 1,392,954 | | 0.9 | |
CMOs | | | 1,203,176 | | 0.8 | |
Emerging Markets—Sovereign | | | 869,550 | | 0.5 | |
Emerging Markets—Corporate Bonds | | | 299,533 | | 0.2 | |
Other* | | | 181,291 | | 0.1 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 156,776,315 | | 100.0 | % |
* | “Other” represents less than 0.1% weightings in the following security types: Supranationals, Preferred Stocks and Common Stocks. |
2
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–35.3% | | | | | |
| �� | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–18.9% | | | | | | | |
BASIC–3.2% | | | | | | | |
Alcoa, Inc. 6.75%, 7/15/18 | | $ | | 178 | | $ | 157,918 |
ArcelorMittal 6.125%, 6/01/18 | | | | 555 | | | 485,625 |
6.50%, 4/15/14 | | | | 165 | | | 158,073 |
BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd. 7.25%, 3/01/16 | | | | 407 | | | 458,063 |
The Dow Chemical Co. 7.375%, 11/01/29 | | | | 15 | | | 13,632 |
7.60%, 5/15/14 | | | | 241 | | | 248,230 |
8.55%, 5/15/19 | | | | 184 | | | 184,328 |
EI Du Pont de Nemours & Co. 5.875%, 1/15/14 | | | | 239 | | | 258,816 |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. 8.25%, 4/01/15 | | | | 235 | | | 237,350 |
8.375%, 4/01/17 | | | | 195 | | | 196,462 |
International Paper Co. 5.30%, 4/01/15 | | | | 190 | | | 174,253 |
7.40%, 6/15/14 | | | | 520 | | | 517,638 |
7.95%, 6/15/18 | | | | 310 | | | 299,070 |
Packaging Corp. of America 5.75%, 8/01/13 | | | | 155 | | | 148,971 |
PPG Industries, Inc. 5.75%, 3/15/13 | | | | 455 | | | 472,962 |
Rio Tinto Finance USA Ltd. 6.50%, 7/15/18 | | | | 460 | | | 460,268 |
Southern Copper Corp. 7.50%, 7/27/35 | | | | 295 | | | 266,701 |
Usiminas Commercial Ltd. 7.25%, 1/18/18(a) | | | | 124 | | | 124,930 |
Weyerhaeuser Co. 6.75%, 3/15/12 | | | | 405 | | | 405,146 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,268,436 |
| | | | | | | |
CAPITAL GOODS–1.0% | | | | | | | |
Allied Waste North America, Inc. 6.375%, 4/15/11 | | | | 174 | | | 177,045 |
Boeing Co. 6.00%, 3/15/19 | | | | 400 | | | 436,170 |
John Deere Capital Corp. 5.25%, 10/01/12 | | | | 410 | | | 433,088 |
Tyco International Finance SA 6.00%, 11/15/13 | | | | 155 | | | 157,607 |
8.50%, 1/15/19 | | | | 195 | | | 216,212 |
United Technologies Corp. 4.875%, 5/01/15 | | | | 246 | | | 261,589 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,681,711 |
| | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– MEDIA–2.4% | | | | | |
BSKYB Finance UK PLC 5.625%, 10/15/15(a) | | | | 170 | | | 167,377 |
CBS Corp. 8.875%, 5/15/19 | | | | 420 | | | 409,336 |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Comcast Cable Communications Holdings, Inc. 9.455%, 11/15/22 | | $ | | 280 | | $ | 327,361 |
Comcast Corp. 5.30%, 1/15/14 | | | | 325 | | | 336,098 |
News America, Inc. 6.55%, 3/15/33 | | | | 210 | | | 187,956 |
9.25%, 2/01/13 | | | | 235 | | | 267,943 |
Reed Elsevier Capital, Inc. 8.625%, 1/15/19 | | | | 185 | | | 210,193 |
RR Donnelley & Sons Co. 4.95%, 4/01/14 | | | | 65 | | | 56,583 |
5.50%, 5/15/15 | | | | 185 | | | 158,788 |
11.25%, 2/01/19 | | | | 255 | | | 269,952 |
TCI Communications, Inc. 7.875%, 2/15/26 | | | | 210 | | | 220,865 |
Time Warner Cable, Inc. 7.50%, 4/01/14 | | | | 145 | | | 159,731 |
Time Warner Entertainment Co. 8.375%, 3/15/23 | | | | 550 | | | 606,445 |
WPP Finance UK 5.875%, 6/15/14 | | | | 120 | | | 112,026 |
8.00%, 9/15/14 | | | | 415 | | | 421,444 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,912,098 |
| | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–3.5% |
Alltel Corp. 7.875%, 7/01/32 | | | | 170 | | | 197,400 |
AT&T Corp. 8.00%, 11/15/31 | | | | 20 | | | 23,084 |
British Telecommunications PLC 9.125%, 12/15/10 | | | | 310 | | | 329,242 |
Embarq Corp. 6.738%, 6/01/13 | | | | 420 | | | 423,965 |
7.082%, 6/01/16 | | | | 855 | | | 834,986 |
New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc. 8.75%, 3/01/31 | | | | 250 | | | 304,703 |
Pacific Bell Telephone Co. 6.625%, 10/15/34 | | | | 535 | | | 510,414 |
Qwest Corp. 7.50%, 10/01/14 | | | | 400 | | | 381,500 |
8.875%, 3/15/12 | | | | 520 | | | 523,900 |
Telecom Italia Capital SA 4.00%, 1/15/10 | | | | 380 | | | 381,822 |
6.175%, 6/18/14 | | | | 355 | | | 359,003 |
6.375%, 11/15/33 | | | | 40 | | | 35,550 |
US Cellular Corp. 6.70%, 12/15/33 | | | | 575 | | | 550,831 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. 4.90%, 9/15/15 | | | | 240 | | | 239,717 |
5.25%, 4/15/13 | | | | 290 | | | 304,349 |
Verizon New Jersey, Inc. Series A 5.875%, 1/17/12 | | | | 179 | | | 187,640 |
Vodafone Group PLC 5.50%, 6/15/11 | | | | 200 | | | 210,439 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,798,545 |
| | | | | | | |
3
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.1% | | | | | |
Daimler Finance North America LLC 4.875%, 6/15/10 | | $ | | 110 | | $ | 110,087 |
5.75%, 9/08/11 | | | | 120 | | | 122,447 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 232,534 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–ENTERTAINMENT–0.4% | | | |
Time Warner, Inc. 6.875%, 5/01/12 | | | | 240 | | | 256,739 |
The Walt Disney Co. 5.50%, 3/15/19 | | | | 330 | | | 345,885 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 602,624 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.4% | | | | | | | |
Marriott International, Inc. Series J 5.625%, 2/15/13 | | | | 502 | | | 495,592 |
Toll Brothers Finance Corp. 5.15%, 5/15/15 | | | | 40 | | | 35,415 |
6.875%, 11/15/12 | | | | 95 | | | 91,540 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 622,547 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–RETAILERS–0.2% | | | |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 4.25%, 4/15/13 | | | | 225 | | | 233,779 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–4.5% | | | | | | | |
Avon Products, Inc. 6.50%, 3/01/19 | | | | 410 | | | 449,364 |
Bottling Group LLC 6.95%, 3/15/14 | | | | 355 | | | 404,906 |
Bunge Ltd. Finance Corp. 5.10%, 7/15/15 | | | | 206 | | | 188,896 |
5.875%, 5/15/13 | | | | 350 | | | 348,380 |
Cadbury Schweppes US Finance LLC 5.125%, 10/01/13(a) | | | | 350 | | | 345,589 |
Campbell Soup Co. 6.75%, 2/15/11 | | | | 335 | | | 362,428 |
The Coca-Cola Co. 5.35%, 11/15/17 | | | | 380 | | | 405,820 |
ConAgra Foods, Inc. 7.875%, 9/15/10 | | | | 11 | | | 11,658 |
Diageo Capital PLC 7.375%, 1/15/14 | | | | 360 | | | 407,324 |
Fisher Scientific International, Inc. 6.125%, 7/01/15 | | | | 230 | | | 230,863 |
6.75%, 8/15/14 | | | | 171 | | | 175,741 |
Fortune Brands, Inc. 4.875%, 12/01/13 | | | | 374 | | | 364,096 |
5.125%, 1/15/11 | | | | 115 | | | 115,432 |
Johnson & Johnson 5.55%, 8/15/17 | | | | 370 | | | 402,154 |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Kraft Foods, Inc. 4.125%, 11/12/09 | | $ | | 415 | | $ | 419,355 |
5.25%, 10/01/13 | | | | 220 | | | 227,484 |
The Kroger Co. 6.80%, 12/15/18 | | | | 229 | | | 245,115 |
Pepsico, Inc. 4.65%, 2/15/13 | | | | 385 | | | 404,174 |
Pfizer, Inc. 5.35%, 3/15/15 | | | | 405 | | | 435,213 |
Series INTL 1.80%, 2/22/16 | | JPY | | 20,000 | | | 196,928 |
The Procter & Gamble Co. 4.70%, 2/15/19 | | $ | | 402 | | | 407,685 |
Reynolds American, Inc. 7.25%, 6/01/13 | | | | 105 | | | 107,977 |
7.625%, 6/01/16 | | | | 395 | | | 396,184 |
Ventas Realty LP/Ventas Capital Corp. 6.75%, 4/01/17 | | | | 84 | | | 75,390 |
Whirlpool Corp. 8.60%, 5/01/14 | | | | 55 | | | 57,475 |
Wyeth 5.50%, 2/01/14 | | | | 251 | | | 268,628 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,454,259 |
| | | | | | | |
ENERGY–1.6% | | | | | | | |
Amerada Hess Corp. 7.875%, 10/01/29 | | | | 165 | | | 178,967 |
Apache Corp. 5.25%, 4/15/13 | | | | 225 | | | 236,349 |
Baker Hughes, Inc. 6.50%, 11/15/13 | | | | 205 | | | 227,375 |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. 5.15%, 2/01/13 | | | | 60 | | | 61,057 |
Conoco, Inc. 6.95%, 4/15/29 | | | | 155 | | | 167,015 |
Nabors Industries, Inc. 9.25%, 1/15/19(a) | | | | 425 | | | 490,015 |
Noble Energy, Inc. 8.25%, 3/01/19 | | | | 406 | | | 461,923 |
TNK-BP Finance SA 7.50%, 7/18/16(a) | | | | 100 | | | 87,000 |
Valero Energy Corp. 6.875%, 4/15/12 | | | | 515 | | | 547,657 |
Weatherford International Ltd. 5.15%, 3/15/13 | | | | 195 | | | 194,486 |
6.00%, 3/15/18 | | | | 35 | | | 34,370 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,686,214 |
| | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY–1.5% | | | | | | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. 5.25%, 2/22/11 | | | | 380 | | | 400,687 |
Computer Sciences Corp. 5.50%, 3/15/13 | | | | 280 | | | 278,527 |
Dell, Inc. 5.625%, 4/15/14 | | | | 250 | | | 264,029 |
4
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Electronic Data Systems Corp. Series B 6.00%, 8/01/13 | | $ | | 566 | | $ | 617,873 |
Motorola, Inc. 6.50%, 9/01/25 | | | | 125 | | | 87,500 |
7.50%, 5/15/25 | | | | 25 | | | 19,125 |
7.625%, 11/15/10 | | | | 22 | | | 22,383 |
Oracle Corp. 4.95%, 4/15/13 | | | | 239 | | | 250,270 |
5.00%, 1/15/11 | | | | 140 | | | 146,762 |
Xerox Corp. 7.625%, 6/15/13 | | | | 40 | | | 40,289 |
8.25%, 5/15/14 | | | | 375 | | | 389,949 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,517,394 |
| | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION– RAILROADS–0.1% | | | |
Canadian Pacific Railway Co. 6.50%, 5/15/18 | | | | 92 | | | 91,435 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 31,101,576 |
| | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–12.1% | | | | | | | |
BANKING–7.8% | | | | | | | |
American Express Centurion 4.375%, 7/30/09 | | | | 250 | | | 249,727 |
American Express Co. 8.125%, 5/20/19 | | | | 405 | | | 420,280 |
ANZ National International Ltd. 6.20%, 7/19/13(a) | | | | 240 | | | 247,788 |
Bank of America Corp. 4.875%, 1/15/13 | | | | 660 | | | 652,060 |
5.375%, 9/11/12 | | | | 375 | | | 376,803 |
Barclays Bank PLC 5.75%, 9/14/26 | | GBP | | 75 | | | 93,333 |
8.55%, 6/15/11(a)(b) | | $ | | 365 | | | 244,550 |
BBVA International Preferred SA Unipersonal 5.919%, 4/18/17(b) | | | | 170 | | | 100,300 |
The Bear Stearns Co., Inc. 5.55%, 1/22/17 | | | | 394 | | | 365,141 |
5.70%, 11/15/14 | | | | 450 | | | 458,491 |
7.625%, 12/07/09 | | | | 215 | | | 220,445 |
Citigroup, Inc. 4.625%, 8/03/10 | | | | 107 | | | 106,467 |
5.50%, 4/11/13 | | | | 350 | | | 328,036 |
6.50%, 8/19/13 | | | | 355 | | | 344,839 |
8.50%, 5/22/19 | | | | 505 | | | 513,706 |
Compass Bank 5.50%, 4/01/20 | | | | 250 | | | 186,302 |
Countrywide Financial Corp. 5.80%, 6/07/12 | | | | 229 | | | 230,427 |
Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. Series L 4.00%, 3/22/11 | | | | 4 | | | 3,948 |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Credit Suisse USA, Inc. 5.50%, 8/15/13 | | $ | | 159 | | $ | 165,719 |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 4.75%, 7/15/13 | | | | 460 | | | 460,614 |
7.35%, 10/01/09 | | | | 95 | | | 96,458 |
7.50%, 2/15/19 | | | | 540 | | | 578,217 |
Huntington National Bank 4.375%, 1/15/10 | | | | 250 | | | 249,679 |
JP Morgan Chase & Co. 4.75%, 5/01/13 | | | | 615 | | | 622,803 |
6.75%, 2/01/11 | | | | 285 | | | 297,957 |
Marshall & Ilsley Bank 5.00%, 1/17/17 | | | | 175 | | | 119,475 |
Marshall & Ilsley Corp. 4.375%, 8/01/09 | | | | 175 | | | 175,035 |
5.626%, 8/17/09 | | | | 105 | | | 104,660 |
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 6.05%, 5/16/16 | | | | 535 | | | 479,037 |
Morgan Stanley 6.60%, 4/01/12 | | | | 320 | | | 338,802 |
5.625%, 1/09/12 | | | | 480 | | | 491,235 |
6.625%, 4/01/18 | | | | 465 | | | 463,561 |
National Capital Trust II 5.486%, 12/29/49(a)(b) | | | | 122 | | | 80,520 |
National City Bank of Cleveland Ohio 6.25%, 3/15/11 | | | | 250 | | | 255,341 |
National Westminster Bank 6.50%, 9/07/21 | | GBP | | 50 | | | 62,965 |
Rabobank Nederland 11.00%, 6/30/19(a)(b) | | $ | | 90 | | | 100,125 |
Regions Financial Corp. 6.375%, 5/15/12 | | | | 215 | | | 197,251 |
Standard Chartered PLC 6.409%, 1/30/17(a)(b) | | | | 100 | | | 66,500 |
UBS Preferred Funding Trust I 8.622%, 10/01/10(b) | | | | 180 | | | 128,179 |
UFJ Finance Aruba AEC 6.75%, 7/15/13 | | | | 240 | | | 248,506 |
Union Bank of California 5.95%, 5/11/16 | | | | 660 | | | 610,564 |
Union Planters Corp. 7.75%, 3/01/11 | | | | 143 | | | 138,798 |
VTB Capital SA 6.609%, 10/31/12(a) | | | | 135 | | | 126,900 |
Wachovia Corp. 5.50%, 5/01/13 | | | | 505 | | | 521,667 |
Wells Fargo & Co. 5.625%, 12/11/17 | | | | 565 | | | 556,148 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 12,879,359 |
| | | | | | | |
FINANCE–1.9% | | | | | | | |
General Electric Capital Corp. 4.80%, 5/01/13 | | | | 435 | | | 435,474 |
5.625%, 5/01/18 | | | | 455 | | | 430,331 |
Series A 4.375%, 11/21/11 | | | | 155 | | | 155,745 |
5
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
HSBC Finance Corp. 7.00%, 5/15/12 | | $ | | 280 | | $ | 288,671 |
International Lease Finance Corp. 5.65%, 6/01/14 | | | | 65 | | | 47,102 |
SLM Corp. 5.45%, 4/25/11 | | | | 235 | | | 216,200 |
5.125%, 8/27/12 | | | | 145 | | | 124,027 |
5.40%, 10/25/11 | | | | 405 | | | 364,253 |
Series A 4.50%, 7/26/10 | | | | 90 | | | 85,050 |
5.375%, 1/15/13–5/15/14 | | | | 1,220 | | | 999,224 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,146,077 |
| | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–1.9% | | | | | | | |
The Allstate Corp. 6.125%, 5/15/37(b) | | | | 530 | | | 389,550 |
Genworth Financial, Inc. 1.60%, 6/20/11 | | JPY | | 15,000 | | | 102,206 |
6.515%, 5/22/18 | | $ | | 520 | | | 347,583 |
Humana, Inc. 6.30%, 8/01/18 | | | | 215 | | | 179,275 |
ING Capital Funding Trust III 8.439%, 12/31/10(b) | | | | 270 | | | 170,100 |
ING Groep NV 5.775%, 12/08/15(b) | | | | 90 | | | 52,650 |
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. 5.75%, 3/15/14(a) | | | | 145 | | | 114,797 |
Lincoln National Corp. 8.75%, 7/01/19 | | | | 113 | | | 113,958 |
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. 8.875%, 6/01/39(a) | | | | 225 | | | 238,926 |
Principal Financial Group, Inc. 7.875%, 5/15/14 | | | | 325 | | | 342,385 |
Prudential Financial, Inc. 6.20%, 1/15/15 | | | | 45 | | | 43,992 |
7.375%, 6/15/19 | | | | 35 | | | 34,364 |
5.15%, 1/15/13 | | | | 325 | | | 315,395 |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 4.125%, 8/15/09 | | | | 82 | | | 82,122 |
5.25%, 3/15/11 | | | | 95 | | | 98,043 |
WellPoint, Inc. 4.25%, 12/15/09 | | | | 72 | | | 72,855 |
XL Capital Ltd. 5.25%, 9/15/14 | | | | 300 | | | 251,781 |
6.25%, 5/15/27 | | | | 200 | | | 142,072 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,092,054 |
| | | | | | | |
REITS–0.5% | | | | | | | |
HCP, Inc. 5.95%, 9/15/11 | | | | 225 | | | 220,213 |
Simon Property Group LP 5.00%, 3/01/12 | | | | 220 | | | 219,309 |
5.625%, 8/15/14 | | | | 420 | | | 401,052 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 840,574 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 19,958,064 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
UTILITY–3.4% | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC–2.2% | | | | | | | |
Carolina Power & Light Co. 6.50%, 7/15/12 | | $ | | 480 | | $ | 522,831 |
Exelon Corp. 6.75%, 5/01/11 | | | | 95 | | | 99,158 |
FirstEnergy Corp. | | | | | | | |
Series B 6.45%, 11/15/11 | | | | 405 | | | 422,723 |
Series C 7.375%, 11/15/31 | | | | 420 | | | 396,420 |
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. 5.875%, 10/01/12 | | | | 240 | | | 255,601 |
Nisource Finance Corp. 6.80%, 1/15/19 | | | | 550 | | | 515,401 |
7.875%, 11/15/10 | | | | 110 | | | 113,618 |
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. 4.80%, 3/01/14 | | | | 215 | | | 226,348 |
6.05%, 3/01/34 | | | | 125 | | | 129,680 |
Progress Energy, Inc. 7.10%, 3/01/11 | | | | 73 | | | 77,639 |
Public Service Company of Colorado Series 10 7.875%, 10/01/12 | | | | 210 | | | 243,291 |
The Southern Co. Series A 5.30%, 1/15/12 | | | | 156 | | | 163,799 |
SPI Electricity & Gas Australia Holdings Pty Ltd. 6.15%, 11/15/13(a) | | | | 235 | | | 232,265 |
Wisconsin Energy Corp. 6.25%, 5/15/67(b) | | | | 204 | | | 148,920 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,547,694 |
| | | | | | | |
NATURAL GAS–1.0% | | | | | | | |
Duke Energy Field Services Corp. 7.875%, 8/16/10 | | | | 70 | | | 73,226 |
Energy Transfer Partners LP 6.70%, 7/01/18 | | | | 440 | | | 449,813 |
7.50%, 7/01/38 | | | | 505 | | | 530,319 |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC Series G 5.60%, 10/15/14 | | | | 95 | | | 97,635 |
TransCanada Pipelines Ltd. 6.35%, 5/15/67(b) | | | | 235 | | | 163,325 |
Williams Co., Inc. 7.875%, 9/01/21 | | | | 289 | | | 284,665 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,598,983 |
| | | | | | | |
OTHER UTILITY– 0.2% | | | | | | | |
Veolia Environnement 6.00%, 6/01/18 | | | | 350 | | | 356,740 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,503,417 |
| | | | | | | |
6
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.9% | | | | | |
AGENCIES–NOT GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED–0.9% | | | |
Gaz Capital SA 6.212%, 11/22/16(a) | | $ | | 460 | | $ | 386,400 |
6.51%, 3/07/22(a) | | | | 857 | | | 636,323 |
TransCapitalInvest Ltd. for OJSC AK Transneft 8.70%, 8/07/18(a) | | | | 465 | | | 441,750 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,464,473 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Corporates–Investment Grades (cost $58,157,396) | | | | | | | 58,027,530 |
| | | | | | | |
MORTGAGE PASS-THRU’S–19.4% | | | |
AGENCY FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–17.7% | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold | | | | | | | |
Series 2005 4.50%, 8/01/35–10/01/35 | | | | 4,074 | | | 4,068,273 |
5.50%, 1/01/35 | | | | 6,875 | | | 7,127,541 |
Series 2007 5.50%, 7/01/35 | | | | 270 | | | 280,677 |
Federal National Mortgage Association | | | | | | | |
Series 2002 7.00%, 3/01/32 | | | | 36 | | | 39,328 |
Series 2003 5.00%, 11/01/33 | | | | 286 | | | 292,869 |
5.50%, 4/01/33–7/01/33 | | | | 1,105 | | | 1,146,561 |
Series 2004 5.50%, 4/01/34–11/01/34 | | | | 923 | | | 957,202 |
6.00%, 9/01/34 | | | | 502 | | | 528,072 |
Series 2005 4.50%, 8/01/35 | | | | 873 | | | 874,461 |
5.00%, 10/01/35 | | | | 2,235 | | | 2,283,887 |
5.50%, 2/01/35 | | | | 1,113 | | | 1,154,785 |
Series 2006 5.00%, 2/01/36 | | | | 1,991 | | | 2,033,980 |
6.50%, 11/01/36 | | | | 1,709 | | | 1,823,045 |
Series 2007 4.50%, 9/01/35–8/01/37 | | | | 1,073 | | | 1,074,402 |
5.00%, 7/01/36 | | | | 310 | | | 316,414 |
Series 2008 6.00%, 3/01/37 | | | | 4,059 | | | 4,258,032 |
Government National Mortgage Association | | | | | | | |
Series 1994 9.00%, 9/15/24 | | | | 6 | | | 6,075 |
Series 2006 6.00%, 7/15/36 | | | | 812 | | | 847,493 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 29,113,097 |
| | | | | | | |
AGENCY ARMS–1.7% | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | | | | | |
Series 2007 6.077%, 1/01/37(c) | | | | 212 | | | 222,733 |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Federal National Mortgage Association | | | | | | | |
Series 2003 4.742%, 12/01/33(c) | | $ | | 394 | | $ | 410,813 |
Series 2006 5.454%, 2/01/36(c) | | | | 433 | | | 452,163 |
5.816%, 11/01/36(c) | | | | 572 | | | 600,457 |
6.235%, 3/01/36(c) | | | | 371 | | | 390,448 |
Series 2007 4.725%, 3/01/34(c) | | | | 741 | | | 751,419 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,828,033 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s (cost $31,061,955) | | | | | | | 31,941,130 |
| | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–13.8% | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–13.8% | | | | | | | |
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc. | | | | | | | |
Series 2001-PB1, Class A2 5.787%, 5/11/35 | | | | 309 | | | 313,841 |
Series 2004-4, Class A3 4.128%, 7/10/42 | | | | 343 | | | 342,316 |
Series 2004-6, Class A2 4.161%, 12/10/42 | | | | 496 | | | 493,131 |
Series 2005-6, Class A4 5.351%, 9/10/47 | | | | 470 | | | 408,359 |
Series 2006-5, Class A4 5.414%, 9/10/47 | | | | 455 | | | 362,794 |
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc. | | | | | | | |
Series 2005-PWR7, Class A3 5.116%, 2/11/41 | | | | 505 | | | 433,603 |
Series 2005-T18, Class A4 4.933%, 2/13/42 | | | | 530 | | | 456,737 |
Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates | | | | | | | |
Series 2007-C9, Class A4 6.01%, 12/10/49 | | | | 1,085 | | | 862,316 |
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates | | | | | | | |
Series 2006-C3, Class A3 6.02%, 6/15/38 | | | | 1,095 | | | 799,210 |
Series 2006-C5, Class A3 5.311%, 12/15/39 | | | | 225 | | | 154,210 |
CS First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. | | | | | | | |
Series 2003-CK2, Class A2 3.861%, 3/15/36 | | | | 20 | | | 20,025 |
Series 2004-C3, Class A5 5.113%, 7/15/36 | | | | 220 | | | 194,732 |
Series 2005-C1, Class A4 5.014%, 2/15/38 | | | | 435 | | | 367,197 |
GE Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp. | | | | | | | |
Series 2005-C3, Class A3FX 4.863%, 7/10/45 | | | | 455 | | | 445,295 |
7
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp. | | | | | | | |
Series 2003-C1, Class A4 4.111%, 7/05/35 | | $ | | 450 | | $ | 413,572 |
Series 2005-GG3, Class A2 4.305%, 8/10/42 | | | | 497 | | | 485,487 |
Series 2007-GG11, Class A4 5.736%, 12/10/49 | | | | 420 | | | 337,698 |
Series 2007-GG9, Class A2 5.381%, 3/10/39 | | | | 870 | | | 816,859 |
Series 2007-GG9, Class A4 5.444%, 3/10/39 | | | | 680 | | | 542,038 |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II | | | | | | | |
Series 2004-GG2, Class A6 5.396%, 8/10/38 | | | | 300 | | | 267,459 |
Series 2006-GG8, Class A2 5.479%, 11/10/39 | | | | 1,070 | | | 998,710 |
JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. | | | | | | | |
Series 2004-C1, Class A2 4.302%, 1/15/38 | | | | 95 | | | 86,276 |
Series 2005-LDP1, Class A4 5.038%, 3/15/46 | | | | 550 | | | 479,221 |
Series 2005-LDP3, Class A2 4.851%, 8/15/42 | | | | 405 | | | 387,070 |
Series 2005-LDP4, Class A2 4.79%, 10/15/42 | | | | 416 | | | 411,273 |
Series 2005-LDP5, Class A2 5.198%, 12/15/44 | | | | 360 | | | 348,415 |
Series 2006-CB14, Class A4 5.481%, 12/12/44 | | | | 545 | | | 439,875 |
Series 2006-CB15, Class A4 5.814%, 6/12/43 | | | | 1,035 | | | 814,052 |
Series 2006-CB17, Class A4 5.429%, 12/12/43 | | | | 420 | | | 339,540 |
Series 2007-C1, Class A4 5.716%, 2/15/51 | | | | 1,115 | | | 734,244 |
Series 2007-LD11, Class A4 6.007%, 6/15/49 | | | | 1,105 | | | 843,817 |
Series 2007-LDPX, Class A3 5.42%, 1/15/49 | | | | 1,110 | | | 817,059 |
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2003-C3, Class A4 4.166%, 5/15/32 | | | | 430 | | | 394,656 |
Series 2004-C4, Class A4 5.409%, 6/15/29 | | | | 830 | | | 718,903 |
Series 2004-C8, Class A2 4.201%, 12/15/29 | | | | 410 | | | 408,382 |
Series 2005-C1, Class A4 4.742%, 2/15/30 | | | | 365 | | | 319,974 |
Series 2005-C7, Class A4 5.197%, 11/15/30 | | | | 340 | | | 292,008 |
Series 2006-C1, Class A4 5.156%, 2/15/31 | | | | 1,240 | | | 1,032,668 |
Series 2006-C6, Class A4 5.372%, 9/15/39 | | | | 475 | | | 385,135 |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-9, Class A4 5.70%, 9/12/49 | | $ | | 1,105 | | $ | 762,160 |
Morgan Stanley Capital I Series 2005-T17, Class A5 4.78%, 12/13/41 | | | | 655 | | | 568,137 |
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C27, Class A3 5.765%, 7/15/45 | | | | 1,080 | | | 863,348 |
Series 2007-C31, Class A4 5.509%, 4/15/47 | | | | 1,100 | | | 729,578 |
Series 2007-C32, Class A2 5.924%, 6/15/49 | | | | 605 | | | 564,632 |
Series 2007-C32, Class A3 5.929%, 6/15/49 | | | | 615 | | | 427,105 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $26,364,199) | | | | | | | 22,683,117 |
| | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS– TREASURIES–12.9% |
BRAZIL–0.9% | | | | | | | |
Republic of Brazil 12.50%, 1/05/16 | | BRL | | 2,690 | | | 1,512,660 |
| | | | | | | |
SWEDEN–1.5% | | | | | | | |
Sweden Government Bond Series 1045 5.25%, 3/15/11 | | SEK | | 9,205 | | | 1,274,894 |
Series 1046 5.50%, 10/08/12 | | | | 8,685 | | | 1,245,946 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,520,840 |
| | | | | | | |
UNITED STATES–10.5% | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Bonds 4.50%, 2/15/36 | | $ | | 2,215 | | | 2,281,796 |
U.S. Treasury Notes 0.875%, 2/28/11–5/31/11 | | | | 12,795 | | | 12,761,478 |
4.25%, 11/15/17 | | | | 2,075 | | | 2,200,797 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 17,244,071 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Treasuries (cost $21,554,216) | | | | | | | 21,277,571 |
| | | | | | | |
CORPORATES– NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–5.7% | | | |
| | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–3.9% | | | | | | | |
BASIC–0.6% | | | | | | | |
Ineos Group Holdings PLC 8.50%, 2/15/16(a) | | | | 179 | | | 55,490 |
Steel Capital SA for OAO Severstal 9.25%, 4/19/14(a) | | | | 228 | | | 184,680 |
9.75%, 7/23/13(a) | | | | 200 | | | 169,000 |
United States Steel Corp. 5.65%, 6/01/13 | | | | 495 | | | 445,512 |
8
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Westvaco Corp. 8.20%, 1/15/30 | | $ | | 50 | | $ | 44,170 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 898,852 |
| | | | | | | |
CAPITAL GOODS–1.4% |
Bombardier, Inc. 6.30%, 5/01/14(a) | | | | 270 | | | 236,250 |
8.00%, 11/15/14(a) | | | | 225 | | | 211,781 |
Case Corp. 7.25%, 1/15/16 | | | | 170 | | | 153,212 |
Case New Holland, Inc. 7.125%, 3/01/14 | | | | 175 | | | 159,688 |
Masco Corp. 6.125%, 10/03/16 | | | | 635 | | | 533,143 |
Mohawk Industries, Inc. 6.625%, 1/15/16 | | | | 550 | | | 488,719 |
Textron Financial Corp. 4.60%, 5/03/10 | | | | 51 | | | 48,705 |
5.125%, 11/01/10–2/03/11 | | | | 196 | | | 181,365 |
5.40%, 4/28/13 | | | | 69 | | | 56,495 |
United Rentals North America, Inc. 7.75%, 11/15/13 | | | | 220 | | | 189,200 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,258,558 |
| | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS–MEDIA–0.3% |
CCH I LLC 11.75%, 5/15/14(d)(e) | | | | 420 | | | 2,625 |
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. 5.50%, 9/15/14 | | | | 238 | | | 52,360 |
DirecTV Holdings LLC 6.375%, 6/15/15 | | | | 216 | | | 199,800 |
Quebecor Media, Inc. 7.75%, 3/15/16 | | | | 230 | | | 208,438 |
RH Donnelley Corp. Series A-4 8.875%, 10/15/17(d) | | | | 545 | | | 27,931 |
Univision Communications, Inc. 12.00%, 7/01/14(a) | | | | 41 | | | 38,130 |
WDAC Subsidiary Corp. 8.375%, 12/01/14(a) | | | | 70 | | | 17,500 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 546,784 |
| | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.3% |
Digicel Ltd. 9.25%, 9/01/12(a) | | | | 161 | | | 156,170 |
Frontier Communications Corp. 6.25%, 1/15/13 | | | | 210 | | | 193,200 |
Inmarsat Finance PLC 10.375%, 11/15/12(f) | | | | 155 | | | 160,425 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 509,795 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.3% | | | |
Affinia Group, Inc. 9.00%, 11/30/14 | | | | 85 | | | 59,500 |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC 3.889%, 1/13/12(c) | | $ | | 240 | | $ | 185,700 |
7.00%, 10/01/13 | | | | 204 | | | 164,022 |
Lear Corp. Series B 8.75%, 12/01/16(d) | | | | 122 | | | 32,025 |
Visteon Corp. 7.00%, 3/10/14(d) | | | | 165 | | | 4,950 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 446,197 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL– OTHER–0.8% |
Broder Brothers Co. 12.00%, 10/15/13(g)(h)(i) | | | | 34 | | | 24,256 |
Greektown Holdings LLC 10.75%, 12/01/13(a)(d) | | | | 90 | | | 5,625 |
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc. 10.75%, 2/01/16 | | | | 160 | | | 77,600 |
Sheraton Holding Corp. 7.375%, 11/15/15 | | | | 379 | | | 348,680 |
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 6.25%, 2/15/13 | | | | 550 | | | 511,500 |
7.875%, 5/01/12 | | | | 362 | | | 333,040 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,300,701 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL– RETAILERS–0.0% |
Limited Brands, Inc. 6.90%, 7/15/17 | | | | 45 | | | 38,939 |
| | | | | | | |
CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.1% | | | | | | | |
Bausch & Lomb, Inc. 9.875%, 11/01/15 | | | | 155 | | | 148,025 |
HCA, Inc. 8.50%, 4/15/19(a) | | | | 40 | | | 39,300 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 187,325 |
| | | | | | | |
SERVICES–0.0% |
Travelport LLC 9.875%, 9/01/14 | | | | 35 | | | 23,275 |
| | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY–0.1% | | | | | | | |
Avago Technologies Finance 10.125%, 12/01/13 | | | | 110 | | | 112,200 |
| | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION– AIRLINES–0.0% |
Continental Airlines, Inc. Series RJO3 7.875%, 7/02/18 | | | | 39 | | | 22,541 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,345,167 |
| | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–1.4% |
BANKING–0.8% | | | | | | | |
ABN Amro Bank NV 4.31%, 3/10/16(b) | | EUR | | 125 | | | 71,896 |
BankAmerica Capital II Series 2 8.00%, 12/15/26 | | $ | | 98 | | | 81,330 |
9
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Commerzbank Capital Funding Trust I 5.012%, 4/12/16(b) | | EUR | | 200 | | $ | 89,783 |
Dexia Credit Local 4.30%, 11/18/15(b) | | | | 300 | | | 151,509 |
HBOS Capital Funding LP 4.939%, 5/23/16(b) | | | | 59 | | | 27,314 |
HBOS Euro Finance LP 7.627%, 12/09/11(b) | | | | 94 | | | 52,747 |
KBC Bank Funding Trust III 9.86%, 11/02/09(a)(b) | | $ | | 332 | | | 146,080 |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC 5.92%, 10/01/15(a)(b) | | | | 200 | | | 70,000 |
6.267%, 11/14/16(a)(b) | | | | 566 | | | 192,440 |
6.657%, 5/21/37(a)(b) | | | | 500 | | | 180,000 |
RBS Capital Trust III 5.512%, 9/30/14(b) | | | | 335 | | | 137,350 |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC 7.648%, 9/30/31(b) | | | | 115 | | | 56,925 |
Zions Bancorp 5.50%, 11/16/15 | | | | 105 | | | 75,579 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,332,953 |
| | | | | | | |
BROKERAGE–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. 7.875%, 11/01/09(d) | | | | 43 | | | 6,342 |
6.20%, 9/26/14(d) | | | | 75 | | | 11,063 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 17,405 |
| | | | | | | |
FINANCE–0.5% | | | | | | | |
CIT Group, Inc. 5.00%, 2/01/15 | | | | 240 | | | 141,362 |
5.85%, 9/15/16 | | | | 360 | | | 203,239 |
7.625%, 11/30/12 | | | | 435 | | | 297,865 |
5.125%, 9/30/14 | | | | 195 | | | 114,939 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 757,405 |
| | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–0.1% | | | | | | | |
Crum & Forster Holdings Corp. 7.75%, 5/01/17 | | | | 95 | | | 82,413 |
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. 7.80%, 3/15/37(a) | | | | 80 | | | 44,800 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 127,213 |
| | | | | | | |
OTHER FINANCE–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Aiful Corp. 6.00%, 12/12/11(a) | | | | 125 | | | 61,250 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,296,226 |
| | | | | | | |
UTILITY–0.4% | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC–0.3% | | | | | | | |
Dynegy Holdings, Inc. 8.375%, 5/01/16 | | | | 205 | | | 173,737 |
Dynegy Roseton/Danskammer Pass Through Trust Series B 7.67%, 11/08/16 | | | | 195 | | | 171,113 |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
RRI Energy, Inc. 7.875%, 6/15/17 | | $ | | 155 | | $ | 138,725 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 483,575 |
| | | | | | | |
NATURAL GAS–0.1% | | | | | | | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC Series A 8.375%, 8/01/66(b) | | | | 305 | | | 245,525 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 729,100 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Corporates– Non-Investment Grades (cost $12,342,095) | | | | | | | 9,370,493 |
| | | | | | | |
AGENCIES–2.5% | | | | | | | |
AGENCY DEBENTURES–2.5% | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 4.75%, 1/19/16 | | | | 1,810 | | | 1,941,426 |
Federal National Mortgage Association 5.375%, 6/12/17 | | | | 870 | | | 970,662 |
6.25%, 5/15/29 | | | | 1,020 | | | 1,197,506 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Agencies (cost $4,076,782) | | | | | | | 4,109,594 |
| | | | | | | |
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–1.2% | | | | | |
CREDIT CARDS–FLOATING RATE–0.5% | | | | | | | |
Chase Issuance Trust FRN Series 2007-A1, Class A1 0.339%, 3/15/13(c) | | | | 875 | | | 858,948 |
| | | | | | | |
HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING RATE–0.5% | | | | | | | |
Asset Backed Funding Certificates Series 2003-WF1, Class A2 1.434%, 12/25/32(c) | | | | 115 | | | 74,902 |
Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC Series 2003-CB1, Class AF 3.95%, 1/25/33(f) | | | | 252 | | | 211,168 |
GE-WMC Mortgage Securities LLC Series 2005-2, Class A2B 0.484%, 12/25/35(c) | | | | 14 | | | 13,231 |
HFC Home Equity Loan Asset Backed Certificates Series 2005-3, Class A1 0.575%, 1/20/35(c) | | | | 134 | | | 79,495 |
Home Equity Asset Trust Series 2007-2, Class M1 0.744%, 7/25/37(c) | | | | 475 | | | 9,215 |
Indymac Residential Asset Backed Trust Series 2006-D, Class 2A2 0.424%, 11/25/36(c) | | | | 490 | | | 345,116 |
10
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
Option One Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2007-2, Class M1 0.674%, 3/25/37(c) | | $ | | 160 | | $ | 3,568 |
RAAC Series Series 2006-SP3, Class A1 0.394%, 8/25/36(c) | | | | 25 | | | 23,523 |
Residential Asset Mortgage Products, Inc. Series 2005-RS3, Class AIA2 0.484%, 3/25/35(c) | | | | 16 | | | 14,964 |
Series 2005-RZ1, Class A2 0.514%, 4/25/35(c) | | | | 29 | | | 27,166 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 802,348 |
| | | | | | | |
HOME EQUITY LOANS– FIXED RATE–0.1% | | | |
Citifinancial Mortgage Securities, Inc. Series 2003-1, Class AFPT 3.36%, 1/25/33 | | | | 100 | | | 65,677 |
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates Series 2007-S1, Class A3 5.81%, 11/25/36 | | | | 416 | | | 75,558 |
Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC Series 2005-CB7, Class AF2 5.147%, 11/25/35 | | | | 6 | | | 6,286 |
Home Equity Mortgage Trust Series 2005-4, Class A3 4.742%, 1/25/36 | | | | 20 | | | 20,043 |
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities II, Inc. Series 2005-HI2, Class A3 4.46%, 5/25/35 | | | | 10 | | | 10,178 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 177,742 |
| | | | | | | |
OTHER ABS–FIXED RATE–0.1% | | | |
DB Master Finance, LLC Series 2006-1, Class A2 5.779%, 6/20/31(a) | | | | 100 | | | 88,026 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Asset-Backed Securities (cost $3,197,849) | | | | | | | 1,927,064 |
| | | | | | | |
QUASI-SOVEREIGNS–1.1% | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
QUASI-SOVEREIGN BONDS–1.1% | | | |
RUSSIA–1.1% | | | | | | | |
RSHB Capital SA for OJSC Russian Agricultural Bank 6.299%, 5/15/17(a) | | | | 377 | | | 324,220 |
7.75%, 5/29/18(a) | | | | 1,610 | | | 1,461,075 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Quasi-Sovereigns (cost $1,979,014) | | | | | | | 1,785,295 |
| | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN AGENCIES–1.0% | | | |
GERMANY–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank 5.125%, 2/01/17 | | | | 70 | | | 74,154 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
UNITED KINGDOM–1.0% | | | | | | | |
Barclays Bank PLC 2.875%, 12/23/11 | | GBP | | 440 | | $ | 732,432 |
The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC 2.625%, 5/11/12(a) | | $ | | 895 | | | 901,431 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,633,863 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Sovereign Agencies (cost $1,604,047) | | | | | | | 1,708,017 |
| | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.9% |
PERU–0.6% | | | | | | | |
Republic of Peru 8.375%, 5/03/16 | | | | 255 | | | 293,888 |
9.875%, 2/06/15 | | | | 555 | | | 678,487 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 972,375 |
| | | | | | | |
RUSSIA–0.3% | | | | | | | |
Russian Federation 7.50%, 3/31/30(a) | | | | 427 | | | 420,579 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Sovereign Bonds (cost $1,289,524) | | | | | | | 1,392,954 |
| | | | | | | |
CMOS–0.7% | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY ARMS–0.5% | | | | | |
Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust Series 2006-3, Class 22A1 5.956%, 5/25/36 | | | | 146 | | | 68,479 |
Series 2007-1, Class 21A1 5.663%, 1/25/47(b) | | | | 229 | | | 105,079 |
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. Series 2005-2, Class 1A4 5.122%, 5/25/35(b) | | | | 389 | | | 261,258 |
Series 2006-AR1, Class 3A1 5.50%, 3/25/36(c) | | | | 458 | | | 269,467 |
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2006-AR7, Class 4A1 5.844%, 5/25/36(b) | | | | 206 | | | 87,941 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 792,224 |
| | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.2% | | | | | | | |
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust Series 2005-62, Class 2A1 2.34%, 12/25/35(c) | | | | 138 | | | 63,330 |
Series 2007-OA3, Class M1 0.624%, 4/25/47(c) | | | | 145 | | | 2,047 |
JP Morgan Alternative Loan Trust Series 2006-A3, Class 2A1 6.061%, 7/25/36(b) | | | | 404 | | | 181,501 |
11
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
WaMu Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2007-OA1, Class A1A 2.139%, 2/25/47(c) | | $ | | 336 | | $ | 114,514 |
Series 2007-OA3, Class B1 0.764%, 4/25/47(c) | | | | 449 | | | 5,319 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 366,711 |
| | | | | | | |
AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.0% |
Fannie Mae Grantor Trust Series 2004-T5, Class AB4 0.579%, 5/28/35(c) | | | | 50 | | | 44,241 |
| | | | | | | |
Total CMOs (cost $2,947,753) | | | | | | | 1,203,176 |
| | | | | | | |
EMERGING MARKETS–SOVEREIGNS–0.5% | | | | | |
INDONESIA–0.5% | | | | | | | |
Indonesia Government International Bond 11.625%, 3/04/19(a) (cost $677,149) | | | | 682 | | | 869,550 |
| | | | | | | |
EMERGING MARKETS–CORPORATE BONDS–0.2% | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–0.1% |
COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.1% |
Mobile Telesystems Finance SA 8.00%, 1/28/12(a) | | | | 231 | | | 228,113 |
| | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.1% |
OTHER FINANCE–0.1% | | | �� | | | | |
MMG Fiduc (AES El Salvador) 6.75%, 2/01/16(a) | | | | 100 | | | 71,420 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Emerging Markets–Corporate Bonds (cost $330,272) | | | | | | | 299,533 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | |
SUPRANATIONALS–0.1% |
European Investment Bank 4.875%, 2/15/36 (cost $109,789) | | $ | | 110 | | $ | 106,055 |
| | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | |
PREFERRED STOCKS–0.0% |
| | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.0% |
REITS–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Sovereign REIT 12.00%(a) | | | | 93 | | | 68,355 |
| | | | | | | |
NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.0% | | | | | | | |
AGENCIES–GOVERNMENT SPONSORED–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Series Z 8.375% | | | | 2,400 | | | 2,928 |
Federal National Mortgage Association 8.25% | | | | 2,950 | | | 3,953 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,881 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Preferred Stocks (cost $221,409) | | | | | | | 75,236 |
| | | | | | | |
COMMON STOCK–0.0% | | | | | | | |
Broder Brothers Co.(j) (cost $0) | | | | 3,463 | | | 0 |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–95.3% (cost $165,913,449) | | | | | | | 156,776,315 |
Other assets less liabilities–4.7% | | | | | | | 7,817,630 |
| | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | $ | 164,593,945 |
| | | | | | | |
INTEREST RATE SWAP TRANSACTIONS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Rate Type | | | |
Swap Counterparty | | Notional Amount (000) | | Termination Date | | Payments made by the Portfolio | | | Payments received by the Portfolio | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
Citibank | | $ | 7,615 | | 9/17/10 | | SIFMA | * | | 2.7875 | % | | $ | 222,492 |
12
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Type | | Number of Contracts | | Expiration Month | | Original Value | | Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
Purchased Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. 10YR Treasury Note | | 17 | | September 2009 | | $ | 1,937,509 | | $ | 1,976,516 | | $ | 39,007 |
U.S. 5YR Treasury Note | | 42 | | September 2009 | | | 4,779,818 | | | 4,818,188 | | | 38,370 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 77,377 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value on Origination Date | | U.S. $ Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/10/09 | | 2,131 | | $ | 1,739,029 | | $ | 1,711,552 | | $ | (27,477 | ) |
Australian Dollar settling 8/10/09 | | 949 | | | 742,683 | | | 762,455 | | | 19,772 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/10/09 | | 1,061 | | | 840,919 | | | 851,991 | | | 11,072 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/10/09 | | 956 | | | 753,187 | | | 767,967 | | | 14,780 | |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 88 | | | 122,075 | | | 123,392 | | | 1,317 | |
New Zealand Dollar settling 7/21/09 | | 1,294 | | | 796,717 | | | 833,911 | | | 37,194 | |
New Zealand Dollar settling 7/21/09 | | 1,307 | | | 825,131 | | | 842,332 | | | 17,201 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/06/09 | | 31,753 | | | 5,110,854 | | | 4,935,686 | | | (175,168 | ) |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/06/09 | | 1,598 | | | 247,949 | | | 248,377 | | | 428 | |
| | | | |
Sale Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
British Pound settling 8/25/09 | | 543 | | | 888,442 | | | 892,658 | | | (4,216 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/21/09 | | 1,820 | | | 1,611,785 | | | 1,565,709 | | | 46,076 | |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 12 | | | 15,419 | | | 16,354 | | | (935 | ) |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 235 | | | 313,555 | | | 329,197 | | | (15,642 | ) |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 6 | | | 8,569 | | | 8,623 | | | (54 | ) |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 43 | | | 61,628 | | | 60,948 | | | 680 | |
Euro settling 7/08/09 | | 40 | | | 56,242 | | | 56,060 | | | 182 | |
Japanese Yen settling 7/15/09 | | 27,595 | | | 285,072 | | | 286,514 | | | (1,442 | ) |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/06/09 | | 2,058 | | | 323,848 | | | 319,851 | | | 3,997 | |
Swedish Krona settling 7/28/09 | | 19,874 | | | 2,627,543 | | | 2,577,194 | | | 50,349 | |
Swiss Franc settling 7/27/09 | | 3,854 | | | 3,463,392 | | | 3,548,715 | | | (85,323 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 7/27/09 | | 1,288 | | | 1,178,225 | | | 1,185,823 | | | (7,598 | ) |
13
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
(a) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $10,373,020 or 6.3% of net assets. |
(b) | Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2009. |
(c) | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2009. |
(d) | Security is in default and is non-income producing. |
(e) | Indicates a security that has a zero coupon that remains in effect until a predetermined date at which time the stated coupon rate becomes effective until final maturity. |
(f) | Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2009. |
(g) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security, which represents 0.0% of net assets as of June 30, 2009, is considered illiquid and restricted. |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted Securities | | Acquisition Date | | Cost | | Market Value | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
Broder Brothers Co. 12.00%, 10/15/13 | | 5/21/09 | | $ | 75,428 | | $ | 24,256 | | 0.01 | % |
(i) | Pay-In-Kind Payments (PIK). |
(j) | Non-income producing security. |
The fund currently owns investments collateralized by subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans are offered to homeowners who do not have a history of debt or who have had problems meeting their debt obligations. Because repayment is less certain, subprime borrowers pay a higher rate of interest than prime borrowers. As of June 30, 2009, the fund’s total exposure to subprime investments was 1.14% of net assets. These investments are valued in accordance with the fund’s Valuation Policies (see Note A for additional details).
