UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORMN-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number:811-05398
AB 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, 2019
Date of reporting period: June 30, 2019
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS
SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
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EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. 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 table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | | | Total Expenses Paid During Period+ | | | Total Annualized Expense Ratio+ | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,118.80 | | | $ | 2.84 | | | | 0.54 | % | | $ | 3.99 | | | | 0.76 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,022.12 | | | $ | 2.71 | | | | 0.54 | % | | $ | 3.81 | | | | 0.76 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,117.20 | | | $ | 4.15 | | | | 0.79 | % | | $ | 5.30 | | | | 1.01 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,020.88 | | | $ | 3.96 | | | | 0.79 | % | | $ | 5.06 | | | | 1.01 | % |
* | | 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). |
+ | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Portfolio’s total expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratio plus the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the weighted average expense ratio of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios in which it invests, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS1 | | |
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June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
SECURITY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Microsoft Corp. | | $ | 3,790,130 | | | | 1.4 | % |
Canadian Government Bond, 2.25%, 3/01/24 | | | 3,509,352 | | | | 1.3 | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC | | | 3,009,234 | | | | 1.2 | |
Alphabet, Inc. | | | 2,949,864 | | | | 1.1 | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 2,520,511 | | | | 1.0 | |
Japanese Government CPI Linked Bond, Series 23, 0.10%, 3/10/28 | | | 2,495,942 | | | | 1.0 | |
Facebook, Inc. | | | 2,417,904 | | | | 0.9 | |
Brazil Letras do Tesouro Nacional, Series LTN, Zero Coupon, 7/01/19 | | | 2,211,877 | | | | 0.9 | |
Visa, Inc. | | | 1,914,230 | | | | 0.7 | |
Roche Holding AG | | | 1,913,249 | | | | 0.7 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 26,732,293 | | | | 10.2 | % |
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN2
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
SECURITY TYPE | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 169,593,140 | | | | 64.9 | % |
Corporates—Investment Grade | | | 23,363,362 | | | | 8.9 | |
Governments—Treasuries | | | 23,298,540 | | | | 8.9 | |
Inflation-Linked Securities | | | 8,400,977 | | | | 3.2 | |
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | | | 6,781,488 | | | | 2.6 | |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | | | 6,173,724 | | | | 2.4 | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | 4,532,574 | | | | 1.7 | |
Corporates—Non-Investment Grade | | | 4,139,710 | | | | 1.6 | |
Emerging Markets—Treasuries | | | 2,928,167 | | | | 1.1 | |
Covered Bonds | | | 2,332,392 | | | | 0.9 | |
Collateralized Loan Obligations | | | 1,366,645 | | | | 0.5 | |
Emerging Markets—Sovereigns | | | 968,494 | | | | 0.4 | |
Governments—Sovereign Bonds | | | 950,844 | | | | 0.4 | |
Other3 | | | 2,044,336 | | | | 0.8 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 4,480,075 | | | | 1.7 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 261,354,468 | | | | 100.0 | % |
1 | | Long-term investments. Table shown includes investments of Underlying Portfolios. |
2 | | The Portfolio’s security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). Table shown includes investments of Underlying Portfolios. |
3 | | “Other” represents less than 0.3% weightings in the following security types: Asset-Backed Securities, Emerging Markets—Corporate Bonds, Equity Linked Notes, Investment Companies, Preferred Stocks, Quasi-Sovereigns and Rights. |
2
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
COUNTRY BREAKDOWN1 | | |
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June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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COUNTRY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
United States | | $ | 133,290,819 | | | | 51.0 | % |
Japan | | | 18,125,064 | | | | 6.9 | |
United Kingdom | | | 13,841,890 | | | | 5.3 | |
France | | | 8,409,549 | | | | 3.2 | |
Canada | | | 8,178,230 | | | | 3.1 | |
Italy | | | 8,010,219 | | | | 3.1 | |
Switzerland | | | 6,708,715 | | | | 2.6 | |
China | | | 5,488,931 | | | | 2.1 | |
Brazil | | | 4,957,470 | | | | 1.9 | |
Spain | | | 4,861,122 | | | | 1.9 | |
Australia | | | 4,016,973 | | | | 1.5 | |
Germany | | | 3,656,376 | | | | 1.4 | |
Netherlands | | | 3,135,044 | | | | 1.2 | |
Other | | | 34,193,991 | | | | 13.1 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 4,480,075 | | | | 1.7 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 261,354,468 | | | | 100.0 | % |
1 | | All data are as of June 30, 2019. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. Table shown includes investments of Underlying Portfolios. “Other” country weightings represent 1.1% or less in the following countries: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. |
3
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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Company | | | | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
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COMMON STOCKS–39.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–7.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | | | | | 18,342 | | | $ | 1,003,858 | |
F5 Networks, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 2,539 | | | | 369,754 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,373,612 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDW Corp./DE | | | | | | | 3,966 | | | | 440,226 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
IT SERVICES–1.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accenture PLC–Class A | | | | | | | 524 | | | | 96,819 | |
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | | | | | | | 4,394 | | | | 726,460 | |
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. | | | | | | | 5,142 | | | | 630,821 | |
Mastercard, Inc.–Class A | | | | | | | 464 | | | | 122,742 | |
Paychex, Inc. | | | | | | | 919 | | | | 75,625 | |
PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 7,404 | | | | 847,461 | |
VeriSign, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 321 | | | | 67,140 | |
Visa, Inc.–Class A(b) | | | | | | | 10,790 | | | | 1,872,605 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4,439,673 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Broadcom, Inc. | | | | | | | 2,383 | | | | 685,970 | |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | | | | | 496 | | | | 37,731 | |
Texas Instruments, Inc. | | | | | | | 9,374 | | | | 1,075,761 | |
Xilinx, Inc. | | | | | | | 7,075 | | | | 834,284 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,633,746 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SOFTWARE–2.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adobe, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 1,318 | | | | 388,349 | |
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 1,026 | | | | 72,651 | |
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a)(b) | | | | | | | 5,647 | | | | 652,850 | |
Citrix Systems, Inc.–Class C | | | | | | | 3,496 | | | | 343,097 | |
Constellation Software, Inc./Canada | | | | | | | 13 | | | | 12,252 | |
Dassault Systemes SE | | | | | | | 53 | | | | 8,454 | |
Intuit, Inc. | | | | | | | 331 | | | | 86,500 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | | | | | 28,293 | | | | 3,790,131 | |
Oracle Corp. | | | | | | | 22,966 | | | | 1,308,373 | |
Temenos AG | | | | | | | 227 | | | | 40,645 | |
Trend Micro, Inc./Japan | | | | | | | 700 | | | | 31,279 | |
VMware, Inc.–Class A | | | | | | | 3,392 | | | | 567,176 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 7,301,757 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE & PERIPHERALS–1.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Apple, Inc. | | | | | | | 12,735 | | | | 2,520,511 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 18,709,525 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–5.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BANKS–2.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | | | | | | | 344 | | | $ | 6,828 | |