* | Variable interest rate based on the Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (SIFMA). |
Currency Abbreviations:
BRL—Brazilian Real
EUR—Euro Dollar
GBP—Great British Pound
JPY—Japanese Yen
SEK—Swedish Krona
Glossary:
ABS—Asset-Backed Securities
ARMS—Adjustable Rate Mortgages
CMBS—Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
FRN—Floating Rate Note
LP—Limited Partnership
OJSC—Open Joint Stock Company
REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust
See notes to financial statements.
14
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $165,913,449) | | $ | 156,776,315 | |
Cash | | | 6,575,516 | (a) |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $1,251) | | | 1,246 | |
Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 203,048 | |
Unrealized appreciation of interest rate swap contracts | | | 222,492 | |
Interest receivable | | | 1,818,888 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 623,190 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 150,310 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 166,371,005 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 317,855 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency | | | 1,219,659 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 60,750 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 48,639 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 24,016 | |
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | | | 9,750 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 8,046 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 124 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 88,221 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,777,060 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 164,593,945 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 15,153 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 176,226,902 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 2,938,202 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (5,638,722 | ) |
Net unrealized depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (8,947,590 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | 164,593,945 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 125,516,359 | | 11,532,806 | | $ | 10.88 |
B | | $ | 39,077,586 | | 3,620,384 | | $ | 10.79 |
(a) | An amount of $72,600 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open futures contracts outstanding at June 30, 2009. |
See notes to financial statements.
15
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Interest (net of foreign withholding taxes of $40) | | $ | 4,440,585 | |
Dividends | | | 5,588 | |
| | | | |
Total investment income | | | 4,446,173 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 370,396 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 49,191 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 1,096 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 344 | |
Custodian | | | 72,936 | |
Administrative | | | 43,766 | |
Audit | | | 24,516 | |
Printing | | | 13,287 | |
Legal | | | 12,323 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,289 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 1,944 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 591,088 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 3,855,085 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | (483,432 | ) |
Futures | | | 37,846 | |
Swap contracts | | | 1,127,740 | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | 202,834 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 8,482,373 | |
Futures | | | 91,025 | |
Swap contracts | | | (1,184,522 | ) |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 88,891 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 8,362,755 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 12,217,840 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
16
| | |
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 3,855,085 | | | $ | 7,465,700 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 884,988 | | | | (1,324,260 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 7,477,767 | | | | (19,092,693 | ) |
Contributions from Adviser | | | –0 | – | | | 233 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 12,217,840 | | | | (12,951,020 | ) |
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (4,631,069 | ) | | | (3,089,962 | ) |
Class B | | | (1,363,648 | ) | | | (996,992 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (11,668,788 | ) | | | 100,483,150 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | (5,445,665 | ) | | | 83,445,176 | |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 170,039,610 | | | | 86,594,434 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,938,202 and $5,077,834, respectively) | | $ | 164,593,945 | | | $ | 170,039,610 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
17
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009, (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), formerly AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio, is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to generate income and price appreciation without assuming what the Adviser considers undue risk. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities.
2. Fair Value Measurements
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is
18
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporates—Investment Grades | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 55,764,305 | | | $ | 2,263,225 | | | $ | 58,027,530 |
Mortgage Pass-Thru’s | | | –0 | – | | | 31,941,130 | | | | –0 | – | | | 31,941,130 |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 22,683,117 | | | | –0 | – | | | 22,683,117 |
Governments—Treasuries | | | –0 | – | | | 19,764,911 | | | | 1,512,660 | | | | 21,277,571 |
Corporates—Non-Investment Grades | | | –0 | – | | | 8,956,176 | | | | 414,317 | | | | 9,370,493 |
Agencies | | | –0 | – | | | 4,109,594 | | | | –0 | – | | | 4,109,594 |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 858,948 | | | | 1,068,116 | | | | 1,927,064 |
Quasi-Sovereigns | | | –0 | – | | | 126,420 | | | | 1,658,875 | | | | 1,785,295 |
Governments—Sovereign Agencies | | | –0 | – | | | 1,708,017 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,708,017 |
Governments—Sovereign Bonds | | | –0 | – | | | 972,375 | | | | 420,579 | | | | 1,392,954 |
CMOs | | | –0 | – | | | 44,241 | | | | 1,158,935 | | | | 1,203,176 |
Emerging Markets—Sovereigns | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 869,550 | | | | 869,550 |
Emerging Markets—Corporate Bonds | | | –0 | – | | | 71,420 | | | | 228,113 | | | | 299,533 |
Supranationals | | | –0 | – | | | 106,055 | | | | –0 | – | | | 106,055 |
Preferred Stocks | | | –0 | – | | | 6,881 | | | | 68,355 | | | | 75,236 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | –0 | – | | | 147,113,590 | | | | 9,662,725 | | | | 156,776,315 |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | 77,377 | | | | (114,807 | ) | | | 222,492 | | | | 185,062 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 77,377 | | | $ | 146,998,783 | | | $ | 9,885,217 | | | $ | 156,961,377 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
19
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Corporates– Investment Grades | | | Governments– Treasuries | | | Corporates– Non-Investment Grades | | | Asset-Backed Securities | | | Preferred Stocks | |
Balance as of 12/31/08 | | $ | 782,544 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 172,182 | | | $ | 1,548,320 | | | $ | 77,190 | |
Accrued discounts/premiums | | | 857 | | | | (1,285 | ) | | | 335 | | | | 102 | | | | –0 | – |
Realized gain (loss) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | (93,050 | ) | | | –0 | – |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 97,469 | | | | (54,566 | ) | | | 34,098 | | | | 41,187 | | | | (8,835 | ) |
Net purchases (sales) | | | 411,632 | | | | 1,568,511 | | | | 38,702 | | | | (428,443 | ) | | | –0 | – |
Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | | | 970,723 | | | | –0 | – | | | 169,000 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 2,263,225 | | | $ | 1,512,660 | | | $ | 414,317 | | | $ | 1,068,116 | | | $ | 68,355 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/09* | | $ | 38,738 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 33,836 | | | $ | (317,785 | ) | | $ | (8,835 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | Governments Sovereign Bonds | | | CMOs | | | Emerging Markets– Sovereigns | | | Emerging Markets– Corporate- Bonds | | | Quasi- Sovereigns | |
Balance as of 12/31/08 | | $ | 7,709,551 | | | $ | 1,239,649 | | | $ | 140,970 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 619,108 | |
Accrued discounts/premiums | | | (2,447 | ) | | | 33 | | | | (15 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | 551 | |
Realized gain (loss) | | | 657,187 | | | | 328 | | | | (13,321 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (84,216 | ) |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | (952,469 | ) | | | 52,308 | | | | 16,575 | | | | –0 | – | | | 70,357 | |
Net purchases (sales) | | | (7,411,821 | ) | | | (133,383 | ) | | | 725,341 | | | | –0 | – | | | (324,210 | ) |
Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | | | 420,578 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 228,113 | | | | 1,377,285 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 420,579 | | | $ | 1,158,935 | | | $ | 869,550 | | | $ | 228,113 | | | $ | 1,658,875 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/09* | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | (80,714 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 66,700 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | Interest Rate Swap | | | Total | | | | |
Balance as of 12/31/08 | | $ | –0 | – | | | 12,289,514 | | |
Accrued discounts/premiums | | | –0 | – | | | (1,869 | ) | |
Realized gain (loss) | | | –0 | – | | | 466,928 | | |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | –0 | – | | | (703,876 | ) | |
Net purchases (sales) | | | –0 | – | | | (5,553,671 | ) | |
Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | | | 222,492 | | | | 3,388,191 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 222,492 | | | | 9,885,217 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/09* | | $ | –0 | – | | | (268,060 | ) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
* | The unrealized depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations. |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains
20
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30. 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. (see Note D.1.)
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser reimbursed the portfolio $233 for losses incurred due to a trade processing error.
21
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $43,766 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009, amounted to $523, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolios to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | Sales |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 29,296,924 | | $ | 34,067,410 |
U.S. government securities | | | 60,800,644 | | | 61,170,034 |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purpose. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures, swap contracts and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 3,700,728 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (12,837,862 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | $ | (9,137,134 | ) |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes as a means of making a direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
The Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of anticipated movements in the market. The Portfolio 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 contracts and
22
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
movements in the price of the securities hedged or used for cover. The Portfolio may also purchase or sell futures contracts 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 Portfolio enters into a futures contract, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio 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.
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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 sales 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
For hedging purposes, the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
The Portfolio may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk, or currencies. The Portfolio may also enter into swaps for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies,
23
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 Portfolio in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide value and recourse to the Fund or its counterparties in the event of a default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap agreement.
The Portfolio is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may enter into interest rate swap contracts. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Portfolio 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.
A Portfolio may enter into interest rate swap transactions to reserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the Portfolio anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio 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 Portfolio receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap contract to comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Portfolio, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Portfolio considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap contract in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a master netting arrangement between the Portfolio and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Portfolio to cover the Portfolio’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Portfolio accrues for the interim payments on swap contracts on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of assets and liabilities. 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 swap contracts. Fluctuations in the value of swap contracts are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of operations.
At June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives (not designated as hedging instruments under FAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 203,048 | | Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 317,855 | |
Interest rate contracts | | | | | | | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | | | 77,377 | * |
Interest rate swap contracts | | Unrealized appreciation of interest rate swap contracts | | | 222,492 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 425,540 | | | | $ | 395,232 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Includes cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in portfolio of investments. Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets & liabilities. |
24
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | $ | 77,958 | | $ | (16,954 | ) |
Interest rate contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on transactions from futures; change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures | | | 37,846 | | | 91,025 | |
Interest rate swap contracts | | Net realized gain or (loss) on transactions from interest rate swaps; change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of interest rate swaps | | | 1,127,740 | | | (1,184,522 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 1,243,544 | | $ | (1,110,451 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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. Dollar Rolls
The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in dollar rolls.
25
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE E: Capital Stock
Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 429,244 | | | 889,328 | | | | | $ | 4,512,149 | | | $ | 9,800,251 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | | 435,251 | | | 275,397 | | | | | | 4,631,069 | | | | 3,089,962 | |
Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Global Dollar Government, High Yield, Americas Government Income and Global Bond Portfolios | | –0 | – | | 9,547,574 | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 106,562,852 | |
Shares redeemed | | (1,629,494 | ) | | (4,045,124 | ) | | | | | (17,455,174 | ) | | | (43,829,291 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | (764,999 | ) | | 6,667,175 | | | | | $ | (8,311,956 | ) | | $ | 75,623,774 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 214,944 | | | 527,791 | | | | | $ | 2,237,775 | | | $ | 5,931,418 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | | 129,882 | | | 89,497 | | | | | | 1,363,647 | | | | 996,992 | |
Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Global Dollar Government, High Yield, Americas Government Income and Global Bond Portfolios | | –0 | – | | 3,110,268 | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 34,459,827 | |
Shares redeemed | | (658,828 | ) | | (1,531,497 | ) | | | | | (6,958,254 | ) | | | (16,528,861 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | (314,002 | ) | | 2,196,059 | | | | | $ | (3,356,832 | ) | | $ | 24,859,376 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit risk rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
26
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 4,086,954 | | | $ | 4,145,618 | |
Net long-term capital gains | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions | | | 4,086,954 | | | | 4,145,618 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 4,086,954 | | | $ | 4,145,618 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 5,951,955 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (7,228,753 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (16,594,436 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (17,871,234 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of $6,443,879 (of which approximately $4,873,968 and $545,980, respectively, were attributable to the purchase of net assets of AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio and AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio) of which $4,208,388 expires in the year 2009, $125,778 expires in the year 2012, $749,515 expires in the year 2013, $357,884 expires in the year 2014, $336,267 expires in the year 2015 and $666,047 expires in the year 2016. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio had capital loss carryforwards expire of $2,890,265. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. As a result of the merger with AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio and AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio into the Portfolio, various limitations and reductions regarding the future utilization of certain capital loss carryforwards were applied, based on certain provisions in the Internal Revenue Code. Net capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers post October foreign currency losses of $708,162 to January 1, 2009. As of December 31, 2008, the Portfolio also had deferred straddle losses of $76,712. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the difference between book and tax treatment of swap income, and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
NOTE I
Acquisition of AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio, AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio and AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio
On April 25, 2008, the Portfolio acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio (“Global Dollar Government”), AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio (“High Yield”), AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio (“Americas Government Income”) and AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio (“Global Bond”) in a tax free event, pursuant to a Plan of Acquisition and Liquidation.
As a result of the acquisition, stockholders of Global Dollar Government, High Yield, Americas Government Income and Global Bond received shares of the Portfolio equivalent to the aggregate net asset value of the shares they held in their respective Portfolios. On April 25, 2008, the acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 12,657,842 shares of the Portfolio for 1,938,390 shares of Global Dollar Government, 5,108,831 shares of High Yield, 3,392,239 shares of Americas Government Income and 3,898,401 shares of Global Bond. The aggregate net assets of the Portfolio, Global Dollar Government, High Yield, Americas Government Income and Global Bond immediately before the acquisition were $85,627,226, $23,506,474, $31,533,721, $40,523,058, and $45,459,426 (including total net unrealized appreciation of
27
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities of $2,895,655), respectively. Immediately after the acquisition, the combined net assets of the Portfolio amounted to $226,649,905.
NOTE J: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
28
| | |
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $10.50 | | | $11.78 | | | $11.78 | | | $11.82 | | | $12.28 | | | $12.56 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .25 | | | .51 | | | .54 | | | .50 | | | .41 | | | .32 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | .54 | | | (1.22 | ) | | .01 | | | (.06 | ) | | (.17 | ) | | .12 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | .00 | (c) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .79 | | | (.71 | ) | | .55 | | | .44 | | | .24 | | | .44 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.41 | ) | | (.57 | ) | | (.55 | ) | | (.48 | ) | | (.36 | ) | | (.36 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | (.34 | ) | | (.36 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.41 | ) | | (.57 | ) | | (.55 | ) | | (.48 | ) | | (.70 | ) | | (.72 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $10.88 | | | $10.50 | | | $11.78 | | | $11.78 | | | $11.82 | | | $12.28 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 7.63 | %* | | (6.38 | )%* | | 4.85 | % | | 3.93 | % | | 1.98 | % | | 3.77 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $125,516 | | | $129,111 | | | $66,305 | | | $71,655 | | | $83,329 | | | $102,543 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .66 | %(e) | | .64 | % | | .78 | % | | .77 | %(f) | | .71 | % | | .68 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .66 | %(e) | | .64 | % | | .78 | % | | .77 | %(f) | | .71 | % | | .78 | % |
Net investment income | | 4.74 | %(e) | | 4.72 | % | | 4.58 | % | | 4.25 | %(f) | | 3.37 | %(b) | | 2.46 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 60 | % | | 106 | % | | 90 | % | | 327 | % | | 529 | % | | 662 | % |
See footnote summary on page 30.
29
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $10.40 | | | $11.67 | | | $11.67 | | | $11.72 | | | $12.18 | | | $12.47 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .24 | | | .48 | | | .50 | | | .46 | | | .38 | | | .28 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | .54 | | | (1.21 | ) | | .02 | | | (.06 | ) | | (.17 | ) | | .13 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | .00 | (c) | | –0 | ��� | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .78 | | | (.73 | ) | | .52 | | | .40 | | | .21 | | | .41 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.39 | ) | | (.54 | ) | | (.52 | ) | | (.45 | ) | | (.33 | ) | | (.34 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | (.34 | ) | | (.36 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.39 | ) | | (.54 | ) | | (.52 | ) | | (.45 | ) | | (.67 | ) | | (.70 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $10.79 | | | $10.40 | | | $11.67 | | | $11.67 | | | $11.72 | | | $12.18 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 7.54 | %* | | (6.59 | )%* | | 4.60 | % | | 3.59 | % | | 1.75 | % | | 3.52 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $39,078 | | | $40,929 | | | $20,289 | | | $22,340 | | | $24,716 | | | $25,744 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .91 | %(e) | | .89 | % | | 1.03 | % | | 1.02 | %(f) | | .96 | % | | .93 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .91 | %(e) | | .89 | % | | 1.03 | % | | 1.02 | %(f) | | .96 | % | | 1.03 | % |
Net investment income | | 4.49 | %(e) | | 4.47 | % | | 4.32 | % | | 4.01 | %(f) | | 3.14 | %(b) | | 2.19 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 60 | % | | 106 | % | | 90 | % | | 327 | % | | 529 | % | | 662 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser. |
(c) | Amount less than $0.005. |
(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. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(f) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 by .01% and .09%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
30
| | |
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), with respect to AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2,3 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by the September 1, 2004 Assurance of Discontinuance (“AoD”) between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.4
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Net Assets 09/30/08 ($MIL) | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Portfolio |
Low Risk Income | | $ | 190.3 | | 45 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
40 bp on next $2.5 billion
35 bp on the balance | | Intermediate Bond Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $94,000 (0.10% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
1 | It should be noted that the Senior Officer’s fee evaluation was completed on October 22, 2008. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | It should be noted that on April 25, 2008, the Portfolio, U.S. Government / High Grade Portfolio, acquired the assets of other fixed income series of the Fund, including Americas Government Income Portfolio, Global Bond Portfolio, Global Dollar Government Portfolio and High Yield Portfolio, and was renamed Intermediate Bond Portfolio. |
4 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
31
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Total Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year |
Intermediate Bond Portfolio5 | | Class A 0.78% Class B 1.03% | | December 31 |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional client assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolio.6 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on September 30, 2008 net assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Net Assets 09/30/08 ($MIL) | | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule | | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee | | | Fund Advisory Fee | |
Intermediate Bond Portfolio | | $ | 190.3 | | U.S. Strategic Core Plus 0.50% on the first $30 million 0.20% on the balance Minimum Account Size: $25 million | | 0.247 | % | | 0.450 | % |
5 | As previously mentioned, the combined Portfolio’s pro-forma expense ratios, based on estimates at the time of the merger, are 0.63% and 0.88% for Classes A and B shares, respectively. |
6 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
32
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser manages Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. (“SCB Fund”), an open-end management investment company. Intermediate Duration Portfolio of SCB Fund has a similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth in the table below is Intermediate Duration Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule on Intermediate Duration Portfolio been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fees based on September 30, 2008 net assets:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | SCB Fund Portfolio | | Fee Schedule | | SCB Fund Effective Fee | | Portfolio Advisory Fee |
Intermediate Bond Portfolio | | Intermediate Duration Portfolio | | 50 bp on 1st $1 billion 45 bp on next $2 billion 40 bp on next $2 billion 35 bp on next $2 billion 30 on the balance | | 0.500% | | 0.450% |
Certain of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds (“ABMF”), which the Adviser manages, have similar investment styles as the Portfolio and their fee schedules are set forth below. ABMF was also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. As a result, Intermediate Bond Portfolio has the same breakpoints as AllianceBernstein Bond Fund, Inc.—Intermediate Bond Portfolio. Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.—Intermediate Duration Institutional Portfolio was not affected by the settlement since the fund has lower breakpoints than the NYAG related fee schedule. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the ABMF fee schedules been applicable to the Portfolio based on September 30, 2008 net assets and the Portfolio’s advisory fee:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | ABMF Fund | | Fee Schedule | | ABMF Effective Fee | | Portfolio Advisory Fee |
Intermediate Bond Portfolio | | Bond Fund, Inc.—Intermediate Bond Portfolio | | 0.45% on first $2.5 billion 0.40% on next $2.5 billion 0.35% on the balance | | 0.450% | | 0.450% |
| | | | |
Intermediate Bond Portfolio | | Intermediate Duration Institutional Portfolio7 | | 0.50% on first $1 billion 0.45% on the balance | | 0.500% | | 0.450% |
The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company that has a similar investment strategy as the Portfolio.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)8 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.9
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
7 | Intermediate Duration Institutional Portfolio has an expense cap of 0.45%, which effectively reduces the advisory fee of the fund. |
8 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
9 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Portfolio has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
33
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers in the view of the Senior Officer and the Adviser. Consequently, at the request of the Adviser and the Senior Officer, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have a similar but not the same Lipper classification/objective as the Portfolio.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee10 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median | | Rank |
Intermediate Bond Portfolio11 | | 0.450 | | 0.525 | | 4/13 |
However, because Lipper had expanded the Portfolio’s EG, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also expanded to include universes of those peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment objective/classification.12 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment objective/classification as the subject portfolio.13 Set forth below is a comparison of the Portfolio’s total expense ratio and the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and EU. The Portfolio’s total expense ratio ranking is also shown. Pro-forma total expense ration information (shown in bold and italicized) is included in the table below14:
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)15 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Intermediate Bond Portfolio | | 0.781 | | 0.639 | | 12/13 | | 0.620 | | 35/36 |
pro-forma | | 0.630 | | 0.639 | | 7/13 | | 0.620 | | 22/36 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2007, relative to 2006.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset research expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
10 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services. |
11 | The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, six other A-rated Corporate Debt Funds and six BBB-rated Corporate Debt funds. |
12 | The expansion of the Portfolio’s EU was not requested by the Adviser or the Senior Officer. They requested only that the EGs be expanded. |
13 | Except for asset size comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
14 | Pro-forma shows what the total expense ratio of the Portfolio would have been had the changes made to the expense cap of the Portfolio been in effect during the Portfolio’s entire fiscal year. |
15 | Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio. |
34
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter and distributor, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees it 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, ABI received $52,521 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $454,119 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Adviser and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”).16 During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 from the Portfolio.17
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,18 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems, can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli19 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.20 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund assets under management (“AUM”), family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of fund size and the large asset manager’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
16 | It should be noted that the insurance companies, linked to the variable products, provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolios, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders. |
17 | The Portfolio (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Portfolio) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007. |
18 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
19 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
20 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
35
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $590 billion as of September 30, 2008, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information below, prepared by Lipper, shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio21 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)22 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended July 31, 2008.23
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | 1.91 | | 1.90 | | 1.91 | �� | 3/7 | | 10/20 |
3 year | | 2.66 | | 2.66 | | 2.97 | | 4/7 | | 12/20 |
5 year | | 3.39 | | 3.39 | | 3.74 | | 4/7 | | 14/20 |
10 year | | 4.50 | | 4.65 | | 4.69 | | 5/7 | | 13/20 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)24 versus its benchmark.25 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information for the Portfolio is also shown.26
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending July 31, 2008 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | 10 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
Intermediate Bond Portfolio | | 1.90 | | 2.66 | | 3.39 | | 4.50 | | 5.16 | | 3.44 | | 0.27 | | 10 |
Lehman Brothers Government Bond Index | | 8.62 | | 5.17 | | 4.75 | | 5.73 | | 6.19 | | 4.27 | | 0.51 | | 10 |
Inception Date: September 17, 1992 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: November 25, 2008
21 | The performance returns and rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio that is shown was provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. However, differences in the distribution price (ex-date versus payable date) and rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s own performance returns of the Portfolio to be one or two basis points different from Lipper. To maintain consistency in this evaluation, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
22 | The Portfolio’s PG/PU are not identical to the Portfolio’s EG/EU, as the criteria for including/excluding a fund in/from a PG/PU are somewhat different from that of an EG/EU. |
23 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if the Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time. |
24 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
25 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for the periods through July 31, 2008. |
26 | Portfolio volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
36
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
International Growth Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,111.80 | | $ | 5.50 | | 1.05 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,019.59 | | $ | 5.26 | | 1.05 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,110.69 | | $ | 6.80 | | 1.30 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,018.35 | | $ | 6.51 | | 1.30 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.—Class H | | $ | 3,947,623 | | 3.0 | % |
Tesco PLC | | | 3,732,421 | | 2.8 | |
Credit Suisse Group AG | | | 3,558,116 | | 2.7 | |
Standard Chartered PLC | | | 3,488,916 | | 2.6 | |
Investimentos Itau SA | | | 2,924,440 | | 2.2 | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | | 2,651,792 | | 2.0 | |
ArcelorMittal (Euronext Amsterdam) | | | 2,347,413 | | 1.7 | |
Roche Holding AG | | | 2,258,381 | | 1.7 | |
BG Group PLC | | | 2,250,016 | | 1.7 | |
Vodafone Group PLC | | | 2,201,970 | | 1.6 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 29,361,088 | | 22.0 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Financials | | $ | 31,159,376 | | 23.8 | % |
Energy | | | 15,450,362 | | 11.8 | |
Industrials | | | 13,299,562 | | 10.2 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 13,008,637 | | 10.0 | |
Materials | | | 12,540,989 | | 9.6 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 11,518,612 | | 8.8 | |
Information Technology | | | 10,498,327 | | 8.0 | |
Health Care | | | 10,345,027 | | 7.9 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 9,723,995 | | 7.4 | |
Utilities | | | 3,204,398 | | 2.5 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 130,749,285 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The fund components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COUNTRY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
United Kingdom | | $ | 35,039,353 | | 27.2 | % |
Japan | | | 12,847,674 | | 9.8 | |
Switzerland | | | 11,706,327 | | 9.0 | |
Germany | | | 10,114,288 | | 7.7 | |
Brazil | | | 8,915,703 | | 6.8 | |
France | | | 8,571,905 | | 6.6 | |
China | | | 6,830,839 | | 5.2 | |
Australia | | | 4,071,875 | | 3.1 | |
Canada | | | 3,898,260 | | 3.0 | |
Spain | | | 3,803,801 | | 2.9 | |
Italy | | | 3,009,837 | | 2.3 | |
Netherlands | | | 2,782,934 | | 2.1 | |
Taiwan | | | 2,448,166 | | 1.9 | |
Other* | | | 16,708,323 | | 12.4 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 130,749,285 | | 100.0 | % |
* | “Other” country weightings represent 1.5% or less in the following countries: Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey and United States. |
3
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–97.7% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
FINANCIALS–23.3% | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–9.2% | | | | | |
Credit Suisse Group AG | | 77,661 | | $ | 3,558,116 |
ICAP PLC | | 180,815 | | | 1,346,707 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | | 48,966 | | | 1,904,396 |
Macquarie Group Ltd. | | 47,227 | | | 1,478,517 |
Man Group PLC | | 475,938 | | | 2,181,648 |
Partners Group Holding AG | | 19,023 | | | 1,850,400 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 12,319,784 |
| | | | | |
COMMERCIAL BANKS–11.2% | | | | | |
Commercial International Bank | | 45,564 | | | 397,480 |
ICICI Bank Ltd. | | 94,234 | | | 1,412,915 |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.–Class H | | 5,699,000 | | | 3,947,623 |
Investimentos Itau SA | | 11,554 | | | 50,886 |
Investimentos Itau SA | | 652,460 | | | 2,873,554 |
Siam Commercial Bank PCL | | 909,300 | | | 2,001,688 |
Standard Chartered PLC | | 185,551 | | | 3,488,916 |
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | | 86,000 | | | 867,809 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 15,040,871 |
| | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.4% | | | | | |
Companhia Brasileira de Meios de Pagamento(a) | | 28,900 | | | 248,515 |
Deutsche Boerse AG | | 9,093 | | | 707,662 |
IG Group Holdings PLC | | 190,589 | | | 879,652 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,835,829 |
| | | | | |
INSURANCE–1.5% | | | | | |
Hannover Rueckversicherung AG(a) | | 16,722 | | | 618,172 |
Prudential PLC | | 196,727 | | | 1,344,720 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,962,892 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 31,159,376 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY–11.6% | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–3.6% | | | | | |
Saipem SpA | | 55,088 | | | 1,345,891 |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | 21,000 | | | 1,136,310 |
Tenaris SA | | 88,973 | | | 1,213,770 |
WorleyParsons Ltd. | | 56,213 | | | 1,071,328 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,767,299 |
| | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–8.0% | | | | | |
BG Group PLC | | 133,614 | | | 2,250,016 |
BP PLC | | 228,939 | | | 1,809,032 |
LUKOIL (OTC US) (Sponsored ADR) | | 23,702 | | | 1,054,407 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored ADR) | | 45,500 | | | 1,517,880 |
Santos Ltd. | | 69,436 | | | 813,554 |
Suncor Energy, Inc. (New York Stock Exchange) | | 37,800 | | | 1,146,852 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Suncor Energy, Inc. (Toronto Stock Exchange) | | 12,376 | | $ | 376,339 |
Tullow Oil PLC | | 110,730 | | | 1,714,983 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 10,683,063 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 15,450,362 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–9.9% | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.0% | | | | | |
BAE Systems PLC | | 231,204 | | | 1,291,972 |
| | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.4% | | | | | |
Aveng Ltd. | | 121,928 | | | 553,493 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.6% | | | | | |
Gamesa Corp. Tecnologica SA | | 58,605 | | | 1,117,316 |
Schneider Electric SA | | 14,013 | | | 1,072,530 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,189,846 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.1% | | | | | |
Siemens AG | | 26,970 | | | 1,865,047 |
Smiths Group PLC | | 81,264 | | | 940,288 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,805,335 |
| | | | | |
MACHINERY–2.7% | | | | | |
AB SKF | | 32,908 | | | 406,735 |
Charter International PLC | | 78,163 | | | 557,276 |
Kubota Corp. | | 106,000 | | | 872,907 |
MAN AG | | 19,567 | | | 1,203,950 |
NGK Insulators Ltd. | | 28,000 | | | 570,689 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,611,557 |
| | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–0.7% | | | | | |
Canadian National Railway Co. | | 23,099 | | | 992,354 |
| | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.8% | | | | | |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | | 90,800 | | | 1,075,951 |
| | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE–0.6% | | | | | |
China Merchants Holdings International Co. Ltd. | | 272,000 | | | 779,054 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 13,299,562 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–9.7% | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–1.4% | | | | | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV | | 37,610 | | | 1,363,723 |
Pernod-Ricard SA | | 8,807 | | | 556,810 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,920,533 |
| | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.8% | | | | | |
Tesco PLC | | 639,130 | | | 3,732,421 |
| | | | | |
4
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–2.1% | | | | | |
Groupe Danone | | 8,818 | | $ | 437,240 |
Nestle SA | | 51,144 | | | 1,931,118 |
Unilever NV | | 18,007 | | | 435,520 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,803,878 |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.4% | | | | | |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | 41,605 | | | 1,900,013 |
| | | | | |
TOBACCO–2.0% | | | | | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | 96,065 | | | 2,651,792 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 13,008,637 |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS–9.3% | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.4% | | | | | |
Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd.–Class H | | 84,000 | | | 522,475 |
| | | | | |
METALS & MINING–8.9% | | | | | |
ArcelorMittal (Euronext Amsterdam) | | 70,307 | | | 2,347,413 |
BHP Billiton PLC | | 35,946 | | | 810,173 |
Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored ADR)–Class B | | 82,050 | | | 1,259,468 |
Equinox Minerals Ltd.(a)(b) | | 306,343 | | | 708,475 |
Equinox Minerals Ltd. (Toronto Stock Exchange)(a) | | 351,871 | | | 813,767 |
Gerdau SA | | 142,500 | | | 1,494,450 |
Rio Tinto PLC | | 23,205 | | | 803,621 |
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. | | 105,000 | | | 1,475,025 |
Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA (preference shares)–Class A | | 49,400 | | | 1,057,581 |
Xstrata PLC | | 102,008 | | | 1,108,649 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 11,878,622 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 12,401,097 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–8.6% | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–0.9% | | | | | |
Denso Corp. | | 47,100 | | | 1,207,298 |
| | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–1.8% | | | | | |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG | | 31,870 | | | 1,203,893 |
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. | | 146,400 | | | 888,486 |
Volkswagen AG | | 1,034 | | | 350,304 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,442,683 |
| | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.6% | | | | | |
Carnival PLC | | 59,583 | | | 1,586,910 |
Lottomatica SpA | | 23,314 | | | 450,176 |
OPAP, SA | | 4,377 | | | 116,713 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,153,799 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.6% | | | | | |
Panasonic Corp. | | 56,900 | | $ | 766,590 |
| | | | | |
MEDIA–2.7% | | | | | |
British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC | | 30,713 | | | 230,553 |
Eutelsat Communications | | 72,815 | | | 1,884,690 |
Pearson PLC | | 46,144 | | | 464,683 |
SES SA (FDR) | | 55,115 | | | 1,053,912 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,633,838 |
| | | | | |
MULTILINE RETAIL–0.1% | | | | | |
Next PLC | | 6,494 | | | 157,339 |
| | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.7% | | | | | |
Hennes & Mauritz AB–Class B | | 12,919 | | | 645,101 |
Nitori Co. Ltd. | | 4,350 | | | 308,047 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 953,148 |
| | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.2% | | | | | |
Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA(a) | | 9,781 | | | 203,917 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 11,518,612 |
| | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–7.9% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.4% | | | | | |
Research In Motion Ltd.(a) | | 8,004 | | | 568,947 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–3.6% | | | | | |
AU Optronics Corp. (Sponsored ADR) | | 81,300 | | | 786,984 |
FUJIFILM Holdings Corp. | | 39,300 | | | 1,250,715 |
HON HAI Precision Industry Co. Ltd. | | 221,950 | | | 680,660 |
Hoya Corp. | | 20,100 | | | 402,641 |
Keyence Corp. | | 6,460 | | | 1,316,088 |
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | 10,000 | | | 426,794 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,863,882 |
| | | | | |
IT SERVICES–0.5% | | | | | |
Cap Gemini SA | | 17,710 | | | 655,440 |
| | | | | |
OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.7% | | | | | |
Canon, Inc. | | 16,200 | | | 529,157 |
Ricoh Co. Ltd. | | 26,000 | | | 334,937 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 864,094 |
| | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.3% | | | | | |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | 1,586 | | | 733,310 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 104,200 | | | 980,522 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,713,832 |
| | | | | |
5
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
SOFTWARE–1.4% | | | | | |
SAP AG | | 32,602 | | $ | 1,314,461 |
Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (Sponsored ADR)(a) | | 9,900 | | | 517,671 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,832,132 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 10,498,327 |
| | | | | |
Health Care–7.7% | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.6% | | | | | |
Grifols SA | | 42,420 | | | 752,483 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.7% | | | | | |
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA | | 21,413 | | | 962,225 |
| | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–6.4% | | | | | |
AstraZeneca PLC | | 19,074 | | | 841,019 |
Bayer AG | | 17,615 | | | 946,635 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | | 65,808 | | | 1,162,386 |
Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B | | 10,866 | | | 591,819 |
Roche Holding AG | | 16,575 | | | 2,258,381 |
Sanofi-Aventis | | 19,254 | | | 1,137,717 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 34,300 | | | 1,692,362 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,630,319 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 10,345,027 |
| | | | | |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–7.3% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.9% | | | | | |
China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd. | | 108,000 | | | 143,600 |
Global Village Telecom Holding SA(a) | | 24,900 | | | 413,369 |
Iliad SA | | 8,282 | | | 805,416 |
Telefonica SA | | 85,162 | | | 1,934,001 |
Vimpel-Communications (Sponsored ADR)(a) | | 43,985 | | | 517,704 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,814,090 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.4% | | | | | |
America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR) | | 26,700 | | $ | 1,033,824 |
China Mobile Ltd. | | 107,000 | | | 1,071,327 |
Idea Cellular Ltd.(a) | | 48,684 | | | 72,242 |
MTN Group Ltd. | | 50,419 | | | 774,356 |
NTT DoCoMo, Inc. | | 517 | | | 756,184 |
Vodafone Group PLC | | 1,132,154 | | | 2,201,972 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 5,909,905 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 9,723,995 |
| | | | | |
UTILITIES–2.4% | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.2% | | | | | |
E.ON AG | | 26,535 | | | 941,939 |
The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. | | 30,200 | | | 666,165 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,608,104 |
| | | | | |
INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.5% | | | | | |
China Resources Power Holdings Co. | | 284,000 | | | 628,144 |
| | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–0.7% | | | | | |
GDF Suez | | 25,864 | | | 968,150 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,204,398 |
| | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $130,519,061) | | | | | 130,609,393 |
| | | | | |
RIGHTS–0.1% | | | | | |
MATERIALS–0.1% | | | | | |
METALS & MINING–0.1% | | | | | |
Rio Tinto PLC(a) (cost $152,180) | | 12,182 | | | 139,892 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–97.8% (cost $130,671,241) | | | | | 130,749,285 |
Other assets less liabilities–2.2% | | | | | 2,974,842 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 133,724,127 |
| | | | | |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value on Origination Date | | U.S. $ Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
Buy Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 5,461 | | $ | 3,941,750 | | $ | 4,384,259 | | $ | 442,509 |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,553 | | | 1,142,542 | | | 1,246,796 | | | 104,254 |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,872 | | | 1,421,784 | | | 1,502,899 | | | 81,115 |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 6,339 | | | 4,878,558 | | | 5,089,144 | | | 210,586 |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,682 | | | 1,340,133 | | | 1,350,361 | | | 10,228 |
6
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value on Origination Date | | U.S. $ Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts: (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 2,917 | | $ | 4,762,440 | | $ | 4,798,818 | | $ | 36,378 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 1,050 | | | 1,737,750 | | | 1,727,377 | | | (10,373 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 813 | | | 1,343,970 | | | 1,337,483 | | | (6,487 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 1,499 | | | 1,989,818 | | | 2,102,839 | | | 113,021 | |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 421 | | | 561,319 | | | 590,590 | | | 29,271 | |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 2,334 | | | 3,171,556 | | | 3,274,200 | | | 102,644 | |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 4,117 | | | 5,840,376 | | | 5,775,441 | | | (64,935 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 1,180 | | | 1,654,041 | | | 1,655,336 | | | 1,295 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 113,938 | | | 1,190,936 | | | 1,183,391 | | | (7,545 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 1,158,207 | | | 12,054,109 | | | 12,029,448 | | | (24,661 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 329,281 | | | 3,437,423 | | | 3,420,001 | | | (17,422 | ) |
New Zealand Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 9,334 | | | 5,594,333 | | | 6,004,740 | | | 410,407 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/17/09 | | 25,750 | | | 3,979,354 | | | 3,999,481 | | | 20,127 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/17/09 | | 9,320 | | | 1,452,324 | | | 1,447,579 | | | (4,745 | ) |
| | | | |
Sale Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 1,868 | | | 2,785,188 | | | 3,073,086 | | | (287,898 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 419 | | | 615,972 | | | 689,306 | | | (73,334 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 494 | | | 721,561 | | | 812,690 | | | (91,129 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 661 | | | 994,210 | | | 1,087,425 | | | (93,215 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 13,782 | | | 21,345,286 | | | 22,673,058 | | | (1,327,772 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 719 | | | 594,019 | | | 618,326 | | | (24,307 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 501 | | | 413,026 | | | 430,850 | | | (17,824 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,732 | | | 1,486,632 | | | 1,489,485 | | | (2,853) | |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 707 | | | 611,264 | | | 608,006 | | | 3,258 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 1,199 | | | 1,031,709 | | | 1,031,116 | | | 593 | |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 4,303 | | | 6,048,727 | | | 6,036,367 | | | 12,360 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 228,596 | | | 2,408,809 | | | 2,374,259 | | | 34,550 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 537,898 | | | 5,569,456 | | | 5,586,753 | | | (17,297 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 314,493 | | | 3,267,392 | | | 3,266,409 | | | 983 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 329,281 | | | 3,358,468 | | | 3,420,001 | | | (61,533 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 191,158 | | | 1,949,697 | | | 1,985,419 | | | (35,722 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 2,774 | | | 360,316 | | | 359,534 | | | 782 | |
Swiss Franc settling 8/17/09 | | 725 | | | 655,711 | | | 667,651 | | | (11,940 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 8/17/09 | | 6,363 | | | 5,728,098 | | | 5,859,678 | | | (131,580 | ) |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security is considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2009, the market value of this security amounted to $708,475 or 0.5% of net assets. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
FDR—Fiduciary Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $130,671,241) | | $ | 130,749,285 | |
Cash | | | 2,029,398 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $1,442,851) | | | 1,411,600 | |
Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 1,614,361 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 6,068,658 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 651,925 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 157,932 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 142,683,159 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 2,312,572 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts | | | 5,978,252 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 305,336 | |
Foreign capital gain tax payable | | | 104,187 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 83,220 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 29,840 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 10,791 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 47 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 134,787 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 8,959,032 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 133,724,127 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 10,109 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 204,705,872 | |
Distributions in excess of net investment income | | | (1,515,671 | ) |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (68,729,233 | ) |
Net unrealized depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (746,950 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | 133,724,127 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 81,084,379 | | 6,111,266 | | $ | 13.27 |
B | | $ | 52,639,748 | | 3,998,063 | | $ | 13.17 |
See | notes to financial statements. |
8
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $227,481) | | $ | 2,353,395 | |
Interest | | | 992 | |
| | | | |
Total investment income | | | 2,354,387 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 438,770 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 55,237 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 1,048 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 642 | |
Custodian | | | 75,931 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Audit | | | 28,345 | |
Legal | | | 12,221 | |
Printing | | | 5,471 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,250 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 4,860 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 669,615 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 1,684,772 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | (28,723,924 | ) |
Foreign currency transactions | | | 1,600,434 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 41,495,937 | (a) |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (3,843,314 | ) |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 10,529,133 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 12,213,905 | |
| | | | |
(a) | Net of accrued foreign capital gain taxes of $125,635. |
See notes to financial statements.
9
| | |
|
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 1,684,772 | | | $ | 3,360,311 | |
Net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (27,123,490 | ) | | | (41,516,782 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 37,652,623 | | | | (76,954,686 | ) |
Contributions from Adviser | | | –0 | – | | | 13,762 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 12,213,905 | | | | (115,097,395 | ) |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (3,925,111 | ) | | | –0 | – |
Class B | | | (2,361,509 | ) | | | –0 | – |
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (2,519,650 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (1,046,092 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 2,029,717 | | | | 21,155,538 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 7,957,002 | | | | (97,507,599 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 125,767,125 | | | | 223,274,724 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income and undistributed net investment income of ($1,515,671) and $3,086,177, respectively) | | $ | 133,724,127 | | | $ | 125,767,125 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
10
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time (see Note A.2).
2. Fair Value Measurements
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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
11
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
liability. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financials | | $ | 3,172,955 | | | $ | 25,984,733 | | | $ | 2,001,688 | | | $ | 31,159,376 | |
Energy | | | 4,177,381 | | | | 11,272,981 | | | | –0 | – | | | 15,450,362 | |
Industrials | | | 992,355 | | | | 12,307,207 | | | | –0 | – | | | 13,299,562 | |
Consumer Staples | | | –0 | – | | | 13,008,637 | | | | –0 | – | | | 13,008,637 | |
Materials | | | 8,624,667 | | | | 3,916,322 | | | | –0 | – | | | 12,540,989 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | –0 | – | | | 11,518,612 | | | | –0 | – | | | 11,518,612 | |
Information Technology | | | 2,854,124 | | | | 7,644,203 | | | | –0 | – | | | 10,498,327 | |
Health Care | | | 1,692,362 | | | | 8,652,665 | | | | –0 | – | | | 10,345,027 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 1,964,897 | | | | 7,759,098 | | | | –0 | – | | | 9,723,995 | |
Utilities | | | –0 | – | | | 3,204,398 | | | | –0 | – | | | 3,204,398 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 23,478,741 | | | | 105,268,856 | + | | | 2,001,688 | | | | 130,749,285 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | (698,211 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (698,211 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 23,478,741 | | | $ | 104,570,645 | | | $ | 2,001,688 | | | $ | 130,051,074 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
+ | The earlier close of the foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred between the close of the foreign markets and the time at which the Fund values its securities which may materially affect the value of securities trading in such markets. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available. Accordingly, a significant portion of the Portfolio’s investments are categorized as Level 2 investments. |
Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
| | | | |
| | Financials | |
Balance as of 12/31/08 | | $ | 1,741,327 | |
Accrued discounts /premiums | | | –0 | – |
Realized gain (loss) | | | (2,489,288 | ) |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 2,964,857 | |
Net purchases (sales) | | | (215,208 | ) |
Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | | | –0 | – |
| | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 2,001,688 | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 745,161 | * |
| | | | |
* | The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations. |
12
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No.48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about faire value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements (see Note D.1).
13
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
During the year ended December 31, 2008 the Adviser made a payment of $13,762 to the Portfolio in connection with a trading error.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009, amounted to $150,736, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to ..50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 71,781,438 | | | $ | 72,675,795 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 13,424,115 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (13,346,071 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 78,044 | |
| | | | |
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| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
At June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives (not designated as hedging instruments under FAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”):
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | Liability Derivatives |
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 1,614,361 | | Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $2,312,572 |
15
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | |
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | $ | 1,618,576 | | $(3,870,709) |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 314,100 | | | 1,768,205 | | | | | $ | 3,952,910 | | | $ | 31,829,711 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 288,187 | | | 106,991 | | | | | | 3,925,111 | | | | 2,519,650 | |
Shares redeemed | | (919,404 | ) | | (2,102,875 | ) | | | | | (10,702,249 | ) | | | (39,787,413 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (317,117 | ) | | (227,679 | ) | | | | $ | (2,824,228 | ) | | $ | (5,438,052 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 627,662 | | | 2,209,963 | | | | | $ | 7,686,626 | | | $ | 42,722,983 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 174,668 | | | 44,724 | | | | | | 2,361,509 | | | | 1,046,092 | |
Shares redeemed | | (455,940 | ) | | (933,277 | ) | | | | | (5,194,190 | ) | | | (17,175,485 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | 346,390 | | | 1,321,410 | | | | | $ | 4,853,945 | | | $ | 26,593,590 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
16
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 1,401,613 | | $ | 9,637,168 |
Long-term capital gains | | | 2,164,129 | | | 36,400,206 |
| | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions | | | 3,565,742 | | | 46,037,374 |
| | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 3,565,742 | | $ | 46,037,374 |
| | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 6,258,675 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (36,921,553 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (46,256,261 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (76,919,139 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of $23,898,949 of which $23,898,949 expires in the year 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Net capital loss incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers to January 1, 2009 post October capital losses of $13,022,604. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of gain/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
17
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
18
| | |
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $12.52 | | | $24.89 | | | $30.37 | | | $24.27 | | | $20.18 | | | $16.28 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .18 | | | .38 | | | .20 | | | .30 | | | .25 | | | .11 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | 1.24 | | | (12.35 | ) | | 5.16 | | | 6.18 | | | 3.94 | | | 3.83 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | .00 | (c) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | 1.42 | | | (11.97 | ) | | 5.36 | | | 6.48 | | | 4.19 | | | 3.94 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.67 | ) | | –0 | – | | (.56 | ) | | (.23 | ) | | (.10 | ) | | (.04 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | –0 | – | | (.40 | ) | | (10.28 | ) | | (.15 | ) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.67 | ) | | (.40 | ) | | (10.84 | ) | | (.38 | ) | | (.10 | ) | | (.04 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $13.27 | | | $12.52 | | | $24.89 | | | $30.37 | | | $24.27 | | | $20.18 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 11.18 | % | | (48.85 | )%* | | 18.13 | % | | 27.04 | % | | 20.84 | % | | 24.27 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $81,084 | | | $80,458 | | | $165,642 | | | $81,655 | | | $58,438 | | | $41,198 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.05 | %(e) | | .98 | % | | 1.21 | %(f) | | 1.23 | %(f) | | 1.41 | % | | 1.65 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.05 | %(e) | | .98 | % | | 1.21 | %(f) | | 1.23 | %(f) | | 1.41 | % | | 1.81 | % |
Net investment income | | 2.96 | %(e) | | 1.93 | % | | .66 | %(f) | | 1.11 | %(f) | | 1.16 | % | | .65 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 62 | % | | 90 | % | | 126 | % | | 74 | % | | 43 | % | | 60 | % |
See footnote summary on page 20.
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $12.41 | | | $24.73 | | | $30.20 | | | $24.16 | | | $20.11 | | | $16.24 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .16 | | | .31 | | | .13 | | | .22 | | | .21 | | | .07 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | 1.23 | | | (12.23 | ) | | 5.11 | | | 6.16 | | | 3.91 | | | 3.82 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | .00 | (c) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | 1.39 | | | (11.92 | ) | | 5.24 | | | 6.38 | | | 4.12 | | | 3.89 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.63 | ) | | –0 | – | | (.43 | ) | | (.19 | ) | | (.07 | ) | | (.02 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | –0 | – | | (.40 | ) | | (10.28 | ) | | (.15 | ) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.63 | ) | | (.40 | ) | | (10.71 | ) | | (.34 | ) | | (.07 | ) | | (.02 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $13.17 | | | $12.41 | | | $24.73 | | | $30.20 | | | $24.16 | | | $20.11 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 11.07 | % | | (48.96 | )%* | | 17.78 | % | | 26.70 | % | | 20.55 | % | | 23.97 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $52,640 | | | $45,309 | | | $57,633 | | | $35,321 | | | $25,215 | | | $14,501 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.30 | %(e) | | 1.23 | % | | 1.45 | %(f) | | 1.48 | %(f) | | 1.66 | % | | 1.90 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.30 | %(e) | | 1.23 | % | | 1.45 | %(f) | | 1.48 | %(f) | | 1.66 | % | | 2.06 | % |
Net investment income | | 2.75 | %(e) | | 1.63 | % | | .45 | %(f) | | .81 | %(f) | | .95 | % | | .41 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 62 | % | | 90 | % | | 126 | % | | 74 | % | | 43 | % | | 60 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(c) | Amount is less than 0.005. |
(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. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(f) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the year ended December 31, 2008 by 0.01%. |
See notes to financial statements.
20
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts 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 Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World (ex US) Index (Net) (the “MSCI All Country World Index”) and the MSCI World (ex US) Index (Net) (the “MSCI World Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2009, except as noted below and (in the case of comparisons with the MSCI World Index) the since inception period (September 1994 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period and 1st quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the MSCI All Country World Index in the 5-year period and underperformed that index in the 1- and 3-year periods (no information was available for the 10-year or since inception periods) and outperformed the MSCI World Index in the 5- and 10-year and since inception periods and underperformed that index in the 1- and 3-year periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2009 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in 2009 the Fund underperformed the Lipper VA International Growth Funds Average but outperformed both indices. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. 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 noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.
22
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points, plus the 5 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was lower than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
23
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
International | | 75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
65 bp on next $2.5 billion
60 bp on the balance | | $ | 101.1 | | International Growth Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $94,250 (0.05% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Total Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year |
International Growth Portfolio | | Class A 0.98% Class B 1.23% | | December 31 |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7, 2009. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2009 net assets:
| | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule | | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
International Growth Portfolio5 | | $ | 101.1 | | International Large Cap Growth Schedule 80 bp on 1st $25m 60 bp on next $25m 50 bp on next $50m 40 bp on the balance Minimum account size $25m | | 0.598 | | 0.750 |
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein International Growth Fund, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein International Growth Fund, Inc.6 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the AllianceBernstein International Growth Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
International Growth Portfolio | | International Growth Fund, Inc. | | 0.75% on first $2.5 billion 0.65% on next $2.5 billion 0.60% on the balance | | 0.750 | | 0.750 |
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
5 | Fees shown for the International Large Cap Growth Strategy are similar, but more concentrated than the Portfolio’s strategy. |
6 | It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. |
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)7 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.8
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee9 | | Lipper Group Median | | Rank |
International Growth Portfolio | | 0.750 | | 0.953 | | 2/12 |
Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU10 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.
It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year ends. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.11
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)12 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
International Growth Portfolio | | 0.978 | | 1.060 | | 3/12 | | 1.008 | | 8/26 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior
7 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
8 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
9 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. |
10 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
11 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
12 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
26
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.13
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $141,560 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $286,741 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.14
The Portfolio may affect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Portfolio did not effect any brokerage transactions with and pay any commission to SCB. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,15 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual
13 | The Adviser’s profitability increased in 2008 as the Portfolio’s average AUM increased from $132 million in 2007 to $202.6 million in 2008. |
14 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2008. |
15 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
27
| | |
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli16 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.17 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.20
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –49.15 | | –42.77 | | –46.96 | | 11/12 | | 25/35 |
3 year | | –13.80 | | –10.78 | | –13.53 | | 10/12 | | 18/31 |
5 year | | 0.37 | | 0.37 | | –0.25 | | 6/11 | | 8/23 |
10 year | | 3.84 | | 1.02 | | 0.70 | | 1/10 | | 3/17 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)21 versus its benchmark.22 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.23
16 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
17 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
18 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
19 | The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
20 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
21 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
22 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. |
23 | Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
28
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | 10 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
International Growth Portfolio | | –49.15 | | –13.80 | | 0.37 | | 3.84 | | 6.16 | | 20.13 | | –0.03 | | 5 |
MSCI All Country World ex US Index (Net) | | –45.01 | | –11.81 | | 0.36 | | N/A | | N/A | | 18.16 | | –0.06 | | 5 |
MSCI World ex US Index (Net) | | –43.75 | | –12.05 | | –0.34 | | 0.19 | | 2.66 | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A |
Inception Date: September 23, 1994 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
29
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
International Value Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,077.83 | | $ | 4.28 | | 0.83 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,020.68 | | $ | 4.16 | | 0.83 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,075.93 | | $ | 5.56 | | 1.08 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,019.44 | | $ | 5.41 | | 1.08 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes' annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
BP PLC | | $ | 47,395,825 | | 2.3 | % |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)—Class A | | | 44,449,114 | | 2.1 | |
Vodafone Group PLC | | | 43,346,019 | | 2.1 | |
Telefonica SA | | | 34,323,404 | | 1.7 | |
Nokia OYJ | | | 31,860,524 | | 1.5 | |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | | | 31,758,609 | | 1.5 | |
Sanofi-Aventis | | | 30,757,881 | | 1.5 | |
Total SA | | | 28,981,138 | | 1.4 | |
E.ON AG | | | 28,405,484 | | 1.4 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | 27,853,627 | | 1.3 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 349,131,625 | | 16.8 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Financials (Common and Rights) | | $ | 416,854,694 | | 26.1 | % |
Telecommunications Services | | | 207,748,338 | | 13.0 | |
Energy | | | 204,256,014 | | 12.8 | |
Health Care | | | 139,550,851 | | 8.7 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 125,505,763 | | 7.9 | |
Information Technology | | | 124,047,084 | | 7.8 | |
Utilities | | | 105,475,605 | | 6.6 | |
Materials | | | 100,689,337 | | 6.3 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 91,424,417 | | 5.7 | |
Industrials | | | 81,858,889 | | 5.1 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 1,597,410,992 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The fund components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COUNTRY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
United Kingdom | | $ | 248,509,847 | | 15.6 | % |
Germany | | | 227,856,469 | | 14.3 | |
Japan | | | 226,513,250 | | 14.2 | |
France | | | 198,242,459 | | 12.4 | |
Netherlands | | | 108,293,111 | | 6.8 | |
Australia | | | 99,064,699 | | 6.2 | |
Italy | | | 75,104,269 | | 4.7 | |
Sweden | | | 54,597,612 | | 3.4 | |
South Korea | | | 50,451,636 | | 3.2 | |
Canada | | | 47,987,619 | | 3.0 | |
Spain | | | 34,323,404 | | 2.1 | |
Switzerland | | | 34,263,991 | | 2.1 | |
Finland | | | 31,860,524 | | 2.0 | |
Other* | | | 160,342,102 | | 10.0 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 1,597,410,992 | | 100.0 | % |
* | “Other” country weightings represents 1.8% or less in the following countries: Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, South Africa and Taiwan. |
3
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–76.9% | | | |
FINANCIALS–20.1% | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–1.6% | | | |
Credit Suisse Group AG | | 189,700 | | $ | 8,691,294 |
Deutsche Bank AG | | 387,200 | | | 23,538,258 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 32,229,552 |
| | | | | |
COMMERCIAL BANKS–13.1% | | | |
ABSA Group Ltd. | | 417,900 | | | 5,963,259 |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | | 2,042,500 | | | 27,068,201 |
Banco do Brasil SA | | 1,353,100 | | | 14,604,779 |
Barclays PLC | | 3,442,000 | | | 15,995,127 |
BNP Paribas SA | | 427,120 | | | 27,853,627 |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | | 292,700 | | | 9,174,947 |
Credit Agricole SA | | 1,516,491 | | | 19,014,178 |
Hana Financial Group, Inc. | | 374,500 | | | 7,978,276 |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (a) | | 6,990,400 | | | 22,589,672 |
Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ADR) | | 507,089 | | | 8,027,219 |
KB Financial Group, Inc.(a) | | 440,400 | | | 14,682,431 |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC | | 10,984,185 | | | 12,662,452 |
National Australia Bank Ltd. | | 826,500 | | | 14,890,402 |
Nordea Bank AB | | 1,346,560 | | | 10,701,616 |
Societe Generale–Class A | | 447,888 | | | 24,584,936 |
Standard Bank Group Ltd. | | 1,457,000 | | | 16,761,685 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | | 455,200 | | | 18,419,807 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 270,972,614 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE–0.0% | | | |
ORIX Corp. | | 16,500 | | | 982,083 |
| | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.9% | | | |
ING Group | | 1,897,771 | | | 19,226,457 |
| | | | | |
INSURANCE–3.6% | | | |
Allianz SE | | 263,900 | | | 24,342,842 |
Aviva PLC | | 2,515,285 | | | 14,161,994 |
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. | | 19,100 | | | 4,794,910 |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG (MunichRe) | | 188,000 | | | 25,399,865 |
Sun Life Financial, Inc. | | 231,000 | | | 6,235,997 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 74,935,608 |
| | | | | |
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.9% | | | |
Lend Lease Corp. Ltd. | | 940,400 | | | 5,292,124 |
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. | | 762,000 | | | 13,216,253 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 18,508,377 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 416,854,691 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–10.0% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–7.3% | | | | | |
Bezeq Israeli Telecommunication Corp. Ltd. | | 6,039,100 | | $ | 11,147,363 |
Deutsche Telekom AG | | 1,369,200 | | | 16,187,460 |
France Telecom SA | | 1,090,800 | | | 24,819,714 |
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | | 571,800 | | | 23,286,793 |
Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd. | | 3,093,859 | | | 5,427,880 |
Telecom Italia SpA (ordinary shares) | | 11,258,700 | | | 15,610,033 |
Telecom Italia SpA (savings shares) | | 10,781,700 | | | 10,621,222 |
Telefonica SA | | 1,511,400 | | | 34,323,404 |
TELUS Corp.–Class A | | 387,300 | | | 9,989,253 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 151,413,122 |
| | | | | |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.7% | | | | | |
KDDI Corp. | | 2,448 | | | 12,989,197 |
Vodafone Group PLC | | 22,286,575 | | | 43,346,019 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 56,335,216 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 207,748,338 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY–9.8% | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–9.8% | | | | | |
BP PLC | | 5,998,100 | | | 47,395,825 |
ENI SpA | | 1,108,200 | | | 26,283,343 |
LUKOIL (OTC US) (Sponsored ADR) | | 458,350 | | | 20,390,153 |
Petro-Canada | | 416,700 | | | 16,092,648 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A | | 1,773,900 | | | 44,449,114 |
StatoilHydro ASA | | 1,046,100 | | | 20,663,793 |
Total SA | | 534,700 | | | 28,981,138 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 204,256,014 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–6.7% | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.2% | | | | | |
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA | | 109,000 | | | 4,898,076 |
| | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–6.5% | | | | | |
AstraZeneca PLC | | 516,600 | | | 22,778,152 |
Bayer AG | | 442,600 | | | 23,785,436 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | | 1,798,000 | | | 31,758,609 |
Novartis AG | | 628,210 | | | 25,572,697 |
Sanofi-Aventis | | 520,527 | | | 30,757,881 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 134,652,775 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 139,550,851 |
| | | | | |
4
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–6.0% | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–0.2% | | | | | |
Magna International, Inc.–Class A | | 114,300 | | $ | 4,849,508 |
| | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–1.7% | | | | | |
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. | | 3,160,100 | | | 19,178,303 |
Renault SA(a) | | 457,300 | | | 16,895,655 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 36,073,958 |
| | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.3% | | | | | |
TABCORP Holdings Ltd. | | 1,518,300 | | | 8,738,005 |
Thomas Cook Group PLC | | 2,017,000 | | | 6,834,509 |
TUI Travel PLC | | 2,775,200 | | | 10,608,653 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 26,181,167 |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.5% | | | | | |
Electrolux AB Series B(a) | | 385,900 | | | 5,398,600 |
Sharp Corp. | | 1,114,000 | | | 11,556,908 |
Sony Corp. | | 568,200 | | | 14,823,778 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 31,779,286 |
| | | | | |
LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.4% | | | | | |
Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc. | | 724,000 | | | 7,940,632 |
| | | | | |
MEDIA–0.7% | | | |
Lagardere SCA | | 408,000 | | | 13,602,416 |
| | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.2% | | | | | |
Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd. | | 2,159,000 | | | 5,078,796 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 125,505,763 |
| | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–6.0% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.2% | | | | | |
Nokia OYJ | | 2,175,200 | | | 31,860,524 |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson–Class B | | 1,349,000 | | | 13,289,581 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 45,150,105 |
| | | | | |
COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–2.0% | | | | | |
Compal Electronics, Inc. (GDR)(b) | | 1,585,709 | | | 6,440,040 |
Fujitsu Ltd. | | 3,501,000 | | | 19,018,247 |
Toshiba Corp. | | 4,306,000 | | | 15,600,402 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 41,058,689 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.5% | | | | | |
AU Optronics Corp. | | 7,733,000 | | | 7,464,818 |
Hitachi High-Technologies Corp. | | 152,000 | | | 2,582,543 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 10,047,361 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.3% | | | | | |
Samsung Electronics (Preference Shares) | | 33,400 | | $ | 10,184,086 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | 38,080 | | | 17,606,843 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 27,790,929 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 124,047,084 |
| | | | | |
UTILITIES–5.1% | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–2.8% | | | | | |
CEZ | | 180,400 | | | 8,063,235 |
E.ON AG | | 800,200 | | | 28,405,484 |
Electricite de France | | 108,800 | | | 5,312,510 |
The Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. | | 651,000 | | | 16,738,061 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 58,519,290 |
| | | | | |
INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.3% | | | | | |
Drax Group PLC | | 927,500 | | | 6,713,824 |
| | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–2.0% | | | | | |
Centrica PLC | | 5,507,800 | | | 20,252,354 |
RWE AG | | 253,490 | | | 19,990,137 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 40,242,491 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 105,475,605 |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS–4.9% | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–1.9% | | | | | |
BASF SE | | 576,000 | | | 22,948,875 |
DIC Corp. | | 2,734,000 | | | 4,270,899 |
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. | | 2,753,500 | | | 11,646,613 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 38,866,387 |
| | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.3% | | | | | |
Fletcher Building Ltd. | | 1,266,212 | | | 5,371,448 |
| | | | | |
CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.3% | | | | | |
Amcor Ltd. | | 1,367,139 | | | 5,497,323 |
| | | | | |
METALS & MINING–1.6% | | | | | |
ArcelorMittal (Euronext Amsterdam) | | 457,824 | | | 15,150,852 |
BHP Billiton Ltd. | | 292,400 | | | 8,010,561 |
MMC Norilsk Nickel (ADR)(a) | | 648,804 | | | 5,904,116 |
Yamato Kogyo Co. Ltd. | | 172,700 | | | 5,084,242 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 34,149,771 |
| | | | | |
PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.8% | | | | | |
Svenska Cellulosa AB–Class B | | 1,596,100 | | | 16,804,408 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 100,689,337 |
| | | | | |
5
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–4.4% | | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–3.6% | | | | | |
Aeon Co. Ltd. | | 1,408,700 | | $ | 13,899,594 |
Casino Guichard Perrachon SA | | 94,800 | | | 6,420,403 |
Delhaize Group | | 251,500 | | | 17,706,699 |
Koninklijke Ahold NV | | 1,685,040 | | | 19,426,013 |
Metro AG | | 376,100 | | | 17,969,378 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 75,422,087 |
| | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–0.8% | | | | | |
Associated British Foods PLC | | 1,270,200 | | | 16,002,330 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 91,424,417 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–3.9% | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.3% | | | | | |
Bombardier, Inc.–Class B | | 2,031,400 | | | 6,025,302 |
| | | | | |
AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS–0.7% | | | | | |
Deutsche Post AG | | 1,119,990 | | | 14,623,707 |
| | | | | |
AIRLINES–0.7% | | | | | |
Deutsche Lufthansa AG | | 459,200 | | | 5,766,951 |
Qantas Airways Ltd. | | 5,824,974 | | | 9,432,370 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 15,199,321 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.3% | | | | | |
Bidvest Group Ltd. | | 533,800 | | | 6,698,264 |
| | | | | |
MACHINERY–0.4% | | | | | |
Volvo AB–Class B | | 1,356,800 | | | 8,403,408 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.5% | | | | | |
Randstad Holding NV(a) | | 361,300 | | $ | 10,040,675 |
| | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–0.4% | | | | | |
East Japan Railway Co. | | 141,000 | | | 8,489,028 |
| | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.3% | | | | | |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | | 573,000 | | | 6,789,865 |
| | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE–0.3% | | | | | |
Macquarie Infrastructure Group | | 4,862,100 | | | 5,589,319 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 81,858,889 |
| | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $1,796,256,846) | | | | | 1,597,410,989 |
| | | | | |
RIGHTS–0.0% | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–0.0% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.0% | | | | | |
Fortis(a) (cost $0) | | 2,209,932 | | | 3 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–76.9% (cost $1,796,256,846) | | | | | 1,597,410,992 |
Other assets less liabilities–23.1% | | | | | 478,609,682 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 2,076,020,674 |
| | | | | |
FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Type | | Number of Contracts | | Expiration Month | | Original Value | | Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Purchased Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DJ EURO STOXX 50 | | 7,214 | | September 2009 | | $ | 244,135,089 | | $ | 242,682,996 | | $ | (1,452,093 | ) |
S&P/TSX 60 IX FUT | | 79 | | September 2009 | | | 8,547,395 | | | 8,518,403 | | | (28,992 | ) |
TOPIX INDX FUTR | | 1,175 | | September 2009 | | | 112,689,178 | | | 112,761,457 | | | 72,279 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (1,408,806 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
6
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value on Origination Date | | U.S. $ Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | |
Australian Dollar settling 7/15/09 | | 78,168 | | $ | 55,202,242 | | $ | 62,922,528 | | $ | 7,720,286 | |
Australian Dollar settling 7/15/09 | | 136,083 | | | 104,566,177 | | | 109,542,092 | | | 4,975,915 | |
Australian Dollar settling 7/15/09 | | 13,467 | | | 10,729,159 | | | 10,840,468 | | | 111,309 | |
Australian Dollar settling 10/15/09 | | 15,658 | | | 12,397,222 | | | 12,518,237 | | | 121,015 | |
Australian Dollar settling 10/15/09 | | 18,541 | | | 14,460,126 | | | 14,823,133 | | | 363,007 | |
British Pound settling 7/15/09 | | 90,414 | | | 147,302,489 | | | 148,747,768 | | | 1,445,279 | |
British Pound settling 7/15/09 | | 9,271 | | | 15,325,890 | | | 15,252,511 | | | (73,379 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 7/15/09 | | 7,117 | | | 6,297,116 | | | 6,119,117 | | | (177,999 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 7/15/09 | | 26,354 | | | 22,677,911 | | | 22,658,874 | | | (19,037 | ) |
Euro settling 7/15/09 | | 33,737 | | | 46,718,998 | | | 47,328,831 | | | 609,833 | |
Japanese Yen settling 7/15/09 | | 1,104,466 | | | 11,161,860 | | | 11,466,629 | | | 304,769 | |
Japanese Yen settling 7/15/09 | | 16,947,465 | | | 173,012,761 | | | 175,949,548 | | | 2,936,787 | |
Japanese Yen settling 10/15/09 | | 1,034,009 | | | 10,748,087 | | | 10,747,477 | | | (610 | ) |
Norwegian Krone settling 7/15/09 | | 74,843 | | | 11,154,781 | | | 11,635,209 | | | 480,428 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 7/15/09 | | 434,320 | | | 64,479,349 | | | 67,520,062 | | | 3,040,713 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 7/15/09 | | 54,868 | | | 8,417,274 | | | 8,529,865 | | | 112,591 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 10/15/09 | | 577,926 | | | 89,825,145 | | | 89,640,014 | | | (185,131 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 7/15/09 | | 39,862 | | | 5,074,051 | | | 5,166,849 | | | 92,798 | |
Swedish Krona settling 7/15/09 | | 447,203 | | | 59,059,310 | | | 57,965,743 | | | (1,093,567 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 10/15/09 | | 102,366 | | | 13,207,834 | | | 13,267,151 | | | 59,317 | |
Swiss Franc settling 7/15/09 | | 14,625 | | | 13,273,613 | | | 13,462,289 | | | 188,676 | |
Sale Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | |
Australian Dollar settling 7/15/09 | | 48,465 | | | 39,187,830 | | | 39,012,643 | | | 175,187 | |
British Pound settling 7/15/09 | | 6,426 | | | 9,578,917 | | | 10,571,960 | | | (993,043 | ) |
British Pound settling 7/15/09 | | 45,835 | | | 67,026,354 | | | 75,407,060 | | | (8,380,706 | ) |
British Pound settling 7/15/09 | | 57,895 | | | 84,022,435 | | | 95,247,993 | | | (11,225,558 | ) |
British Pound settling 7/15/09 | | 20,183 | | | 30,763,332 | | | 33,204,771 | | | (2,441,439 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 7/15/09 | | 85,223 | | | 68,995,305 | | | 73,273,781 | | | (4,278,476 | ) |
Euro settling 7/15/09 | | 33,737 | | | 46,401,870 | | | 47,328,831 | | | (926,961 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 7/15/09 | | 2,751,618 | | | 29,066,899 | | | 28,567,455 | | | 499,444 | |
Japanese Yen settling 7/15/09 | | 15,300,313 | | | 159,744,341 | | | 158,848,722 | | | 895,619 | |
Japanese Yen settling 10/15/09 | | 8,969,979 | | | 93,739,983 | | | 93,233,854 | | | 506,129 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 7/15/09 | | 564,031 | | | 87,477,860 | | | 87,685,135 | | | (207,275 | ) |
Norwegian Krone settling 10/15/09 | | 135,458 | | | 20,968,406 | | | 21,010,401 | | | (41,995 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 7/15/09 | | 362,792 | | | 43,075,681 | | | 47,024,523 | | | (3,948,842 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 7/15/09 | | 64,598 | | | 8,017,127 | | | 8,373,090 | | | (355,963 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 7/15/09 | | 59,675 | | | 7,601,524 | | | 7,734,979 | | | (133,455 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 10/15/09 | | 486,336 | | | 61,347,966 | | | 63,031,605 | | | (1,683,639 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 7/15/09 | | 14,625 | | | 12,609,389 | | | 13,462,289 | | | (852,900 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 10/15/09 | | 13,607 | | | 12,531,774 | | | 12,540,845 | | | (9,071 | ) |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security is considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2009, the market value of this security amounted to $6,440,040 or 0.3% of net assets. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
GDR—Global Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $1,796,256,846) | | $ | 1,597,410,992 | |
Cash | | | 63,345,355 | (a) |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $27,732,093) | | | 27,731,810 | |
Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 24,639,102 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency contracts | | | 397,511,305 | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | | 9,745,782 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 382,353 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 2,120,766,699 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 37,029,046 | |
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | | | 1,505,110 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 4,021,487 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 1,314,167 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 404,599 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 27,840 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 124 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 443,652 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 44,746,025 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 2,076,020,674 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 176,380 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 3,320,190,582 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 33,391,235 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (1,064,636,518 | ) |
Net unrealized depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (213,101,005 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | 2,076,020,674 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 152,367,164 | | 12,797,363 | | $ | 11.91 |
B | | $ | 1,923,653,510 | | 163,582,268 | | $ | 11.76 |
(a) | An amount of U.S. $29,995,925 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open futures contracts outstanding as of June 30, 2009. |
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $5,674,805) | | $ | 47,467,465 | |
Interest | | | 1,591 | |
| | | | |
Total investment income | | | 47,469,056 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 6,828,214 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 2,096,349 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 256 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 2,984 | |
Printing | | | 303,300 | |
Custodian | | | 289,042 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Audit | | | 24,108 | |
Legal | | | 24,088 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,250 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 35,280 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 9,650,711 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 37,818,345 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | (788,756,269 | ) |
Futures | | | 2,305,131 | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | (23,290,401 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 958,011,096 | |
Futures | | | (1,808,191 | ) |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (16,783,921 | ) |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 129,677,445 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 167,495,790 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
9
| | |
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 37,818,345 | | | $ | 71,102,116 | |
Net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (809,741,539 | ) | | | (345,490,659 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 939,418,984 | | | | (1,519,896,164 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 167,495,790 | | | | (1,794,284,707 | ) |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (2,216,163 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (20,468,603 | ) |
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (12,223,065 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (146,438,238 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 93,935,137 | | | | 752,222,152 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 261,430,927 | | | | (1,223,408,624 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 1,814,589,747 | | | | 3,037,998,371 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income and accumulated net investment loss of $33,391,235 and $(4,427,110), respectively) | | $ | 2,076,020,674 | | | $ | 1,814,589,747 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
10
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time (see Note A.2).
2. Fair Value Measurements
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use
11
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financials | | $ | 33,662,906 | | | $ | 383,191,785 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 416,854,691 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 9,989,253 | | | | 197,759,085 | | | | –0 | – | | | 207,748,338 | |
Energy | | | 16,092,648 | | | | 188,163,366 | | | | –0 | – | | | 204,256,014 | |
Health Care | | | –0 | – | | | 139,550,851 | | | | –0 | – | | | 139,550,851 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 4,849,508 | | | | 120,656,255 | | | | –0 | – | | | 125,505,763 | |
Information Technology | | | –0 | – | | | 124,047,084 | | | | –0 | – | | | 124,047,084 | |
Utilities | | | –0 | – | | | 105,475,605 | | | | –0 | – | | | 105,475,605 | |
Materials | | | –0 | – | | | 100,689,337 | | | | –0 | – | | | 100,689,337 | |
Consumer Staples | | | –0 | – | | | 91,424,417 | | | | –0 | – | | | 91,424,417 | |
Industrials | | | –0 | – | | | 81,858,889 | | | | –0 | – | | | 81,858,889 | |
Rights | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 3 | | | | 3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 64,594,315 | | | | 1,532,816,674 | + | | | 3 | | | | 1,597,410,992 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | (1,408,806 | ) | | | (12,389,944 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (13,798,750 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 63,185,509 | | | $ | 1,520,426,730 | | | $ | 3 | | | $ | 1,583,612,242 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
+ | The earlier close of the foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred between the close of the foreign markets and the time at which the Portfolio values its securities which may materially affect the value of securities trading in such markets. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available. Accordingly, a significant portion of the Portfolio’s investments are categorized as Level 2 investments. |
Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Investments in Securities | | | Other Financial Instruments | |
Balance as of 12/31/08 | | $ | 3 | | | $ | –0 | – |
Accrued discounts /premiums | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Realized gain (loss) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | –* |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Net purchases (sales) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 3 | | | $ | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments still held as of 6/30/09 | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
* | The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations. |
12
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended in June 30, 2009, the Fund adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements (see Note D.1).
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events exist-
13
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
ing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’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 on an annual basis to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009, amounted to $1,205,198, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to ..50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 540,915,936 | | | $ | 868,407,660 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, was substantially the same as the cost for the financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 119,614,738 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (318,460,592 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | $ | (198,845,854 | ) |
| | | | |
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| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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, or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 on 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
The Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of anticipated movements in the market. The Portfolio 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 contracts and movements in the price of the securities hedged or used for cover. The Portfolio may also purchase or sell futures contracts 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 Portfolio enters into a futures contract, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio 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.
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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
15
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
At June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives (not designated as hedging instruments under FAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 24,639,102 | | Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 37,029,046 | |
Equity contracts | | | | | | | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | | | 1,408,806 | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 24,639,102 | | | | $ | 38,437,852 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Includes cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in portfolio of investments. Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. |
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | $ | (21,570,364 | ) | | $ | (16,817,052 | ) |
Equity contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures | | | 2,305,131 | | | | (1,808,191 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | (19,265,233 | ) | | $ | (18,625,243 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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).
16
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE E: Capital Stock
Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 2,694,409 | | | 8,440,024 | | | | | $ | 27,458,830 | | | $ | 148,140,128 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | –0 | – | | 635,809 | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 14,439,228 | |
Shares redeemed | | (3,938,328 | ) | | (3,773,976 | ) | | | | | (41,194,857 | ) | | | (60,943,186 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | (1,243,919 | ) | | 5,301,857 | | | | | $ | (13,736,027 | ) | | $ | 101,636,170 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 20,929,274 | | | 49,688,884 | | | | | $ | 204,461,133 | | | $ | 761,634,791 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | –0 | – | | 7,421,380 | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 166,906,841 | |
Shares redeemed | | (9,196,800 | ) | | (18,551,975 | ) | | | | | (96,789,969 | ) | | | (277,955,650 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | 11,732,474 | | | 38,558,289 | | | | | $ | 107,671,164 | | | $ | 650,585,982 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
17
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 53,131,866 | | $ | 66,798,491 |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 128,214,203 | | | 57,818,024 |
| | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 181,346,069 | | $ | 124,616,515 |
| | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | $ | (232,839,154 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (1,179,002,924 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (1,411,842,078 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of $41,335,504 of which $41,335,504 expires in the year 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Net capital loss incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers to January 1, 2009 post-October capital losses of $191,503,650. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of gain/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into ..a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
18
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
19
| | |
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $11.05 | | | $25.14 | | | $24.96 | | | $19.07 | | | $16.70 | | | $13.45 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .22 | | | .54 | | | .43 | | | .38 | | | .26 | (b) | | .20 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | .64 | | | (13.15 | ) | | 1.07 | | | 6.21 | | | 2.49 | | | 3.16 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .86 | | | (12.61 | ) | | 1.50 | | | 6.59 | | | 2.75 | | | 3.36 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | –0 | – | | (.23 | ) | | (.31 | ) | | (.30 | ) | | (.10 | ) | | (.08 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | –0 | – | | (1.25 | ) | | (1.01 | ) | | (.40 | ) | | (.28 | ) | | (.03 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | –0 | – | | (1.48 | ) | | (1.32 | ) | | (.70 | ) | | (.38 | ) | | (.11 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $11.91 | | | $11.05 | | | $25.14 | | | $24.96 | | | $19.07 | | | $16.70 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) | | 7.78 | % | | (53.18 | )% | | 5.84 | % | | 35.36 | % | | 16.92 | % | | 25.12 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $152,367 | | | $155,183 | | | $219,691 | | | $129,837 | | | $56,692 | | | $47,095 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .83 | %(d) | | .81 | % | | .81 | % | | .85 | %(e) | | .86 | % | | .95 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .83 | %(d) | | .81 | % | | .81 | % | | .85 | %(e) | | .87 | % | | 1.13 | % |
Net investment income | | 4.28 | %(d) | | 2.98 | % | | 1.68 | % | | 1.75 | %(e) | | 1.54 | %(b) | | 1.42 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 31 | % | | 36 | % | | 23 | % | | 25 | % | | 18 | % | | 23 | % |
See footnote summary on page 21.