Bank LeumiLe-Israel BM | | | | | | | 2,820 | | | | 20,383 | |
Bank of America Corp. | | | | | | | 51,922 | | | | 1,505,738 | |
Barclays PLC | | | | | | | 30,813 | | | | 58,608 | |
Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Ltd. | | | | | | | 3,812 | | | | 31,028 | |
Citigroup, Inc. | | | | | | | 17,202 | | | | 1,204,656 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | | | | | 13,268 | | | | 1,483,362 | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC | | | | | | | 77,099 | | | | 55,374 | |
National Bank of Canada | | | | | | | 244 | | | | 11,591 | |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC | | | | | | | 3,032 | | | | 8,457 | |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | | | | | 29,173 | | | | 1,380,466 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 5,766,491 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–0.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock, Inc.–Class A | | | | | | | 116 | | | | 54,439 | |
CI Financial Corp. | | | | | | | 1,915 | | | | 31,206 | |
Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. | | | | | | | 7,700 | | | | 33,806 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) | | | | | | | 4,536 | | | | 928,066 | |
Japan Exchange Group, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,400 | | | | 22,298 | |
Moody’s Corp. | | | | | | | 101 | | | | 19,726 | |
MSCI, Inc.–Class A | | | | | | | 150 | | | | 35,819 | |
Partners Group Holding AG | | | | | | | 25 | | | | 19,660 | |
Singapore Exchange Ltd. | | | | | | | 4,100 | | | | 24,020 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,169,040 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Synchrony Financial | | | | | | | 22,673 | | | | 786,073 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.–Class B(a) | | | | | | | 8,073 | | | | 1,720,921 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–1.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Admiral Group PLC | | | | | | | 1,703 | | | | 47,754 | |
AIA Group Ltd. | | | | | | | 600 | | | | 6,479 | |
American International Group, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,549 | | | | 82,531 | |
Everest Re Group Ltd. | | | | | | | 3,413 | | | | 843,625 | |
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. | | | | | | | 27,759 | | | | 1,118,688 | |
Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 700 | | | | 7,928 | |
Legal & General Group PLC | | | | | | | 10,582 | | | | 36,254 | |
MetLife, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,689 | | | | 83,893 | |
Progressive Corp. (The) | | | | | | | 12,886 | | | | 1,029,978 | |
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. | | | | | | | 800 | | | | 40,140 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 3,297,270 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 12,739,795 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–4.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AbbVie, Inc. | | | | | | | 953 | | | | 69,302 | |
Amgen, Inc. | | | | | | | 407 | | | | 75,002 | |
Biogen, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 2,682 | | | | 627,239 | |
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 62 | | | | 5,310 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | | | | | | | 13,542 | | | | 914,898 | |
Incyte Corp.(a) | | | | | | | 631 | | | | 53,610 | |
4
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 3,252 | | | $ | 596,352 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,341,713 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Coloplast A/S–Class B | | | | | | | 363 | | | | 41,033 | |
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a) | | | | | | | 3,254 | | | | 601,144 | |
Hoya Corp. | | | | | | | 500 | | | | 38,427 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 680,604 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Anthem, Inc. | | | | | | | 3,341 | | | | 942,864 | |
Centene Corp.(a) | | | | | | | 415 | | | | 21,763 | |
Henry Schein, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 1,075 | | | | 75,142 | |
McKesson Corp. | | | | | | | 190 | | | | 25,534 | |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | | | | | 6,276 | | | | 1,531,407 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,596,710 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–2.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Astellas Pharma, Inc. | | | | | | | 2,900 | | | | 41,327 | |
Cronos Group, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 300 | | | | 4,813 | |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | | | | | | 6,121 | | | | 678,146 | |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | | | | | | | 3,204 | | | | 64,223 | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | | | | | 6,031 | | | | 839,998 | |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | | | | | | 14,722 | | | | 1,234,440 | |
Novartis AG | | | | | | | 81 | | | | 7,395 | |
Novo Nordisk A/S (Sponsored ADR) | | | | | | | 9,276 | | | | 473,447 | |
Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B | | | | | | | 1,115 | | | | 56,951 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | | | | | 29,573 | | | | 1,281,102 | |
Roche Holding AG | | | | | | | 281 | | | | 79,014 | |
Roche Holding AG (Sponsored ADR) | | | | | | | 16,019 | | | | 562,267 | |
Sanofi | | | | | | | 216 | | | | 18,667 | |
Shionogi & Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 600 | | | | 34,670 | |
UCB SA | | | | | | | 514 | | | | 42,657 | |
Zoetis, Inc. | | | | | | | 6,867 | | | | 779,335 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 6,198,452 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 11,817,479 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE–4.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
City Developments Ltd. | | | | | | | 9,900 | | | | 69,349 | |
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 3,000 | | | | 55,912 | |
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 9,000 | | | | 218,738 | |
New World Development Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 32,000 | | | | 50,053 | |
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 900 | | | | 32,197 | |
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | | | | | | | 7,500 | | | | 127,238 | |
UOL Group Ltd. | | | | | | | 7,700 | | | | 43,013 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 596,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED REITS–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc. | | | | | | | 4,972 | | | | 82,287 | |
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.–Class A | | | | | | | 4,016 | | | | 59,477 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. | | | | | | | 3,504 | | | $ | 70,220 | |
Fibra Uno Administracion SA de CV | | | | | | | 13,590 | | | | 18,027 | |
Gecina SA | | | | | | | 210 | | | | 31,425 | |
GPT Group (The) | | | | | | | 31,181 | | | | 134,729 | |
H&R Real Estate Investment Trust | | | | | | | 2,916 | | | | 50,858 | |
Hulic Reit, Inc. | | | | | | | 24 | | | | 41,662 | |
Kenedix Office Investment Corp.–Class A | | | | | | | 4 | | | | 28,624 | |
Merlin Properties Socimi SA | | | | | | | 3,434 | | | | 47,600 | |
Mirvac Group | | | | | | | 30,588 | | | | 67,335 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 632,244 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
EQUITY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–1.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CubeSmart | | | | | | | 26,195 | | | | 875,961 | |
Equinix, Inc. | | | | | | | 159 | | | | 80,182 | |
Link REIT | | | | | | | 13,268 | | | | 163,268 | |
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | | | | | | | 13,129 | | | | 1,546,071 | |
Regency Centers Corp. | | | | | | | 18,176 | | | | 1,213,066 | |
SBA Communications Corp.(a) | | | | | | | 305 | | | | 68,576 | |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | | | | | | | 982 | | | | 156,884 | |
Vicinity Centres | | | | | | | 18,210 | | | | 31,353 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4,135,361 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE REITS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assura PLC | | | | | | | 64,940 | | | | 52,616 | |
HCP, Inc.(b) | | | | | | | 4,818 | | | | 154,080 | |