20
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $10.93 | | | $24.88 | | | $24.74 | | | $18.93 | | | $16.61 | | | $13.39 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .21 | | | .50 | | | .36 | | | .33 | | | .19 | (b) | | .15 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | .62 | | | (13.02 | ) | | 1.06 | | | 6.16 | | | 2.50 | | | 3.16 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .83 | | | (12.52 | ) | | 1.42 | | | 6.49 | | | 2.69 | | | 3.31 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | –0 | – | | (.18 | ) | | (.27 | ) | | (.28 | ) | | (.09 | ) | | (.06 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | –0 | – | | (1.25 | ) | | (1.01 | ) | | (.40 | ) | | (.28 | ) | | (.03 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | –0 | – | | (1.43 | ) | | (1.28 | ) | | (.68 | ) | | (.37 | ) | | (.09 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $11.76 | | | $10.93 | | | $24.88 | | | $24.74 | | | $18.93 | | | $16.61 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) | | 7.59 | % | | (53.28 | )% | | 5.58 | % | | 35.05 | % | | 16.58 | % | | 24.86 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $1,923,654 | | | $1,659,407 | | | $2,818,307 | | | $1,888,710 | | | $840,572 | | | $284,443 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.08 | %(d) | | 1.06 | % | | 1.06 | % | | 1.10 | %(e) | | 1.11 | % | | 1.20 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.08 | %(d) | | 1.06 | % | | 1.06 | % | | 1.10 | %(e) | | 1.12 | % | | 1.38 | % |
Net investment income | | 4.14 | %(d) | | 2.77 | % | | 1.41 | % | | 1.53 | %(e) | | 1.08 | %(b) | | 1.07 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 31 | % | | 36 | % | | 23 | % | | 25 | % | | 18 | % | | 23 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser. |
(c) | 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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(e) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
See notes to financial statements.
21
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| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s
22
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index (Net) (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended January 31, 2009 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (May 2001 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was 4th out of 4 of the Performance Group and in the 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1- and 3-year periods and 3rd out of 3 of the Performance Group and 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in the since inception period but underperformed the Index in the 1, 3- and 5-year periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2009 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that relative investment performance in 2009 had shown improvement. Based on their review and their discussion of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was acceptable. The directors determined to closely monitor the Portfolio’s performance.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. 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 also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.
23
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INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The directors noted that because of the small number of funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category, at the request of the Adviser and the Fund’s Senior Officer, Lipper had expanded the Expense Group of the Fund to include peers that had a similar (but not the same) Lipper investment objective/classification. The Expense Universe for the Portfolio had also been expanded by Lipper pursuant to Lipper’s standard guidelines and not at the request of the Adviser or the Fund’s Senior Officer. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points, plus the less than 1 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that in light of the Portfolio’s historical investment performance, they had asked the Adviser to address the continued appropriateness of the Portfolio’s fee rate. In response the Adviser informed the directors that the Adviser had begun to implement changes and enhancements to address investment performance and discussed the new leadership for the Adviser effective December 2008. The Adviser further noted, among other things, that while it would take time to realize the benefits of these changes, relative investment performance in 2009 had shown improvement. The directors noted that they had discussed their concerns about the relative performance of a number of the AllianceBernstein equity funds with senior management of the Adviser. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap), was lower than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels and that, prior to the reduction in the Portfolio’s assets as a result of the steep market declines in 2008, net assets had been in excess of the first breakpoint level. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
24
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| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE CAPS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
International | | 75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 65 bp on next $2.5 billion 60 bp on the balance | | $ | 1,538.4 | | International Value Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $91,750 (0.004% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7, 2009. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
25
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INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days written notice. It should be noted that the Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Cap Pursuant to Expense Limitation Undertaking | | Gross Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year End |
International Value Portfolio | | Class A 1.20% Class B 1.45% | | 0.81% 1.06% | | December 31 |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2009 net assets:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule | | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee (%) | | Portfolio Advisory Fee (%) |
International Value Portfolio | | $1,538.4 | | International Strategic Value Schedule 90 bp on 1st $25m 70 bp on next $25m 60 bp on next $50m 50 bp on the balance Minimum account size $25m | | 0.513 | | 0.750 |
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
26
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein International Value Fund, a retail mutual fund which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein International Value Fund5. Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the AllianceBernstein International Value Fund been applicable to the Portfolio:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
International Value Portfolio | | International Value Fund | | 0.75% on first $2.5 billion 0.65% on next $2.5 billion 0.60% on the balance | | 0.739 | | 0.739 |
The AllianceBernstein Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedule of the ITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | ITM Mutual Fund | | Fee6 |
International Value Portfolio | | Bernstein Kokusai Strategic Value7 | | 0.95% on first ¥1 billion 0.85% on next ¥1.5 billion 0.75% on next ¥2.5 billion 0.60% on next ¥5 billion 0.50% thereafter |
The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for the following sub-advisory relationships. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Funds had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to those Funds based on February 28, 2009 net assets and the Funds’ advisory fees:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | | | Fee Schedule | | Effective Sub-Adv. Fee (%) | | Portfolio Advisory Fee (%) |
International Value Fund | | Client #1 | | 0.65% on 1st $75 million 0.50% on next $25 million 0.40% on next $200 million 0.35% on next $450 million 0.30% on the balance | | 0.348 | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #28,9 | | 0.60% on 1st $1 billion 0.55% on next $500 million 0.50% on next $500 million 0.45% on next $500 million 0.40% on the balance | | 0.581 | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #3 | | 0.45% on 1st $200 million 0.36% on next $300 million 0.32% on the balance | | 0.345 | | 0.750 |
5 | It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. |
6 | The Japanese Yen-U.S. dollar currency exchange rate quoted at 4 p.m. on April 8, 2009 by Reuters was ¥99.64 per $1. At that currency exchange rate, every ¥1 billion would be equivalent to approximately $10.1 million. |
7 | This ITM Fund is privately placed or institutional. |
8 | Assets are aggregated with other similar managed accounts of the client for purposes of calculating the investment advisory fee. |
9 | The client is an affiliate of the Adviser. |
27
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | | | Fee Schedule | | Effective Sub-Adv. Fee (%) | | | Portfolio Advisory Fee (%) |
| | | | |
| | Client #4 | | 0.55% on 1st $150 million
0.50% on next $150 million
0.45% on the balance | | 0.465 | | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #5 | | 0.50% | | 0.500 | | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #6 | | 0.30% | | 0.300 | | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #7 | | 0.22% on 1st $1 billion 0.18% on next $1.5 billion 0.16% thereafter +/– Performance Fee10 | | 0.206 | 11 | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #8 | | 0.60% on 1st $50 million 0.40% on next $50 million 0.30% on next $300 million 0.25% on the balance | | 0.276 | | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #9 | | 0.50% on 1st $100 million
0.46% on next $300 million
0.41% thereafter | | 0.426 | | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #10 | | 0.72% on 1st $25 million 0.54% on next $25 million 0.45% on next $50 million 0.36% on the balance | | 0.372 | | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #11 | | 0.35% on 1st $1 billion 0.30% on next $1 billion 0.25% on the balance | | 0.333 | | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #12 | | 0.35% on 1st $1 billion 0.325% on the balance | | 0.341 | | | 0.750 |
It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)12 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.13
10 | The performance fee is calculated by multiplying the Base Fee during the period by an adjustment factor that considers the excess or under performance of the fund versus its benchmark over a 60 month rolling period. The performance adjustment factor can range from –60% to +60 of the base fee. |
11 | The calculation excludes the performance fee. |
12 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
13 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
28
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers in the view of the Senior Officer and the Adviser. Consequently, at the request of the Senior Officer and the Adviser, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee14 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median | | Rank |
International Value Portfolio15 | | 0.750 | | 0.779 | | 6/15 |
However, because Lipper had expanded the EG of the Portfolio, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also expanded to include the universes of those peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.16 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.17
It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year ends. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.18
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)19 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
International Value Portfolio20 | | 0.818 | | 0.852 | | 5/15 | | 0.994 | | 9/56 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a total expense ratio basis than it does on a management fee basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
14 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waivers or expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee. |
15 | The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, four other variable insurance product (“VIP”) International Value funds (“IFVE”) and ten VIP International Core funds (“IFCE”). |
16 | It should be noted that the expansion of the Portfolio’s EU was not requested by the Senior Officer or the Adviser. They requested that only the EG be expanded. |
17 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
18 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
19 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
20 | The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP IFVE and IFCE funds, excluding outliers. |
29
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $5,868,684 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $1,298,762 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.21
The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,22 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory
21 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,0000 in 2008. |
22 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
30
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli23 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.24 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3 and 5 year performance rankings of the Portfolio25 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)26 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.27
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | – | 55.15 | | – | 43.97 | | – | 44.83 | | 4/4 | | 26/26 |
3 year | | – | 18.39 | | – | 12.73 | | – | 12.39 | | 4/4 | | 25/25 |
5 year | | – | 3.31 | | – | 1.84 | | – | 0.97 | | 3/3 | | 19/20 |
23 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
24 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
25 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
26 | The Portfolio’s PG and PU are not identical to the Portfolio’s EG and EU. The criteria for including in or excluding a fund in/from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
27 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
31
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)28 versus its benchmark.29 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.30
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
International Value Portfolio | | – | 55.15 | | – | 18.39 | | – | 3.31 | | | 1.93 | | 20.39 | | – | 0.21 | | 5 |
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) | | – | 43.74 | | – | 12.25 | | – | 0.70 | | – | 0.40 | | 16.92 | | – | 0.14 | | 5 |
Inception Date: May 10, 2001 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
28 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
29 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. |
30 | Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
32
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Large Cap Growth Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,093.74 | | $ | 4.67 | | 0.90 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,020.33 | | $ | 4.51 | | 0.90 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,092.07 | | $ | 5.97 | | 1.15 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,019.09 | | $ | 5.76 | | 1.15 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Apple, Inc. | | $ | 23,157,694 | | 6.2 | % |
Google, Inc.—Class A | | | 22,888,121 | | 6.1 | |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | 20,405,696 | | 5.4 | |
JP Morgan Chase & Co | | | 18,724,685 | | 5.0 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | | | 18,675,108 | | 5.0 | |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | | | 18,534,607 | | 4.9 | |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | 16,366,920 | | 4.3 | |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | | 15,845,572 | | 4.2 | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | | 11,550,494 | | 3.1 | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 10,033,912 | | 2.7 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 176,182,809 | | 46.9 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Technology | | $ | 103,758,363 | | 27.7 | % |
Financial Services | | | 59,821,334 | | 16.0 | |
Health Care | | | 54,614,559 | | 14.6 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 54,231,859 | | 14.5 | |
Other Energy | | | 42,274,837 | | 11.3 | |
Materials & Processing | | | 22,675,042 | | 6.0 | |
Producer Durables | | | 14,932,674 | | 4.0 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 11,675,390 | | 3.1 | |
Autos and Transportation | | | 9,323,665 | | 2.5 | |
Energy | | | 1,040,832 | | 0.3 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 374,348,555 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The fund components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–99.5% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY–27.6% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY–7.0% | | | | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc.(a) | | 538,300 | | $ | 10,033,912 |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | 362,100 | | | 16,366,920 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 26,400,832 |
| | | | | |
COMPUTER SERVICES SOFTWARE & SYSTEMS–6.1% | | | | | |
Google, Inc.–Class A(a) | | 54,290 | | | 22,888,121 |
| | | | | |
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY–11.1% | | | | | |
Apple, Inc.(a) | | 162,590 | | | 23,157,694 |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | | 479,550 | | | 18,534,607 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 41,692,301 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRONICS: SEMI-CONDUCTORS/COMPONENTS–3.4% | | | | | |
Altera Corp. | | 98,500 | | | 1,603,580 |
Intel Corp. | | 468,800 | | | 7,758,640 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 362,900 | | | 3,414,889 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 12,777,109 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 103,758,363 |
| | | | | |
FINANCIAL SERVICES–15.9% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–12.4% | | | | | |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | | 41,400 | | | 1,213,434 |
The Blackstone Group LP | | 432,700 | | | 4,560,658 |
Credit Suisse Group AG (Sponsored ADR) | | 34,900 | | | 1,595,977 |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | 138,400 | | | 20,405,696 |
JP Morgan Chase & Co. | | 548,950 | | | 18,724,685 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 46,500,450 |
| | | | | |
FINANCIAL DATA PROCESSING SERVICES & SYSTEMS–1.1% | | | | | |
Visa, Inc.–Class A | | 65,400 | | | 4,071,804 |
| | | | | |
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANIES–0.5% | | | | | |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | | 26,200 | | | 1,886,662 |
| | | | | |
SECURITIES BROKERAGE & SERVICES–1.9% | | | | | |
CME Group, Inc.–Class A | | 23,665 | | | 7,362,418 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 59,821,334 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–14.5% | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH & PRODUCTION–3.2% | | | | | |
Baxter International, Inc. | | 83,000 | | | 4,395,680 |
Celgene Corp.(a) | | 162,000 | | | 7,750,080 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 12,145,760 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
DRUGS & PHARMACEUTICALS–8.1% | | | | | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a) | | 398,700 | | $ | 18,675,108 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 234,100 | | | 11,550,494 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 30,225,602 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE SERVICES–1.7% | | | | | |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a) | | 140,500 | | | 6,408,205 |
| | | | | |
MEDICAL & DENTAL INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES–0.2% | | | | | |
St. Jude Medical, Inc.(a) | | 20,200 | | | 830,220 |
| | | | | |
MEDICAL SERVICES–1.3% | | | | | |
Alcon, Inc. | | 43,100 | | | 5,004,772 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 54,614,559 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–14.4% | | | | | |
CABLE TELEVISION SERVICES–1.3% | | | | | |
Liberty Media Corp.–Entertainment Series A(a) | | 82,200 | | | 2,198,850 |
Time Warner Cable, Inc.–Class A | | 82,200 | | | 2,603,274 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,802,124 |
| | | | | |
ENTERTAINMENT–1.0% | | | | | |
The Walt Disney Co. | | 166,200 | | | 3,877,446 |
| | | | | |
RESTAURANTS–2.2% | | | | | |
McDonald’s Corp. | | 143,300 | | | 8,238,317 |
| | | | | |
RETAIL–9.5% | | | | | |
Amazon.Com, Inc.(a) | | 32,500 | | | 2,718,950 |
Costco Wholesale Corp. | | 180,600 | | | 8,253,420 |
Kohl’s Corp.(a) | | 233,100 | | | 9,965,025 |
Lowe’s Cos, Inc. | | 285,300 | | | 5,537,673 |
Target Corp. | | 135,800 | | | 5,360,026 |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | | 82,000 | | | 3,972,080 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 35,807,174 |
| | | | | |
SHOES–0.4% | | | | | |
Nike, Inc.–Class B | | 29,100 | | | 1,506,798 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 54,231,859 |
| | | | | |
OTHER ENERGY–11.2% | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT–1.1% | | | | | |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S (ADR)(a) | | 174,000 | | | 4,149,900 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY MISCELLANEOUS–0.7% | | | | | |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR) | | 60,900 | | | 2,495,682 |
| | | | | |
MACHINERY: OIL WELL EQUIP & SERVICES–5.9% | | | | | |
Cameron International Corp.(a) | | 161,500 | | | 4,570,450 |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a) | | 60,300 | | | 1,969,398 |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | 292,840 | | | 15,845,572 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 22,385,420 |
| | | | | |
3
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
OIL: CRUDE PRODUCERS–3.5% | | | | | |
Apache Corp. | | 69,600 | | $ | 5,021,640 |
EOG Resources, Inc. | | 67,475 | | | 4,582,902 |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 55,300 | | | 3,639,293 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 13,243,835 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 42,274,837 |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS & PROCESSING–6.0% | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–1.2% | | | | | |
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. | | 67,350 | | | 4,350,137 |
| | | | | |
COPPER–1.8% | | | | | |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. | | 137,600 | | | 6,895,136 |
| | | | | |
FERTILIZERS–1.3% | | | | | |
Monsanto Co. | | 65,365 | | | 4,859,234 |
| | | | | |
MINING & METALS MISCELLANEOUS–0.5% | | | | | |
Rio Tinto PLC (Sponsored ADR) | | 12,000 | | | 1,966,440 |
| | | | | |
STEEL–1.2% | | | | | |
ArcelorMittal (New York) | | 105,200 | | | 3,480,016 |
Nucor Corp. | | 25,300 | | | 1,124,079 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,604,095 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 22,675,042 |
| | | | | |
PRODUCER DURABLES–4.0% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED PRODUCTION–2.5% | | | | | |
Danaher Corp. | | 83,700 | | | 5,167,638 |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | | 113,400 | | | 4,234,356 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 9,401,994 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT & COMPONENTS–1.5% | | | | | |
Emerson Electric Co. | | 170,700 | | | 5,530,680 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 14,932,674 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–3.1% | | | | | |
BEVERAGE: SOFT DRINKS–2.3% | | | | | |
The Coca-Cola Co. | | 18,400 | | $ | 883,016 |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | 138,700 | | | 7,622,952 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,505,968 |
| | | | | |
SOAPS & HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS–0.8% | | | | | |
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | | 25,300 | | | 1,789,722 |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | 27,000 | | | 1,379,700 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,169,422 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 11,675,390 |
| | | | | |
AUTOS AND TRANSPORTATION–2.5% | | | | | |
AIR TRANSPORT–0.7% | | | | | |
FedEx Corp. | | 48,500 | | | 2,697,570 |
| | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–0.6% | | | | | |
Toyota Motor Corp. (Sponsored ADR) | | 27,900 | | | 2,107,287 |
| | | | | |
RAILROADS–1.2% | | | | | |
Union Pacific Corp. | | 86,800 | | | 4,518,808 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 9,323,665 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY–0.3% | | | | | |
INTERNATIONAL–0.3% | | | | | |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored ADR) | | 31,200 | | | 1,040,832 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.5% (cost $352,496,921) | | | | | 374,348,555 |
Other assets less liabilities–0.5% | | | | | 1,908,493 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 376,257,048 |
| | | | | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
LP—Limited Partnership
See notes to financial statements.
4
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $352,496,921) | | $ | 374,348,555 | |
Cash | | | 1,745,430 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 1,907,301 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 281,332 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 121,714 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 378,404,332 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 826,518 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 815,166 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 235,453 | |
Printing fee payable | | | 107,954 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 40,817 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 27,090 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 124 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 94,162 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 2,147,284 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 376,257,048 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 18,889 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 926,378,951 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 451,148 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (572,443,574 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation of investments | | | 21,851,634 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 376,257,048 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 180,633,589 | | 8,954,773 | | $ | 20.17 |
B | | $ | 195,623,459 | | 9,933,855 | | $ | 19.69 |
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $32,347) | | $ | 2,308,144 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 1,332,747 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 230,329 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 1,194 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 1,286 | |
Printing | | | 107,021 | |
Custodian | | | 67,434 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Audit | | | 22,800 | |
Legal | | | 15,407 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,200 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 2,883 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 1,828,141 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 480,003 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (41,938,621 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 72,789,062 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment transactions | | | 30,850,441 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 31,330,444 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 480,003 | | | $ | 259,748 | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (41,938,621 | ) | | | (67,058,377 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 72,789,062 | | | | (207,667,148 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 31,330,444 | | | | (274,465,777 | ) |
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (288,603 | ) | | | –0 | – |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (29,212,962 | ) | | | (140,298,489 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 1,828,879 | | | | (414,764,266 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 374,428,169 | | | | 789,192,435 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $451,148 and $259,748, respectively) | | $ | 376,257,048 | | | $ | 374,428,169 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek growth of capital by pursuing aggressive investment policies. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may frequently value 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
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is
8
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Technology | | $ | 103,758,363 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 103,758,363 | |
Financial Services | | | 59,821,334 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 59,821,334 | |
Health Care | | | 54,614,559 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 54,614,559 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 54,231,859 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 54,231,859 | |
Other Energy | | | 38,124,937 | | | | 4,149,900 | | | | –0 | – | | | 42,274,837 | |
Material & Processing | | | 22,675,042 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 22,675,042 | |
Producer Durables | | | 14,932,674 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 14,932,674 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 11,675,390 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 11,675,390 | |
Auto and Transportation | | | 9,323,665 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 9,323,665 | |
Energy | | | 1,040,832 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 1,040,832 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 370,198,655 | | | | 4,149,900 | | | | –0 | – | | | 374,348,555 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 370,198,655 | | | $ | 4,149,900 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 374,348,555 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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.
9
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are required. The Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30. 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Portfolio did not engage in derivative transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009, amounted to $251,522, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
10
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 190,976,671 | | | $ | 213,018,148 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purpose. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 38,982,659 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (17,131,025 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 21,851,634 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for no-hedging purposes as a means of making a direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal type of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as net unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
11
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 108,443 | | | 352,743 | | | | | $ | 2,017,264 | | | $ | 8,856,556 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | | 13,976 | | | –0 | – | | | | | 288,603 | | | | –0 | – |
Shares redeemed | | (989,891 | ) | | (3,454,109 | ) | | | | | (18,001,781 | ) | | | (89,196,186 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (867,472 | ) | | (3,101,366 | ) | | | | $ | (15,695,914 | ) | | $ | (80,339,630 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 434,430 | | | 829,132 | | | | | $ | 7,779,666 | | | $ | 19,371,034 | |
Shares redeemed | | (1,204,307 | ) | | (3,262,224 | ) | | | | | (21,296,714 | ) | | | (79,329,893 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (769,877 | ) | | (2,433,092 | ) | | | | $ | (13,517,048 | ) | | $ | (59,958,859 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which
12
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 259,748 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (517,395,653 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (64,046,728 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (581,182,633 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of $513,171,970 of which $293,988,219 expires in the year 2010, $167,106,343 expires in the year 2011, and $52,077,408 expires in the year 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Net capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers post-October capital losses of $4,223,683 to January 1, 2009. |
(b) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
14
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|
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $18.47 | | | $30.61 | | | $26.87 | | | $26.99 | | | $23.44 | | | $21.58 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (a) | | .04 | | | .04 | | | (.01 | ) | | (.03 | ) | | (.07 | ) | | (.03 | )(b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | 1.69 | | | (12.18 | ) | | 3.75 | | | (.09 | ) | | 3.62 | | | 1.89 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | 1.73 | | | (12.14 | ) | | 3.74 | | | (.12 | ) | | 3.55 | | | 1.86 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income. | | (.03 | ) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $20.17 | | | $18.47 | | | $30.61 | | | $26.87 | | | $26.99 | | | $23.44 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) | | 9.37 | %* | | (39.66 | )%* | | 13.92 | %* | | (.44 | )% | | 15.15 | % | | 8.62 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $180,634 | | | $181,452 | | | $395,655 | | | $474,069 | | | $618,980 | | | $656,544 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .90 | %(d) | | .84 | % | | .82 | % | | .84 | %(e) | | .81 | % | | .81 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .90 | %(d) | | .84 | % | | .82 | % | | .84 | %(e) | | .81 | % | | .98 | % |
Net investment income (loss) | | .40 | %(d) | | .17 | % | | (.03 | )% | | (.12 | )%(e) | | (.28 | )% | | (.13 | )%(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 54 | % | | 89 | % | | 92 | % | | 81 | % | | 54 | % | | 73 | % |
See footnote summary on page 16.
15
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $18.03 | | | $29.96 | | | $26.37 | | | $26.55 | | | $23.11 | | | $21.33 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (a) | | .01 | | | (.02 | ) | | (.08 | ) | | (.09 | ) | | (.12 | ) | | (.08 | )(b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | 1.65 | | | (11.91 | ) | | 3.67 | | | (.09 | ) | | 3.56 | | | 1.86 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | 1.66 | | | (11.93 | ) | | 3.59 | | | (.18 | ) | | 3.44 | | | 1.78 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $19.69 | | | $18.03 | | | $29.96 | | | $26.37 | | | $26.55 | | | $23.11 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) | | 9.21 | %* | | (39.82 | )%* | | 13.61 | %* | | (.68 | )% | | 14.89 | % | | 8.34 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $195,623 | | | $192,976 | | | $393,537 | | | $456,374 | | | $624,453 | | | $603,050 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.15 | %(d) | | 1.09 | % | | 1.07 | % | | 1.08 | %(e) | | 1.06 | % | | 1.06 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.15 | %(d) | | 1.09 | % | | 1.07 | % | | 1.08 | %(e) | | 1.06 | % | | 1.24 | % |
Net investment Income | | .15 | %(d) | | (.08 | )% | | (.27 | )% | | (.37 | )%(e) | | (.53 | )% | | (.38 | )%(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 54 | % | | 89 | % | | 92 | % | | 81 | % | | 54 | % | | 73 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser. |
(c) | 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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(e) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the six months ended June 30, 2009, the years ended December 31, 2008 and the year ended December 31, 2007 by .04%, 2.10% and 0.39%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
16
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts 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 Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
17
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2009 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (June 1992 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 1st quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 3-year period, 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period and 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in the 3-year period and outperformed the Index in all other periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. 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 also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper
18
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points was higher than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year was 2 basis points. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s assets had declined significantly, primarily as a result of market declines rather than redemptions, and that the Portfolio’s fixed costs had resulted in an increase in the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds generally. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Growth | | 75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 65 bp on next $2.5 billion 60 bp on the balance | | $ | 321.3 | | Large Cap Growth Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $93,000 (0.02% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Total Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year |
Large Cap Growth Portfolio | | Class A 0.84% | | December 31 |
| | Class B 1.09% | | |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7, 2009. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2009 net assets:
| | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule | | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Large Cap Growth Portfolio | | $ | 321.3 | | Large Cap Growth Schedule 80 bp on 1st $25m 50 bp on next $25m 40 bp on next $50m 30 bp on next $100m 25 bp on the balance Minimum account size $25m | | 0.351 | | 0.750 |
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc., a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.5 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Large Cap Growth Portfolio | | Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc. | | 0.75% on first $2.5 billion 0.65% on next $2.5 billion 0.60% on the balance | | 0.750 | | 0.750 |
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
5 | It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. |
21
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for American Growth Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. It should be noted that Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.
| | | |
Fund | | Fee | |
American Growth Portfolio | | | |
Class A | | 1.50 | % |
Class I (Institutional) | | 0.70 | % |
The AllianceBernstein Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedule of the ITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | ITM Mutual Fund | | Fee |
Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc. | | AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Growth Equity—Hedged/Non-Hedged | | 0.95% |
The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Funds had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to those Funds based on February 28, 2009 net assets and the Funds’ advisory fees:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | | | Fee Schedule | | Effective Sub-Adv. Fee (%) | | Portfolio Advisory Fee (%) |
Large Cap Growth Portfolio | | Client #1 | | 0.35% on 1st $50 million 0.30% on next $100 million 0.25% on the balance | | 0.281 | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #2 | | 0.40% on first $200 million 0.35% on next $300 million 0.25% on the balance | | 0.272 | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #3 | | 0.60% on 1st billion 0.55% on the balance | | 0.600 | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #4 | | 0.35% | | 0.350 | | 0.750 |
It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolios by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)6 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.7
6 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
7 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee8 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Rank |
Large Cap Growth Portfolio | | 0.750 | | 0.738 | | 9/15 |
Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU9 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.
It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year ends. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.10
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)11 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Large Cap Growth Portfolio | | 0.841 | | 0.775 | | 12/15 | | 0.815 | | 54/84 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
8 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. |
9 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
10 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
11 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
23
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $730,025 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $283,546 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.12
The Portfolio may effect brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Portfolio did not effect any brokerage transactions with and pay any commission to SCB. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,13 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli14 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.15 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The
12 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2008. |
13 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
14 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
15 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
24
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio16 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)17 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.18
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | �� | PU Rank |
1 year | | –35.23 | | –37.10 | | –37.68 | | 5/15 | | 19/102 |
3 year | | –14.33 | | –13.72 | | –12.60 | | 11/15 | | 71/93 |
5 year | | –4.35 | | –5.43 | | –4.97 | | 4/13 | | 33/82 |
10 year | | –5.27 | | –4.05 | | –3.56 | | 7/11 | | 38/48 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)19 versus its benchmark.20 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.21
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | 10 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
Large Cap Growth Portfolio | | –35.23 | | –14.33 | | –4.35 | | –5.27 | | 6.41 | | 18.49 | | –0.38 | | 10 |
Russell 1000 Growth Index | | –36.44 | | –11.11 | | –4.76 | | –5.29 | | 4.99 | | 18.75 | | –0.37 | | 10 |
Inception Date: June 26, 1992 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
16 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
17 | The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
18 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
19 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
20 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. |
21 | Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
25
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
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MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO | | |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Money Market Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,001.64 | | $ | 4.57 | | 0.92 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,020.23 | | $ | 4.61 | | 0.92 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,000.85 | | $ | 5.41 | | 1.09 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,019.39 | | $ | 5.46 | | 1.09 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Yield* | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–99.9% | | | | | | | | | |
CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT–39.4% | | | | | | | | | |
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya 8/10/09 | | 1.10 | % | | $ | 1,800 | | $ | 1,800,000 |
Barclays Bank PLC NY 12/01/09 | | 1.13 | % | | | 1,800 | | | 1,800,000 |
BNP Paribas NY Branch 8/05/09 | | 1.20 | % | | | 2,500 | | | 2,500,000 |
Calyon NY 7/07/09 | | 0.86 | % | | | 1,800 | | | 1,800,000 |
National Australia Bank Ltd 7/22/09 | | 0.52 | % | | | 2,400 | | | 2,400,000 |
Nordea Bank Finland NY 7/08/09 | | 1.10 | % | | | 1,800 | | | 1,800,000 |
10/13/09 | | 1.30 | % | | | 700 | | | 699,595 |
Rabobank Nederland NV NY 12/16/09 | | 0.50 | % | | | 1,300 | | | 1,300,000 |
3/03/10 | | 0.65 | % | | | 1,000 | | | 1,000,000 |
Royal Bank of Canada NY Series YCD 10/01/09(a) | | 1.51 | % | | | 2,300 | | | 2,300,266 |
Societe Generale NY 7/13/09 | | 0.75 | % | | | 1,100 | | | 1,100,000 |
Toronto Dominion Bank NY 7/20/09 | | 0.50 | % | | | 1,250 | | | 1,250,000 |
10/20/09 | | 0.70 | % | | | 900 | | | 900,000 |
Westpac Banking Corp. 11/13/09 | | 1.20 | % | | | 2,000 | | | 2,000,000 |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | 22,649,861 |
| | | | | | | | | |
U.S. GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT SPONSORED AGENCY OBLIGATIONS–33.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Bank of America Corp.– FDIC Insured 9/13/10(a) | | 0.66 | % | | | 1,300 | | | 1,300,000 |
7/29/10(a) | | 1.10 | % | | | 1,200 | | | 1,200,000 |
Citigroup Funding, Inc.– FDIC Insured 7/30/10(a) | | 1.14 | % | | | 2,200 | | | 2,200,000 |
Federal Farm Credit Bank 7/08/10(a) | | 1.04 | % | | | 2,000 | | | 2,000,360 |
Federal Home Loan Banks 7/27/10(a) | | 1.02 | % | | | 1,000 | | | 999,853 |
11/20/09 | | 4.25 | % | | | 600 | | | 608,788 |
Series 1 7/28/10(a) | | 1.02 | % | | | 1,000 | | | 1,000,000 |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 9/03/10(a) | | 0.63 | % | | | 1,000 | | | 1,000,000 |
8/24/10(a) | | 0.64 | % | | | 1,000 | | | 1,000,000 |
7/12/10(a) | | 1.04 | % | | | 1,000 | | | 999,781 |
7/14/10(a) | | 1.04 | % | | | 1,000 | | | 1,000,000 |
Federal National Mortgage Association 8/05/10(a) | | 0.97 | % | | | 1,000 | | | 999,578 |
7/13/10(a) | | 1.03 | % | | | 1,000 | | | 1,000,000 |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Yield* | | | Principal Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | | | | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Discount Notes 7/02/09 | | 0.16 | % | | $ | 2,500 | | $ | 2,499,989 |
7/01/09 | | 2.34 | % | | | 1,200 | | | 1,200,000 |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | 19,008,349 |
| | | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL PAPER–14.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Banque et Caisse d’Epargne de L’Etat 7/06/09 | | 0.47 | % | | | 1,200 | | | 1,199,922 |
CBA (Delaware) Finance 8/13/09 | | 0.39 | % | | | 2,400 | | | 2,398,882 |
Chevron Funding Corp. 7/07/09 | | 0.17 | % | | | 2,000 | | | 1,999,943 |
Santander Central Hispano Finance Delaware Inc. 8/27/09 | | 1.70 | % | | | 2,500 | | | 2,493,310 |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | 8,092,057 |
| | | | | | | | | |
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS–10.2% | | | | | | | | | |
Credit Suisse 0.00%, dated 06/30/09 due 7/1/09 in the amount of $1,900,000 (cost $1,900,000; collaterized by $1,940,000 U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.00% due 9/10/09, value $1,939,360) | | | | | | 1,900 | | | 1,900,000 |
Greenwich Capital Markets 0.01%, dated 06/30/09 due 7/1/09 in the amount of $2,000,001 (cost $2,000,000; collaterized by $1,445,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 9.87% due 11/15/15, value $2,040,389) | | | | | | 2,000 | | | 2,000,000 |
Mizuho Securities USA Inc 0.00%, dated 06/30/09 due 7/1/09 in the amount of $2,000,000 (cost $2,000,000; collaterized by $2,040,400 U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.00% due 8/13/09, value $2,040,053) | | | | | | 2,000 | | | 2,000,000 |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | 5,900,000 |
| | | | | | | | | |
CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–3.1% | | | | | | | |
Wells Fargo & Co. 1/29/10(a) | | 1.48 | % | | | 1,800 | | | 1,796,816 |
| | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.9% (cost $57,447,083) | | | | | | | | | 57,447,083 |
Other assets less liabilities–0.1% | | | | | | | | | 33,808 |
| | | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | | | $ | 57,480,891 |
| | | | | | | | | |
2
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
(a) | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2009. |
* | Represents annualized yield from date of purchase for discount securities, and stated interest rate for interest-bearing securities. |
See notes to financial statements.
3
| | |
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $57,447,083) | | $ | 57,447,083 | |
Cash | | | 48,120 | |
Interest receivable | | | 91,601 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 15,318 | |
Other assets | | | 16,544 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 57,618,666 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 15,243 | |
Audit fee payable | | | 28,746 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 27,580 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 21,927 | |
Custodian fee payable | | | 21,615 | |
Legal fee payable | | | 11,151 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 7,236 | |
Dividends payable | | | 677 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 129 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 3,471 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 137,775 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 57,480,891 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 57,497 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 57,423,005 | |
Distributions in excess of net investment income | | | (26 | ) |
Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions | | | 415 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 57,480,891 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—2 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 23,598,513 | | 23,604,997 | | $ | 1.00 |
B | | $ | 33,882,378 | | 33,891,573 | | $ | 1.00 |
See notes to financial statements.
4
| | |
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 396,150 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 141,499 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 46,023 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 522 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 738 | |
Administrative | | | 46,140 | |
Custodian | | | 44,337 | |
Audit | | | 22,728 | |
Legal | | | 17,958 | |
Printing | | | 2,997 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,354 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 14,991 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 339,287 | |
Less: expenses waived by the Distributor (see Note C) | | | (16,321 | ) |
Less: expenses waived by the Adviser (see Note B) | | | (2,643 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 320,323 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 75,827 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | 824 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 76,651 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
| | |
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 75,827 | | | $ | 910,943 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | | 824 | | | | (2 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase in net assets from operations | | | 76,651 | | | | 910,941 | |
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (44,911 | ) | | | (472,196 | ) |
Class B | | | (30,916 | ) | | | (438,747 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (7,463,233 | ) | | | 17,487,030 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | (7,462,409 | ) | | | 17,487,028 | |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 64,943,300 | | | | 47,456,272 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income of $(26) and $(26), respectively) | | $ | 57,480,891 | | | $ | 64,943,300 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is maximum current income to the extent consistent with safety of principal and liquidity. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Securities in which the Portfolio invests are traded primarily in the over-the-counter market and are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Under such method a portfolio instrument is valued at cost and any premium or discount is amortized on a constant basis to maturity.
2. Fair Value Measurements
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Certificate of Deposit | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 22,649,861 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 22,649,861 | |
U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Agency Obligations | | | –0 | – | | | 19,008,349 | | | | –0 | – | | | 19,008,349 | |
Commercial Paper | | | –0 | – | | | 8,092,057 | | | | –0 | – | | | 8,092,057 | |
Repurchase Agreements | | | –0 | – | | | 5,900,000 | | | | –0 | – | | | 5,900,000 | |
Corporates—Investment Grades | | | –0 | – | | | 1,796,816 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,796,816 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | –0 | – | | | 57,447,083 | | | | –0 | – | | | 57,447,083 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 57,447,083 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 57,447,083 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
7
| | |
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
3. Taxes
It is the Portfolio’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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
5. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.
6. Dividends and Distributions
The Portfolio declares dividends daily from net investment income. The dividends are paid monthly. Net realized gains distributions, if any, will be made at least annually. Income dividends and capital gains distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
7. Recent Accounting Pronouncement
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of such fees in the amount of $2,643.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund paid $46,140 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to ..50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
8
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the distribution fees in the amount of $16,321 for Class B shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
At June 30, 2009, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes.
NOTE E: Capital Stock
Each class consists of 1,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 4,272,069 | | | 26,168,176 | | | | | $ | 4,272,090 | | | $ | 26,168,176 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | | 72,771 | | | 472,196 | | | | | | 72,771 | | | | 472,196 | |
Shares redeemed | | (9,266,661 | ) | | (21,730,611 | ) | | | | | (9,266,661 | ) | | | (21,730,611 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | (4,921,821 | ) | | 4,909,761 | | | | | $ | (4,921,800 | ) | | $ | 4,909,761 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 16,688,065 | | | 42,533,708 | | | | | $ | 16,688,095 | | | $ | 42,533,708 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | | 55,484 | | | 438,747 | | | | | | 55,484 | | | | 438,747 | |
Shares redeemed | | (19,285,012 | ) | | (30,395,186 | ) | | | | | (19,285,012 | ) | | | (30,395,186 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | (2,541,463 | ) | | 12,577,269 | | | | | $ | (2,541,433 | ) | | $ | 12,577,269 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—The Portfolio’s primary risks are interest rate risk and credit risk. Because the Portfolio invests in short-term securities, a decline in interest rates will affect the Portfolio’s yield as the securities mature or are sold and the Portfolio purchases new short-term securities with a lower yield. Generally, an increase in interest rates causes the value of a debt instrument to decrease. The change in value for shorter-term securities is usually smaller than for securities with longer maturities. Because the Portfolio invests in securities with short maturities and seek to maintain stable net asset value of $1.00 per share, it is possible, though unlikely, that an increase in interest rates would change the value of your investment.
Credit risk is the possibility that a security’s credit rating will be downgraded or that the issuer of the security will default (fail to make scheduled interest and principal payments). The Portfolio invests in highly-rated securities to minimize credit risk.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
9
| | |
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE G: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 910,943 | | $ | 2,128,195 |
| | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 910,943 | | $ | 2,128,195 |
| | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | $ | (409 | )(a) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (409 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $409, of which $198 expires in the year 2012, $209 expires in the year 2013, and $2 expires in 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. |
NOTE H: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
10
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE I: Department of Treasury’s Temporary Guarantee Program for Money Market Funds
The Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has approved the continued participation of the Portfolio in the U.S. Treasury’s Temporary Guarantee Program for Money Market Funds (the “Program”). The initial term of the program was from September 18, 2008 to December 18, 2008 and its term was recently extended to September 18, 2009. The Treasury does not currently have the authority to extend the Program beyond September 18, 2009. The Program applies to shares of the Portfolio held by shareholders as of the close of business as of September 19, 2008 (the “Covered Shareholders”). Subject to the limitations discussed below, the Program will protect Covered Shareholders if the Portfolio “breaks the buck”, meaning that the stable net asset value (“NAV”) of $1.00 per share that the Portfolio seeks to maintain falls below $.995 per share (the “Guarantee Event”). In order to qualify for this protection, the Portfolio must liquidate within approximately 30 days after the Guarantee Event. The Treasury will cover any shortfall between the NAV at the time of liquidation and $1.00 per share.
Because payments under the Program continue to apply to Covered Shareholders based on the number of shares held on September 19, 2008, a shareholder would receive no payments for any increase in the number of the Portfolio’s shares held after that date. If a shareholder closes his or her account, the shareholder will not be covered by the Program. If the number of shares held in an account fluctuates after September 19, 2008 due to purchases and sales of shares during the Program period, a shareholder would be covered for the number of shares held in the account as of the close of business on September 19, 2008 or the number of shares held on the date of the Guarantee Event, whichever is less. Initial purchases of shares by new shareholders after September 19, 2008 are not eligible for coverage under the Program.
The Portfolio is required to pay a fee to the Treasury for its participation in the Program based on the Portfolio’s aggregate NAV on September 19, 2008. The fee for the Portfolio’s continued participation in the Program is 0.015% of its aggregate NAV on September 19, 2008. This is in addition to the fee paid by the Portfolio for its initial participation in the Program of 0.01% and for its participation in the first extension of the Program until April 30, 2009 of 0.015%, both of which were based on the Portfolio’s aggregate NAV on September 19, 2008. The Program extension payment amounts, when combined with prior payment amounts, equate to 0.04% (on an annualized basis) of the Portfolio’s asset base over the entire extended program term.
11
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| | |
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | –0 | –(a)(d) | | .02 | | | .04 | | | .04 | | | .02 | | | .01 | (a) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | –0 | –(a)(d) | | (.02 | ) | | (.04 | ) | | (.04 | ) | | (.02 | ) | | (.01 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (b) | | .16 | % | | 1.90 | % | | 4.35 | % | | 4.22 | % | | 2.35 | % | | .71 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $23,599 | | | $28,520 | | | $23,610 | | | $27,087 | | | $30,370 | | | $36,740 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .92 | %(e) | | .96 | % | | .99 | % | | .93 | %(c) | | .93 | % | | .69 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .93 | %(e) | | .96 | % | | .99 | % | | .93 | %(c) | | .93 | % | | .73 | % |
Net investment income | | .34 | %(a)(e) | | 1.85 | % | | 4.28 | % | | 4.13 | %(c) | | 2.30 | % | | .68 | %(a) |
See footnote summary on page 13.
12
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | –0 | –(a)(d) | | .02 | | | .04 | | | .04 | | | .02 | | | –0 | –(a)(d) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | –0 | –(d) | | (.02 | ) | | (.04 | ) | | (.04 | ) | | (.02 | ) | | –0 | –(d) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | | | $1.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (b) | | .08 | % | | 1.64 | % | | 4.08 | % | | 3.96 | % | | 2.10 | % | | .46 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $33,882 | | | $36,423 | | | $23,846 | | | $24,537 | | | $25,778 | | | $28,287 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.09 | %(e) | | 1.20 | % | | 1.24 | % | | 1.19 | %(c) | | 1.19 | % | | .94 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.18 | %(e) | | 1.20 | % | | 1.24 | % | | 1.19 | %(c) | | 1.19 | % | | .98 | % |
Net investment income | | .17 | %(a)(e) | | 1.57 | % | | 4.00 | % | | 3.89 | %(c) | | 2.06 | % | | .41 | %(a) |
(a) | Net of expenses reimbursed/waived by the Adviser and/or the Distributor. |
(b) | 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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(c) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.01 per share. |
See notes to financial statements.
13
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MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), with respect to AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by the September 1, 2004 Assurance of Discontinuance (“AoD”) between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 09/30/08 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Low Risk Income | | 45 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 40 bp on next $2.5 billion 35 bp on the balance | | $ | 66.6 | | Money Market Portfolio4 |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser was entitled to receive $94,000 (0.18% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Total Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year |
Money Market Portfolio | | Class A 0.99%
Class B 1.24% | | December 31 |
1 | It should be noted that the Senior Officer’s fee evaluation was completed on October 22, 2008. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
4 | The Adviser also advises AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an open-end retail money market mutual fund that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio. AllianceBernstein Exchanges Reserves’ investment advisory fee schedule, which is shown on page 15, was not affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG since the fund had lower breakpoints than the NYAG related fee schedule of Low Risk Income. |
14
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional client assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolio.5 However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product in the Adviser’s Form ADV that has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, a retail mutual fund which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves. Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves been applicable to the Portfolio based on September 30, 2008 net assets and the Portfolio’s advisory fee:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | ABMF Fund | | Fee Schedule | | ABMF Effective Fee | | Portfolio Advisory Fee |
Money Market Portfolio | | Exchange Reserves | | 0.25% on first $1.25 billion 0.24% on next $0.25 billion 0.23% on next $0.25 billion 0.22% on next $0.25 billion 0.21% on next $1.0 billion 0.20% on the balance | | 0.250% | | 0.450% |
5 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
15
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MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for the Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as that of the Portfolio:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Luxembourg Fund | | Luxembourg Fee6 |
Money Market Portfolio | | Short Maturity Dollar Class A | | 1.05% on the 1st €100 million7 1.00% on the next €100 million 0.95% in excess of €200 million |
| | Class I (Institutional) | | 0.50% on the 1st €100 million 0.45% on the next €100 million 0.40% in excess of €200 million |
The Adviser provides sub-advisory investment services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fee set forth below for the sub-advisory relationship that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Money Market Portfolio. Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of Money Market Portfolio had the fee schedule of the sub-advisory relationship been applicable to the Portfolio based on September 30, 2008 net assets and the Portfolio’s advisory fees:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Sub-advised Fund | | Sub-advised Fund Fee Schedule | | Sub-advised Fund Effective Fee | | Portfolio Advisory Fee |
Money Market Portfolio | | Client # 18 | | 0.125% on first $100 million 0.10% on next $150 million 0.05% thereafter | | 0.125% | | 0.450% |
It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolios by the Adviser.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)9 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.10
6 | Class A shares of the Luxembourg funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory and distribution related services. |
7 | The Euro-U.S. dollar currency exchange rate quoted at 4 p.m. on October 1, 2008 by Reuters was €1 per $1.4013. At that currency exchange rate, €100 million would be equivalent to approximately $140.1 million. €200 million would be equivalent to approximately $280.3 million. |
8 | This sub-advised fund has a more restrictive investment style than the Money Market Portfolio; the fund invests primarily in high-quality municipal short-term securities and is a tax-exempt money market fund. |
9 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
10 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
16
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee11 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median | | Rank |
Money Market Portfolio | | 0.450 | | 0.450 | | 6/11 |
Lipper also compared the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio to the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU12 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)13 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Money Market Portfolio | | 0.993 | | 0.630 | | 11/11 | | 0.497 | | 50/50 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2007, relative to 2006.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset research expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter and distributor, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, ABI received $61,512 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $104 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
11 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. |
12 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
13 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
17
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MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Adviser and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”).14 During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 from the Portfolio.15
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,16 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems, can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli17 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.18 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund assets under management (“AUM”), family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of fund size and the large asset manager’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $590 billion as of September 30, 2008, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
14 | It should be noted that the insurance companies, linked to the variable products, provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolios, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders. |
15 | The Portfolio (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Portfolio) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007. |
16 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
17 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
18 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
18
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The information below, prepared by Lipper, shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year net and gross performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio19 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)20 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended July 31, 2008.21
| | | | | | | | | | |
Money Market Portfolio | | Portfolio Return (%) | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
(Net) | | | | | | | | | | |
1 year | | 3.07 | | 3.54 | | 3.59 | | 9/11 | | 54/59 |
3 year | | 3.69 | | 4.05 | | 4.19 | | 11/11 | | 56/58 |
5 year | | 2.61 | | 2.88 | | 3.01 | | 11/11 | | 54/56 |
10 year | | 3.06 | | 3.21 | | 3.35 | | 8/9 | | 50/52 |
| | | | | |
(Gross) | | | | | | | | | | |
1 year | | 4.09 | | 4.16 | | 4.11 | | 8/11 | | 33/59 |
3 year | | 4.70 | | 4.72 | | 4.71 | | 7/11 | | 30/58 |
5 year | | 3.51 | | 3.52 | | 3.52 | | 8/11 | | 31/56 |
10 year | | 3.85 | | 3.85 | | 3.88 | | 4/9 | | 32/52 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception net performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)22 versus its benchmark.23 Portfolio volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.24
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending July 31, 2008 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | 10 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
Money Market Portfolio | | 3.07 | | 3.69 | | 2.61 | | 3.06 | | 3.46 | | 0.53 | | – | 3.14 | | 10 |
Lipper VA Money Market Average of funds | | 3.46 | | 4.07 | | 2.90 | | 3.31 | | 3.79 | | N/A | | | N/A | | N/A |
Inception Date: December 30, 1992 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: November 25, 2008
19 | The net performance returns and rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the net performance returns of the Portfolio that are shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. However, differences in the distribution price (ex-date versus payable date) and rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s own performance returns of the Portfolio to be one or two basis points different from Lipper. To maintain consistency in this evaluation, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
20 | The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund in/from a PU are somewhat different from that of an EU. |
21 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if the Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time. |
22 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
23 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for the periods through July 31, 2008. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance return of the benchmark is from the nearest month-end after the Portfolio’s inception date. In contrast to the benchmark, the Portfolio’s since inception return is from the Portfolio’s actual inception date. |
24 | Portfolio volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
19
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Real Estate Investment Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 901.11 | | $ | 6.93 | | 1.47 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,017.50 | | $ | 7.35 | | 1.47 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 899.35 | | $ | 8.15 | | 1.73 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,016.22 | | $ | 8.65 | | 1.73 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | | $ | 3,231,450 | | 8.9 | % |
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | | | 1,828,350 | | 5.0 | |
Ventas, Inc. | | | 1,653,199 | | 4.6 | |
Rayonier, Inc. | | | 1,464,832 | | 4.0 | |
Boston Properties, Inc. | | | 1,397,610 | | 3.9 | |
HCP, Inc. | | | 1,367,815 | | 3.8 | |
Public Storage | | | 1,299,778 | | 3.6 | |
Vornado Realty Trust | | | 1,269,756 | | 3.5 | |
Corporate Office Properties Trust | | | 1,193,731 | | 3.3 | |
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers | | | 1,183,695 | | 3.3 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 15,890,216 | | 43.9 | % |
INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
INDUSTRY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Diversified/Specialty | | $ | 7,346,397 | | 20.9 | % |
Office | | | 4,930,989 | | 14.1 | |
Health Care | | | 4,832,850 | | 13.8 | |
Regional Mall | | | 4,733,856 | | 13.5 | |
Multi-Family | | | 3,732,536 | | 10.6 | |
Shopping Center/Other Retail | | | 3,614,471 | | 10.3 | |
Lodging | | | 2,215,521 | | 6.3 | |
Self Storage | | | 1,771,553 | | 5.0 | |
Industrial Warehouse Distribution | | | 1,109,043 | | 3.2 | |
Triple Net | | | 501,245 | | 1.4 | |
Manufactured Homes | | | 305,248 | | 0.9 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 35,093,709 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The industry classifications presented herein are based on the industry categorization methodology of the Adviser.
2
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–96.9% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
EQUITY: OTHER–35.0% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED/SPECIALTY–20.3% | | | |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | | 21,900 | | $ | 783,801 |
BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. | | 22,600 | | | 231,198 |
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | | 51,000 | | | 1,828,350 |
DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. | | 65,900 | | | 620,778 |
Entertainment Properties Trust | | 37,600 | | | 774,560 |
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc. | | 11,400 | | | 373,122 |
Rayonier, Inc. | | 40,298 | | | 1,464,832 |
Vornado Realty Trust | | 28,198 | | | 1,269,756 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 7,346,397 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–13.3% | | | | | |
HCP, Inc. | | 64,550 | | | 1,367,815 |
Health Care REIT, Inc. | | 28,100 | | | 958,210 |
Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. | | 24,300 | | | 625,482 |
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. | | 14,700 | | | 228,144 |
Ventas, Inc. | | 55,365 | | | 1,653,199 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,832,850 |
| | | | | |
TRIPLE NET–1.4% | | | | | |
National Retail Properties, Inc. | | 25,100 | | | 435,485 |
Realty Income Corp. | | 3,000 | | | 65,760 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 501,245 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 12,680,492 |
| | | | | |
RETAIL–23.1% | | | | | |
REGIONAL MALL–13.1% | | | | | |
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | | 79,150 | | | 426,618 |
Macerich Co. | | 15,179 | | | 267,302 |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | | 62,832 | | | 3,231,450 |
Taubman Centers, Inc. | | 30,100 | | | 808,486 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,733,856 |
| | | | | |
SHOPPING CENTER/OTHER RETAIL–10.0% | | | | | |
Developers Diversified Realty Corp. | | 109,600 | | | 534,848 |
Kimco Realty Corp. | | 33,100 | | | 332,655 |
Kite Realty Group Trust | | 45,600 | | | 133,152 |
Regency Centers Corp. | | 23,800 | | | 830,858 |
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers | | 36,500 | | | 1,183,695 |
Weingarten Realty Investors | | 41,300 | | | 599,263 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,614,471 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,348,327 |
| | | | | |
RESIDENTIAL–16.0% | | | | | |
MANUFACTURED HOMES–0.8% | | | | | |
Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. | | 8,210 | | | 305,248 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
MULTI-FAMILY–10.3% | | | | | |
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. | | 5,500 | | $ | 307,670 |
Camden Property Trust | | 15,300 | | | 422,280 |
Equity Residential | | 49,600 | | | 1,102,608 |
Essex Property Trust, Inc. | | 2,200 | | | 136,906 |
Home Properties, Inc. | | 16,365 | | | 558,046 |
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | | 20,810 | | | 763,935 |
UDR, Inc. | | 42,700 | | | 441,091 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,732,536 |
| | | | | |
SELF STORAGE–4.9% | | | | | |
Extra Space Storage, Inc. | | 56,500 | | | 471,775 |
Public Storage | | 19,850 | | | 1,299,778 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,771,553 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 5,809,337 |
| | | | | |
OFFICE–13.6% | | | | | |
OFFICE–13.6% | | | | | |
Boston Properties, Inc. | | 29,300 | | | 1,397,610 |
Brandywine Realty Trust | | 53,100 | | | 395,595 |
Brookfield Properties Corp. | | 39,250 | | | 312,823 |
Corporate Office Properties Trust | | 40,700 | | | 1,193,731 |
Duke Realty Corp. | | 48,900 | | | 428,853 |
Government Properties Income Trust(a) | | 8,000 | | | 164,240 |
Kilroy Realty Corp. | | 5,650 | | | 116,051 |
Mack-Cali Realty Corp. | | 33,500 | | | 763,800 |
SL Green Realty Corp. | | 6,900 | | | 158,286 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,930,989 |
| | | | | |
LODGING–6.1% | | | | | |
LODGING–6.1% | | | | | |
DiamondRock Hospitality Co. | | 78,100 | | | 488,906 |
Hospitality Properties Trust | | 15,700 | | | 186,673 |
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | 124,140 | | | 1,041,535 |
LaSalle Hotel Properties | | 8,900 | | | 109,826 |
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. | | 72,632 | | | 388,581 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,215,521 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–3.1% | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION–3.1% | | | | | |
First Potomac Realty Trust | | 36,000 | | | 351,000 |
ProLogis | | 94,050 | | | 758,043 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,109,043 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–96.9% (cost $36,196,012) | | | | | 35,093,709 |
Other assets less liabilities–3.1% | | | | | 1,129,722 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 36,223,431 |
| | | | | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
Glossary:
REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust
See notes to financial statements.
3
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $36,196,012) | | $ | 35,093,709 | |
Cash | | | 199,349 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 917,110 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 144,605 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 140,579 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 36,495,352 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 85,656 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 64,849 | |
Audit fee payable | | | 29,443 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 26,090 | |
Custodian fee payable | | | 21,306 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 15,597 | |
Legal fee payable | | | 15,030 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 1,875 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 125 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 11,950 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 271,921 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 36,223,431 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 5,396 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 46,467,596 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 209,097 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (9,356,355 | ) |
Net unrealized depreciation of investments | | | (1,102,303 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | 36,223,431 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 27,339,839 | | 4,076,730 | | $ | 6.71 |
B | | $ | 8,883,592 | | 1,319,193 | | $ | 6.73 |
See notes to financial statements.
4
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $1,987) | | $ | 369,681 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 77,705 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 10,821 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 747 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 333 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Custodian | | | 40,669 | |
Audit | | | 23,428 | |
Legal | | | 14,495 | |
Printing | | | 2,158 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,250 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 1,638 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 219,084 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 150,597 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (4,746,760 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 143,147 | |
| | | | |
Net loss on investment transactions | | | (4,603,613 | ) |
| | | | |
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | (4,453,016 | ) |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 150,597 | | | $ | 1,174,945 | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (4,746,760 | ) | | | (3,660,877 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 143,147 | | | | (19,036,350 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net decrease in net assets from operations | | | (4,453,016 | ) | | | (21,522,282 | ) |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (877,524 | ) | | | (713,047 | ) |
Class B | | | (243,734 | ) | | | (234,778 | ) |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (636,788 | ) | | | (10,858,993 | ) |
Class B | | | (209,279 | ) | | | (4,707,359 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 7,457,423 | | | | 927,259 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 1,037,082 | | | | (37,109,200 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 35,186,349 | | | | 72,295,549 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $209,097 and $1,179,758, respectively) | | $ | 36,223,431 | | | $ | 35,186,349 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is total return from long-term growth of capital and income. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may frequently value 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
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
7
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 35,093,709 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 35,093,709 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 35,093,709 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 35,093,709 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No.48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
8
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Portfolio did not engage in derivative transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009 amounted to $24,490, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
9
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U. S. government securities) | | $ | 21,073,505 | | | $ | 14,950,306 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 3,369,040 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (4,471,343 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | $ | (1,102,303 | ) |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the
10
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 1,407,134 | | | 440,141 | | | | | $ | 10,288,199 | | | $ | 5,244,022 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 215,714 | | | 892,904 | | | | | | 1,514,312 | | | | 11,572,040 | |
Shares redeemed | | (609,638 | ) | | (1,351,097 | ) | | | | | (3,800,328 | ) | | | (16,525,963 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | 1,013,210 | | | (18,052 | ) | | | | $ | 8,002,183 | | | $ | 290,099 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 71,538 | | | 199,003 | | | | | $ | 445,028 | | | $ | 2,382,465 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 64,257 | | | 380,750 | | | | | | 453,013 | | | | 4,942,137 | |
Shares redeemed | | (229,231 | ) | | (542,219 | ) | | | | | (1,442,801 | ) | | | (6,687,442 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | (93,436 | ) | | 37,534 | | | | | $ | (544,760 | ) | | $ | 637,160 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Concentration of Risk—Although the Portfolio does not invest directly in real estate, it invests primarily in Real Estate Equity Securities and has a policy of concentration of its investments in the real estate industry. Therefore, an investment in the Portfolio is subject to certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and with the real estate industry in general. To the extent that assets underlying the Portfolio’s investments are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, the Portfolio may be subject to additional risks.
11
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
In addition, investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) also are subject to interest rate risks.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 1,057,062 | | $ | 3,843,405 |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 15,457,115 | | | 13,720,840 |
| | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions | | | 16,514,177 | | | 17,564,245 |
| | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 16,514,177 | | $ | 17,564,245 |
| | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 1,071,311 | |
Undistributed long term capital gain | | | 828,577 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (4,495,327 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (1,342,228 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (3,937,667 | )(c) |
| | | | |
(a) | Net capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers post-October capital losses of $4,495,327 to January 1, 2009. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
(c) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) is attributable to deferred income from an underlying security. |
12
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
13
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|
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $7.86 | | | $16.23 | | | $22.83 | | | $19.98 | | | $20.66 | | | $15.62 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .04 | | | .26 | | | .22 | | | .29 | | | .32 | | | .39 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | (.80 | ) | | (4.38 | ) | | (2.91 | ) | | 6.02 | | | 1.84 | | | 5.05 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | (.76 | ) | | (4.12 | ) | | (2.69 | ) | | 6.31 | | | 2.16 | | | 5.44 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.23 | ) | | (.26 | ) | | (.30 | ) | | (.47 | ) | | (.68 | ) | | (.40 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | (.16 | ) | | (3.99 | ) | | (3.61 | ) | | (2.99 | ) | | (2.16 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.39 | ) | | (4.25 | ) | | (3.91 | ) | | (3.46 | ) | | (2.84 | ) | | (.40 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $6.71 | | | $7.86 | | | $16.23 | | | $22.83 | | | $19.98 | | | $20.66 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) | | (9.89 | )% | | (35.68 | )% | | (14.53 | )% | | 35.22 | % | | 11.67 | % | | 35.63 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $27,340 | | | $24,082 | | | $50,015 | | | $80,317 | | | $67,161 | | | $88,441 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.47 | %(d) | | 1.01 | % | | .85 | % | | .83 | %(e) | | .83 | % | | .77 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.47 | %(d) | | 1.01 | % | | .85 | % | | .83 | %(e) | | .83 | % | | .99 | % |
Net investment income | | 1.18 | %(d) | | 2.13 | % | | 1.09 | % | | 1.33 | %(e) | | 1.64 | % | | 2.26 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 52 | % | | 46 | % | | 51 | % | | 47 | % | | 46 | % | | 35 | % |
See footnote summary on page 15.
14
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $7.86 | | | $16.20 | | | $22.80 | | | $19.94 | | | $20.54 | | | $15.55 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .03 | | | .22 | | | .16 | | | .22 | | | .38 | | | .34 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | (.81 | ) | | (4.37 | ) | | (2.90 | ) | | 6.03 | | | 1.72 | | | 5.03 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | (.78 | ) | | (4.15 | ) | | (2.74 | ) | | 6.25 | | | 2.10 | | | 5.37 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.19 | ) | | (.20 | ) | | (.25 | ) | | (.40 | ) | | (.54 | ) | | (.38 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | (.16 | ) | | (3.99 | ) | | (3.61 | ) | | (2.99 | ) | | (2.16 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.35 | ) | | (4.19 | ) | | (3.86 | ) | | (3.39 | ) | | (2.70 | ) | | (.38 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $6.73 | | | $7.86 | | | $16.20 | | | $22.80 | | | $19.94 | | | $20.54 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) | | (10.06 | )% | | (35.82 | )% | | (14.76 | )% | | 34.88 | % | | 11.40 | % | | 35.28 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $8,883 | | | $11,104 | | | $22,281 | | | $33,461 | | | $24,875 | | | $67,457 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.73 | %(d) | | 1.26 | % | | 1.10 | % | | 1.08 | %(e) | | 1.06 | % | | 1.02 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.73 | %(d) | | 1.26 | % | | 1.10 | % | | 1.08 | %(e) | | 1.06 | % | | 1.24 | % |
Net investment income | | .80 | %(d) | | 1.83 | % | | .80 | % | | 1.04 | %(e) | | 2.11 | % | | 2.02 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 52 | % | | 46 | % | | 51 | % | | 47 | % | | 46 | % | | 35 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser. |
(c) | 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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(e) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
See notes to financial statements.
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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts Equity REIT Index (the “FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index”) and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (the “S&P 500 Stock Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2009 and (in the case of comparisons with the indices) the since inception period (January 1997 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 1st quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1- and 5-year periods, 1st quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period and 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index in all periods reviewed and underperformed the S&P 500 Stock Index in the 1- and 3-year periods but outperformed that index in all other periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio although the initial fee rates in the institutional fee schedule were higher, and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement even after taking account of the administrative expense reimbursement made to the Adviser of 16 basis points. 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 also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 55 basis points, plus the 16 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s assets had declined significantly, primarily as a result of market declines rather than redemptions, and that the Portfolio’s fixed costs had resulted in an increase in the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s relatively modest size (less than $25 million at February 29, 2009) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in administrative expense reimbursement, which does not vary with a Portfolio’s size, having a significant effect on the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds generally. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Value | | 55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 45 bp on next $2.5 billion 40 bp on the balance | | $ | 22.6 | | Real Estate Investment Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $91,000 (0.16% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Total Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year |
Real Estate Investment Portfolio | | Class A 1.01% Class B 1.26% | | December 31 |
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7, 2009. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
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SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2009 net assets:
| | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule | | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee (%)5 | | Portfolio Advisory Fee (%) |
Real Estate Investment Portfolio | | $ | 22.6 | | U.S. REIT Strategy Schedule 70 bp on 1st $25m 60 bp on next $25m 50 bp on next $25m negotiable on the balance Minimum account size $25m | | 0.700 | | 0.550 |
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Global Real
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $75 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
5 | Assumes 50 bp on the balance. |
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Estate Investment Fund, Inc.6 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Real Estate Investment Portfolio7 | | Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. | | 0.55% on first $2.5 billion 0.45% on next $2.5 billion 0.40% on the balance | | 0.550 | | 0.550 |
The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for the Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio8. It should be noted that Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.
| | | |
Fund | | Fee | |
Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio | | | |
Class A | | 1.75 | % |
Class I (Institutional) | | 0.95 | % |
The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)9 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.10
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee11 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Rank |
Real Estate Investment Portfolio | | 0.550 | | 0.844 | | 1/14 |
6 | It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. |
7 | It should be noted that the Portfolio’s investment guidelines are more restrictive than that of AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. The Portfolio primarily invests in equity securities of U.S. real estate investment trusts (“REITS”) and other U.S. real estate industry companies, in contrast to the AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc., which may invest in equities of non-U.S. REITS and other non-U.S. real estate industry companies. |
8 | It should be noted that the Portfolio’s investment guidelines are more restrictive than that of the Luxembourg fund. The Portfolio primarily invests in equity securities of U.S. real estate investment trusts (“REITS”) and other U.S. real estate industry companies, in contrast to the Luxembourg fund, which may invest in equities of non-U.S. REITS and other non-U.S. real estate industry companies. |
9 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
10 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
11 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. |
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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU12 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.
It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year ends. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.13
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)14 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Real Estate Investment Portfolio | | 1.014 | | 0.964 | | 11/14 | | 0.936 | | 17/22 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $44,828 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
12 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
13 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
14 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $80,055 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.15
The Portfolio may affect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Portfolio did not effect any brokerage transactions with and pay any commission to SCB. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,16 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli17 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.18 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
15 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2008. |
16 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
17 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
18 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
23
| | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio19 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)20 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.21
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –45.23 | | –48.99 | | –48.47 | | 1/14 | | 4/25 |
3 year | | –16.66 | | –18.98 | | –18.34 | | 2/13 | | 5/23 |
5 year | | –1.88 | | –3.40 | | –3.26 | | 1/12 | | 3/17 |
10 year | | 6.27 | | 5.37 | | 5.68 | | 2/7 | | 4/11 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)22 versus its benchmark.23 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.24
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | 10 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
Real Estate Investment Portfolio | | –45.23 | | –16.66 | | –1.88 | | 6.27 | | 4.97 | | 20.76 | | 0.24 | | 10 |
NAREIT Equity Index | | –47.97 | | –18.25 | | –3.67 | | 5.62 | | 4.31 | | 20.96 | | 0.22 | | 10 |
S&P 500 Stock Index | | –38.63 | | –11.78 | | –4.24 | | –2.65 | | 2.45 | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A |
Inception Date: January 9, 1997 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
19 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
20 | The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
21 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
22 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
23 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. |
24 | Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
24
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Small Cap Growth Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,170.82 | | $ | 9.58 | | 1.78 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,015.97 | | $ | 8.90 | | 1.78 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,169.49 | | $ | 10.92 | | 2.03 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,014.73 | | $ | 10.14 | | 2.03 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
VistaPrint Ltd. | | $ | 559,781 | | 1.7 | % |
Baldor Electric Co | | | 523,380 | | 1.6 | |
PMC—Sierra, Inc. | | | 495,112 | | 1.5 | |
ON Semiconductor Corp. | | | 493,234 | | 1.5 | |
Citi Trends, Inc. | | | 478,780 | | 1.5 | |
NuVasive Inc. | | | 463,840 | | 1.4 | |
Bucyrus International, Inc.—Class A | | | 445,536 | | 1.4 | |
Carter’s, Inc. | | | 442,980 | | 1.3 | |
Strayer Education, Inc. | | | 440,582 | | 1.3 | |
National CineMedia, Inc. | | | 433,440 | | 1.3 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 4,776,665 | | 14.5 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Information Technology | | $ | 8,859,141 | | 27.0 | % |
Health Care | | | 7,300,335 | | 22.2 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 6,872,814 | | 20.9 | |
Industrials | | | 4,868,901 | | 14.8 | |
Energy | | | 1,902,287 | | 5.8 | |
Financials | | | 1,772,562 | | 5.4 | |
Materials | | | 541,671 | | 1.7 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 515,386 | | 1.6 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 192,140 | | 0.6 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 32,825,237 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The fund components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–99.6% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–26.9% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–5.0% | | | | | |
Aruba Networks, Inc.(a) | | 28,500 | | $ | 249,090 |
Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.(a) | | 48,900 | | | 382,398 |
Ciena Corp.(a) | | 25,500 | | | 263,925 |
F5 Networks, Inc.(a) | | 12,400 | | | 428,916 |
Netgear, Inc.(a) | | 21,700 | | | 312,697 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,637,026 |
| | | | | |
INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–6.4% | | | | | |
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a) | | 21,200 | | | 406,616 |
Constant Contact, Inc.(a) | | 16,100 | | | 319,424 |
DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.(a) | | 17,400 | | | 295,800 |
Digital River, Inc.(a) | | 10,300 | | | 374,096 |
The Knot, Inc.(a) | | 18,900 | | | 148,932 |
VistaPrint Ltd.(a) | | 13,125 | | | 559,781 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,104,649 |
| | | | | |
IT SERVICES–0.9% | | | | | |
CyberSource Corp.(a) | | 18,900 | | | 289,170 |
| | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–9.0% | | | | | |
Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.(a) | | 60,800 | | | 279,072 |
Atheros Communications, Inc.(a) | | 12,200 | | | 234,728 |
Cymer, Inc.(a) | | 6,100 | | | 181,353 |
Formfactor, Inc.(a) | | 14,800 | | | 255,152 |
Hittite Microwave Corp.(a) | | 7,200 | | | 250,200 |
Intellon Corp.(a) | | 22,000 | | | 93,500 |
ON Semiconductor Corp.(a) | | 71,900 | | | 493,234 |
PMC–Sierra, Inc.(a) | | 62,200 | | | 495,112 |
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.(a) | | 29,100 | | | 284,598 |
Teradyne, Inc.(a) | | 35,900 | | | 246,274 |
Verigy Ltd.(a) | | 12,600 | | | 153,342 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,966,565 |
| | | | | |
SOFTWARE–5.6% | | | | | |
Ariba, Inc.(a) | | 25,300 | | | 248,952 |
Informatica Corp.(a) | | 18,940 | | | 325,579 |
MICROS Systems, Inc.(a) | | 15,700 | | | 397,524 |
Quest Software, Inc.(a) | | 18,100 | | | 252,314 |
SuccessFactors, Inc.(a) | | 30,900 | | | 283,662 |
Sybase, Inc.(a) | | 5,700 | | | 178,638 |
THQ, Inc.(a) | | 24,450 | | | 175,062 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,861,731 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,859,141 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–22.1% | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–8.0% | | | | | |
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | 10,400 | | | 293,176 |
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | 9,300 | | | 382,416 |
Allos Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | 44,100 | | | 365,589 |
Genomic Health, Inc.(a) | | 15,300 | | | 265,149 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Immunogen, Inc.(a) | | 14,800 | | $ | 127,428 |
Incyte Corp. Ltd.(a) | | 25,200 | | | 82,908 |
InterMune, Inc.(a) | | 8,300 | | | 126,160 |
Medivation, Inc.(a) | | 4,200 | | | 94,122 |
Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | 9,800 | | | 276,948 |
OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | 2,800 | | | 79,044 |
Pharmasset, Inc.(a) | | 10,900 | | | 122,625 |
Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | 10,500 | | | 145,530 |
United Therapeutics Corp.(a) | | 3,500 | | | 291,655 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,652,750 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–4.2% | | | | | |
Masimo Corp.(a) | | 10,500 | | | 253,155 |
NuVasive, Inc.(a) | | 10,400 | | | 463,840 |
Resmed, Inc.(a) | | 7,900 | | | 321,767 |
Volcano Corp.(a) | | 25,400 | | | 355,092 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,393,854 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–3.3% | | | | | |
CardioNet, Inc.(a) | | 3,800 | | | 62,016 |
HMS Holdings Corp.(a) | | 10,500 | | | 427,560 |
IPC The Hospitalist Co., Inc.(a) | | 11,400 | | | 304,266 |
LHC Group, Inc.(a) | | 12,700 | | | 282,067 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,075,909 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–2.3% | | | | | |
athenahealth, Inc.(a) | | 9,000 | | | 333,090 |
MedAssets, Inc.(a) | | 20,300 | | | 394,835 |
Medidata Solutions, Inc.(a) | | 2,400 | | | 39,312 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 767,237 |
| | | | | |
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–3.2% | | | | | |
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | 5,000 | | | 273,350 |
Illumina, Inc.(a) | | 10,200 | | | 397,188 |
Qiagen NV(a) | | 20,600 | | | 382,954 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,053,492 |
| | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–1.1% | | | | | |
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | 1,600 | | | 50,208 |
Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | 20,500 | | | 306,885 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 357,093 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 7,300,335 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–20.8% | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTORS–0.7% | | | | | |
LKQ Corp.(a) | | 15,100 | | | 248,395 |
| | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–4.6% | | | | | |
American Public Education, Inc.(a) | | 7,300 | | | 289,153 |
Corinthian Colleges, Inc.(a) | | 21,400 | | | 362,302 |
K12, Inc.(a) | | 19,810 | | | 426,906 |
Strayer Education, Inc. | | 2,020 | | | 440,582 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,518,943 |
| | | | | |
3
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–3.8% | | | | | |
Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.(a) | | 53,700 | | $ | 109,548 |
Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.–Class A | | 34,400 | | | 292,056 |
Panera Bread Co.–Class A(a) | | 5,000 | | | 249,300 |
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.(a) | | 13,450 | | | 252,187 |
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.–Class A(a) | | 31,900 | | | 348,029 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,251,120 |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.9% | | | | | |
Tempur-Pedic International, Inc. | | 21,600 | | | 282,312 |
| | | | | |
INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–1.2% | | | | | |
NetFlix, Inc.(a) | | 9,200 | | | 380,328 |
| | | | | |
MEDIA–1.4% | | | | | |
National CineMedia, Inc. | | 31,500 | | | 433,440 |
RHI Entertainment, Inc.(a) | | 12,300 | | | 39,237 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 472,677 |
| | | | | |
MULTILINE RETAIL–1.0% | | | | | |
Dollar Tree, Inc.(a) | | 8,000 | | | 336,800 |
| | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–5.9% | | | | | |
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. | | 26,300 | | | 372,671 |
Citi Trends, Inc.(a) | | 18,500 | | | 478,780 |
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.(a) | | 19,100 | | | 328,520 |
Hibbett Sports, Inc.(a) | | 14,100 | | | 253,800 |
J Crew Group, Inc.(a) | | 14,800 | | | 399,896 |
Lumber Liquidators, Inc.(a) | | 6,700 | | | 105,592 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,939,259 |
| | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–1.3% | | | | | |
Carter’s, Inc.(a) | | 18,000 | | | 442,980 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,872,814 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–14.8% | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.0% | | | | | |
Hexcel Corp.(a) | | 33,500 | | | 319,255 |
| | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.5% | | | | | |
Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. | | 8,300 | | | 179,446 |
| | | | | |
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–1.0% | | | | | |
Stericycle, Inc.(a) | | 6,680 | | | 344,221 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–3.8% | | | | | |
Ametek, Inc. | | 11,500 | | | 397,670 |
Baldor Electric Co. | | 22,000 | | | 523,380 |
EnerSys(a) | | 18,600 | | | 338,334 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,259,384 |
| | | | | |
MACHINERY–6.2% | | | | | |
Actuant Corp.–Class A | | 23,200 | | | 283,040 |
Bucyrus International, Inc.–Class A | | 15,600 | | | 445,536 |
IDEX Corp. | | 17,355 | | | 426,412 |
Joy Global, Inc. | | 8,700 | | | 310,764 |
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. | | 1,000 | | | 36,040 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
RBC Bearings, Inc.(a) | | 11,000 | | $ | 224,950 |
Valmont Industries, Inc. | | 4,200 | | | 302,736 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,029,478 |
| | | | | |
MARINE–1.0% | | | | | |
Kirby Corp.(a) | | 10,000 | | | 317,900 |
| | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–1.3% | | | | | |
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc.–Class A(a) | | 5,700 | | | 151,107 |
Knight Transportation, Inc. | | 16,200 | | | 268,110 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 419,217 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,868,901 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY–5.8% | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–3.5% | | | | | |
Complete Production Services, Inc.(a) | | 39,600 | | | 251,856 |
Core Laboratories NV | | 2,084 | | | 181,621 |
FMC Technologies, Inc.(a) | | 5,400 | | | 202,932 |
Oceaneering International, Inc.(a) | | 5,600 | | | 253,120 |
Superior Energy Services, Inc.(a) | | 14,200 | | | 245,234 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,134,763 |
| | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–2.3% | | | | | |
Bill Barrett Corp.(a) | | 2,700 | | | 74,142 |
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. | | 9,600 | | | 294,144 |
Concho Resources, Inc./Midland TX(a) | | 6,400 | | | 183,616 |
Newfield Exploration Co.(a) | | 6,600 | | | 215,622 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 767,524 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,902,287 |
| | | | | |
FINANCIALS–5.4% | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–4.7% | | | | | |
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a) | | 6,800 | | | 395,692 |
Greenhill & Co., Inc. | | 5,000 | | | 361,050 |
KBW, Inc.(a) | | 14,100 | | | 405,516 |
Stifel Financial Corp.(a) | | 7,650 | | | 367,888 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,530,146 |
| | | | | |
COMMERCIAL BANKS–0.7% | | | | | |
PrivateBancorp, Inc. | | 10,900 | | | 242,416 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,772,562 |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS–1.6% | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–1.6% | | | | | |
Airgas, Inc. | | 2,700 | | | 109,431 |
Calgon Carbon Corp.(a) | | 17,600 | | | 244,464 |
Solutia, Inc.(a) | | 32,600 | | | 187,776 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 541,671 |
| | | | | |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.6% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.6% | | | | | |
Cbeyond, Inc.(a) | | 13,000 | | | 186,550 |
| | | | | |
4
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.0% | | | | | |
SBA Communications Corp.–Class A(a) | | 13,400 | | $ | 328,836 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 515,386 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–0.6% | | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–0.6% | | | | | |
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.(a) | | 3,250 | | | 192,140 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
WARRANTS–0.0% | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–0.0% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.0% | | | | | |
Lantronix, Inc., expiring 2/09/11(a) (cost $0) | | 2,486 | | $ | 0 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.6% (cost $31,758,867) | | | | | 32,825,237 |
Other assets less liabilities–0.4% | | | | | 120,288 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 32,945,525 |
| | | | | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $31,758,867) | | $ | 32,825,237 | |
Cash | | | 345,237 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 526,067 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 7,192 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 1,730 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 33,705,463 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 592,651 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 27,862 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 27,340 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 20,247 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 2,675 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 124 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 89,039 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 759,938 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 32,945,525 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 3,366 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 83,353,798 | |
Accumulated net investment loss | | | (221,366 | ) |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (51,256,643 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation of investments | | | 1,066,370 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 32,945,525 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 19,910,004 | | 2,016,284 | | $ | 9.87 |
B | | $ | 13,035,521 | | 1,349,615 | | $ | 9.66 |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $88) | | $ | 46,458 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 107,230 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 13,956 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 779 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 501 | |
Custodian | | | 57,906 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Audit | | | 22,712 | |
Legal | | | 14,188 | |
Printing | | | 2,788 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,200 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 724 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 267,824 | |
| | | | |
Net investment loss | | | (221,366 | ) |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (5,885,705 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 10,783,418 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment transactions | | | 4,897,713 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 4,676,347 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
|
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss | | $ | (221,366 | ) | | $ | (559,721 | ) |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (5,885,705 | ) | | | (3,576,475 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 10,783,418 | | | | (22,124,470 | ) |
Contributions from Adviser | | | –0 | – | | | 574 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 4,676,347 | | | | (26,260,092 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (844,599 | ) | | | (9,430,426 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 3,831,748 | | | | (35,690,518 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 29,113,777 | | | | 64,804,295 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($221,366) and $0, respectively) | | $ | 32,945,525 | | | $ | 29,113,777 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may frequently value 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
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is
9
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 32,825,237 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 32,825,237 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 32,825,237 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 32,825,237 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
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 asked 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 and loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, foreign currency exchange contracts, holdings 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Portfolio did not engage in derivative transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser made a payment of $574 to the Portfolio in connection with an error made by the Adviser in processing a claim for class action settlement proceeds on behalf of the Portfolio.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009 amounted to $49,108, of which $6 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
11
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 15,915,796 | | | $ | 16,174,819 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 4,282,539 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (3,216,169 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 1,066,370 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes, as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principle types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 on 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
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| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 141,043 | | | 1,316,136 | | | | | $ | 1,206,057 | | | $ | 17,575,647 | |
Shares redeemed | | (259,118 | ) | | (1,757,221 | ) | | | | | (2,155,557 | ) | | | (22,990,073 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (118,075 | ) | | (441,085 | ) | | | | $ | (949,500 | ) | | $ | (5,414,426 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 172,911 | | | 407,949 | | | | | $ | 1,522,018 | | | $ | 4,774,463 | |
Shares redeemed | | (168,390 | ) | | (704,048 | ) | | | | | (1,417,117 | ) | | | (8,790,463 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | 4,521 | | | (296,099 | ) | | | | $ | 104,901 | | | $ | (4,016,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
13
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | $ | (43,927,347 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (11,160,639 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (55,087,986 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $42,335,472 of which $41,226,800 expires in 2010 and $1,108,672 expires in 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. During the current fiscal year, the Portfolio had $74,560 of capital loss carryforwards expire. Net capital losses incurred after October 31, 2008 and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers post October capital losses of $1,591,875 to January 1, 2009. |
(b) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a
14
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
15
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|
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $8.43 | | | $15.48 | | | $13.57 | | | $12.26 | | | $11.65 | | | $10.17 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss (a) | | (.06 | ) | | (.13 | ) | | (.12 | ) | | (.12 | ) | | (.11 | ) | | (.10 | )(b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | 1.50 | | | (6.92 | ) | | 2.03 | | | 1.43 | | | .72 | | | 1.58 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | .00 | (c) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | 1.44 | | | (7.05 | ) | | 1.91 | | | 1.31 | | | .61 | | | 1.48 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $9.87 | | | $ 8.43 | | | $15.48 | | | $13.57 | | | $12.26 | | | $11.65 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 17.08 | %* | | (45.54 | )%* | | 14.08 | % | | 10.69 | % | | 5.24 | % | | 14.55 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $19,910 | | | $18,003 | | | $39,867 | | | $48,498 | | | $49,453 | | | $61,661 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.78 | %(e) | | 1.32 | % | | 1.20 | % | | 1.16 | %(f) | | 1.18 | % | | 1.14 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.78 | %(e) | | 1.32 | % | | 1.20 | % | | 1.16 | %(f) | | 1.18 | % | | 1.30 | % |
Net investment loss | | (1.45 | )%(e) | | (1.02 | )% | | (.81 | )% | | (.90 | )%(f) | | (.93 | )% | | (.93 | )%(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 56 | % | | 129 | % | | 88 | % | | 76 | % | | 90 | % | | 92 | % |
See footnote summary on page 17.