Medical Properties Trust, Inc. | | | | | | | 5,920 | | | | 103,245 | |
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. | | | | | | | 3,321 | | | | 122,047 | |
Physicians Realty Trust | | | | | | | 3,253 | | | | 56,732 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 488,720 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HOTEL & RESORT REITS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp. | | | | | | | 122 | | | | 98,294 | |
Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | | | | | 4,101 | | | | 113,024 | |
RLJ Lodging Trust | | | | | | | 5,596 | | | | 99,273 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 310,591 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL REITS–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Americold Realty Trust | | | | | | | 3,297 | | | | 106,889 | |
Goodman Group | | | | | | | 7,216 | | | | 76,272 | |
Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc. | | | | | | | 27 | | | | 62,366 | |
Prologis, Inc. | | | | | | | 4,248 | | | | 340,265 | |
Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,541 | | | | 62,210 | |
Segro PLC | | | | | | | 9,016 | | | | 83,709 | |
STAG Industrial, Inc. | | | | | | | 2,489 | | | | 75,267 | |
Tritax Big Box REIT PLC | | | | | | | 24,260 | | | | 47,574 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 854,552 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
OFFICE REITS–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,037 | | | | 146,310 | |
Boston Properties, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,000 | | | | 129,000 | |
CapitaLand Commercial Trust | | | | | | | 48,000 | | | | 77,026 | |
5
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
City Office REIT, Inc. | | | | | | | 2,980 | | | $ | 35,730 | |
Cousins Properties, Inc. | | | | | | | 2,702 | | | | 97,731 | |
Daiwa Office Investment Corp. | | | | | | | 6 | | | | 43,047 | |
Easterly Government Properties, Inc. | | | | | | | 799 | | | | 14,470 | |
Great Portland Estates PLC | | | | | | | 4,180 | | | | 36,329 | |
Inmobiliaria Colonial Socimi SA | | | | | | | 3,248 | | | | 36,176 | |
Japan Real Estate Investment Corp. | | | | | | | 7 | | | | 42,608 | |
Kilroy Realty Corp. | | | | | | | 1,009 | | | | 74,474 | |
Nippon Building Fund, Inc. | | | | | | | 9 | | | | 61,646 | |
Orix JREIT, Inc. | | | | | | | 24 | | | | 43,790 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 838,337 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CIFI Holdings Group Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 40,000 | | | | 26,357 | |
CK Asset Holdings Ltd. | | | | | | | 21,000 | | | | 164,516 | |
Instone Real Estate Group AG(a)(c) | | | | | | | 2,310 | | | | 51,904 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 242,777 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aroundtown SA | | | | | | | 2,224 | | | | 18,348 | |
CBRE Group, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | | | | | 13,532 | | | | 694,192 | |
Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 25,506 | |
Wheelock & Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 2,000 | | | | 14,361 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 752,407 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE OPERATING COMPANIES–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ADO Properties SA(c) | | | | | | | 1,436 | | | | 59,404 | |
Azrieli Group Ltd. | | | | | | | 731 | | | | 49,052 | |
CA Immobilien Anlagen AG | | | | | | | 1,868 | | | | 68,608 | |
Castellum AB | | | | | | | 2,062 | | | | 39,456 | |
Deutsche Wohnen SE | | | | | | | 520 | | | | 19,054 | |
Entra ASA(c) | | | | | | | 3,440 | | | | 52,872 | |
Fabege AB | | | | | | | 3,932 | | | | 59,205 | |
Hemfosa Fastigheter AB | | | | | | | 4,374 | | | | 41,365 | |
Swire Properties Ltd. | | | | | | | 18,400 | | | | 74,386 | |
TLG Immobilien AG | | | | | | | 3,235 | | | | 94,722 | |
Vonovia SE | | | | | | | 3,943 | | | | 188,356 | |
Wharf Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 14,000 | | | | 98,664 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 845,144 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE SERVICES–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Open House Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 900 | | | | 36,998 | |
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield | | | | | | | 707 | | | | 105,918 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 142,916 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
RESIDENTIAL REITS–0.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
American Campus Communities, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,488 | | | | 68,686 | |
American Homes 4 Rent–Class A | | | | | | | 4,533 | | | | 110,197 | |
Apartment Investment & Management Co.–Class A | | | | | | | 2,035 | | | | 101,994 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Camden Property Trust | | | | | | | 1,122 | | | $ | 117,126 | |
Essex Property Trust, Inc. | | | | | | | 544 | | | | 158,810 | |
Independence Realty Trust, Inc. | | | | | | | 8,927 | | | | 103,285 | |
Killam Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust | | | | | | | 3,401 | | | | 48,799 | |
Nippon Accommodations Fund, Inc. | | | | | | | 10 | | | | 56,039 | |
Northview Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust | | | | | | | 1,815 | | | | 37,283 | |
Sun Communities, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,028 | | | | 131,779 | |
UNITE Group PLC (The) | | | | | | | 4,230 | | | | 52,341 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 986,339 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
RETAIL REITS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agree Realty Corp. | | | | | | | 988 | | | | 63,282 | |
Brixmor Property Group, Inc. | | | | | | | 6,784 | | | | 121,298 | |
Hammerson PLC | | | | | | | 9,080 | | | | 31,971 | |
Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp. | | | | | | | 12 | | | | 24,271 | |
National Retail Properties, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,936 | | | | 102,627 | |
Retail Properties of America, Inc.–Class A | | | | | | | 8,270 | | | | 97,255 | |
SITE Centers Corp. | | | | | | | 3,735 | | | | 49,451 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 490,155 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SPECIALIZED REITS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Digital Realty Trust, Inc.(b) | | | | | | | 1,490 | | | | 175,507 | |
EPR Properties | | | | | | | 818 | | | | 61,015 | |
MGM Growth Properties LLC–Class A | | | | | | | 2,510 | | | | 76,931 | |
National Storage Affiliates Trust | | | | | | | 3,432 | | | | 99,322 | |
Safestore Holdings PLC | | | | | | | 3,520 | | | | 27,425 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 440,200 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 11,756,243 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Eurazeo SE | | | | | | | 516 | | | | 35,956 | |
Telenor ASA | | | | | | | 1,897 | | | | 40,304 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | | | | | 19,399 | | | | 1,108,265 | |
Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 809 | | | | 12,510 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,197,035 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ENTERTAINMENT–0.7% | |
Electronic Arts, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 3,918 | | | | 396,737 | |
Netflix, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 184 | | | | 67,587 | |
Nexon Co., Ltd.(a) | | | | | | | 2,400 | | | | 35,063 | |
Ubisoft Entertainment SA(a) | | | | | | | 432 | | | | 33,786 | |
Walt Disney Co. (The) | | | | | | | 8,654 | | | | 1,208,444 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,741,617 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INTERACTIVE MEDIA & SERVICES–2.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alphabet, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | | | | | 32 | | | | 34,650 | |
Alphabet, Inc.–Class C(a) | | | | | | | 2,697 | | | | 2,915,214 | |
Facebook, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | | | | | 12,528 | | | | 2,417,904 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 5,367,768 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
6
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MEDIA–0.8% | |
Comcast Corp.–Class A | | | | | | | 35,547 | | | $ | 1,502,927 | |
Discovery, Inc.–Class A(a)(b) | | | | | | | 19,913 | | | | 611,329 | |