16
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $8.26 | | | $15.19 | | | $13.36 | | | $12.09 | | | $11.53 | | | $10.08 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss (a) | | (.07 | ) | | (.15 | ) | | (.15 | ) | | (.15 | ) | | (.13 | ) | | (.12 | )(b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | 1.47 | | | (6.78 | ) | | 1.98 | | | 1.42 | | | .69 | | | 1.57 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | .00 | (c) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | 1.40 | | | (6.93 | ) | | 1.83 | | | 1.27 | | | .56 | | | 1.45 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $9.66 | | | $ 8.26 | | | $15.19 | | | $13.36 | | | $12.09 | | | $11.53 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 16.95 | %* | | (45.62 | )%* | | 13.70 | % | | 10.51 | % | | 4.86 | % | | 14.39 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $13,036 | | | $11,111 | | | $24,937 | | | $22,070 | | | $22,467 | | | $24,448 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 2.03 | %(e) | | 1.60 | % | | 1.44 | % | | 1.41 | %(f) | | 1.43 | % | | 1.40 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 2.03 | %(e) | | 1.60 | % | | 1.44 | % | | 1.41 | %(f) | | 1.43 | % | | 1.56 | % |
Net investment loss | | (1.70 | )%(e) | | (1.29 | )% | | (1.05 | )% | | (1.15 | )%(f) | | (1.18 | )% | | (1.19 | )%(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 56 | % | | 129 | % | | 88 | % | | 76 | % | | 90 | % | | 92 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser. |
(c) | Amount less than $0.005. |
(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. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(f) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 by 0.20% and 0.40%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
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SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts 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 Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Russell 2000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2009 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (August 1996 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3- and 10-year periods and 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in all periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio although the institutional fee schedule provided for higher rates on the first $150 million of assets, and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be higher than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement even after taking into account the 18 basis point expense ratio impact of the administrative expense reimbursement provision in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. 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 also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund except that the Portfolio’s fee is a monthly fee based on average daily net assets and the Corresponding Fund’s fee is a quarterly fee based on net asset value at the end of each quarter.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
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SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the administrative expense reimbursement was 18 basis points in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year, and that as a result the rate of total compensation received by the Adviser from the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was higher than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that in light of the Portfolio’s historical investment performance, they had asked the Adviser to address the continued appropriateness of the Portfolio’s fee rate. In response the Adviser informed the directors that the Adviser had begun to implement changes and enhancements to address investment performance and discussed the new leadership for the Adviser effective December 2008. The Adviser further noted among other things, that while it would take time to realize the benefits of these changes, relative investment performance in 2009 had shown improvement. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s assets had declined significantly, primarily as a result of market declines rather than redemptions, and that the Portfolio’s fixed costs had resulted in an increase in the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s small size (approximately $25 million at February 29, 2009) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in the administrative expense reimbursement, which does not vary with a Portfolio’s size, having a significant effect on the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds generally. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
20
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SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Growth | | 75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
65 bp on next $2.5 billion
60 bp on the balance | | $ | 24.4 | | Small Cap Growth Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $92,000 (0.18% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Total Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year |
Small Cap Growth Portfolio | | Class A 1.32% Class B 1.60% | | December 31 |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7, 2009. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
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SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2009 net assets:
| | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule | | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Small Cap Growth Portfolio | | $ | 24.4 | | Small Cap Growth Schedule 100 bp on 1st $50m 85 bp on next $50m 75 bp on the balance Minimum account size $25m | | 1.000 | | 0.750 |
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio, a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio5. Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio been applicable to the Portfolio:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Small Cap Growth Portfolio6 | | Cap Fund, Inc—Small Cap Growth Portfolio | | 0.75% on first $2.5 billion 0.65% on next $2.5 billion 0.60% on the balance | | 0.750 | | 0.750 |
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
5 | It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. |
6 | The advisory fee of AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio is based on the mutual fund’s net assets at the end of each quarter and is paid to the Adviser quarterly, in contrast to the Portfolio, whose advisory fee is based on the Portfolio��s average daily net assets and is paid on a monthly basis. |
22
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Funds had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to those Funds based on February 28, 2009 net assets and the Funds’ advisory fees:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | | | Fee Schedule | | Effective
Sub-Adv.
Fee (%) | | Portfolio
Advisory Fee (%) |
Small Cap Growth Portfolio | | Client #17,8 | | 0.60% on 1st $1 billion
0.55% on next $500 million
0.50% on next $500 million
0.45% on next $500 million
0.40% on the balance | | 0.600 | | 0.750 |
| | | | |
| | Client #2 | | 0.65% on 1st $25 million
0.60% on next $75 million
0.55% on the balance | | 0.650 | | 0.750 |
It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolios by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)9 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.10
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee11 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median | | Rank |
Small Cap Growth Portfolio | | 0.750 | | 0.850 | | 2/14 |
Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU12 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.
7 | The client is an affiliate of the Adviser. |
8 | Assets are aggregated with other similar managed accounts of the client for purposes of calculating the Investment advisory fee. |
9 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively small average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
10 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
11 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. |
12 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
23
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year ends. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.13
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)14 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Small Cap Growth Portfolio | | 1.323 | | 0.986 | | 14/14 | | 0.975 | | 42/42 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $41,344 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $214,412 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional
13 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
14 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
24
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.15
The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,16 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli17 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.18 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
15 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2008. |
16 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
17 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
18 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
25
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio19 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)20 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.21
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –40.38 | | –40.38 | | –39.96 | | 7/13 | | 29/49 |
3 year | | –15.63 | | –14.60 | | –14.71 | | 10/13 | | 30/46 |
5 year | | –5.31 | | –5.07 | | –5.07 | | 8/13 | | 24/41 |
10 year | | –2.59 | | –2.03 | | –0.63 | | 4/6 | | 20/25 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)22 versus its benchmark.23 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.24
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | 10 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
Small Cap Growth Portfolio | | –40.38 | | –15.63 | | –5.31 | | –2.59 | | –0.54 | | 23.66 | | –0.13 | | 10 |
Russell 2000 Growth Index | | –37.48 | | –14.35 | | –4.86 | | –1.97 | | 0.52 | | 25.34 | | –0.08 | | 10 |
Inception Date: August 5, 1996 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
19 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
20 | The Portfolio’s PG and PU are not identical to the Portfolio’s EG and EU. The criteria for including in or excluding a fund in/from a PG/PU is somewhat different from that of an EG/EU. |
21 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
22 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
23 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. |
24 | Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
26
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,080.21 | | $ | 4.59 | | 0.89 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,020.38 | | $ | 4.46 | | 0.89 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,079.55 | | $ | 5.88 | | 1.14 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,019.14 | | $ | 5.71 | | 1.14 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Cimarex Energy Co. | | $ | 4,863,144 | | 1.6 | % |
Commercial Metals Co. | | | 4,797,779 | | 1.6 | |
Northeast Utilities | | | 4,557,933 | | 1.4 | |
Foot Locker, Inc. | | | 4,419,387 | | 1.4 | |
Ruddick Corp. | | | 4,210,371 | | 1.3 | |
Tech Data Corp. | | | 4,206,506 | | 1.3 | |
Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. | | | 4,185,076 | | 1.3 | |
Smithfield Foods, Inc. | | | 4,140,708 | | 1.3 | |
Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. | | | 4,131,864 | | 1.3 | |
Universal Corp. | | | 4,115,573 | | 1.3 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 43,628,341 | | 13.8 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Information Technology | | $ | 59,208,958 | | 19.4 | % |
Financials | | | 57,954,326 | | 19.0 | |
Industrials | | | 44,331,620 | | 14.5 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 32,631,120 | | 10.7 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 29,097,307 | | 9.5 | |
Materials | | | 22,527,072 | | 7.4 | |
Energy | | | 21,378,291 | | 7.0 | |
Utilities | | | 20,221,485 | | 6.6 | |
Health Care | | | 17,891,157 | | 5.9 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 305,241,336 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The fund components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
SMALL-MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–96.7% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–18.8% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.1% | | | | | |
CommScope, Inc.(a) | | 131,800 | | $ | 3,461,068 |
| | | | | |
COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–2.8% | | | | | |
NCR Corp.(a) | | 232,400 | | | 2,749,292 |
SanDisk Corp.(a) | | 179,600 | | | 2,638,324 |
Western Digital Corp.(a) | | 127,200 | | | 3,370,800 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,758,416 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–9.2% | | | | | |
Anixter International, Inc.(a) | | 99,400 | | | 3,736,446 |
Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a) | | 156,300 | | | 3,319,812 |
AU Optronics Corp. (Sponsored ADR) | | 281,400 | | | 2,723,952 |
Avnet, Inc.(a) | | 129,100 | | | 2,714,973 |
AVX Corp. | | 155,500 | | | 1,544,115 |
Benchmark Electronics, Inc.(a) | | 112,000 | | | 1,612,800 |
Flextronics International Ltd.(a) | | 812,600 | | | 3,339,786 |
Ingram Micro, Inc.–Class A(a) | | 196,400 | | | 3,437,000 |
Insight Enterprises, Inc.(a) | | 239,400 | | | 2,312,604 |
Tech Data Corp.(a) | | 128,600 | | | 4,206,506 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 28,947,994 |
| | | | | |
IT SERVICES–2.4% | | | | | |
Amdocs Ltd.(a) | | 76,100 | | | 1,632,345 |
Convergys Corp.(a) | | 266,600 | | | 2,474,048 |
Perot Systems Corp.–Class A(a) | | 251,500 | | | 3,603,995 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 7,710,388 |
| | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.3% | | | | | |
Amkor Technology, Inc.(a) | | 385,200 | | | 1,821,996 |
Lam Research Corp.(a) | | 60,500 | | | 1,573,000 |
Siliconware Precision Industries Co. (Sponsored ADR) | | 546,800 | | | 3,390,160 |
Teradyne, Inc.(a) | | 284,600 | | | 1,952,356 |
Zoran Corp.(a) | | 146,200 | | | 1,593,580 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 10,331,092 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 59,208,958 |
| | | | | |
FINANCIALS–18.4% | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL BANKS–2.8% | | | | | |
City National Corp./CA | | 46,500 | | | 1,712,595 |
Comerica, Inc. | | 78,300 | | | 1,656,045 |
Synovus Financial Corp. | | 148,100 | | | 442,819 |
Trustmark Corp. | | 80,200 | | | 1,549,464 |
Webster Financial Corp. | | 198,100 | | | 1,594,705 |
Whitney Holding Corp. | | 187,500 | | | 1,717,500 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,673,128 |
| | | | | |
INSURANCE–8.4% | | | | | |
Arch Capital Group Ltd.(a) | | 33,800 | | | 1,980,004 |
Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. | | 175,800 | | | 3,927,372 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Fidelity National Financial, Inc.–Class A | | 205,800 | | $ | 2,784,474 |
Old Republic International Corp. | | 286,875 | | | 2,825,719 |
PartnerRe Ltd. | | 31,600 | | | 2,052,420 |
Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. | | 134,300 | | | 3,839,637 |
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.–Class A | | 73,800 | | | 2,576,358 |
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. | | 33,600 | | | 1,563,744 |
StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. | | 116,500 | | | 3,341,220 |
Unum Group | | 100,900 | | | 1,600,274 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 26,491,222 |
| | | | | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–4.8% | | | | | |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | | 30,600 | | | 1,095,174 |
Brandywine Realty Trust | | 40,500 | | | 301,725 |
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | | 104,800 | | | 3,757,080 |
Home Properties, Inc. | | 76,400 | | | 2,605,240 |
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | | 60,000 | | | 2,202,600 |
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. | | 204,130 | | | 1,092,095 |
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers | | 89,500 | | | 2,902,485 |
Taubman Centers, Inc. | | 40,300 | | | 1,082,458 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 15,038,857 |
| | | | | |
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.6% | | | | | |
Brookfield Properties Corp. (New York) | | 247,100 | | | 1,969,387 |
| | | | | |
THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.8% | | | | | |
Astoria Financial Corp. | | 74,000 | | | 634,920 |
First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. | | 110,100 | | | 1,257,342 |
Provident Financial Services, Inc. | | 84,700 | | | 770,770 |
Washington Federal, Inc. | | 239,900 | | | 3,118,700 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 5,781,732 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 57,954,326 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–14.0% | | | | | |
AIRLINES–0.9% | | | | | |
Alaska Air Group, Inc.(a) | | 74,100 | | | 1,353,066 |
Skywest, Inc. | | 131,900 | | | 1,345,380 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,698,446 |
| | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.9% | | | | | |
Masco Corp. | | 157,100 | | | 1,505,018 |
Quanex Building Products Corp. | | 126,700 | | | 1,421,574 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,926,592 |
| | | | | |
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–1.1% | | | | | |
United Stationers, Inc.(a) | | 98,795 | | | 3,445,970 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–4.0% | | | | | |
Acuity Brands, Inc. | | 56,100 | | | 1,573,605 |
AO Smith Corp. | | 67,979 | | | 2,214,076 |
3
| | |
SMALL-MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Cooper Industries Ltd.–Class A | | 59,800 | | $ | 1,856,790 |
EnerSys(a) | | 212,500 | | | 3,865,375 |
Regal-Beloit Corp. | | 81,325 | | | 3,230,229 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 12,740,075 |
| | | | | |
MACHINERY–4.2% | | | | | |
Briggs & Stratton Corp. | | 220,200 | | | 2,937,468 |
Gardner Denver, Inc.(a) | | 120,900 | | | 3,043,053 |
Mueller Industries, Inc. | | 170,500 | | | 3,546,400 |
Terex Corp.(a) | | 317,000 | | | 3,826,190 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 13,353,111 |
| | | | | |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.9% | | | | | |
Kelly Services, Inc.–Class A | | 244,200 | | | 2,673,990 |
| | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–1.7% | | | | | |
Arkansas Best Corp. | | 30,000 | | | 790,500 |
Con-way, Inc. | | 70,700 | | | 2,496,417 |
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.(a) | | 276,900 | | | 2,212,431 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 5,499,348 |
| | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.3% | | | | | |
WESCO International, Inc.(a) | | 39,700 | | | 994,088 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 44,331,620 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–10.3% | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–0.3% | | | | | |
Autoliv, Inc. | | 38,500 | | | 1,107,645 |
| | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–0.7% | | | | | |
Thor Industries, Inc. | | 124,945 | | | 2,295,240 |
| | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.6% | | | | | |
Boyd Gaming Corp.(a) | | 224,400 | | | 1,907,400 |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.5% | | | | | |
Whirlpool Corp. | | 38,200 | | | 1,625,792 |
| | | | | |
LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.6% | | | | | |
Callaway Golf Co. | | 344,900 | | | 1,748,643 |
| | | | | |
MEDIA–0.4% | | | | | |
CBS Corp.–Class B | | 173,300 | | | 1,199,236 |
| | | | | |
MULTILINE RETAIL–1.3% | | | | | |
JC Penney Co., Inc. | | 141,700 | | | 4,068,207 |
| | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–5.2% | | | | | |
AutoNation, Inc.(a) | | 125,900 | | | 2,184,365 |
Foot Locker, Inc. | | 422,100 | | | 4,419,387 |
Limited Brands, Inc. | | 224,000 | | | 2,681,280 |
Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. | | 218,200 | | | 4,185,076 |
Signet Jewelers Ltd. | | 136,752 | | | 2,847,176 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 16,317,284 |
| | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.7% | | | | | |
Jones Apparel Group, Inc. | | 220,100 | | | 2,361,673 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 32,631,120 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–9.2% | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–1.3% | | | | | |
Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. | | 122,100 | | $ | 4,131,864 |
| | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.1% | | | | | |
Ruddick Corp. | | 179,700 | | | 4,210,371 |
Supervalu, Inc. | | 187,400 | | | 2,426,830 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,637,201 |
| | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–4.5% | | | | | |
Bunge Ltd. | | 60,400 | | | 3,639,100 |
Del Monte Foods Co. | | 314,900 | | | 2,953,762 |
Smithfield Foods, Inc.(a) | | 296,400 | | | 4,140,708 |
Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A | | 275,900 | | | 3,479,099 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 14,212,669 |
| | | | | |
TOBACCO–1.3% | | | | | |
Universal Corp. | | 124,300 | | | 4,115,573 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 29,097,307 |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS–7.1% | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–2.3% | | | | | |
Arch Chemicals, Inc. | | 87,569 | | | 2,153,322 |
Cytec Industries, Inc. | | 115,800 | | | 2,156,196 |
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.(a) | | 216,200 | | | 3,165,168 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 7,474,686 |
| | | | | |
CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–2.1% | | | | | |
Aptargroup, Inc. | | 41,800 | | | 1,411,586 |
Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a) | | 82,400 | | | 2,308,024 |
Sonoco Products Co. | | 119,300 | | | 2,857,235 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,576,845 |
| | | | | |
METALS & MINING–2.7% | | | | | |
Commercial Metals Co. | | 299,300 | | | 4,797,779 |
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | | 95,800 | | | 3,677,762 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,475,541 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 22,527,072 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY–6.8% | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.6% | | | | | |
Acergy SA (ADR) | | 89,978 | | | 885,384 |
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | | 109,000 | | | 3,364,830 |
Oil States International, Inc.(a) | | 102,300 | | | 2,476,683 |
Rowan Cos., Inc. | | 79,200 | | | 1,530,144 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,257,041 |
| | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–4.2% | | | | | |
Cimarex Energy Co. | | 171,600 | | | 4,863,144 |
Denbury Resources, Inc.(a) | | 201,300 | | | 2,965,149 |
Frontier Oil Corp. | | 104,700 | | | 1,372,617 |
Whiting Petroleum Corp.(a) | | 111,500 | | | 3,920,340 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 13,121,250 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 21,378,291 |
| | | | | |
4
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
UTILITIES–6.4% | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–2.9% | | | | | |
Allegheny Energy, Inc. | | 40,500 | | $ | 1,038,825 |
Northeast Utilities | | 204,300 | | | 4,557,933 |
Portland General Electric Co. | | 178,600 | | | 3,479,128 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 9,075,886 |
| | | | | |
GAS UTILITIES–1.3% | | | | | |
Atmos Energy Corp. | | 158,800 | | | 3,976,352 |
| | | | | |
INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.4% | | | | | |
RRI Energy, Inc.(a) | | 283,600 | | | 1,420,836 |
| | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–1.8% | | | | | |
CMS Energy Corp. | | 140,700 | | | 1,699,656 |
NiSource, Inc. | | 137,400 | | | 1,602,084 |
Wisconsin Energy Corp. | | 60,100 | | | 2,446,671 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 5,748,411 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 20,221,485 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–5.7% | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–5.7% | | | | | |
AMERIGROUP Corp.(a) | | 106,500 | | $ | 2,859,525 |
Coventry Health Care, Inc.(a) | | 112,900 | | | 2,112,359 |
Henry Schein, Inc.(a) | | 31,300 | | | 1,500,835 |
LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.(a) | | 118,545 | | | 3,111,806 |
Molina Healthcare, Inc.(a) | | 137,725 | | | 3,294,382 |
Omnicare, Inc. | | 88,000 | | | 2,266,880 |
Universal Health Services, Inc.–Class B | | 56,200 | | | 2,745,370 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 17,891,157 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–96.7% (cost $370,449,107) | | | | | 305,241,336 |
Other assets less liabilities–3.3% | | | | | 10,353,420 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 315,594,756 |
| | | | | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $370,449,107) | | $ | 305,241,336 | |
Cash | | | 8,137,372 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 4,174,096 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 1,229,174 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 190,515 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 318,972,493 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 2,490,360 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 489,073 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 198,662 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 45,110 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 26,340 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 197 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 127,995 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 3,377,737 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 315,594,756 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 31,192 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 454,808,013 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 821,437 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (74,858,115 | ) |
Net unrealized depreciation of investments | | | (65,207,771 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | 315,594,756 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 101,260,306 | | 9,989,926 | | $ | 10.14 |
B | | $ | 214,334,450 | | 21,201,945 | | $ | 10.11 |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $12,912) | | $ | 2,334,064 | |
Interest . | | | 15 | |
| | | | |
Total investment income . | | | 2,334,079 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 1,060,447 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 238,817 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 762 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 1,578 | |
Printing | | | 57,270 | |
Custodian | | | 51,110 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Audit | | | 22,800 | |
Legal | | | 16,819 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,286 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 5,828 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 1,502,557 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 831,522 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (46,341,749 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 65,709,617 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment transactions | | | 19,367,868 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 20,199,390 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 831,522 | | | $ | 3,081,608 | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (46,341,749 | ) | | | (14,228,745 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 65,709,617 | | | | (153,819,580 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 20,199,390 | | | | (164,966,717 | ) |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (1,145,821 | ) | | | (886,590 | ) |
Class B | | | (1,833,370 | ) | | | (1,131,047 | ) |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (4,471,498 | ) | | | (12,603,957 | ) |
Class B | | | (9,670,520 | ) | | | (26,638,678 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 9,561,987 | | | | 68,167,573 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 12,640,168 | | | | (138,059,416 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 302,954,588 | | | | 441,014,004 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $821,437 and $2,969,106, respectively) | | $ | 315,594,756 | | | $ | 302,954,588 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may frequently value 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
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is
9
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 305,241,336 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 305,241,336 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 305,241,336 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 305,241,336 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Portfolio did not engage in derivative transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’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 on an annual basis to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009, amounted to $176,829, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
11
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 57,433,436 | | | $ | 60,240,230 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 22,764,085 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (87,971,856 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | $ | (65,207,771 | ) |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 1,338,096 | | | 3,188,870 | | | | | $ | 13,078,106 | | | $ | 43,725,473 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 528,938 | | | 888,120 | | | | | | 5,617,319 | | | | 13,490,547 | |
Shares redeemed | | (1,956,382 | ) | | (2,549,644 | ) | | | | | (17,952,169 | ) | | | (35,836,202 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | (89,348 | ) | | 1,527,346 | | | | | $ | 743,256 | | | $ | 21,379,818 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 2,573,702 | | | 5,759,322 | | | | | $ | 24,590,631 | | | $ | 78,695,635 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 1,086,297 | | | 1,834,196 | | | | | | 11,503,890 | | | | 27,769,725 | |
Shares redeemed | | (3,026,457 | ) | | (4,328,466 | ) | | | | | (27,275,790 | ) | | | (59,677,605 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | 633,542 | | | 3,265,052 | | | | | $ | 8,818,731 | | | $ | 46,787,755 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 9,900,980 | | $ | 7,015,383 |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 31,359,292 | | | 27,694,721 |
| | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions | | | 41,260,272 | | | 34,710,104 |
| | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 41,260,272 | | $ | 34,710,104 |
| | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 2,893,318 | |
Undistributed long-term capital gains | | | 14,053,685 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (28,053,002 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (131,292,419 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (142,398,418 | )(c) |
| | | | |
(a) | Net capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers post-October capital losses of $28,053,002 to January 1, 2009. |
(b) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of the losses on wash sales. |
(c) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) is attributable to deferred income from an underlying security. |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants.
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
15
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
(unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $9.92 | | | $17.11 | | | $18.08 | | | $17.06 | | | $16.84 | | | $14.49 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .04 | | | .13 | | | .11 | | | .20 | | | .09 | (b) | | .14 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | .78 | | | (5.63 | ) | | .36 | | | 2.14 | | | 1.02 | | | 2.60 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .82 | | | (5.50 | ) | | .47 | | | 2.34 | | | 1.11 | | | 2.74 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.12 | ) | | (.11 | ) | | (.17 | ) | | (.08 | ) | | (.13 | ) | | (.03 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | (.48 | ) | | (1.58 | ) | | (1.27 | ) | | (1.24 | ) | | (.76 | ) | | (.36 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.60 | ) | | (1.69 | ) | | (1.44 | ) | | (1.32 | ) | | (.89 | ) | | (.39 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $10.14 | | | $9.92 | | | $17.11 | | | $18.08 | | | $17.06 | | | $16.84 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) | | 8.02 | % | | (35.58 | )% | | 1.71 | % | | 14.42 | % | | 6.91 | % | | 19.30 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $101,260 | | | $99,957 | | | $146,350 | | | $159,804 | | | $134,235 | | | $118,981 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .89 | %(d) | | .86 | % | | .83 | % | | .86 | %(e) | | .87 | % | | .86 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .89 | %(d) | | .86 | % | | .83 | % | | .86 | %(e) | | .87 | % | | 1.09 | % |
Net investment income | | .80 | %(d) | | .95 | % | | .59 | % | | 1.15 | %(e) | | .53 | %(b) | | .96 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 21 | % | | 49 | % | | 32 | % | | 46 | % | | 33 | % | | 30 | % |
See footnote summary on page 17.
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
(unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $9.87 | | | $17.03 | | | $18.00 | | | $16.99 | | | $16.79 | | | $14.46 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .02 | | | .10 | | | .07 | | | .16 | | | .05 | (b) | | .11 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | .79 | | | (5.61 | ) | | .37 | | | 2.13 | | | 1.01 | | | 2.59 | |
| | �� | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .81 | | | (5.51 | ) | | .44 | | | 2.29 | | | 1.06 | | | 2.70 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.09 | ) | | (.07 | ) | | (.14 | ) | | (.04 | ) | | (.10 | ) | | (.01 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | (.48 | ) | | (1.58 | ) | | (1.27 | ) | | (1.24 | ) | | (.76 | ) | | (.36 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.57 | ) | | (1.65 | ) | | (1.41 | ) | | (1.28 | ) | | (.86 | ) | | (.37 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $10.11 | | | $9.87 | | | $17.03 | | | $18.00 | | | $16.99 | | | $16.79 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) | | 7.95 | % | | (35.75 | )% | | 1.53 | % | | 14.20 | % | | 6.63 | % | | 19.08 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $214,334 | | | $202,997 | | | $294,664 | | | $251,412 | | | $186,415 | | | $142,516 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.14 | %(d) | | 1.11 | % | | 1.08 | % | | 1.11 | %(e) | | 1.12 | % | | 1.12 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.14 | %(d) | | 1.11 | % | | 1.08 | % | | 1.11 | %(e) | | 1.12 | % | | 1.34 | % |
Net investment income | | .48 | %(d) | | .72 | % | | .35 | % | | .91 | %(e) | | .29 | %(b) | | .75 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 21 | % | | 49 | % | | 32 | % | | 46 | % | | 33 | % | | 30 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser. |
(c) | 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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(e) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
See notes to financial statements.
17
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s
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relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Russell 2500 Value Index and the Russell 2500 Index, in each case for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended January 31, 2009 and (in the case of comparisons with the indices) the since inception period (May 2001 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1- and 3-year periods and 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the Russell 2500 Value Index in the 3-year and since inception periods but underperformed that index in the 1- and 5-year periods and outperformed the Russell 2500 Index in the since inception period but underperformed that index in the 1, 3- and 5-year periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. 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 also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
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CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points, plus the 2 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap), was higher than the Expense Group median and lower than the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
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SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
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Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Specialty | | 75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 65 bp on next $2.5 billion 60 bp on the balance | | $ | 234.4 | | Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $92,500 (0.02% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days written notice. It should be noted that the Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7, 2009. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
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SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Cap Pursuant to Expense Limitation Undertaking | | Gross Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year End |
Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio | | Class A 1.20% Class B 1.45% | | 0.86% 1.11% | | December 31 |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2009 net assets:
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Portfolio | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule | | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio | | $ | 234.4 | | Small & Mid Cap Value Schedule 95 bp on 1st $25m 75 bp on next $25m 65 bp on next $50m 55 bp on the balance Minimum account size $25m | | 0.635 | | 0.750 |
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
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The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Fund5. Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Small Mid/Cap Value Fund been applicable to the Portfolio:
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Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF
Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio | | Small/Mid Cap Value Fund | | 0.75% on first $2.5 billion 0.65% on next $2.5 billion 0.60% on the balance | | 0.750 | | 0.750 |
The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Funds had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to those Funds based on February 28, 2009 net assets and the Funds’ advisory fees:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | | | Fee Schedule | | Effective Sub-Adv. Fee (%) | | Portfolio Advisory Fee (%) |
Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio | | Client #1 | | 0.50% on 1st $250 million 0.45% on the balance | | 0.500 | | 0.750 |
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| | Client #2 | | 0.72% on 1st $25 million 0.54% on next $225 million 0.50% on the balance | | 0.559 | | 0.750 |
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| | Client #3 | | 0.95% on 1st $25 million 0.75% on next $25 million 0.65% on next $50 million 0.55% on the balance | | 0.635 | | 0.750 |
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| | Client #4 | | 0.80% on 1st $25 million 0.60% on the balance | | 0.621 | | 0.750 |
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| | Client #5 | | 0.613% on 1st $150 million 0.495% on the balance | | 0.571 | | 0.750 |
It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolios by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)6 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.7
5 | It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. |
6 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively Small average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
7 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
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SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee8 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Rank |
Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio | | 0.750 | | 0.776 | | 9/18 |
Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU9 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.
It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year ends. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.10
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Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)11 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio | | 0.860 | | 0.827 | | 10/18 | | 0.872 | | 15/30 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
8 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee would not reflect any advisory fee waivers or expense reimbursements related to expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee. |
9 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
10 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
11 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
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The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $651,922 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $271,358 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.12
The Portfolio may effect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Portfolio did not effect any brokerage transactions with and pay any commission to SCB. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,13 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli14 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.15 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared
12 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2008. |
13 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
14 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
15 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
25
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, and 5 year performance rankings of the Portfolio16 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)17 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.18
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –40.84 | | –40.87 | | –40.95 | | 9/18 | | 16/37 |
3 year | | –14.24 | | –14.12 | | –14.80 | | 10/17 | | 15/35 |
5 year | | –3.65 | | –3.36 | | –3.94 | | 10/15 | | 12/27 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)19 versus its benchmark.20 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.21
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio | | – | 40.84 | | – | 14.24 | | – | 3.65 | | 2.96 | | 17.78 | | – | 0.29 | | 5 |
Russell 2500 Value Index | | – | 37.71 | | – | 14.36 | | – | 3.21 | | 2.46 | | 17.06 | | – | 0.29 | | 5 |
Russell 2500 Index | | – | 38.74 | | – | 14.15 | | – | 3.52 | | 0.55 | | N/A | | | N/A | | 5 |
Inception Date: May 2, 2001 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
16 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
17 | The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
18 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
19 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
20 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. |
21 | Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
26
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Utility Income Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,021.02 | | $ | 6.06 | | 1.21 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,018.79 | | $ | 6.06 | | 1.21 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,019.26 | | $ | 7.26 | | 1.45 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,017.60 | | $ | 7.25 | | 1.45 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Entergy Corp. | | $ | 1,520,865 | | 4.3 | % |
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. | | | 1,419,405 | | 4.0 | |
FPL Group, Inc. | | | 1,398,756 | | 4.0 | |
AES Tiete SA | | | 1,395,342 | | 3.9 | |
NSTAR | | | 1,367,918 | | 3.9 | |
Sempra Energy | | | 1,343,682 | | 3.8 | |
EQT Corp. | | | 1,300,467 | �� | 3.7 | |
PG&E Corp. | | | 1,260,832 | | 3.6 | |
Exelon Corp. | | | 1,131,741 | | 3.2 | |
NRG Energy, Inc. | | | 1,061,764 | | 3.0 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 13,200,772 | | 37.4 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Utilities (Common Stocks and Bonds) | | $ | 28,083,315 | | 86.0 | % |
Telecommunication Services | | | 2,957,883 | | 9.1 | |
Energy | | | 647,771 | | 2.0 | |
Funds and Investment Trusts | | | 534,327 | | 1.7 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 309,289 | | 0.9 | |
Other Instruments | | | 109,560 | | 0.3 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 32,642,145 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The fund components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–90.0% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
UTILITIES–78.9% | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–32.4% | | | | | |
Allegheny Energy, Inc. | | 24,650 | | $ | 632,273 |
American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | 22,683 | | | 655,312 |
Cia de Transmissao de Energia Eletrica Paulista | | 19,100 | | | 464,560 |
CLP Holdings Ltd. | | 41,500 | | | 274,986 |
CPFL Energia SA (ADR) | | 7,100 | | | 343,924 |
DPL, Inc. | | 5,200 | | | 120,484 |
Duke Energy Corp. | | 28,748 | | | 419,433 |
Eletropaulo Metropolitana Eletricidade de Sao Paulo SA–Class B | | 50,044 | | | 878,292 |
Entergy Corp. | | 19,619 | | | 1,520,865 |
Exelon Corp. | | 22,100 | | | 1,131,741 |
FirstEnergy Corp. | | 10,000 | | | 387,500 |
FPL Group, Inc. | | 24,600 | | | 1,398,756 |
HongKong Electric Holdings | | 37,000 | | | 205,540 |
ITC Holdings Corp. | | 16,550 | | | 750,708 |
Northeast Utilities | | 16,100 | | | 359,191 |
PPL Corp. | | 21,500 | | | 708,640 |
Progress Energy, Inc. | | 12,700 | | | 480,441 |
The Southern Co. | | 22,400 | | | 697,984 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 11,430,630 |
| | | | | |
GAS UTILITIES–13.1% | | | | | |
Atmos Energy Corp. | | 15,800 | | | 395,632 |
EQT Corp. | | 37,252 | | | 1,300,467 |
Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd. | | 145,000 | | | 304,382 |
New Jersey Resources Corp. | | 17,650 | | | 653,756 |
Northwest Natural Gas Co. | | 9,529 | | | 422,325 |
Oneok, Inc. | | 21,000 | | | 619,290 |
Questar Corp. | | 25,500 | | | 792,030 |
Southwest Gas Corp. | | 5,365 | | | 119,157 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,607,039 |
| | | | | |
INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–9.5% | | | | | |
The AES Corp.(a) | | 46,600 | | | 541,026 |
AES Tiete SA | | 148,274 | | | 1,395,342 |
NRG Energy, Inc.(a) | | 40,900 | | | 1,061,764 |
Tractebel Energia SA | | 37,100 | | | 354,054 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,352,186 |
| | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–23.4% | | | | | |
Centerpoint Energy, Inc. | | 40,500 | | | 448,740 |
CMS Energy Corp. | | 43,100 | | | 520,648 |
Consolidated Edison, Inc. | | 15,600 | | | 583,752 |
GDF Suez | | 14,192 | | | 531,240 |
NSTAR | | 42,601 | | | 1,367,918 |
PG&E Corp. | | 32,800 | | | 1,260,832 |
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. | | 43,500 | | | 1,419,405 |
Sempra Energy | | 27,074 | | | 1,343,682 |
Xcel Energy, Inc. | | 41,600 | | | 765,856 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,242,073 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | | |
WATER UTILITIES–0.5% | | | | | | |
American Water Works Co. Inc | | | 9,400 | | $ | 179,634 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | 27,811,562 |
| | | | | | |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–8.4% | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–7.4% | | | | | | |
AT&T, Inc. | | | 13,505 | | | 335,464 |
CenturyTel, Inc. | | | 6,500 | | | 199,550 |
Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. (ADR) | | | 38,304 | | | 759,569 |
Qwest Communications International, Inc. | | | 65,900 | | | 273,485 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 11,500 | | | 353,395 |
Windstream Corp. | | | 80,900 | | | 676,324 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | 2,597,787 |
| | | | | | |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.0% | | | | | | |
America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR) | | | 9,300 | | | 360,096 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | 2,957,883 |
| | | | | | |
ENERGY–1.8% | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–1.8% | | | | | | |
TransCanada Corp. | | | 11,600 | | | 312,156 |
Williams Cos, Inc. | | | 21,500 | | | 335,615 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | 647,771 |
| | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–0.9% | | | | | | |
MEDIA–0.9% | | | | | | |
Time Warner Cable, Inc. | | | 9,766 | | | 309,289 |
| | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $30,553,671) | | | | | | 31,726,505 |
| | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–1.5% | | | | | | |
FUNDS AND INVESTMENT TRUSTS–1.5% | | | | | | |
Tortoise Energy Capital Corp. (cost $585,280) | | | 29,834 | | | 534,327 |
| | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | |
CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–0.8% | | | | | | |
UTILITY–0.8% | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC–0.8% | | | | | | |
Nisource Finance Corp. 10.75%, 3/15/16 (cost $249,158) | | $ | 245 | | | 271,753 |
| | | | | | |
3
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
NON-CONVERTIBLE– PREFERRED STOCKS–0.3% | | | | | |
OTHER INSTRUMENTS–0.3% | | | | | |
Georgia Power Co. 6.00% (cost $110,000) | | 4,400 | | $ | 109,560 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–92.6% (cost $31,498,109) | | | | | 32,642,145 |
Other assets less liabilities–7.4% | | | | | 2,612,967 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 35,255,112 |
| | | | | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
4
| | |
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $31,498,109) | | $ | 32,642,145 | |
Cash | | | 2,306,843 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 400,251 | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | | 136,239 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 55,362 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 35,540,840 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts | | | 180,804 | |
Custodian fee payable | | | 27,109 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 26,090 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 15,673 | |
Legal fee payable | | | 14,582 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 4,745 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 1,653 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 213 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 14,859 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 285,728 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 35,255,112 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 2,216 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 37,776,684 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 773,838 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (4,447,144 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 1,149,518 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 35,255,112 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 27,076,568 | | 1,700,039 | | $ | 15.93 |
B | | $ | 8,178,544 | | 515,513 | | $ | 15.86 |
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $6,052) | | $ | 1,005,513 | |
Interest | | | 7,892 | |
| | | | |
Total investment income | | | 1,013,405 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 95,431 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 9,730 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 837 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 243 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Custodian | | | 45,156 | |
Legal | | | 12,116 | |
Audit | | | 4,480 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,250 | |
Printing | | | 1,012 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 2,880 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 218,975 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 794,430 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | (3,271,774 | ) |
Foreign currency transactions | | | (8,315 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 2,908,457 | |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 5,315 | |
| | | | |
Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (366,317 | ) |
| | | | |
Contributions from Adviser (see Note B) | | | 822 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 428,935 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
| | |
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 794,430 | | | $ | 1,699,640 | |
Net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (3,280,089 | ) | | | (1,222,224 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 2,913,772 | | | | (28,525,338 | ) |
Contributions from Adviser | | | 822 | | | | 49,941 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 428,935 | | | | (27,997,981 | ) |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (1,289,805 | ) | | | (1,577,599 | ) |
Class B | | | (358,348 | ) | | | (353,633 | ) |
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (6,441,134 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (1,605,745 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (2,516,265 | ) | | | (9,482,558 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total decrease | | | (3,735,483 | ) | | | (47,458,650 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 38,990,595 | | | | 86,449,245 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $773,838 and $1,627,561, respectively) | | $ | 35,255,112 | | | $ | 38,990,595 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is current income and long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may frequently value 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
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 30,410,358 | | | $ | 1,316,147 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 31,726,505 | |
Preferred Stocks | | | –0 | – | | | 109,560 | | | | –0 | – | | | 109,560 | |
Corporates—Investment Grades | | | –0 | – | | | 271,753 | | | | –0 | – | | | 271,753 | |
Investment Companies | | | 534,327 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 534,327 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 30,944,685 | | | | 1,697,460 | | | | –0 | – | | | 32,642,145 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 30,944,685 | | | $ | 1,697,460 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 32,642,145 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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.
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In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30. 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Portfolio did not engage in derivative transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser reimbursed the Portfolio $822 and $49,941, respectively, for losses incurred due to trade entry errors.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009 amounted to $23,505, of which $2,340 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 8,631,870 | | | $ | 13,792,968 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purpose. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 3,075,449 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (1,931,413 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 1,144,036 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for no-hedging purposes as a means of making a direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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, or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
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For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 30,715 | | | 774,837 | | | | | $ | 486,870 | | | $ | 19,592,925 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 83,052 | | | 325,832 | | | | | | 1,289,805 | | | | 8,018,733 | |
Shares redeemed | | (271,993 | ) | | (1,557,564 | ) | | | | | (4,167,002 | ) | | | (35,770,851 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (158,226 | ) | | (456,895 | ) | | | | $ | (2,390,327 | ) | | $ | (8,159,193 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 22,955 | | | 107,904 | | | | | $ | 347,288 | | | $ | 2,468,513 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 23,149 | | | 80,007 | | | | | | 358,348 | | | | 1,959,378 | |
Shares redeemed | | (53,345 | ) | | (261,296 | ) | | | | | (831,574 | ) | | | (5,751,256 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (7,241 | ) | | (73,385 | ) | | | | $ | (125,938 | ) | | $ | (1,323,365 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 2,358,169 | | $ | 1,852,090 |
Long-term capital gains | | | 7,619,942 | | | 63,238 |
| | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions | | | 9,978,111 | | | 1,915,328 |
| | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 9,978,111 | | $ | 1,915,328 |
| | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 1,641,568 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (1,069,281 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (1,876,036 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (1,303,749 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of $661,813 of which $661,813 expires in the year 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Net capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers post October capital losses of $393,461 and post October foreign currency losses of $14,007 to January 1, 2009. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
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NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
NOTE J: Plan of Liquidation and Termination
At the meeting of the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Directors”) held on May 6, 2009, the Directors approved a Plan of Liquidation and Termination (the “Plan”) which provides for the complete liquidation of all of the assets of the Portfolio and the payment of all known obligations. The Plan also provides that following the liquidation of the Portfolio’s assets, the Portfolio will cease its business as an investment company and will not engage in any business activities except for the purpose of winding up its business and affairs, and distributing its remaining assets to shareholders in accordance with the Plan. The liquidation is expected to be consummated in the third quarter of 2009 and the liquidating distributions will be made shortly thereafter.
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $16.40 | | | $29.73 | | | $24.85 | | | $20.64 | | | $18.17 | | | $14.95 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .36 | | | .62 | | | .65 | | | .59 | | | .53 | | | .43 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | (.04 | ) | | (10.29 | ) | | 4.85 | | | 4.20 | | | 2.35 | | | 3.13 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | .00 | (c) | | .02 | | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .32 | | | (9.65 | ) | | 5.50 | | | 4.79 | | | 2.88 | | | 3.56 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.79 | ) | | (.72 | ) | | (.60 | ) | | (.58 | ) | | (.41 | ) | | (.34 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | –0 | – | | (2.96 | ) | | (.02 | ) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.79 | ) | | (3.68 | ) | | (.62 | ) | | (.58 | ) | | (.41 | ) | | (.34 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $15.93 | | | $16.40 | | | $29.73 | | | $24.85 | | | $20.64 | | | $18.17 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 2.10 | %* | | (36.59 | )%* | | 22.35 | %* | | 23.76 | % | | 16.05 | % | | 24.33 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $27,077 | | | $30,475 | | | $68,833 | | | $65,490 | | | $58,468 | | | $52,391 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.21 | %(e) | | .98 | % | | .90 | % | | .95 | %(f) | | .97 | % | | 1.08 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.21 | %(e) | | .98 | % | | .90 | % | | .95 | %(f) | | .97 | % | | 1.21 | % |
Net investment income | | 4.63 | %(e) | | 2.66 | % | | 2.39 | % | | 2.67 | %(f) | | 2.72 | % | | 2.69 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 26 | % | | 38 | % | | 34 | % | | 48 | % | | 52 | % | | 48 | % |
See footnote summary on page 16.
15
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $16.29 | | | $29.55 | | | $24.72 | | | $20.54 | | | $18.10 | | | $14.92 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | .34 | | | .56 | | | .58 | | | .53 | | | .48 | | | .38 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | (.04 | ) | | (10.23 | ) | | 4.82 | | | 4.19 | | | 2.34 | | | 3.13 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | .00 | (c) | | .02 | | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .30 | | | (9.65 | ) | | 5.40 | | | 4.72 | | | 2.82 | | | 3.51 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.73 | ) | | (.65 | ) | | (.55 | ) | | (.54 | ) | | (.38 | ) | | (.33 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | –0 | – | | (2.96 | ) | | (.02 | ) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.73 | ) | | (3.61 | ) | | (.57 | ) | | (.54 | ) | | (.38 | ) | | (.33 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $15.86 | | | $16.29 | | | $29.55 | | | $24.72 | | | $20.54 | | | $18.10 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | 1.93 | %* | | (36.75 | )%* | | 22.04 | %* | | 23.49 | % | | 15.76 | % | | 24.01 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $8,178 | | | $8,516 | | | $17,616 | | | $13,896 | | | $9,766 | | | $6,517 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.45 | %(e) | | 1.23 | % | | 1.16 | % | | 1.20 | %(f) | | 1.22 | % | | 1.30 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 1.45 | %(e) | | 1.23 | % | | 1.16 | % | | 1.20 | %(f) | | 1.22 | % | | 1.43 | % |
Net investment income | | 4.40 | %(e) | | 2.42 | % | | 2.14 | % | | 2.41 | %(f) | | 2.45 | % | | 2.41 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 26 | % | | 38 | % | | 34 | % | | 48 | % | | 52 | % | | 48 | % |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser. |
(c) | Amount is less than $0.005. |
(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. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(f) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the six months ended June 30, 2009, the year ended December 31, 2008 and the year ended December 31, 2007 by 0.01%, 0.55% and 0.27%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
16
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UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s
17
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Utility Composite (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2009 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (May 1994 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-, 5- and 10-year periods and 5th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, and that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in all periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 Adviser informed the directors that there are no institutional products managed by it that have an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and noted that the Adviser charged institutional clients lower fees for advising comparably sized institutional accounts using strategies that differ from those of the Portfolio but which involved investments in securities of the same type that the Portfolio invests in (i.e., equity securities). The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the
18
| | |
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 55 basis points, plus the 14 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s assets had declined significantly, primarily as a result of market declines rather than redemptions, and that the Portfolio’s fixed costs had resulted in an increase in the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s small size (less than $35 million as of February 29, 2009) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in the administrative expense reimbursement, which does not vary with a Portfolio’s size, having a significant effect on the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds generally. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
19
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UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Value | | 55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
45 bp on next $2.5 billion
40 bp on the balance | | $ | 33.7 | | Utility Income Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $91,250 (0.14% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | |
Portfolio | | Total Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year |
Utility Income Portfolio | | Class A 0.98% Class B 1.23% | | December 31 |
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7 2009. At this meeting, the Board approved the liquidation and termination of the AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio, which may consummated in the 3rd quarter of 2009 and the liquidation distributions made shortly thereafter. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
20
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UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio.
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Utility Income Fund, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Utility Income Fund, Inc.4 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Utility Income Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Utility Income Portfolio | | Utility Income Fund, Inc. | | 0.55% on first $2.5 billion 0.45% on next $2.5 billion 0.40% on the balance | | 0.550 | | 0.550 |
The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s
4 | It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. |
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)5 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio. 6
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee7 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Rank |
Utility Income Portfolio | | 0.550 | | 0.700 | | 1/9 |
Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU8 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.
It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year ends. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.9
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)10 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Utility Income Portfolio | | 0.979 | | 0.799 | | 8/9 | | 0.823 | | 11/12 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
5 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
6 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
7 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. |
8 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
9 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
10 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
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UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $33,214 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $47,029 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.11
The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,12 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
11 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2008. |
12 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
23
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli13 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.14 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year net performance rankings of the Portfolio15 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)16 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.17
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –33.65 | | –33.65 | | –33.70 | | 5/9 | | 6/12 |
3 year | | –3.41 | | –1.10 | | –1.00 | | 8/9 | | 10/12 |
5 year | | 5.91 | | 5.91 | | 5.91 | | 4/7 | | 5/9 |
10 year | | 2.42 | | 2.07 | | 2.31 | | 3/6 | | 4/8 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)18 versus its benchmark.19
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | 10 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) |
Utility Income Portfolio | | – | 33.65 | | – | 3.41 | | 5.91 | | 2.42 | | 6.88 |
S&P 500 Utility Composite | | – | 24.26 | | – | 0.18 | | 7.70 | | 3.11 | | 7.11 |
Inception Date: May 11, 1994 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
13 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
14 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
15 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
16 | The Portfolio’s PG/PU is identical to the Portfolio’s EG/EU. |
17 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
18 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
19 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. |
24
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each classes’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each classes’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each classes’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Value Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 988.41 | | $ | 3.60 | | 0.73 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,021.17 | | $ | 3.66 | | 0.73 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 988.70 | | $ | 4.83 | | 0.98 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,019.93 | | $ | 4.91 | | 0.98 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | $ | 12,423,007 | | 6.5 | % |
AT&T, Inc. | | | 8,259,300 | | 4.3 | |
Chevron Corp. | | | 6,399,750 | | 3.3 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | 6,343,500 | | 3.3 | |
JP Morgan Chase & Co. | | | 5,522,409 | | 2.9 | |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 4,420,172 | | 2.3 | |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | | 4,070,933 | | 2.1 | |
News Corp.—Class A | | | 3,744,210 | | 1.9 | |
Time Warner, Inc. | | | 3,666,807 | | 1.9 | |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | | 3,643,188 | | 1.9 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 58,493,276 | | 30.4 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Financials | | $ | 37,068,181 | | 19.8 | % |
Energy | | | 35,300,956 | | 18.8 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 25,353,921 | | 13.5 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 24,696,045 | | 13.2 | |
Health Care | | | 21,804,879 | | 11.6 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 14,200,334 | | 7.6 | |
Information Technology | | | 13,121,062 | | 7.0 | |
Industrials | | | 8,428,329 | | 4.5 | |
Materials | | | 5,264,624 | | 2.8 | |
Utilities | | | 2,338,094 | | 1.2 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 187,576,425 | | 100 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The fund components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–97.5% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
FINANCIALS–19.3% | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–3.5% | | | | | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | 35,100 | | $ | 2,141,100 |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | 17,400 | | | 2,565,456 |
Morgan Stanley | | 68,200 | | | 1,944,382 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,650,938 |
| | | | | |
COMMERCIAL BANKS–3.9% | | | | | |
BB&T Corp. | | 13,500 | | | 296,730 |
Regions Financial Corp. | | 115,200 | | | 465,408 |
U.S. Bancorp | | 131,700 | | | 2,360,064 |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | 182,200 | | | 4,420,172 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 7,542,374 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE–0.4% | | | | | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | 32,600 | | | 713,288 |
| | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–3.3% | | | | | |
Bank of America Corp. | | 62,600 | | | 826,320 |
JP Morgan Chase & Co. | | 161,900 | | | 5,522,409 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,348,729 |
| | | | | |
INSURANCE–8.2% | | | | | |
ACE Ltd. | | 42,100 | | | 1,862,083 |
Allstate Corp. | | 84,500 | | | 2,061,800 |
Fidelity National Financial, Inc.–Class A | | 62,700 | | | 848,331 |
Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A | | 110,000 | | | 768,900 |
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. | | 51,000 | | | 605,370 |
Lincoln National Corp. | | 93,200 | | | 1,603,972 |
MetLife, Inc. | | 73,500 | | | 2,205,735 |
PartnerRe Ltd. | | 4,300 | | | 279,285 |
Prudential Financial, Inc. | | 14,300 | | | 532,246 |
Torchmark Corp. | | 12,700 | | | 470,408 |
The Travelers Co., Inc. | | 50,100 | | | 2,056,104 |
Unum Group | | 95,000 | | | 1,506,700 |
XL Capital Ltd.–Class A | | 88,300 | | | 1,011,918 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 15,812,852 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 37,068,181 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY–18.4% | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.3% | | | | | |
ENSCO International, Inc. | | 13,000 | | | 453,310 |
| | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–18.1% | | | | | |
Apache Corp. | | 34,500 | | | 2,489,175 |
BP PLC (Sponsored ADR) | | 21,300 | | | 1,015,584 |
Chevron Corp. | | 96,600 | | | 6,399,750 |
ConocoPhillips | | 74,100 | | | 3,116,646 |
Devon Energy Corp. | | 53,200 | | | 2,899,400 |
EOG Resources, Inc. | | 15,900 | | | 1,079,928 |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | 177,700 | | | 12,423,007 |
Nexen, Inc. | | 22,300 | | | 482,795 |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 32,900 | | | 2,165,149 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC (ADR) | | 42,700 | | | 2,143,113 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Sunoco, Inc. | | 14,900 | | $ | 345,680 |
Total SA (Sponsored ADR) | | 5,300 | | | 287,419 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 34,847,646 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 35,300,956 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–13.2% | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–0.6% | | | | | |
Autoliv, Inc. | | 18,800 | | | 540,876 |
Magna International, Inc.–Class A | | 14,500 | | | 612,480 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,153,356 |
| | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–0.6% | | | | | |
Toyota Motor Corp. (Sponsored ADR) | | 16,600 | | | 1,253,798 |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.4% | | | | | |
DR Horton, Inc. | | 12,400 | | | 116,064 |
NVR, Inc.(a) | | 1,200 | | | 602,868 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 718,932 |
| | | | | |
MEDIA–6.6% | | | | | |
CBS Corp.–Class B | | 210,000 | | | 1,453,200 |
Comcast Corp.–Class A | | 34,900 | | | 505,701 |
News Corp.–Class A | | 411,000 | | | 3,744,210 |
Time Warner Cable, Inc.–Class A | | 58,600 | | | 1,855,862 |
Time Warner, Inc. | | 145,566 | | | 3,666,807 |
Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a) | | 52,400 | | | 1,189,480 |
The Walt Disney Co. | | 13,500 | | | 314,955 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 12,730,215 |
| | | | | |
MULTILINE RETAIL–1.2% | | | | | |
JC Penney Co., Inc. | | 35,300 | | | 1,013,463 |
Macy’s, Inc. | | 108,000 | | | 1,270,080 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,283,543 |
| | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–3.2% | | | | | |
AutoNation, Inc.(a) | | 50,500 | | | 876,175 |
Foot Locker, Inc. | | 40,400 | | | 422,988 |
The Gap, Inc. | | 89,200 | | | 1,462,880 |
Home Depot, Inc. | | 78,000 | | | 1,843,140 |
Limited Brands, Inc. | | 39,500 | | | 472,815 |
Lowe’s Cos, Inc. | | 50,900 | | | 987,969 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,065,967 |
| | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.6% | | | | | |
Jones Apparel Group, Inc. | | 107,000 | | | 1,148,110 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 25,353,921 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–12.8% | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–1.8% | | | | | |
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. | | 93,000 | | | 1,548,450 |
Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. | | 54,000 | | | 1,827,360 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,375,810 |
| | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.6% | | | | | |
The Kroger Co. | | 59,500 | | | 1,311,975 |
3
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Safeway, Inc. | | 44,900 | | $ | 914,613 |
Sysco Corp. | | 39,300 | | | 883,464 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,110,052 |
| | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–5.4% | | | | | |
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. | | 92,500 | | | 2,476,225 |
Bunge Ltd. | | 34,100 | | | 2,054,525 |
ConAgra Foods, Inc. | | 73,500 | | | 1,400,910 |
Del Monte Foods Co. | | 76,600 | | | 718,508 |
Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A | | 65,900 | | | 1,669,906 |
Sara Lee Corp. | | 119,800 | | | 1,169,248 |
Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A | | 74,600 | | | 940,706 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 10,430,028 |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–2.1% | | | | | |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | 79,666 | | | 4,070,933 |
| | | | | |
TOBACCO–1.9% | | | | | |
Altria Group, Inc. | | 133,000 | | | 2,179,870 |
Reynolds American, Inc. | | 39,600 | | | 1,529,352 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,709,222 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 24,696,045 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–11.3% | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.9% | | | | | |
Amgen, Inc.(a) | | 33,400 | | | 1,768,196 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.5% | | | | | |
Cardinal Health, Inc. | | 34,700 | | | 1,060,085 |
| | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–9.9% | | | | | |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | 47,500 | | | 1,645,400 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC (Sponsored ADR) | | 34,500 | | | 1,219,230 |
Johnson & Johnson | | 53,000 | | | 3,010,400 |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | 130,300 | | | 3,643,188 |
Pfizer, Inc. | | 422,900 | | | 6,343,500 |
Schering-Plough Corp. | | 124,000 | | | 3,114,880 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 18,976,598 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 21,804,879 |
| | | | | |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–7.4% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–5.8% | | | | | |
AT&T, Inc. | | 332,500 | | | 8,259,300 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | 93,200 | | | 2,864,036 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 11,123,336 |
| | | | | |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.6% | | | | | |
Sprint Nextel Corp.(a) | | 335,000 | | | 1,611,350 |
Vodafone Group PLC (Sponsored ADR) | | 75,200 | | | 1,465,648 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,076,998 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 14,200,334 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–6.8% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–3.2% | | | | | |
Motorola, Inc. | | 416,500 | | $ | 2,761,395 |
Nokia OYJ (Sponsored ADR)–Class A | | 196,200 | | | 2,860,596 |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Sponsored ADR)–Class B | | 54,500 | | | 533,010 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 6,155,001 |
| | | | | |
COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–0.4% | | | | | |
Western Digital Corp.(a) | | 31,600 | | | 837,400 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–2.5% | | | | | |
AU Optronics Corp. (Sponsored ADR) | | 88,800 | | | 859,584 |
Corning, Inc. | | 115,300 | | | 1,851,718 |
Tyco Electronics Ltd. | | 105,400 | | | 1,959,386 |
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(a) | | 5,500 | | | 37,345 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,708,033 |
| | | | | |
SOFTWARE–0.7% | | | | | |
Symantec Corp.(a) | | 91,300 | | | 1,420,628 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 13,121,062 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–4.4% | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.0% | | | | | |
Northrop Grumman Corp. | | 31,900 | | | 1,457,192 |
Raytheon Co. | | 12,000 | | | 533,160 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,990,352 |
| | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.4% | | | | | |
Masco Corp. | | 75,370 | | | 722,045 |
| | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.3% | | | | | |
Cooper Industries Ltd.–Class A | | 18,000 | | | 558,900 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.6% | | | | | |
3M Co. | | 12,500 | | | 751,250 |
General Electric Co. | | 203,000 | | | 2,379,160 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 3,130,410 |
| | | | | |
MACHINERY–1.1% | | | | | |
Caterpillar, Inc. | | 28,300 | | | 935,032 |
Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd.–Class A(a) | | 45,200 | | | 944,680 |
SPX Corp. | | 3,000 | | | 146,910 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,026,622 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 8,428,329 |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS–2.7% | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–2.1% | | | | | |
E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. | | 103,400 | | | 2,649,108 |
Eastman Chemical Co. | | 38,000 | | | 1,440,200 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,089,308 |
| | | | | |
4
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.6% | | | | | |
Ball Corp. | | 4,600 | | $ | 207,736 |
Sonoco Products Co. | | 40,400 | | | 967,580 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,175,316 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 5,264,624 |
| | | | | |
UTILITIES–1.2% | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.7% | | | | | |
American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | 18,900 | | | 546,021 |
Pinnacle West Capital Corp. | | 26,600 | | | 801,990 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,348,011 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.4% | | | | | |
RRI Energy, Inc.(a) | | 154,100 | | $ | 772,041 |
| | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–0.1% | | | | | |
NiSource, Inc. | | 18,700 | | | 218,042 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,338,094 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–97.5% (cost $221,534,129) | | | | | 187,576,425 |
Other assets less liabilities–2.5% | | | | | 4,811,074 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 192,387,499 |
| | | | | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $221,534,129) | | $ | 187,576,425 | |
Cash | | | 3,968,765 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 1,718,243 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 357,530 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 41,771 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 193,662,734 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 953,391 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 88,680 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 76,992 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 40,014 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 26,590 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 124 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 89,444 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,275,235 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 192,387,499 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 26,464 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 319,376,369 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 2,068,980 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (95,126,610 | ) |
Net unrealized depreciation of investments | | | (33,957,704 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | 192,387,499 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 1,387,398 | | 189,436 | | $ | 7.32 |
B | | $ | 191,000,101 | | 26,274,444 | | $ | 7.27 |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $49,550) | | $ | 3,021,920 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 493,951 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 222,854 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 8 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 1,072 | |
Administrative | | | 45,840 | |
Custodian | | | 42,968 | |
Legal | | | 30,364 | |
Audit | | | 22,800 | |
Printing | | | 16,494 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,250 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 4,540 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 882,141 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 2,139,779 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (64,205,277 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 58,543,447 | |
| | | | |
Net loss on investment transactions | | | (5,661,830 | ) |
| | | | |
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | (3,522,051 | ) |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 2,139,779 | | | $ | 6,336,018 | |
Net realized loss on investment transactions | | | (64,205,277 | ) | | | (30,055,914 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 58,543,447 | | | | (119,837,734 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net decrease in net assets from operations | | | (3,522,051 | ) | | | (143,557,630 | ) |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (49,401 | ) | | | (57,044 | ) |
Class B | | | (6,182,378 | ) | | | (6,041,578 | ) |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (127,985 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (15,403,529 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 3,570,953 | | | | 31,235,456 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total decrease | | | (6,182,877 | ) | | | (133,952,310 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 198,570,376 | | | | 332,522,686 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,068,980 and $6,160,980, respectively) | | $ | 192,387,499 | | | $ | 198,570,376 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may frequently value 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
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
9
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 187,576,425 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 187,576,425 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 187,576,425 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 187,576,425 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“Fin 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
10
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Portfolio did not engage in derivative transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’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 on an annual basis to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, there were no such expenses waived by the Adviser.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $45,840 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009, amounted to $117,135, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The
11
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 61,234,953 | | | $ | 59,472,629 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for the financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 12,794,785 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (46,752,489 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | $ | (33,957,704 | ) |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Portfolio may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal type of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods, in which they may be used are:
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
12
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 18,463 | | | 24,081 | | | | | $ | 128,109 | | | $ | 254,818 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 6,552 | | | 15,317 | | | | | | 49,401 | | | | 185,029 | |
Shares redeemed | | (29,893 | ) | | (82,461 | ) | | | | | (210,270 | ) | | | (955,799 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | (4,878 | ) | | (43,063 | ) | | | | $ | (32,760 | ) | | $ | (515,952 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 1,812,507 | | | 4,461,742 | | | | | $ | 12,883,439 | | | $ | 52,208,769 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 826,521 | | | 1,790,076 | | | | | | 6,182,378 | | | | 21,445,107 | |
Shares redeemed | | (2,317,520 | ) | | (4,173,196 | ) | | | | | (15,462,104 | ) | | | (41,902,468 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | 321,508 | | | 2,078,622 | | | | | $ | 3,603,713 | | | $ | 31,751,408 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments
13
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 10,155,739 | | $ | 4,471,057 |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 11,474,397 | | | 8,623,809 |
| | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 21,630,136 | | $ | 13,094,866 |
| | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 6,160,980 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (30,921,333 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (92,501,151 | ) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (117,261,504 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of $14,448,964 of which $14,448,964 expires in the year 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Net capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio defers post-October capital losses of $16,472,369 to January 1, 2009. |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defend-
14
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
ants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
15
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| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $7.67 | | | $13.92 | | | $15.08 | | | $12.94 | | | $12.63 | | | $11.20 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (b) | | .09 | | | .27 | | | .32 | | | .26 | | | .22 | (c) | | .25 | (c) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | (.17 | ) | | (5.62 | ) | | (.85 | ) | | 2.42 | | | .49 | | | 1.18 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | (.08 | ) | | (5.35 | ) | | (.53 | ) | | 2.68 | | | .71 | | | 1.43 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.27 | ) | | (.28 | ) | | (.21 | ) | | (.16 | ) | | (.18 | ) | | –0 | – |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | –0 | – | | (.62 | ) | | (.42 | ) | | (.38 | ) | | (.22 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.27 | ) | | (.90 | ) | | (.63 | ) | | (.54 | ) | | (.40 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $7.32 | | | $7.67 | | | $13.92 | | | $15.08 | | | $12.94 | | | $12.63 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | (1.16 | )%* | | (40.83 | )%* | | (3.95 | )% | | 21.32 | % | | 5.74 | % | | 12.77 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $1,387 | | | $1,490 | | | $3,305,460 | | | $1,043,677 | | | $290,673 | | | $5,699 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .73 | %(e) | | .67 | % | | .65 | % | | .69 | %(f) | | .73 | % | | .79 | %(e) |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .73 | %(e) | | .67 | % | | .65 | % | | .69 | %(f) | | .74 | % | | .98 | %(e) |
Net investment income | | 2.63 | %(e) | | 2.46 | % | | 2.17 | % | | 1.89 | %(f) | | 1.74 | %(c) | | 2.02 | %(c)(e) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 34 | % | | 33 | % | | 20 | % | | 17 | % | | 21 | % | | 27 | % |
See footnote summary on page 17.
16
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $7.59 | | | $13.79 | | | $14.95 | | | $12.84 | | | $12.54 | | | $11.16 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (b) | | .08 | | | .24 | | | .27 | | | .22 | | | .17 | (c) | | .17 | (c) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | (.16 | ) | | (5.58 | ) | | (.83 | ) | | 2.40 | | | .50 | | | 1.31 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | (.08 | ) | | (5.34 | ) | | (.56 | ) | | 2.62 | | | .67 | | | 1.48 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.24 | ) | | (.24 | ) | | (.18 | ) | | (.13 | ) | | (.15 | ) | | (.10 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | –0 | – | | (.62 | ) | | (.42 | ) | | (.38 | ) | | (.22 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.24 | ) | | (.86 | ) | | (.60 | ) | | (.51 | ) | | (.37 | ) | | (.10 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $7.27 | | | $7.59 | | | $13.79 | | | $14.95 | | | $12.84 | | | $12.54 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | (1.13 | )%* | | (41.01 | )%* | | (4.16 | )% | | 21.03 | % | | 5.48 | % | | 13.37 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $191,000 | | | $197,080 | | | $329,217 | | | $308,635 | | | $191,583 | | | $151,793 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .98 | %(e) | | .92 | % | | .90 | % | | .94 | %(f) | | .98 | % | | .97 | % |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | .98 | %(e) | | .92 | % | | .90 | % | | .94 | %(f) | | .99 | % | | 1.15 | % |
Net investment income | | 2.38 | %(e) | | 2.24 | % | | 1.82 | % | | 1.64 | %(f) | | 1.38 | %(c) | | 1.45 | %(c) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 34 | % | | 33 | % | | 20 | % | | 17 | % | | 21 | % | | 27 | % |
(a) | There were no Class A shares outstanding for the period May 11, 2004 through October 3, 2004. |
(b) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) | Net of expenses waiver or 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. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(f) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
* | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlement, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 by 0.02% and 0.02%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
17
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VALUE PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-7, 2009.
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 an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio 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 AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.
The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, 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 Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio 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 research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2007 and 2008 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s
18
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 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 the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2009 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended January 31, 2009 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (July 2002 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods, and that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in all periods reviewed. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2009 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that relative investment performance had improved in the most recent months and that the Portfolio had outperformed the Index, although it continued to lag the Lipper VA Large Cap Value Funds Average. Based on their review and their discussion of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance with the Adviser, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was acceptable. The directors determined to closely monitor the Portfolio’s performance.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. 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 also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with an investment style substantially similar to that of the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. 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 also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and
19
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VALUE PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
(Continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. 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 Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.
The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 55 basis points, plus the 3 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that in light of the Portfolio’s historical investment performance, they had asked the Adviser to address the continued appropriateness of the Portfolio’s fee rate. In response the Adviser informed the directors that the Adviser had begun to implement changes and enhancements to address investment performance and discussed the new leadership for the Adviser effective December 2008. The Adviser further noted, among other things, that while it would take time to realize the benefits of these changes, relative investment performance in 2009 had shown improvement. The directors noted that they had discussed their concerns about the relative performance of a number of the AllianceBernstein equity funds with senior management of the Adviser. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap), was lower than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 establishing breakpoints that give effect to 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
20
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VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE CAPS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Value | | 55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
45 bp on next $2.5 billion
40 bp on the balance | | $ | 151.8 | | Value Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $90,250 (0.03% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.
The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days written notice. It should be noted that the Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2009 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 5-7, 2009. |
2 | Future references to the Portfolio and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Portfolios, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
21
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VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:
| | | | | | |
Fund | | Expense Cap Pursuant to Expense Limitation Undertaking | | Gross Expense Ratio | | Fiscal Year End |
Value Portfolio | | Class A 1.20% Class B 1.45% | | 0.67% 0.92% | | December 31 |
I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2009 net assets:
| | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Net Assets 02/28/09 ($MIL) | | AllianceBernstein (“AB”) Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule | | Effective AB Inst. Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Value Portfolio | | $ | 151.8 | | Diversified Value Schedule 65 bp on 1st $25m 50 bp on next $25m 40 bp on next $50m 30 bp on next $100m 25 bp on the balance Minimum account size $25m | | 0.424 | | 0.550 |
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
22
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Value Fund, a retail mutual fund which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Value Fund5. Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Value Fund been applicable to the Portfolio:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee (%) | | Effective Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Value Portfolio | | Value Fund | | 0.55% on first $2.5 billion 0.45% on next $2.5 billion 0.40% on the balance | | 0.550 | | 0.550 |
The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Funds had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to those Funds based on February 28, 2009 net assets and the Funds’ advisory fees:
| | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | | | Fee Schedule | | Effective Sub-Adv. Fee (%) | | | Portfolio Advisory Fee (%) |
Value Portfolio | | Client #1 | | 0.25% on 1st $500 million 0.20% on the balance | | 0.250 | | | 0.550 |
| | | | |
| | Client #26,7 | | 0.50% on 1st $1 billion 0.40% on next $1 billion 0.30% on next $1 billion 0.20% on the balance | | 0.500 | | | 0.550 |
| | | | |
| | Client #37 | | 0.23% on 1st $300 million 0.20% on the balance | | 0.230 | | | 0.550 |
| | | | |
| | Client #47 | | 0.23% on 1st $300 million 0.20% on the balance | | 0.230 | | | 0.550 |
| | | | |
| | Client #5 | | 0.15% on 1st $1 billion 0.14% on next $2 billion 0.12% on next $2 billion 0.10% thereafter +/– Performance Fee8 | | 0.150 | 9 | | 0.550 |
| | | | |
| | Client #6 | | 0.35% | | 0.350 | | | 0.550 |
It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.
5 | It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Portfolio was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Portfolio. |
6 | The client is an affiliate of the Adviser. |
7 | Assets are aggregated with other General Equity Portfolios for purposes of calculating the investment advisory fee. |
8 | The performance fee is calculated by multiplying the Base Fee during the period by an adjustment factor that considers the excess or under performance of the fund versus its benchmark over a cumulative 36-month period. The performance adjustment factor can range from –50% to +50% of the base fee. |
9 | This calculation excludes the performance fee. |
23
| | |
VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)10 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.11
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee12 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Rank |
Value Portfolio | | 0.550 | | 0.760 | | 2/18 |
Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU13 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.
It should be noted that Lipper uses expense ratio data from financial statements of the most current fiscal year in their database. This has several implications: the total expense ratio of each fund that Lipper uses in their report is based on each fund’s average net assets during its fiscal year. Since funds have different fiscal year ends, the total expense ratios of the funds may cover different twelve month periods, depending on the funds’ fiscal year ends. This is the process that Lipper utilizes but given bear market conditions during 2008, especially the last three months of 2008, the effects on the funds’ total expense ratio caused by the differences in fiscal year ends may be more pronounced in 2008 compared to other years under more normal market conditions.14
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)15 | | Lipper Exp. Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Exp. Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Value Portfolio | | 0.672 | | 0.793 | | 2/18 | | 0.801 | | 10/41 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has equally favorable rankings on a management fee basis and a total expense ratio basis.
10 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Portfolios with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized Portfolios that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different Portfolios categorize expenses differently. |
11 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
12 | The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee would not reflect any advisory fee waivers or expense reimbursements related to expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee. |
13 | Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. |
14 | To cite an example, the average net assets and total expense ratio of a fund with a fiscal year end of March 31, 2008 will not be reflective of the market declines that occurred in the second half of 2008, in contrast to a fund with a fiscal year end of December 31, 2008. |
15 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
24
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2008, relative to 2007.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $702,304 in Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $342,647 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $969 from the Portfolio.16
The Portfolio may affect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Portfolio did not effect any brokerage transactions with and pay any commission to SCB. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.
16 | The Portfolio (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Portfolio) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2008. |
25
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VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,17 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli18 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.19 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $411 billion as of March 31, 2009, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3 and 5 year performance rankings of the Portfolio20 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)21 for the periods ended January 31, 2009.22
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Portfolio Return | | PG Median (%) | | PU Median (%) | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –16.03 | | –12.38 | | –12.54 | | 18/18 | | 50/56 |
3 year | | –6.65 | | –3.91 | | –4.21 | | 16/16 | | 39/48 |
5 year | | –45.39 | | –39.37 | | –40.87 | | 18/18 | | 51/59 |
17 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
18 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
19 | The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
20 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
21 | The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including or excluding a Portfolio from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
22 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if a Portfolio had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
26
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)23 versus its benchmark.24 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.25
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending January 31, 2009 Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | 5 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%) | | Annualized | | Risk Period (Year) |
| | | | | | Volatility (%) | | Sharpe (%) | |
Value Portfolio | | – | 45.39 | | – | 16.03 | | – | 6.65 | | 0.46 | | 14.66 | | – | 0.61 | | 5 |
Russell 1000 Value Index | | – | 41.78 | | – | 13.09 | | – | 3.52 | | 2.78 | | 13.92 | | – | 0.41 | | 5 |
Inception Date: July 22, 2002 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: June 1, 2009
23 | The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
24 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2009. |
25 | Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio. |
27
AllianceBernstein
Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio |
Semi-Annual Report
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Investment Products Offered
| Ø | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees of other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of each class’ 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. The estimate of expenses does not include fees of other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.
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 second line of each class’ table 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio | | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2009 | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2009 | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,040.15 | | $ | 4.55 | | 0.90 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,020.33 | | $ | 4.51 | | 0.90 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,038.72 | | $ | 5.81 | | 1.15 | % |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | 1,019.09 | | $ | 5.76 | | 1.15 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS* | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
JP Morgan Chase & Co. | | $ | 484,533 | | 2.7 | % |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | 451,166 | | 2.5 | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 349,666 | | 1.9 | |
Google, Inc.—Class A | | | 328,840 | | 1.8 | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 321,586 | | 1.8 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | | | 278,464 | | 1.6 | |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | | | 274,028 | | 1.5 | |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | 241,820 | | 1.3 | |
AT&T, Inc. | | | 231,012 | | 1.3 | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | | 230,171 | | 1.3 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 3,191,286 | | 17.7 | % |
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
| | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Financials | | $ | 4,907,579 | | 27.9 | % |
Information Technology | | | 2,164,599 | | 12.3 | |
Energy | | | 2,059,148 | | 11.7 | |
Health Care | | | 1,888,268 | | 10.7 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 1,879,577 | | 10.7 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 1,465,793 | | 8.3 | |
Industrials | | | 1,155,311 | | 6.6 | |
Materials | | | 870,285 | | 4.9 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 765,602 | | 4.4 | |
Utilities | | | 436,380 | | 2.5 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 17,592,542 | | 100.0 | % |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
2
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–97.6% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
FINANCIALS–27.2% | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–4.9% | | | | | |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | | 660 | | $ | 19,345 |
The Blackstone Group LP | | 6,356 | | | 66,992 |
Credit Suisse Group AG | | 1,943 | | | 89,021 |
Deutsche Bank AG | | 951 | | | 57,812 |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | | 395 | | | 28,444 |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | 3,060 | | | 451,166 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | | 1,077 | | | 41,887 |
Macquarie Group Ltd. | | 700 | | | 21,915 |
Man Group PLC | | 9,494 | | | 43,519 |
Morgan Stanley | | 2,000 | | | 57,020 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 877,121 |
| | | | | |
COMMERCIAL BANKS–4.9% | | | | | |
ABSA Group Ltd. | | 600 | | | 8,562 |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | | 2,300 | | | 30,481 |
Banco do Brasil SA | | 2,100 | | | 22,666 |
Banco Santander Central Hispano SA | | 5,378 | | | 65,010 |
Barclays PLC | | 3,100 | | | 14,406 |
BB&T Corp. | | 850 | | | 18,683 |
BNP Paribas SA | | 1,138 | | | 74,212 |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | | 600 | | | 18,808 |
Credit Agricole SA | | 2,459 | | | 30,832 |
HSBC Holdings PLC | | 1,678 | | | 13,980 |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.–Class H | | 38,000 | | | 26,322 |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA(a) | | 8,100 | | | 26,175 |
Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ADR) | | 1,150 | | | 18,204 |
KB Financial Group, Inc.(a) | | 600 | | | 20,003 |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC | | 29,890 | | | 34,457 |
National Australia Bank Ltd. | | 1,000 | | | 18,016 |
National Bank of Canada | | 200 | | | 9,242 |
Nordea Bank AB | | 2,030 | | | 16,133 |
Regions Financial Corp. | | 3,200 | | | 12,928 |
Societe Generale–Class A | | 562 | | | 30,849 |
Standard Bank Group Ltd. | | 1,800 | | | 20,708 |
Standard Chartered PLC | | 3,736 | | | 70,248 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | | 600 | | | 24,279 |
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi(a) | | 6,500 | | | 17,292 |
U.S. Bancorp | | 3,700 | | | 66,304 |
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | | 1,000 | | | 10,091 |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | 6,300 | | | 152,838 |
Westpac Banking Corp. | | 759 | | | 12,349 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 884,078 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE–0.3% | | | | | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | 1,400 | | | 30,632 |
ORIX Corp. | | 300 | | | 17,856 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 48,488 |
| | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–4.0% | | | | | |
Bank of America Corp. | | 3,000 | | | 39,600 |
CME Group, Inc.–Class A | | 355 | | | 110,444 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Deutsche Boerse AG | | 326 | | $ | 25,371 |
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. | | 2,500 | | | 38,641 |
ING Group | | 3,000 | | | 30,393 |
JP Morgan Chase & Co. | | 14,205 | | | 484,533 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 728,982 |
| | | | | |
INSURANCE–3.1% | | | | | |
ACE Ltd. | | 1,000 | | | 44,230 |
Allianz SE | | 350 | | | 32,285 |
Allstate Corp. | | 2,200 | | | 53,680 |
Aviva PLC | | 4,570 | | | 25,731 |
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. | | 50 | | | 12,552 |
Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A | | 3,000 | | | 20,970 |
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. | | 2,300 | | | 27,301 |
Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. | | 300 | | | 6,641 |
Lincoln National Corp. | | 1,600 | | | 27,536 |
MetLife, Inc. | | 2,150 | | | 64,522 |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG (MunichRe) | | 300 | | | 40,532 |
PartnerRe Ltd. | | 500 | | | 32,475 |
QBE Insurance Group Ltd. | | 1,528 | | | 24,451 |
Torchmark Corp. | | 550 | | | 20,372 |
The Travelers Co., Inc. | | 1,350 | | | 55,404 |
Unum Group | | 2,700 | | | 42,822 |
XL Capital Ltd.–Class A | | 2,800 | | | 32,088 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 563,592 |
| | | | | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–6.2% | | | | | |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | | 260 | | | 9,305 |
Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust | | 20,000 | | | 21,805 |
BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. | | 850 | | | 8,696 |
Boston Properties, Inc. | | 550 | | | 26,235 |
Brandywine Realty Trust | | 1,965 | | | 14,639 |
British Land Co. PLC | | 1,293 | | | 8,142 |
Camden Property Trust | | 305 | | | 8,418 |
Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust | | 1,318 | | | 27,875 |
CapitaMall Trust | | 10,220 | | | 9,829 |
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | | 1,620 | | | 8,732 |
Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust | | 1,100 | | | 14,640 |
Corio NV | | 180 | | | 8,779 |
Corporate Office Properties Trust | | 1,025 | | | 30,063 |
Developers Diversified Realty Corp. | | 3,200 | | | 15,616 |
Dexus Property Group | | 40,222 | | | 24,200 |
DiamondRock Hospitality Co. | | 1,350 | | | 8,451 |
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | | 775 | | | 27,784 |
Duke Realty Corp. | | 1,000 | | | 8,770 |
DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. | | 900 | | | 8,478 |
Entertainment Properties Trust | | 575 | | | 11,845 |
Equity Residential | | 225 | | | 5,002 |
Eurocommercial Properties NV | | 300 | | | 9,265 |
3
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Extra Space Storage, Inc. | | 1,100 | | $ | 9,185 |
First Potomac Realty Trust | | 900 | | | 8,775 |
Fonciere Des Regions | | 175 | | | 13,195 |
Government Properties Income Trust(a) | | 500 | | | 10,265 |
Great Portland Estates PLC | | 3,281 | | | 11,890 |
H&R Real Estate Investment Trust | | 1,000 | | | 9,440 |
HCP, Inc. | | 860 | | | 18,223 |
Health Care REIT, Inc. | | 525 | | | 17,902 |
Home Properties, Inc. | | 425 | | | 14,492 |
Hospitality Properties Trust | | 400 | | | 4,756 |
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | 1,066 | | | 8,944 |
ING Office Fund | | 20,600 | | | 7,612 |
Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.–Class A | | 2 | | | 16,590 |
Kilroy Realty Corp. | | 180 | | | 3,697 |
Kite Realty Group Trust | | 2,100 | | | 6,132 |
Klepierre | | 1,599 | | | 41,438 |
Land Securities Group PLC | | 2,773 | | | 21,564 |
LaSalle Hotel Properties | | 300 | | | 3,702 |
Liberty International PLC | | 900 | | | 5,900 |
The Link REIT | | 4,500 | | | 9,564 |
Macerich Co. | | 542 | | | 9,545 |
Mack-Cali Realty Corp. | | 1,125 | | | 25,650 |
Macquarie CountryWide Trust | | 10,133 | | | 4,411 |
Mercialys SA | | 153 | | | 4,727 |
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | | 385 | | | 14,133 |
Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust | | 1,500 | | | 12,445 |
National Retail Properties, Inc. | | 550 | | | 9,542 |
Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. | | 420 | | | 10,811 |
Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc.–Class A | | 3 | | | 19,072 |
Orix JREIT, Inc.–Class A | | 1 | | | 4,579 |
Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust | | 1,681 | | | 17,111 |
ProLogis | | 1,550 | | | 12,493 |
Public Storage | | 115 | | | 7,530 |
Rayonier, Inc. | | 425 | | | 15,449 |
Realty Income Corp. | | 200 | | | 4,384 |
Regency Centers Corp. | | 375 | | | 13,091 |
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (Toronto) | | 997 | | | 13,097 |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | | 1,069 | | | 54,979 |
SL Green Realty Corp. | | 270 | | | 6,194 |
Societe Immobiliere de Location pour l’Industrie et le Commerce | | 100 | | | 8,847 |
Stockland | | 5,040 | | | 13,001 |
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. | | 1,885 | | | 10,085 |
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers | | 375 | | | 12,161 |
Taubman Centers, Inc. | | 510 | | | 13,699 |
UDR, Inc. | | 850 | | | 8,780 |
Unibail-Rodamco | | 652 | | | 97,483 |
Ventas, Inc. | | 925 | | | 27,620 |
Vornado Realty Trust | | 310 | | | 13,959 |
Weingarten Realty Investors | | 525 | | | 7,618 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Wereldhave NV | | 170 | | $ | 12,673 |
Westfield Group | | 8,501 | | | 77,804 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,122,808 |
| | | | | |
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–3.8% | | | |
Agile Property Holdings Ltd. | | 14,000 | | | 19,946 |
Brookfield Properties Corp. (New York) | | 1,200 | | | 9,564 |
Brookfield Properties Corp. (Toronto) | | 1,300 | | | 10,282 |
China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. | | 16,000 | | | 36,928 |
China Vanke Co. Ltd.–Class B | | 9,000 | | | 12,971 |
First Capital Realty, Inc. | | 600 | | | 8,594 |
GAGFAH SA | | 1,100 | | | 9,140 |
Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. | | 8,000 | | | 45,650 |
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc. | | 300 | | | 9,819 |
Kerry Properties Ltd. | | 6,449 | | | 28,092 |
Lend Lease Corp. Ltd. | | 8,227 | | | 46,298 |
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. | | 3,000 | | | 49,805 |
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. | | 3,900 | | | 67,642 |
Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA | | 2,300 | | | 23,464 |
New World Development Co., Ltd. | | 30,786 | | | 55,416 |
NTT Urban Development Corp. | | 41 | | | 39,523 |
Savills PLC | | 2,800 | | | 13,237 |
Sino-Ocean Land Holdings Ltd. | | 14,500 | | | 16,465 |
Sumitomo Realty & Development | | 2,000 | | | 36,517 |
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | | 8,700 | | | 108,035 |
Swire Pacific Ltd. | | 1,000 | | | 10,038 |
Yanlord Land Group Ltd. | | 16,000 | | | 25,084 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 682,510 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 4,907,579 |
| | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–12.0% | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–3.0% | | | | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc.(a) | | 8,075 | | | 150,518 |
Motorola, Inc. | | 9,700 | | | 64,311 |
Nokia OYJ | | 3,000 | | | 43,942 |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | 5,350 | | | 241,820 |
Research In Motion Ltd.(a) | | 208 | | | 14,778 |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson–Class B | | 3,000 | | | 29,554 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 544,923 |
| | | | | |
COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–4.0% | | | | | |
Apple, Inc.(a) | | 2,455 | | | 349,666 |
Fujitsu Ltd. | | 5,000 | | | 27,161 |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | | 7,090 | | | 274,028 |
Toshiba Corp. | | 6,000 | | | 21,738 |
Western Digital Corp.(a) | | 1,700 | | | 45,050 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 717,643 |
| | | | | |
4
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.9% | | | | | |
AU Optronics Corp. | | 11,000 | | $ | 10,618 |
Corning, Inc. | | 2,500 | | | 40,150 |
FUJIFILM Holdings Corp. | | 600 | | | 19,095 |
Keyence Corp. | | 100 | | | 20,373 |
Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd. | | 2,000 | | | 22,359 |
Tyco Electronics Ltd. | | 2,900 | | | 53,911 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 166,506 |
| | | | | |
INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–2.0% | | | | | |
Google, Inc.–Class A(a) | | 780 | | | 328,840 |
Telecity Group PLC(a) | | 1,875 | | | 9,206 |
Tencent Holdings Ltd. | | 2,000 | | | 23,205 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 361,251 |
| | | | | |
IT SERVICES–0.4% | | | | | |
Visa, Inc.–Class A | | 970 | | | 60,392 |
| | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.4% | | | | | |