Fox Corp.–Class B(a) | | | | | | | 699 | | | | 25,535 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,139,791 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Millicom International Cellular SA | | | | | | | 518 | | | | 29,159 | |
Softbank Corp. | | | | | | | 3,000 | | | | 38,973 | |
T-Mobile US, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 3,811 | | | | 282,547 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 350,679 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 10,796,890 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–3.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Magna International, Inc.–Class A (Canada) | | | | | | | 615 | | | | 30,601 | |
Magna International, Inc.–Class A (United States) | | | | | | | 12,480 | | | | 620,256 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 650,857 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–0.0% | |
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV | | | | | | | 494 | | | | 6,856 | |
Ford Motor Co. | | | | | | | 6,123 | | | | 62,638 | |
Peugeot SA | | | | | | | 1,027 | | | | 25,277 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 94,771 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Compass Group PLC | | | | | | | 464 | | | | 11,123 | |
McDonald’s Corp. | | | | | | | 198 | | | | 41,117 | |
Restaurant Brands International, Inc. | | | | | | | 124 | | | | 8,623 | |
Starbucks Corp. | | | | | | | 7,998 | | | | 670,472 | |
Whitbread PLC | | | | | | | 939 | | | | 55,249 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 786,584 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Berkeley Group Holdings PLC | | | | | | | 1,025 | | | | 48,578 | |
NVR, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 23 | | | | 77,516 | |
Sony Corp. | | | | | | | 300 | | | | 15,765 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 141,859 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INTERNET & DIRECT MARKETING RETAIL–0.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amazon.com, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 57 | | | | 107,937 | |
Booking Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 461 | | | | 864,241 | |
eBay, Inc. | | | | | | | 846 | | | | 33,417 | |
Rakuten, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,200 | | | | 14,346 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,019,941 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MULTILINE RETAIL–0.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dollar General Corp. | | | | | | | 7,397 | | | | 999,778 | |
Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd. | | | | | | | 10,592 | | | | 30,310 | |
Next PLC | | | | | | | 714 | | | | 49,999 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,080,087 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AutoZone, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 835 | | | $ | 918,057 | |
Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 60,530 | |
Hennes & Mauritz AB–Class B | | | | | | | 2,618 | | | | 46,512 | |
Home Depot, Inc. (The) | | | | | | | 6,733 | | | | 1,400,262 | |
Industria de Diseno Textil SA | | | | | | | 1,557 | | | | 46,846 | |
Ross Stores, Inc. | | | | | | | 9,159 | | | | 907,840 | |
TJX Cos., Inc. (The) | | | | | | | 20,017 | | | | 1,058,499 | |
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 1,238 | | | | 429,450 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4,867,996 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
adidas AG | | | | | | | 166 | | | | 51,355 | |
Cie Financiere Richemont SA | | | | | | | 562 | | | | 47,757 | |
Hermes International | | | | | | | 26 | | | | 18,743 | |
NIKE, Inc.–Class B | | | | | | | 10,898 | | | | 914,887 | |
Pandora A/S | | | | | | | 1,153 | | | | 41,015 | |
Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd. | | | | | | | 8,000 | | | | 21,943 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,095,700 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 9,737,795 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–3.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Halliburton Co. | | | | | | | 6,370 | | | | 144,854 | |
Petrofac Ltd. | | | | | | | 3,430 | | | | 18,763 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 163,617 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–3.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aker BP ASA | | | | | | | 2,260 | | | | 65,181 | |
BP PLC | | | | | | | 66,920 | | | | 466,216 | |
Chevron Corp. | | | | | | | 12,014 | | | | 1,495,023 | |
Concho Resources, Inc. | | | | | | | 730 | | | | 75,321 | |
ConocoPhillips | | | | | | | 169 | | | | 10,309 | |
Continental Resources, Inc./OK(a) | | | | | | | 2,940 | | | | 123,745 | |
Cosan SA | | | | | | | 3,300 | | | | 39,661 | |
Enbridge, Inc. | | | | | | | 254 | | | | 9,174 | |
EOG Resources, Inc. | | | | | | | 9,649 | | | | 898,900 | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | | | | | 8,140 | | | | 623,768 | |
Gran Tierra Energy, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 12,450 | | | | 19,490 | |
Husky Energy, Inc. | | | | | | | 2,834 | | | | 26,857 | |
Imperial Oil Ltd. | | | | | | | 833 | | | | 23,065 | |
Inpex Corp. | | | | | | | 6,100 | | | | 55,286 | |
JXTG Holdings, Inc. | | | | | | | 23,700 | | | | 118,118 | |
LUKOIL PJSC (Sponsored ADR)(b) | | | | | | | 1,410 | | | | 118,468 | |
Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refineries SA | | | | | | | 3,030 | | | | 77,522 | |
Origin Energy Ltd. | | | | | | | 14,220 | | | | 73,121 | |
PetroChina Co., Ltd.–Class H | | | | | | | 404,000 | | | | 222,760 | |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Preference Shares) | | | | | | | 40,200 | | | | 286,952 | |
Repsol SA | | | | | | | 15,389 | | | | 241,497 | |
7
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Sponsored ADR) | | | | | | | 16,315 | | | $ | 1,072,548 | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC–Class A | | | | | | | 364 | | | | 11,880 | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC–Class B | | | | | | | 33,470 | | | | 1,096,701 | |
S-Oil Corp. | | | | | | | 1,054 | | | | 76,553 | |
SM Energy Co. | | | | | | | 5,010 | | | | 62,725 | |
TC Energy Corp. | | | | | | | 816 | | | | 40,453 | |
TOTAL SA | | | | | | | 8,170 | | | | 458,286 | |
Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS | | | | | | | 3,690 | | | | 73,191 | |
Valero Energy Corp. | | | | | | | 292 | | | | 24,998 | |
Woodside Petroleum Ltd. | | | | | | | 321 | | | | 8,233 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 7,996,002 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 8,159,619 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–2.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–0.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brown-Forman Corp.–Class B | | | | | | | 802 | | | | 44,455 | |
Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd. | | | | | | | 4,346 | | | | 31,200 | |
Monster Beverage Corp.(a) | | | | | | | 1,238 | | | | 79,021 | |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | | | | | | 9,049 | | | | 1,186,596 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,341,272 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AlimentationCouche-Tard, Inc.–Class B | | | | | | | 204 | | | | 12,838 | |
Carrefour SA | | | | | | | 2,118 | | | | 40,894 | |
Colruyt SA | | | | | | | 676 | | | | 39,244 | |
Costco Wholesale Corp. | | | | | | | 3,330 | | | | 879,986 | |
Empire Co., Ltd.–Class A | | | | | | | 595 | | | | 14,985 | |
J Sainsbury PLC | | | | | | | 18,084 | | | | 44,939 | |
Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA | | | | | | | 1,111 | | | | 17,908 | |
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV | | | | | | | 1,845 | | | | 41,420 | |
METRO AG | | | | | | | 2,163 | | | | 39,524 | |
Sysco Corp. | | | | | | | 115 | | | | 8,133 | |
US Foods Holding Corp.(a) | | | | | | | 21,411 | | | | 765,657 | |
Walmart, Inc. | | | | | | | 11,113 | | | | 1,227,875 | |
Woolworths Group Ltd. | | | | | | | 754 | | | | 17,607 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 3,151,010 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
a2 Milk Co., Ltd.(a) | | | | | | | 2,877 | | | | 28,439 | |
Hershey Co. (The) | | | | | | | 561 | | | | 75,191 | |
JBS SA | | | | | | | 24,300 | | | | 134,285 | |
Marine Harvest ASA(a) | | | | | | | 4,390 | | | | 102,721 | |
Nestle SA | | | | | | | 574 | | | | 59,422 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 400,058 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–0.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | | | | | | | 1,176 | | | | 84,284 | |
Procter & Gamble Co. (The) | | | | | | | 10,444 | | | | 1,145,184 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,229,468 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beiersdorf AG | | | | | | | 146 | | | | 17,506 | |
Unilever NV | | | | | | | 926 | | | | 56,262 | |
Unilever PLC | | | | | | | 1,047 | | | | 64,993 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 138,761 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOBACCO–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Altria Group, Inc. | | | | | | | 15,244 | | | $ | 721,803 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 6,982,372 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–1.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BAE Systems PLC | | | | | | | 7,214 | | | | 45,339 | |
Boeing Co. (The) | | | | | | | 1,984 | | | | 722,196 | |
Raytheon Co. | | | | | | | 3,686 | | | | 640,922 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,408,457 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.(b) | | | | | | | 910 | | | | 76,759 | |
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. | | | | | | | 952 | | | | 72,219 | |
SG Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 500 | | | | 14,217 | |
United Parcel Service, Inc.–Class B | | | | | | | 712 | | | | 73,528 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 236,723 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
AIRLINES–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Delta Air Lines, Inc. | | | | | | | 15,425 | | | | 875,369 | |
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 400 | | | | 12,766 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 888,135 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lennox International, Inc. | | | | | | | 274 | | | | 75,350 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brambles Ltd. | �� | | | | | | 3,847 | | | | 34,841 | |
Societe BIC SA | | | | | | | 271 | | | | 20,643 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 55,484 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Honeywell International, Inc. | | | | | | | 6,286 | | | | 1,097,473 | |
Sembcorp Industries Ltd. | | | | | | | 12,300 | | | | 21,923 | |
Toshiba Corp. | | | | | | | 1,200 | | | | 37,410 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,156,806 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MACHINERY–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | | | | | | | 548 | | | | 82,644 | |
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC | | | | | | | 454 | | | | 53,000 | |
Volvo AB–Class B | | | | | | | 2,843 | | | | 45,174 | |
Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd. | | | | | | | 6,400 | | | | 7,251 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 188,069 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Randstad NV | | | | | | | 227 | | | | 12,458 | |
Thomson Reuters Corp. | | | | | | | 499 | | | | 32,191 | |
Wolters Kluwer NV | | | | | | | 579 | | | | 42,123 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 86,772 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Central Japan Railway Co. | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 40,101 | |
DSV A/S | | | | | | | 451 | | | | 44,410 | |
Norfolk Southern Corp. | | | | | | | 3,633 | | | | 724,166 | |
Union Pacific Corp. | | | | | | | 74 | | | | 12,514 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 821,191 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4,916,987 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
8
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Arkema SA | | | | | | | 41 | | | $ | 3,812 | |
Covestro AG(c) | | | | | | | 814 | | | | 41,440 | |
Johnson Matthey PLC | | | | | | | 1,586 | | | | 67,052 | |
Sasol Ltd. | | | | | | | 1,750 | | | | 43,515 | |
Sherwin-Williams Co. (The) | | | | | | | 177 | | | | 81,117 | |
Sika AG | | | | | | | 253 | | | | 43,223 | |
Westlake Chemical Corp.(b) | | | | | | | 6,403 | | | | 444,752 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 724,911 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua SAB de CV | | | | | | | 3,320 | | | | 18,218 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Berry Global Group, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 5,906 | | | | 310,596 | |
CCL Industries, Inc.–Class B | | | | | | | 653 | | | | 32,023 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 342,619 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
METALS & MINING–0.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. | | | | | | | 3,815 | | | | 195,593 | |
Alcoa Corp.(a) | | | | | | | 7,350 | | | | 172,063 | |
Anglo American PLC | | | | | | | 1,138 | | | | 32,511 | |
Antofagasta PLC | | | | | | | 8,570 | | | | 101,230 | |
APERAM SA | | | | | | | 1,000 | | | | 28,131 | |
BHP Group Ltd. | | | | | | | 842 | | | | 24,476 | |
Boliden AB | | | | | | | 3,800 | | | | 97,371 | |
Detour Gold Corp.(a) | | | | | | | 4,120 | | | | 51,974 | |
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. | | | | | | | 12,860 | | | | 122,163 | |
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. | | | | | | | 672 | | | | 4,274 | |
Glencore PLC | | | | | | | 82,420 | | | | 285,249 | |
Industrias Penoles SAB de CV | | | | | | | 2,490 | | | | 32,087 | |
Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. | | | | | | | 494 | | | | 21,283 | |
Lundin Mining Corp. | | | | | | | 10,430 | | | | 57,424 | |
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC (ADR)(b) | | | | | | | 3,880 | | | | 87,378 | |
Newcrest Mining Ltd. | | | | | | | 3,388 | | | | 76,116 | |
Norsk Hydro ASA | | | | | | | 15,090 | | | | 54,048 | |
Orocobre Ltd.(a) | | | | | | | 5,420 | | | | 10,786 | |
OZ Minerals Ltd. | | | | | | | 6,050 | | | | 42,825 | |
Polyus PJSC (GDR)(c) | | | | | | | 920 | | | | 42,395 | |
Rio Tinto PLC | | | | | | | 1,640 | | | | 101,505 | |
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 1,700 | | | | 50,960 | |
Syrah Resources Ltd.(a) | | | | | | | 20,610 | | | | 12,756 | |
Vale SA (Sponsored ADR)–Class B | | | | | | | 14,620 | | | | 196,493 | |
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. | | | | | | | 1,295 | | | | 31,318 | |
Yamato Kogyo Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 2,800 | | | | 81,917 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,014,326 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Suzano SA | | | | | | | 11,000 | | | | 94,103 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 3,194,177 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
UTILITIES–0.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | | | | | 12,952 | | | $ | 1,139,906 | |
Electricite de France SA | | | | | | | 1,897 | | | | 23,917 | |
Exelon Corp. | | | | | | | 1,162 | | | | 55,706 | |
NextEra Energy, Inc. | | | | | | | 99 | | | | 20,281 | |
Power Assets Holdings Ltd. | | | | | | | 500 | | | | 3,597 | |
Red Electrica Corp. SA | | | | | | | 1,823 | | | | 37,970 | |
Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA | | | | | | | 6,076 | | | | 38,714 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,320,091 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–0.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated Edison, Inc. | | | | | | | 792 | | | | 69,442 | |
NiSource, Inc. | | | | | | | 32,476 | | | | 935,309 | |
Sempra Energy | | | | | | | 332 | | | | 45,630 | |
Suez | | | | | | | 2,719 | | | | 39,235 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,089,616 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,409,707 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
HIGHWAYS & RAILTRACKS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transurban Group | | | | | | | 9,169 | | | | 94,940 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
BANKS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED BANKS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Banco Comercial Portugues SA | | | | | | | 136,570 | | | | 42,227 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIC Housing Finance Ltd. | | | | | | | 4,090 | | | | 33,122 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 75,349 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Chartwell Retirement Residences | | | | | | | 4,990 | | | | 57,995 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER SERVICES–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LEISURE FACILITIES–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Planet Fitness, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 575 | | | | 41,653 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL GOODS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Taisei Corp. | | | | | | | 1,100 | | | | 40,069 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DURABLES & APPAREL–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