Altera Corp. | | 1,485 | | | 24,176 |
ASML Holding NV | | 1,062 | | | 23,019 |
Intel Corp. | | 6,665 | | | 110,306 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | 70 | | | 32,366 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | 9,000 | | | 14,771 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 5,450 | | | 51,284 |
United Microelectronics Corp. | | 72 | | | 24 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 255,946 |
| | | | | |
SOFTWARE–0.3% | | | | | |
SAP AG | | 395 | | | 15,926 |
Symantec Corp.(a) | | 2,700 | | | 42,012 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 57,938 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,164,599 |
| | | | | |
ENERGY–11.4% | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.3% | | | | | |
Cameron International Corp.(a) | | 2,325 | | | 65,798 |
ENSCO International, Inc. | | 450 | | | 15,691 |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a) | | 895 | | | 29,231 |
Rowan Cos., Inc. | | 850 | | | 16,422 |
Saipem SpA | | 1,400 | | | 34,204 |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | 4,245 | | | 229,697 |
Tenaris SA | | 1,953 | | | 26,643 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 417,686 |
| | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–9.1% | | | | | |
Apache Corp. | | 2,145 | | | 154,762 |
BG Group PLC | | 3,335 | | | 56,160 |
BP PLC | | 7,400 | | | 58,473 |
Chevron Corp. | | 2,900 | | | 192,125 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
ConocoPhillips | | 2,600 | | $ | 109,356 |
Devon Energy Corp. | | 1,500 | | | 81,750 |
ENI SpA | | 1,600 | | | 37,947 |
EOG Resources, Inc. | | 1,450 | | | 98,484 |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | 4,600 | | | 321,586 |
LUKOIL (OTC US) (Sponsored ADR) | | 600 | | | 26,692 |
Nexen, Inc. | | 401 | | | 8,712 |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 1,900 | | | 125,039 |
Petro-Canada | | 800 | | | 30,895 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR) | | 1,950 | | | 79,911 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored ADR) | | 450 | | | 15,012 |
PTT PCL | | 2,400 | | | 16,484 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A | | 2,600 | | | 65,149 |
StatoilHydro ASA | | 4,105 | | | 81,087 |
Suncor Energy Inc | | 547 | | | 16,634 |
Sunoco, Inc. | | 250 | | | 5,800 |
Total SA | | 1,096 | | | 59,404 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,641,462 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 2,059,148 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–10.5% | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–2.4% | | | | | |
Amgen, Inc.(a) | | 700 | | | 37,058 |
Celgene Corp.(a) | | 2,445 | | | 116,969 |
Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a) | | 5,945 | | | 278,464 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 432,491 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.0% | | | | | |
Alcon, Inc. | | 650 | | | 75,478 |
Baxter International, Inc. | | 1,295 | | | 68,583 |
Covidien PLC | | 600 | | | 22,464 |
St. Jude Medical, Inc.(a) | | 300 | | | 12,330 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 178,855 |
| | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.8% | | | | | |
Cardinal Health, Inc. | | 800 | | | 24,440 |
Celesio AG | | 300 | | | 6,891 |
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA | | 250 | | | 11,234 |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a) | | 2,100 | | | 95,781 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 138,346 |
| | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–6.3% | | | | | |
AstraZeneca PLC | | 1,300 | | | 57,320 |
Bayer AG | | 500 | | | 26,870 |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | 1,600 | | | 55,424 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | | 2,600 | | | 45,925 |
Johnson & Johnson | | 1,500 | | | 85,200 |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | 4,800 | | | 134,208 |
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp. | | 1,000 | | | 11,489 |
Novartis AG | | 900 | | | 36,636 |
Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B | | 740 | | | 40,304 |
Pfizer, Inc. | | 12,400 | | | 186,000 |
Roche Holding AG | | 332 | | | 45,236 |
5
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Sanofi-Aventis | | 1,665 | | $ | 98,385 |
Schering-Plough Corp. | | 3,400 | | | 85,408 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored ADR) | | 4,665 | | | 230,171 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,138,576 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,888,268 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–10.4% | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–0.1% | | | | | |
Denso Corp. | | 700 | | | 17,943 |
| | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–0.8% | | | | | |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG | | 434 | | | 16,394 |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | | 800 | | | 22,009 |
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. | | 5,000 | | | 30,344 |
Renault SA(a) | | 800 | | | 29,557 |
Toyota Motor Corp. | | 500 | | | 18,909 |
Toyota Motor Corp. (Sponsored ADR) | | 420 | | | 31,723 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 148,936 |
| | | | | |
DISTRIBUTORS–0.1% | | | | | |
Genuine Parts Co. | | 200 | | | 6,712 |
Li & Fung Ltd. | | 4,000 | | | 10,680 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 17,392 |
| | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.2% | | | | | |
Carnival PLC | | 1,543 | | | 41,096 |
Compass Group PLC | | 3,793 | | | 21,410 |
McDonald’s Corp. | | 2,120 | | | 121,879 |
TABCORP Holdings Ltd. | | 2,800 | | | 16,114 |
Thomas Cook Group PLC | | 2,500 | | | 8,471 |
TUI Travel PLC | | 2,600 | | | 9,939 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 218,909 |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.6% | | | | | |
DR Horton, Inc. | | 1,900 | | | 17,784 |
Electrolux AB Series B(a) | | 500 | | | 6,995 |
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | | 1,000 | | | 13,554 |
Sharp Corp. | | 2,000 | | | 20,749 |
Sony Corp. | | 900 | | | 23,480 |
Whirlpool Corp. | | 750 | | | 31,920 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 114,482 |
| | | | | |
INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–0.2% | | | | | |
Amazon.Com, Inc.(a) | | 510 | | | 42,666 |
| | | | | |
LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.0% | | | | | |
Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc. | | 800 | | | 8,774 |
| | | | | |
MEDIA–3.5% | | | | | |
British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC | | 2,048 | | | 15,374 |
CBS Corp.–Class B | | 5,900 | | | 40,828 |
Comcast Corp.–Class A | | 1,000 | | | 14,490 |
Lagardere SCA | | 475 | | | 15,836 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Liberty Media Corp.–Entertainment Series A(a) | | 1,375 | | $ | 36,781 |
News Corp.–Class A | | 12,300 | | | 112,053 |
Pearson PLC | | 1,186 | | | 11,944 |
SES SA (FDR) | | 1,649 | | | 31,532 |
Time Warner Cable, Inc.–Class A | | 3,743 | | | 118,541 |
Time Warner, Inc. | | 4,133 | | | 104,110 |
Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a) | | 1,800 | | | 40,860 |
The Walt Disney Co. | | 3,430 | | | 80,022 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 622,371 |
| | | | | |
MULTILINE RETAIL–1.8% | | | | | |
JC Penney Co., Inc. | | 1,400 | | | 40,194 |
Kohl’s Corp.(a) | | 3,470 | | | 148,343 |
Macy’s, Inc. | | 2,000 | | | 23,520 |
Next PLC | | 810 | | | 19,625 |
Takashimaya Co. Ltd. | | 1,000 | | | 7,871 |
Target Corp. | | 2,015 | | | 79,532 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 319,085 |
| | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.8% | | | | | |
AutoNation, Inc.(a) | | 1,700 | | | 29,495 |
Foot Locker, Inc. | | 1,700 | | | 17,799 |
The Gap, Inc. | | 1,700 | | | 27,880 |
Hennes & Mauritz AB–Class B | | 341 | | | 17,028 |
Home Depot, Inc. | | 2,200 | | | 51,986 |
Kingfisher PLC | | 8,448 | | | 24,785 |
Limited Brands, Inc. | | 2,600 | | | 31,122 |
Lowe’s Cos, Inc. | | 6,010 | | | 116,654 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 316,749 |
| | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.3% | | | | | |
Jones Apparel Group, Inc. | | 2,200 | | | 23,606 |
Nike, Inc.–Class B | | 440 | | | 22,783 |
Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd. | | 2,500 | | | 5,881 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 52,270 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,879,577 |
| | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–8.2% | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–1.5% | | | | | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV | | 1,240 | | | 44,962 |
The Coca-Cola Co. | | 265 | | | 12,717 |
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. | | 3,300 | | | 54,945 |
Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. | | 1,300 | | | 43,992 |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | 2,055 | | | 112,943 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 269,559 |
| | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.3% | | | | | |
Aeon Co. Ltd. | | 1,800 | | | 17,761 |
Casino Guichard Perrachon SA | | 100 | | | 6,773 |
Costco Wholesale Corp. | | 2,710 | | | 123,847 |
Delhaize Group | | 300 | | | 21,121 |
Koninklijke Ahold NV | | 1,800 | | | 20,751 |
The Kroger Co. | | 1,400 | | | 30,870 |
Metro AG | | 400 | | | 19,111 |
Safeway, Inc. | | 1,250 | | | 25,462 |
Sysco Corp. | | 1,100 | | | 24,728 |
6
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Tesco PLC | | 11,004 | | $ | 64,262 |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | | 1,225 | | | 59,339 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 414,025 |
| | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–2.0% | | | | | |
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. | | 2,600 | | | 69,602 |
Associated British Foods PLC | | 1,500 | | | 18,897 |
Bunge Ltd. | | 625 | | | 37,656 |
ConAgra Foods, Inc. | | 1,700 | | | 32,402 |
Del Monte Foods Co. | | 2,000 | | | 18,760 |
General Mills, Inc. | | 375 | | | 21,008 |
Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A | | 1,900 | | | 48,146 |
Nestle SA | | 1,011 | | | 38,174 |
Sara Lee Corp. | | 3,400 | | | 33,184 |
Smithfield Foods, Inc.(a) | | 1,300 | | | 18,161 |
Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A | | 2,200 | | | 27,742 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 363,732 |
| | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.3% | | | | | |
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | | 430 | | | 30,418 |
Kimberly-Clark Corp. | | 325 | | | 17,040 |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | 2,485 | | | 126,983 |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | 1,046 | | | 47,769 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 222,210 |
| | | | | |
PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.1% | | | | | |
L’Oreal SA | | 231 | | | 17,340 |
| | | | | |
TOBACCO–1.0% | | | | | |
Altria Group, Inc. | | 3,400 | | | 55,726 |
British American Tobacco PLC | | 1,758 | | | 48,528 |
Lorillard, Inc. | | 475 | | | 32,191 |
Reynolds American, Inc. | | 1,100 | | | 42,482 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 178,927 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,465,793 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–6.4% | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.6% | | | | | |
BAE Systems PLC | | 4,501 | | | 25,152 |
Bombardier, Inc.–Class B | | 2,400 | | | 7,118 |
Northrop Grumman Corp. | | 1,000 | | | 45,680 |
Raytheon Co. | | 725 | | | 32,212 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 110,162 |
| | | | | |
AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS–0.3% | | | | | |
Deutsche Post AG | | 1,150 | | | 15,016 |
FedEx Corp. | | 755 | | | 41,993 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 57,009 |
| | | | | |
AIRLINES–0.1% | | | | | |
Deutsche Lufthansa AG | | 600 | | | 7,535 |
Qantas Airways Ltd. | | 7,000 | | | 11,335 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 18,870 |
| | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.1% | | | | | |
Masco Corp. | | 2,700 | | | 25,866 |
| | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.1% | | | | | |
China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd.–Class H(a) | | 7,500 | | | 11,509 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.3% | | | | | |
Cooper Industries Ltd.–Class A | | 500 | | $ | 15,525 |
Emerson Electric Co. | | 2,545 | | | 82,458 |
Gamesa Corp. Tecnologica SA | | 1,380 | | | 26,310 |
Schneider Electric SA | | 300 | | | 22,961 |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S(a) | | 439 | | | 31,505 |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S (ADR)(a) | | 2,600 | | | 62,010 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 240,769 |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.9% | | | | | |
Bidvest Group Ltd. | | 1,200 | | | 15,058 |
General Electric Co. | | 11,000 | | | 128,920 |
Textron, Inc. | | 1,900 | | | 18,354 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 162,332 |
| | | | | |
MACHINERY–1.6% | | | | | |
Atlas Copco AB–Class A | | 1,661 | | | 16,725 |
Caterpillar, Inc. | | 800 | | | 26,432 |
Crane Co. | | 600 | | | 13,386 |
Danaher Corp. | | 1,290 | | | 79,644 |
Dover Corp. | | 1,100 | | | 36,399 |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | | 1,710 | | | 63,851 |
MAN SE | | 207 | | | 12,737 |
NGK Insulators Ltd. | | 1,000 | | | 20,382 |
SPX Corp. | | 300 | | | 14,691 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 284,247 |
| | | | | |
MARINE–0.1% | | | | | |
Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. | | 2,000 | | | 12,925 |
| | | | | |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.1% | | | |
Adecco SA | | 300 | | | 12,539 |
Randstad Holding NV(a) | | 400 | | | 11,116 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 23,655 |
| | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–0.5% | | | | | |
East Japan Railway Co. | | 100 | | | 6,021 |
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.(a) | | 2,300 | | | 18,377 |
Union Pacific Corp. | | 1,290 | | | 67,157 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 91,555 |
| | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.7% | | | | | |
Mitsubishi Corp. | | 2,500 | | | 46,133 |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | | 4,800 | | | 56,879 |
Wolseley PLC(a) | | 700 | | | 13,400 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 116,412 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 1,155,311 |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS–4.8% | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–1.9% | | | | | |
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. | | 1,010 | | | 65,236 |
BASF SE | | 700 | | | 27,889 |
E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. | | 3,000 | | | 76,860 |
Eastman Chemical Co. | | 800 | | | 30,320 |
JSR Corp. | | 900 | | | 15,416 |
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. | | 2,500 | | | 10,574 |
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. | | 500 | | | 1,594 |
7
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Monsanto Co. | | 980 | | $ | 72,853 |
Syngenta AG | | 193 | | | 44,905 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 345,647 |
| | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.1% | | | | | |
CRH PLC (Dublin) | | 128 | | | 2,942 |
CRH PLC (London) | | 803 | | | 18,390 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 21,332 |
| | | | | |
CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.2% | | | | | |
Amcor Ltd. | | 2,569 | | | 10,330 |
Sonoco Products Co. | | 600 | | | 14,370 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 24,700 |
| | | | | |
METALS & MINING–2.5% | | | | | |
Anglo American PLC | | 598 | | | 17,485 |
ArcelorMittal | | 755 | | | 25,208 |
ArcelorMittal (Euronext Amsterdam) | | 1,406 | | | 46,529 |
ArcelorMittal (New York) | | 1,485 | | | 49,124 |
Barrick Gold Corp. | | 820 | | | 27,600 |
BHP Billiton Ltd. | | 500 | | | 13,698 |
BHP Billiton PLC | | 1,725 | | | 38,879 |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. | | 2,055 | | | 102,976 |
MMC Norilsk Nickel (ADR)(a) | | 2,035 | | | 18,518 |
Nucor Corp. | | 275 | | | 12,218 |
Rio Tinto PLC | | 436 | | | 15,099 |
Rio Tinto PLC (Sponsored ADR) | | 180 | | | 29,497 |
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. | | 1,000 | | | 14,048 |
Vale SA–Class B (ADR) | | 1,365 | | | 24,065 |
Xstrata PLC | | 1,839 | | | 19,987 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 454,931 |
| | | | | |
PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.1% | | | | | |
Svenska Cellulosa AB–Class B | | 2,000 | | | 21,057 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 867,667 |
| | | | | |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.3% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.4% | | | | | |
AT&T, Inc. | | 9,300 | | | 231,012 |
BCE, Inc. | | 400 | | | 8,253 |
Bezeq Israeli Telecommunication Corp. Ltd. | | 4,300 | | | 7,937 |
BT Group PLC | | 9,820 | | | 16,453 |
Deutsche Telekom AG | | 2,700 | | | 31,921 |
France Telecom SA | | 1,300 | | | 29,580 |
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | | 700 | | | 28,508 |
Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd. | | 9,303 | | | 16,321 |
Telecom Italia SpA (ordinary shares) | | 13,100 | | | 18,163 |
Telecom Italia SpA (savings shares) | | 12,500 | | | 12,314 |
| | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | U.S. $ Value |
| | | | | |
Telefonica SA | | 5,003 | | $ | 113,617 |
TELUS Corp.–Class A | | 500 | | | 12,896 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | 2,500 | | | 76,825 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 603,800 |
| | | | | |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.9% | | | | | |
KDDI Corp. | | 4 | | | 21,224 |
MTN Group Ltd. | | 892 | | | 13,700 |
Sprint Nextel Corp.(a) | | 14,500 | | | 69,745 |
Vodafone Group PLC | | 29,375 | | | 57,133 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 161,802 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 765,602 |
| | | | | |
UTILITIES–2.4% | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.7% | | | | | |
American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | 500 | | | 14,445 |
CEZ | | 600 | | | 26,818 |
E.ON AG | | 1,100 | | | 39,048 |
Electricite de France | | 200 | | | 9,766 |
Pinnacle West Capital Corp. | | 1,100 | | | 33,165 |
The Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. | | 300 | | | 7,713 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 130,955 |
| | | | | |
GAS UTILITIES–0.0% | | | | | |
Atmos Energy Corp. | | 275 | | | 6,886 |
| | | | | |
INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.2% | | | | | |
Drax Group PLC | | 1,300 | | | 9,410 |
Iberdrola Renovables SA(a) | | 2,585 | | | 11,851 |
RRI Energy, Inc.(a) | | 3,000 | | | 15,030 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 36,291 |
| | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–1.5% | | | | | |
Alliant Energy Corp. | | 1,000 | | | 26,130 |
Centrica PLC | | 16,307 | | | 59,961 |
CMS Energy Corp. | | 2,200 | | | 26,576 |
Consolidated Edison, Inc. | | 325 | | | 12,161 |
Dominion Resources, Inc. | | 800 | | | 26,736 |
GDF Suez | | 437 | | | 16,358 |
National Grid PLC | | 1,474 | | | 13,301 |
NiSource, Inc. | | 2,800 | | | 32,648 |
RWE AG | | 380 | | | 29,967 |
Xcel Energy, Inc. | | 1,000 | | | 18,410 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 262,248 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 436,380 |
| | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $18,608,534) | | | | | 17,589,924 |
| | | | | |
RIGHTS–0.0% | | | | | |
| | | | | |
MATERIALS–0.0% | | | | | |
METALS & MINING–0.0% | | | | | |
Rio Tinto PLC(a) (cost $3,386) | | 228 | | | 2,618 |
| | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–97.6% (cost $18,611,920) | | | | | 17,592,542 |
Other assets less liabilities–2.4% | | | | | 429,414 |
| | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | $ | 18,021,956 |
| | | | | |
8
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value on Origination Date | | U.S. $ Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 34 | | $ | 25,129 | | $ | 27,300 | | $ | 2,171 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 88 | | | 66,836 | | | 70,659 | | | 3,823 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 26 | | | 19,583 | | | 20,876 | | | 1,293 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 76 | | | 58,490 | | | 61,024 | | | 2,534 | |
Australian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 60 | | | 46,801 | | | 48,177 | | | 1,376 | |
Australian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 10 | | | 7,592 | | | 8,013 | | | 421 | |
Australian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 143 | | | 109,165 | | | 114,340 | | | 5,175 | |
Australian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 41 | | | 33,329 | | | 32,852 | | | (477 | ) |
Australian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 84 | | | 66,439 | | | 67,066 | | | 627 | |
Australian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 64 | | | 50,801 | | | 51,281 | | | 480 | |
Australian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 29 | | | 22,661 | | | 23,237 | | | 576 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 32 | | | 50,965 | | | 52,644 | | | 1,679 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 22 | | | 35,284 | | | 36,193 | | | 909 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 69 | | | 112,653 | | | 113,514 | | | 861 | |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 6 | | | 9,913 | | | 9,871 | | | (42 | ) |
British Pound settling 9/15/09 | | 88 | | | 143,356 | | | 144,759 | | | 1,403 | |
British Pound settling 9/15/09 | | 30 | | | 49,175 | | | 49,350 | | | 175 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 12 | | | 10,385 | | | 10,319 | | | (66 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 14 | | | 12,352 | | | 12,041 | | | (311 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 182 | | | 247,311 | | | 255,316 | | | 8,005 | |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 28 | | | 39,721 | | | 39,280 | | | (441 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 44 | | | 62,405 | | | 61,725 | | | (680 | ) |
Euro settling 9/15/09 | | 37 | | | 51,204 | | | 51,899 | | | 695 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 1,799 | | | 18,842 | | | 18,685 | | | (157 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 27,563 | | | 286,863 | | | 286,270 | | | (593 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 2,872 | | | 29,949 | | | 29,829 | | | (120 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 4,337 | | | 45,509 | | | 45,044 | | | (465 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 9/15/09 | | 2,425 | | | 24,559 | | | 25,194 | | | 635 | |
Japanese Yen settling 9/15/09 | | 5,079 | | | 52,106 | | | 52,768 | | | 662 | |
Japanese Yen settling 9/15/09 | | 15,162 | | | 155,547 | | | 157,525 | | | 1,978 | |
New Zealand Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 54 | | | 32,365 | | | 34,744 | | | 2,379 | |
New Zealand Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 28 | | | 18,074 | | | 18,015 | | | (59 | ) |
New Zealand Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 106 | | | 66,949 | | | 68,200 | | | 1,251 | |
New Zealand Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 74 | | | 46,074 | | | 47,522 | | | 1,448 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 8/17/09 | | 402 | | | 62,124 | | | 62,441 | | | 317 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 9/15/09 | | 64 | | | 9,772 | | | 9,934 | | | 162 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 9/15/09 | | 259 | | | 40,640 | | | 40,201 | | | (439 | ) |
Norwegian Krone settling 9/15/09 | | 681 | | | 105,895 | | | 105,703 | | | (192 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 135 | | | 17,827 | | | 17,497 | | | (330 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 48 | | | 6,280 | | | 6,221 | | | (59 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 50 | | | 6,293 | | | 6,480 | | | 187 | |
Swedish Krona settling 9/15/09 | | 93 | | | 12,280 | | | 12,053 | | | (227 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 9/15/09 | | 64 | | | 8,159 | | | 8,295 | | | 136 | |
9
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIOOF INVESTMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount (000) | | U.S. $ Value on Origination Date | | U.S. $ Value at June 30, 2009 | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Sale Contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Australian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 9 | | $ | 7,050 | | $ | 7,211 | | $ | (161 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 17 | | | 25,580 | | | 27,967 | | | (2,387 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 18 | | | 27,197 | | | 29,612 | | | (2,415 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 8 | | | 12,110 | | | 13,161 | | | (1,051 | ) |
British Pound settling 8/17/09 | | 363 | | | 562,207 | | | 597,181 | | | (34,974 | ) |
British Pound settling 9/15/09 | | 10 | | | 14,696 | | | 16,121 | | | (1,425 | ) |
British Pound settling 9/15/09 | | 124 | | | 202,462 | | | 204,637 | | | (2,175 | ) |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 20 | | | 17,252 | | | 17,200 | | | 52 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 23 | | | 19,885 | | | 19,779 | | | 106 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/09 | | 27 | | | 24,073 | | | 23,219 | | | 854 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 64 | | | 58,002 | | | 55,047 | | | 2,955 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 114 | | | 102,864 | | | 97,623 | | | 5,241 | |
Canadian Dollar settling 9/15/09 | | 14 | | | 12,910 | | | 12,213 | | | 697 | |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 16 | | | 22,350 | | | 22,445 | | | (95 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 20 | | | 27,722 | | | 28,057 | | | (335 | ) |
Euro settling 8/17/09 | | 41 | | | 57,556 | | | 57,516 | | | 40 | |
Euro settling 9/15/09 | | 33 | | | 45,372 | | | 46,288 | | | (916 | ) |
Euro settling 9/15/09 | | 4 | | | 5,587 | | | 5,611 | | | (24 | ) |
Euro settling 9/15/09 | | 7 | | | 9,810 | | | 9,819 | | | (9 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 12,123 | | | 127,745 | | | 125,910 | | | 1,835 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 5,488 | | | 56,823 | | | 56,999 | | | (176 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 9,128 | | | 94,835 | | | 94,804 | | | 31 | |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 2,278 | | | 23,228 | | | 23,659 | | | (431 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 345 | | | 3,519 | | | 3,583 | | | (64 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 8/17/09 | | 7,209 | | | 73,528 | | | 74,873 | | | (1,345 | ) |
Japanese Yen settling 9/15/09 | | 17,587 | | | 183,734 | | | 182,720 | | | 1,014 | |
Japanese Yen settling 9/15/09 | | 7,098 | | | 74,154 | | | 73,745 | | | 409 | |
Japanese Yen settling 9/15/09 | | 850 | | | 8,865 | | | 8,831 | | | 34 | |
Japanese Yen settling 9/15/09 | | 787 | | | 8,271 | | | 8,176 | | | 95 | |
Norwegian Krone settling 9/15/09 | | 64 | | | 9,907 | | | 9,934 | | | (27 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 8/17/09 | | 433 | | | 56,243 | | | 56,121 | | | 122 | |
Swedish Krona settling 9/15/09 | | 93 | | | 11,849 | | | 12,053 | | | (204 | ) |
Swedish Krona settling 9/15/09 | | 64 | | | 8,298 | | | 8,295 | | | 3 | |
Swedish Krona settling 9/15/09 | | 501 | | | 63,201 | | | 64,932 | | | (1,731 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 8/17/09 | | 123 | | | 110,727 | | | 113,268 | | | (2,541 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 8/17/09 | | 9 | | | 8,169 | | | 8,288 | | | (119 | ) |
Swiss Franc settling 9/15/09 | | 16 | | | 14,729 | | | 14,740 | | | (11 | ) |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
FDR—Fiduciary Depositary Receipt
LP—Limited Partnership
REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust
See notes to financial statements.
10
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF ASSETSAND LIABILITIES |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $18,611,920) | | $ | 17,592,542 | |
Cash | | | 417,833 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $29,236) | | | 29,316 | |
Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 54,846 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 68,087 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 43,512 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 15,831 | |
Receivable due from Adviser | | | 11,693 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 18,233,660 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 57,274 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts | | | 94,802 | |
Custodian fee payable | | | 33,302 | |
Legal fee payable | | | 12,123 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 3,716 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 124 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 10,363 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 211,704 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 18,021,956 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 2,826 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 27,106,897 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 11,895 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (8,079,143 | ) |
Net unrealized depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (1,020,519 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | 18,021,956 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | Shares Outstanding | | Net Asset Value |
A | | $ | 17,282 | | 2,697 | | $ | 6.41 |
B | | $ | 18,004,674 | | 2,822,945 | | $ | 6.38 |
See notes to financial statements.
11
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $15,671) | | $ | 236,085 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 51,513 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 19,799 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 1,225 | |
Custodian | | | 78,590 | |
Administrative | | | 46,000 | |
Legal | | | 11,778 | |
Audit | | | 6,182 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 1,250 | |
Printing | | | 392 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 6,985 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 223,714 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | | | (132,447 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 91,267 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 144,818 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | (3,822,982 | ) |
Foreign currency transactions | | | (16,382 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 4,524,333 | |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (97,570 | ) |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 587,399 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 732,217 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
12
| | |
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENTOF CHANGESIN NET ASSETS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 144,818 | | | $ | 326,779 | |
Net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (3,839,364 | ) | | | (4,103,785 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 4,426,763 | | | | (9,165,065 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 732,217 | | | | (12,942,071 | ) |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (302 | ) | | | (113 | ) |
Class B | | | (287,334 | ) | | | (265,360 | ) |
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (1,326 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (3,973,479 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 1,555,992 | | | | 3,973,951 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 2,000,573 | | | | (13,208,398 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 16,021,383 | | | | 29,229,781 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $11,895 and $154,713, respectively) | | $ | 18,021,956 | | | $ | 16,021,383 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
13
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers fifteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.
The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time (see Note A.2).
2. Fair Value Measurements
The Portfolio adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also 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
14
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
liability. 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financials | | $ | 2,761,797 | | | $ | 2,145,782 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 4,907,579 | |
Information Technology | | | 1,851,243 | | | | 313,356 | | | | –0 | – | | | 2,164,599 | |
Energy | | | 1,596,904 | | | | 445,760 | | | | 16,484 | | | | 2,059,148 | |
Health Care | | | 1,507,978 | | | | 380,290 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,888,268 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 1,426,837 | | | | 452,740 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,879,577 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 1,100,345 | | | | 365,448 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,465,793 | |
Industrials | | | 710,946 | | | | 444,365 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,155,311 | |
Materials | | | 548,045 | | | | 322,240 | | | | –0 | – | | | 870,285 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 390,478 | | | | 375,124 | | | | –0 | – | | | 765,602 | |
Utilities | | | 212,187 | | | | 224,193 | | | | –0 | – | | | 436,380 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 12,106,760 | | | | 5,469,298 | + | | | 16,484 | | | | 17,592,542 | |
Other Financial Instruments* | | | –0 | – | | | (2,428 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (2,428 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 12,106,760 | | | $ | 5,466,870 | | | $ | 16,484 | | | $ | 17,590,114 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. |
+ | The earlier close of the foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred between the close of the foreign markets and the time at which the Fund values its securities which may materially affect the value of trading in such markets. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available. Accordingly, a significant portion of the Portfolio’s investments are categorized as Level 2 investments. |
Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Common Stocks | | | Other Financial Instruments | |
Balance as of 12/31/08 | | $ | 12,076 | | | $ | –0 | – |
Accrued discounts/premiums | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Realized gain (loss) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 4,408 | | | | –0 | –* |
Net purchases (sales) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 16,484 | | | $ | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments still held as of 6/30/09 | | $ | 4,408 | | | $ | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
* | The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations. |
15
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
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 asked 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, 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 Portfolio’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 investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. Taxes
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions 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 Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
6. Class Allocations
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their 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. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
8. Repurchase Agreements
It is the policy of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may be delayed or limited.
9. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended in May 31, 2009, the Fund adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure
16
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements (see Note D.1).
In accordance with the provision set forth in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 “Subsequent Events”, adopted by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2009, management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Portfolio’s financial statements issued on August 14, 2009. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .65% of the first $2.5 billion, .55% of the next $2.5 billion and .50% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’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 on an annual basis to .90% and 1.15% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. Prior to February 12, 2007, the Portfolio’s total operating expenses on an annual basis were limited to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Adviser waived fees and reimbursed expenses in the amount of $86,447.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio has agreed to reimburse the Adviser for the cost of providing the Portfolio with certain legal and accounting services. Due to the Adviser’s agreement to limit total operating expenses as described above, the Adviser waived reimbursement for such services in the amount of $46,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2009, amounted to $12,868, of which $6 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $576 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.
In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.
17
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2009 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 8,726,269 | | | $ | 7,529,395 | |
U.S. government securities | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for the financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 1,283,468 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (2,302,846 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | $ | (1,019,378 | ) |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Fund may use derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio, to replace more traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Fund may also use derivatives for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
The Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse affects of anticipated movements in the market. The Portfolio 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 contracts and movements in the price of the securities hedged or used for cover. The Portfolio may also purchase or sell futures contracts 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 Portfolio enters into a futures contract, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio 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.
| • | | Forward Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Portfolio 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, or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.
18
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by the premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.
At June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives (not designated as hedging instruments under FAS No. 133 “ Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | Liability Derivatives |
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 54,846 | | Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 57,274 |
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Statement 133 | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | $ | (23,556 | ) | | $ | (98,728 | ) |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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).
19
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE E: Capital Stock
Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | SHARES | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 1,453 | | | 507 | | | | | $ | 8,568 | | | $ | 2,987 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 31 | | | –0 | – | | | | | 206 | | | | –0 | – |
Shares redeemed | | (38 | ) | | (26 | ) | | | | | (223 | ) | | | (158 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | 1,446 | | | 481 | | | | | $ | 8,551 | | | $ | 2,829 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 517,321 | | | 565,810 | | | | | $ | 2,985,215 | | | $ | 4,974,579 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | 44,002 | | | 411,538 | | | | | | 287,334 | | | | 4,238,839 | |
Shares redeemed | | (303,637 | ) | | (660,466 | ) | | | | | (1,725,108 | ) | | | (5,242,296 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | 257,686 | | | 316,882 | | | | | $ | 1,547,441 | | | $ | 3,971,122 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE F: Risk Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.
Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may invest in derivatives such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. These investments may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.
Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2009. Effective July 16, 2009, the Facility will be reduced to $140 million.
20
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| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2009 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 272,052 | | $ | 856,669 |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 3,968,226 | | | 2,186,102 |
| | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 4,240,278 | | $ | 3,042,771 |
| | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2008, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 275,360 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (3,550,220 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (6,259,737 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (9,534,597 | )(c) |
| | | | |
(a) | On December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of $1,912,559 of which $1,912,559 expires in the year 2016. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Net capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Portfolio deferred post-October capital losses of $1,637,661 to January 1, 2009. |
(b) | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax treatment of partnership items, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies, and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
(c) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) is attributable to deferred income from an underlying security. |
NOTE I: Legal Proceedings
On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the AllianceBernstein defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.
Following October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).
On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.
21
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WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.
NOTE J: Plan of Liquidation and Termination
At the meeting of the Fund’s Board of Directors (“the Directors”) held on May 6, 2009, the Directors approved a Plan of Liquidation and Termination (“The Plan”) which provides for the complete liquidation of all of the assets of the Portfolio and the payment of all known obligations. The Plan also provides that following the liquidation of the Portfolio’s assets, the Portfolio will cease its business as an investment company and will not engage in any business activities except for the purpose of winding up its business and affairs, and distributing its remaining assets to shareholders in accordance with the Plan. The liquidation is expected to be consummated in the third quarter of 2009 and the liquidating distributions will be made shortly thereafter.
22
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|
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | July 1, 2004(a) to December 31, 2004 | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $6.28 | | | $13.06 | | | $13.53 | | | $11.79 | | | $10.69 | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (b)(c) | | .06 | | | .15 | | | .15 | | | .09 | | | .04 | | | .01 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | .20 | | | (5.06 | ) | | .56 | | | 1.94 | | | 1.15 | | | .68 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | .00 | (d) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .26 | | | (4.91 | ) | | .71 | | | 2.03 | | | 1.19 | | | .69 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.13 | ) | | (.15 | ) | | (.28 | ) | | (.02 | ) | | (.05 | ) | | –0 | – |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | –0 | – | | (1.72 | ) | | (.90 | ) | | (.27 | ) | | (.04 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.13 | ) | | (1.87 | ) | | (1.18 | ) | | (.29 | ) | | (.09 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $6.41 | | | $6.28 | | | $13.06 | | | $13.53 | | | $11.79 | | | $10.69 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (e) | | 4.02 | % | | (43.22 | )% | | 5.00 | % | | 17.60 | % | | 11.22 | % | | 6.90 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $17 | | | $8 | | | $10 | | | $7,688 | | | $6,538 | | | $5,877 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | .90 | %(f) | | .90 | % | | .96 | % | | 1.20 | %(g) | | 1.20 | % | | 1.20 | %(f) |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 2.57 | %(f) | | 2.11 | % | | 1.82 | % | | 1.99 | %(g) | | 2.45 | % | | 4.33 | %(f) |
Net investment income (c) | | 2.06 | %(f) | | 1.62 | % | | 1.05 | % | | .69 | %(g) | | .42 | % | | .25 | %(f) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 48 | % | | 72 | % | | 61 | % | | 63 | % | | 61 | % | | 14 | % |
See footnote summary on page 24.
23
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WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | July 1, 2004(a) to December 31, 2004 | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $6.24 | | | $13.00 | | | $13.46 | | | $11.74 | | | $10.67 | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (b)(c) | | .05 | | | .13 | | | .11 | | | .06 | | | .02 | | | .03 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | .19 | | | (5.05 | ) | | .57 | | | 1.93 | | | 1.13 | | | .64 | |
Contributions from Adviser | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | .00 | (d) | | –0 | – | | –0 | – | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | .24 | | | (4.92 | ) | | .68 | | | 1.99 | | | 1.15 | | | .67 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (.10 | ) | | (.12 | ) | | (.24 | ) | | –0 | – | | (.04 | ) | | –0 | – |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | –0 | – | | (1.72 | ) | | (.90 | ) | | (.27 | ) | | (.04 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | (.10 | ) | | (1.84 | ) | | (1.14 | ) | | (.27 | ) | | (.08 | ) | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $6.38 | | | $6.24 | | | $13.00 | | | $13.46 | | | $11.74 | | | $10.67 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (e) | | 3.87 | % | | (43.44 | )% | | 4.84 | % | | 17.32 | % | | 10.93 | % | | 6.70 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $18,005 | | | $16,013 | | | $29,220 | | | $29,531 | | | $25,420 | | | $10,416 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements | | 1.15 | %(f) | | 1.15 | % | | 1.18 | % | | 1.45 | %(g) | | 1.45 | % | | 1.45 | %(f) |
Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements | | 2.82 | %(f) | | 2.30 | % | | 2.15 | % | | 2.25 | %(g) | | 2.70 | % | | 4.78 | %(f) |
Net investment income (c) | | 1.83 | %(f) | | 1.37 | % | | .79 | % | | .46 | %(g) | | .15 | % | | .71 | %(f) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 48 | % | | 72 | % | | 61 | % | | 63 | % | | 61 | % | | 14 | % |
(a) | Commencement of operations. |
(b) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) | Net of expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.005. |
(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. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) 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. |
(g) | The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation. |
See notes to financial statements.
24
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| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1
The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by the August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:
| 1. | Management fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services; |
| 2. | Management fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services; |
| 3. | Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit; |
| 4. | Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services; |
| 5. | Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and |
| 6. | Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio. |
INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS
The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3
| | | | | | | |
Category | | Advisory Fee Based on % of Average Daily Net Assets | | Net Assets 06/30/08 ($MIL) | | Portfolio |
Blend | | 65 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 55 bp on next $2.5 billion 50 bp on the balance | | $ | 25.8 | | Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio |
The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser was entitled to receive $94,000 (0.27% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services but waived the amount in its entirety.
1 | It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on July 24, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on August 5-7, 2008. |
2 | Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
3 | The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. |
25
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse a portion of the Portfolio’s total operating expense to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s current fiscal year. It should be noted that the expense caps of the portfolio were reduced to the percentages set forth below effective February 12, 2007. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days of written notice. Set forth below are the Portfolios’ expense caps and gross expense ratios as of December 31, 2007:
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Cap Pursuant to Expense Limitations Undertaking | | Gross Expense Ratio (12/31/07) | | Fiscal Year End |
Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio | | Class A 0.90% Class B 1.15% | | 1.82%
2.15% | | December 31 |
I. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS
The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.
Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 With respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no category in the Form ADV for institutional products that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio.
4 | The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. |
26
| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy (“Wealth Appreciation Strategy”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedules of AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy5 and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of Wealth Appreciation Strategy been applicable to the Portfolio:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund (“ABMF”) | | Fee Schedule | | Effective ABMF Adv. Fee (%) | | Portfolio Adv. Fee (%) |
Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio | | Wealth Appreciation Strategy | | 0.65% on first $2.5 billion 0.55% on next $2.5 billion 0.50% on the balance | | 0.65 | | 0.65 |
The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.
II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.
Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)6 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.7
Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.
The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers in the view of the Senior Officer and the Adviser. Consequently, at the request of the Adviser and the Senior Officer, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have a similar but not the same Lipper classification/objective as the Portfolio.
| | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Contractual Management Fee8 | | Lipper Group Median | | Rank |
Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio9 | | 0.650 | | 0.890 | | 3/12 |
5 | It should be noted that the ABMF was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the ABMF. |
6 | It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently. |
7 | The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group. |
8 | The contractual management fee would not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. As previously noted, the Adviser waived such reimbursements during the most recently completed fiscal year. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waivers or expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee. |
9 | The Portfolio’s EG includes the Fund, six other variable insurance products (“VIP”) Global Growth funds (“GLGE”) and five VIP Global Core funds (“GLCE”). |
27
| | |
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
However, because Lipper had expanded the EG of the Portfolio, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also expanded to include the universe of those peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.10 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.11 Since the Portfolio’s expense cap was reduced effective February 12, 2007, supplemental pro-forma information (shown in bold and italicized) is also provided.12
| | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio | | Expense Ratio (%)13 | | Lipper Group Median (%) | | Lipper Group Rank | | Lipper Universe Median (%) | | Lipper Universe Rank |
Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio14 | | 0.964 | | 0.954 | | 7/12 | | 0.864 | | 20/29 |
pro-forma15 | | 0.900 | | 0.954 | | 6/12 | | 0.864 | | 18/29 |
Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a pro-forma total expense ratio basis.
III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.
The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.
IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.
The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s net revenue from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio was negative during the calendar years 2007 and 2006.
In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset research expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.
The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter and distributor, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, ABI received $74,017 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.
10 | It should be noted that the expansion of such Portfolio’s EU was not requested by the Adviser or the Senior Officer. They requested only that the EG be expanded. |
11 | Except for the asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, EU allows for the same advisor to be represented by more than just one fund. |
12 | The pro-forma expense ratio shows what would have been the total expense ratio of the Portfolio had the change to the Portfolio’s expense cap been in effect for the Portfolio’s full fiscal year. |
13 | Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio. |
14 | The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP GLGE and GLCE funds, excluding outliers. |
15 | Note that the EG/EU medians are the same for the non-pro-forma EG/EU and the pro-forma EG/EU. Lipper includes the Portfolio twice (on a non-pro-forma basis and on a pro-forma basis) to calculate the EG/EU median. Lipper does not include the Portfolio twice when considering the number of funds for ranking. |
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| | |
| | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $182,867 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.
Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.
The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio paid ABIS a fee of $786.16
The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s research expenses and increase its profitability.
V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,17 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms make such investments in their business to provide services there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.
An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli18 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their comparable peers.19 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund assets under management (“AUM”), family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.
16 | The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007. |
17 | Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules. |
18 | The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data. |
19 | The two dimensional analysis also showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets. |
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WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION |
(continued) | | AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund |
The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally in line with their peers.
VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO
With assets under management of approximately $717 billion as of June 30, 2008, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.
The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1 and 3 year net performance rankings of the Portfolio20 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)21 for the periods ended April 30, 2008.22
| | | | | | | | | | |
Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio | | Portfolio Return | | PG Median | | PU Median | | PG Rank | | PU Rank |
1 year | | –6.00 | | –2.99 | | –3.30 | | 6/7 | | 20/24 |
3 year | | 10.65 | | 13.53 | | 13.15 | | 5/6 | | 17/18 |
Set forth below are the 1, 3 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)23 versus its benchmark.
| | | | | | | |
| | Periods Ending April 30, 2008
Annualized Performance |
| | 1 Year (%) | | 3 Year (%) | | Since Inception (%)24 |
Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio | | – | 6.00 | | 10.65 | | 8.78 |
70% S&P Stock Index / 30% MSCI EAFE Index (Net) | | – | 3.75 | | 10.64 | | 10.21 |
S&P 500 Stock Index | | – | 4.68 | | 8.23 | | 7.45 |
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) | | – | 1.78 | | 16.25 | | 15.87 |
Inception Date: July 1, 2004 | | | | | | | |
CONCLUSION:
Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.
Dated: September 3, 2008
20 | The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. |
21 | The Portfolio’s PG/PU are not identical to the Portfolio’s EG/EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund in/from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU. |
22 | Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time. |
23 | The performance returns shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. |
24 | The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through April 30, 2008. |
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Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. |
Please see Schedule of Investments contained in the Report to Shareholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
ITEM 7. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 8. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 10. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board of Directors since the Fund last provided disclosure in response to this item.
ITEM 11. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective at the reasonable assurance level based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.
(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:
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EXHIBIT NO. | | DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT |
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12 (b) (1) | | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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12 (b) (2) | | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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12 (c) | | Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant): AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
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By: | | /s/ Robert M. Keith |
| | Robert M. Keith |
| | President |
Date: August 24, 2009
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.
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By: | | /s/ Robert M. Keith |
| | Robert M. Keith |
| | President |
Date: August 24, 2009
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| |
By: | | /s/ Joseph J. Mantineo |
| | Joseph J. Mantineo |
| | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
Date: August 24, 2009