HOMEBUILDING–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lennar Corp.–Class A | | | | | | | 802 | | | | 38,865 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $81,395,846) | | | | | | | | | | | 101,569,460 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
9
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–27.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FUNDS AND INVESTMENT TRUSTS–27.0%(d)(e) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AB Discovery Growth Fund, Inc.–Class Z | | | | | | | 298,664 | | | $ | 3,572,024 | |
AB Discovery Value Fund, Inc.–Class Z | | | | | | | 170,241 | | | | 3,321,397 | |
Bernstein Fund, Inc.–International Small Cap Portfolio–Class Z | | | | | | | 811,956 | | | | 8,647,330 | |
Bernstein Fund, Inc.–International Strategic Equities Portfolio–Class Z | | | | | | | 2,527,268 | | | | 29,644,859 | |
Bernstein Fund, Inc.–Small Cap Core Portfolio–Class Z | | | | | | | 294,818 | | | | 3,266,582 | |
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc.–Emerging Markets Portfolio–Class Z | | | | | | | 157,507 | | | | 4,277,894 | |
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc.–International Portfolio–Class Z | | | | | | | 1,054,601 | | | | 16,852,531 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investment Companies (cost $75,920,203) | | | | | | | | | | | 69,582,617 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | | |
CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADE–9.1% | | | | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–4.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BANKING–3.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AIB Group PLC 4.75%, 10/12/23(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 240 | | | | 252,245 | |
Banco Santander SA 3.25%, 4/04/26(c) | | | EUR | | | | 200 | | | | 256,716 | |
Bank of America Corp. 2.375%, 6/19/24(c) | | | | | | | 176 | | | | 221,027 | |
Series Z 6.50%, 10/23/24(f) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 77 | | | | 85,110 | |
Bank of Ireland Group PLC 4.50%, 11/25/23(c) | | | | | | | 335 | | | | 349,770 | |
Barclays Bank PLC 6.625%, 3/30/22(c) | | | EUR | | | | 50 | | | | 65,550 | |
6.86%, 6/15/32(c)(f) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 44 | | | | 50,392 | |
Barclays PLC 4.338%, 5/16/24 | | | | | | | 275 | | | | 284,020 | |
5.088%, 6/20/30 | | | | | | | 227 | | | | 232,257 | |
BNP Paribas SA 4.705%, 1/10/25 (c) | | | | | | | 205 | | | | 219,875 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CaixaBank SA 1.125%, 1/12/23-5/17/24(c) | | | EUR | | | | 300 | | | $ | 349,885 | |
Capital One Financial Corp. 0.80%, 6/12/24 | | | | | | | 128 | | | | 146,587 | |
3.30%, 10/30/24 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 265 | | | | 271,781 | |
Citigroup, Inc. 0.75%, 10/26/23(c) | | | EUR | | | | 108 | | | | 125,671 | |
3.875%, 3/26/25 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 235 | | | | 245,067 | |
Compass Bank 2.875%, 6/29/22 | | | | | | | 265 | | | | 267,351 | |
5.50%, 4/01/20 | | | | | | | 314 | | | | 320,613 | |
Cooperatieve Rabobank UA 4.375%, 8/04/25 | | | | | | | 320 | | | | 340,627 | |
Credit Agricole SA/London 3.375%, 1/10/22(c) | | | | | | | 260 | | | | 265,000 | |
Credit Suisse Group AG 2.125%, 9/12/25(c) | | | GBP | | | | 170 | | | | 214,309 | |
Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd. 3.80%, 6/09/23 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 385 | | | | 400,442 | |
Danske Bank A/S 5.375%, 1/12/24(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 215,300 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) 2.00%, 7/27/23(c) | | | EUR | | | | 185 | | | | 224,630 | |
3.75%, 5/22/25 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 186 | | | | 194,576 | |
HSBC Holdings PLC 1.50%, 3/15/22(c) | | | EUR | | | | 160 | | | | 189,350 | |
4.292%, 9/12/26 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 338 | | | | 359,744 | |
4.75%, 7/04/29(c)(f) | | | EUR | | | | 240 | | | | 286,890 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 3.22%, 3/01/25 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 265 | | | | 272,184 | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC 1.00%, 11/09/23(c) | | | EUR | | | | 210 | | | | 241,977 | |
4.582%, 12/10/25 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 200 | | | | 208,810 | |
Morgan Stanley 5.00%, 11/24/25 | | | | | | | 175 | | | | 193,797 | |
Series G 1.375%, 10/27/26 | | | EUR | | | | 342 | | | | 407,022 | |
1.75%, 3/11/24 | | | | | | | 182 | | | | 220,475 | |
Nationwide Building Society 4.00%, 9/14/26(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 290 | | | | 288,997 | |
Nordea Bank Abp 3.75%, 8/30/23(c) | | | | | | | 240 | | | | 249,398 | |
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. 4.40%, 7/13/27 | | | | | | | 265 | | | | 276,785 | |
Santander UK PLC 5.00%, 11/07/23(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 211,698 | |
Standard Chartered PLC 3.785%, 5/21/25(c) | | | | | | | 225 | | | | 230,177 | |
UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG 7.125%, 8/10/21(c)(f) | | | | | | | 230 | | | | 241,815 | |
US Bancorp Series J 5.30%, 4/15/27(f) | | | | | | | 116 | | | | 121,058 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 9,598,978 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
10
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FINANCE–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Synchrony Financial 4.375%, 3/19/24 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 23 | | | $ | 24,148 | |
4.50%, 7/23/25 | | | | | | | 192 | | | | 201,546 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 225,694 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–0.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ASR Nederland NV 5.125%, 9/29/45(c) | | | EUR | | | | 210 | | | | 279,330 | |
Caisse Nationale de Reassurance Mutuelle Agricole Groupama 6.00%, 1/23/27 | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 141,635 | |
Chubb INA Holdings, Inc. 0.875%, 6/15/27 | | | | | | | 110 | | | | 126,795 | |
CNP Assurances 4.25%, 6/05/45(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 259,186 | |
Credit Agricole Assurances SA 4.75%, 9/27/48(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 263,409 | |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen 3.25%, 5/26/49(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 263,496 | |
Voya Financial, Inc. 5.65%, 5/15/53 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 145 | | | | 150,561 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,484,412 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REITS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equinix, Inc. 2.875%, 2/01/26 | | | EUR | | | | 115 | | | | 136,881 | |
Host Hotels & Resorts LP Series D 3.75%, 10/15/23 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 10 | | | | 10,244 | |
Welltower, Inc. 4.00%, 6/01/25 | | | | | | | 238 | | | | 251,992 | |
WPC Eurobond BV 2.125%, 4/15/27 | | | EUR | | | | 148 | | | | 176,828 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 575,945 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 11,885,029 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–4.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BASIC–0.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Eastman Chemical Co. 3.80%, 3/15/25 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 84 | | | | 87,826 | |
Glencore Finance Europe Ltd. 1.875%, 9/13/23(c) | | | EUR | | | | 110 | | | | 131,395 | |
Series E 1.75%, 3/17/25(c) | | | | | | | 125 | | | | 148,076 | |
Gold Fields Orogen Holdings BVI Ltd. 5.125%, 5/15/24(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 225 | | | | 235,114 | |
SABIC Capital II BV 4.00%, 10/10/23(c) | | | | | | | 335 | | | | 348,172 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 950,583 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL GOODS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Wabtec Corp. 4.40%, 3/15/24 | | | | | | | 67 | | | | 70,741 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– MEDIA–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
CBS Corp. 4.00%, 1/15/26 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 30 | | | $ | 31,435 | |
4.20%, 6/01/29 | | | | | | | 133 | | | | 140,788 | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital 4.908%, 7/23/25 | | | | | | | 165 | | | | 179,055 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 351,278 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS–TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.4% | | | | | | | | | |
AT&T, Inc. 2.50%, 3/15/23 | | | EUR | | | | 100 | | | | 123,332 | |
4.125%, 2/17/26 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 345 | | | | 367,766 | |
Rogers Communications, Inc. 4.00%, 6/06/22 | | | CAD | | | | 46 | | | | 36,882 | |
Sprint Spectrum Co. LLC/ Sprint Spectrum Co. II LLC/Sprint Spectrum Co. III LLC 4.738%, 3/20/25(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 200 | | | | 207,638 | |
Vodafone Group PLC 3.75%, 1/16/24 | | | | | | | 78 | | | | 81,547 | |
4.125%, 5/30/25 | | | | | | | 171 | | | | 182,079 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 999,244 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.3% | | | | | | | | | |
General Motors Financial Co., Inc. 2.20%, 4/01/24(c) | | | EUR | | | | 195 | | | | 233,316 | |
4.30%, 7/13/25 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 50 | | | | 51,497 | |
5.10%, 1/17/24 | | | | | | | 128 | | | | 136,861 | |
Volkswagen Bank GmbH 1.25%, 6/10/24(c) | | | EUR | | | | 200 | | | | 232,223 | |
Volkswagen Leasing GmbH 2.625%, 1/15/24(c) | | | | | | | 120 | | | | 147,914 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 801,811 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMERNON-CYCLICAL–1.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Allergan Funding SCS 2.625%, 11/15/28 | | | | | | | 255 | | | | 319,267 | |
Altria Group, Inc. 1.70%, 6/15/25 | | | | | | | 265 | | | | 313,285 | |
Becton Dickinson and Co. 3.734%, 12/15/24 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 66 | | | | 69,163 | |
Biogen, Inc. 4.05%, 9/15/25 | | | | | | | 251 | | | | 269,167 | |
CVS Health Corp. 4.10%, 3/25/25 | | | | | | | 120 | | | | 126,586 | |
Medtronic Global Holdings SCA 1.125%, 3/07/27 | | | EUR | | | | 230 | | | | 272,876 | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. 0.625%, 11/08/24 | | | | | | | 193 | | | | 224,295 | |
Reynolds American, Inc. 4.45%, 6/12/25 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 145 | | | | 153,806 | |
11
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 1.125%, 11/21/22(c) | | | EUR | | | | 285 | | | $ | 335,251 | |
4.40%, 11/26/23(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 275 | | | | 294,030 | |
Tyson Foods, Inc. 3.95%, 8/15/24 | | | | | | | 206 | | | | 218,578 | |
4.00%, 3/01/26 | | | | | | | 65 | | | | 69,189 | |
4.35%, 3/01/29 | | | | | | | 71 | | | | 77,611 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,743,104 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–0.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Encana Corp. 3.90%, 11/15/21 | | | | | | | 140 | | | | 143,452 | |
Eni SpA 4.25%, 5/09/29(c) | | | | | | | 270 | | | | 285,247 | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC 3.70%, 2/15/26 | | | | | | | 278 | | | | 293,885 | |
Hess Corp. 4.30%, 4/01/27 | | | | | | | 199 | | | | 206,311 | |
Noble Energy, Inc. 3.90%, 11/15/24 | | | | | | | 170 | | | | 177,288 | |
4.15%, 12/15/21 | | | | | | | 78 | | | | 80,478 | |
Plains All American Pipeline LP/PAA Finance Corp. 3.60%, 11/01/24 | | | | | | | 232 | | | | 236,468 | |
Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations LP 4.25%, 4/01/24 | | | | | | | 240 | | | | 251,607 | |
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. 9.875%, 1/01/21 | | | | | | | 215 | | | | 237,766 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,912,502 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
OTHER INDUSTRIAL–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alfa SAB de CV 5.25%, 3/25/24(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 214,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SERVICES–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expedia Group, Inc. 3.80%, 2/15/28 | | | | | | | 185 | | | | 188,256 | |
IHS Markit Ltd. 3.625%, 5/01/24 | | | | | | | 63 | | | | 64,864 | |
Total System Services, Inc. 3.75%, 6/01/23 | | | | | | | 45 | | | | 46,456 | |
4.00%, 6/01/23 | | | | | | | 83 | | | | 86,843 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 386,419 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY–0.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Broadcom Corp./Broadcom Cayman Finance Ltd. 3.625%, 1/15/24 | | | | | | | 53 | | | | 53,477 | |
3.875%, 1/15/27 | | | | | | | 117 | | | | 114,624 | |
Broadcom, Inc. 3.625%, 10/15/24(c) | | | | | | | 135 | | | | 135,705 | |
4.25%, 4/15/26(c) | | | | | | | 45 | | | | 45,665 | |
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp. 6.02%, 6/15/26(c) | | | | | | | 96 | | | | 105,715 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. 0.40%, 1/15/21 | | | EUR | | | | 100 | | | $ | 114,582 | |
1.50%, 5/21/27 | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 237,374 | |
Fiserv, Inc. 1.125%, 7/01/27 | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 230,422 | |
International Business Machines Corp. 0.375%, 1/31/23 | | | | | | | 160 | | | | 184,330 | |
0.875%, 1/31/25(g) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 141 | | | | 165,577 | |
KLA-Tencor Corp. 4.65%, 11/01/24 | | | | | | | 225 | | | | 246,364 | |
NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC/NXP USA, Inc. 3.875%, 6/18/26(c) | | | | | | | 96 | | | | 98,608 | |
Seagate HDD Cayman 4.75%, 1/01/25 | | | | | | | 127 | | | | 128,100 | |
VMware, Inc. 2.95%, 8/21/22 | | | | | | | 85 | | | | 85,822 | |
Western Digital Corp. 4.75%, 2/15/26 | | | | | | | 167 | | | | 163,999 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,110,364 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION–SERVICES–0.2% | | | | | | | | | |
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. 3.95%, 1/19/22(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 204,125 | |
Chicago Parking Meters LLC 4.93%, 12/30/25(h)(i) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 217,835 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 421,960 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 10,962,006 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
UTILITY–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. PJSC 4.375%, 4/23/25(c) | | | | | | | 250 | | | | 264,531 | |
Enel Finance International NV 4.25%, 9/14/23(c) | | | | | | | 240 | | | | 251,796 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 516,327 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Corporates–Investment Grade (cost $22,495,308) | | | | | | | | | | | 23,363,362 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS–TREASURIES–9.0% | | | | | | | | | |
BELGIUM–0.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kingdom of Belgium Government Bond Series 84 1.45%, 6/22/37(c) | | | EUR | | | | 457 | | | | 592,931 | |
Series 87 0.90%, 6/22/29(c) | | | | | | | 1,500 | | | | 1,847,424 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,440,355 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
12
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CANADA–1.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Canadian Government Bond 2.25%, 3/01/24 | | | CAD | | | | 4,425 | | | $ | 3,509,352 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FRANCE–1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
French Republic Government Bond OAT 0.50%, 5/25/25(c) | | | EUR | | | | 1,473 | | | | 1,765,345 | |
1.00%, 5/25/27(c) | | | | | | | 569 | | | | 709,037 | |
1.25%, 5/25/34(c) | | | | | | | 470 | | | | 603,256 | |
1.75%, 6/25/39(c) | | | | | | | 14 | | | | 18,702 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 3,096,340 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INDONESIA–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Indonesia Treasury Bond Series FR68 8.375%, 3/15/34 | | | IDR | | | | 7,722,000 | | | | 579,389 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ITALY–2.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Italy Buoni Poliennali Del Tesoro 1.20%, 4/01/22 | | | EUR | | | | 790 | | | | 911,074 | |
1.35%, 4/15/22 | | | | | | | 775 | | | | 896,507 | |
2.05%, 8/01/27 | | | | | | | 624 | | | | 724,593 | |
2.20%, 6/01/27 | | | | | | | 335 | | | | 393,370 | |
2.30%, 10/15/21(c) | | | | | | | 770 | | | | 912,008 | |
2.45%, 9/01/33(c) | | | | | | | 670 | | | | 769,514 | |
3.35%, 3/01/35(c) | | | | | | | 288 | | | | 361,753 | |
3.85%, 9/01/49(c) | | | | | | | 524 | | | | 687,719 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 5,656,538 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
JAPAN–1.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Japan Government Ten Year Bond Series 354 0.10%, 3/20/29 | | | JPY | | | | 69,100 | | | | 657,512 | |
Japan Government Thirty Year Bond Series 62 0.50%, 3/20/49 | | | | | | | 69,500 | | | | 669,467 | |
Japan Government Twenty Year Bond Series 158 0.50%, 9/20/36 | | | | | | | 109,750 | | | | 1,078,658 | |
Series 159 0.60%, 12/20/36 | | | | | | | 53,750 | | | | 536,737 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,942,374 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MALAYSIA–0.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Malaysia Government Bond Series 0114 4.181%, 7/15/24 | | | MYR | | | | 957 | | | | 238,661 | |
Series 0119 3.906%, 7/15/26 | | | | | | | 1,039 | | | | 256,696 | |
Series 0217 4.059%, 9/30/24 | | | | | | | 961 | | | | 238,563 | |
Series 0218 3.757%, 4/20/23 | | | | | | | 1,742 | | | | 426,562 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 0219 3.885%, 8/15/29 | | | MYR | | | | 1,485 | | | $ | 366,352 | |
Series 0313 3.48%, 3/15/23 | | | | | | | 800 | | | | 193,905 | |
Series 0316 3.90%, 11/30/26 | | | | | | | 971 | | | | 238,778 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,959,517 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
RUSSIA–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Russian Federal Bond–OFZ Series 6212 7.05%, 1/19/28 | | | RUB | | | | 8,460 | | | | 132,116 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SPAIN–0.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Spain Government Bond 1.85%, 7/30/35(c) | | | EUR | | | | 215 | | | | 279,767 | |
2.35%, 7/30/33(c) | | | | | | | 918 | | | | 1,267,692 | |
4.40%, 10/31/23(c) | | | | | | | 596 | | | | 814,555 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,362,014 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
UNITED KINGDOM–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United Kingdom Gilt 4.50%, 12/07/42(c) | | | GBP | | | | 303 | | | | 620,545 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Treasuries (cost $22,305,695) | | | | | | | | | | | 23,298,540 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–3.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
JAPAN–1.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Japanese Government CPI Linked Bond Series 21 0.10%, 3/10/26 | | | JPY | | | | 107,806 | | | | 1,038,414 | |
Series 22 0.10%, 3/10/27 | | | | | | | 112,604 | | | | 1,089,328 | |
Series 23 0.10%, 3/10/28 | | | | | | | 257,835 | | | | 2,495,941 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4,623,683 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NEW ZEALAND–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
New Zealand Government Inflation Linked Bond Series 0925 2.00%, 9/20/25(c) | | | NZD | | | | 322 | | | | 236,018 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
UNITED STATES–1.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Inflation Index 0.125%, 7/15/24 (TIPS) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 1,835 | | | | 1,831,225 | |
0.375%, 7/15/25 (TIPS) | | | | | | | 1,692 | | | | 1,710,051 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 3,541,276 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Inflation-Linked Securities (cost $8,236,262) | | | | | | | | | | | 8,400,977 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS–2.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AGENCY FIXED RATE30-YEAR–2.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold Series 2018 4.00%, 8/01/48–12/01/48 | | | | | | | 616 | | | | 647,182 | |
13
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 11/01/48 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 429 | | | $ | 456,722 | |
Series 2019 4.50%, 2/01/49 | | | | | | | 330 | | | | 352,749 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association 3.50%, 7/01/49, TBA | | | | | | | 355 | | | | 362,960 | |
Series 2013 4.00%, 10/01/43 | | | | | | | 777 | | | | 819,832 | |
Series 2017 3.50%, 12/01/47–1/01/48 | | | | | | | 357 | | | | 367,700 | |
Series 2018 3.50%, 2/01/48–3/01/48 | | | | | | | 874 | | | | 899,789 | |
4.00%, 8/01/48–9/01/48 | | | | | | | 652 | | | | 684,377 | |
4.50%, 9/01/48 | | | | | | | 1,162 | | | | 1,237,259 | |
5.00%, 7/01/48 | | | | | | | 24 | | | | 25,310 | |
Series 2019 5.00%, 2/01/49 | | | | | | | 876 | | | | 927,608 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Mortgage Pass-Throughs (cost $6,654,319) | | | | | | | | | | | 6,781,488 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS–2.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RISK SHARE FLOATING RATE–1.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bellemeade Re Ltd. | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2018-2A, Class M1B 3.754% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.35%), 8/25/28(c)(j) | | | | | | | 240 | | | | 240,507 | |
Series2019-1A, Class M1B 4.154% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.75%), 3/25/29(c)(j) | | | | | | | 220 | | | | 221,630 | |
Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2019-R02, Class 1M2 4.704% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.30%), 8/25/31(c)(j) | | | | | | | 104 | | | | 105,118 | |
Series2019-R03, Class 1M2 4.554% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.15%), 9/25/31(c)(j) | | | | | | | 70 | | | | 70,845 | |
Eagle RE Ltd. | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2018-1, Class M1 4.104% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.70%), 11/25/28 (c)(j) | | | | | | | 162 | | | | 162,088 | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2014-DN3, Class M3 6.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%), 8/25/24(j) | | | | | | | 243 | | | | 259,466 | |
Series2014-HQ3, Class M3 7.154% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.75%), 10/25/24(j) | | | | | | | 186 | | | | 201,533 | |
Series 2016-DNA1, Class M3 7.954% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.55%), 7/25/28(j) | | | | | | | 250 | | | | 283,197 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2014-C03, Class 1M2 5.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.00%), 7/25/24(j) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 79 | | | $ | 82,350 | |
Series2014-C04, Class 2M2 7.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.00%), 11/25/24(j) | | | | | | | 44 | | | | 47,886 | |
Series2015-C01, Class 1M2 6.704% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.30%), 2/25/25(j) | | | | | | | 90 | | | | 96,105 | |
Series2015-C02, Class 1M2 6.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%), 5/25/25(j) | | | | | | | 122 | | | | 130,508 | |
Series2015-C02, Class 2M2 6.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%), 5/25/25(j) | | | | | | | 101 | | | | 106,214 | |
Series2015-C03, Class 1M2 7.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.00%), 7/25/25(j) | | | | | | | 60 | | | | 65,364 | |
Series2015-C03, Class 2M2 7.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.00%), 7/25/25(j) | | | | | | | 152 | | | | 162,839 | |
Series2015-C04, Class 1M2 8.104% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.70%), 4/25/28(j) | | | | | | | 55 | | | | 60,978 | |
Series2015-C04, Class 2M2 7.954% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.55%), 4/25/28(j) | | | | | | | 223 | | | | 242,429 | |
Series2016-C01, Class 1M2 9.154% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.75%), 8/25/28(j) | | | | | | | 192 | | | | 217,125 | |
Series2016-C01, Class 2M2 9.354% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.95%), 8/25/28(j) | | | | | | | 134 | | | | 150,460 | |
Series2016-C03, Class 2M2 8.304% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.90%), 10/25/28(j) | | | | | | | 270 | | | | 296,956 | |
Series2016-C05, Class 2M2 6.854% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.45%), 1/25/29(j) | | | | | | | 199 | | | | 211,930 | |
Series2019-R04, Class 2M2 4.504% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.10%), 6/25/39(c)(j) | | | | | | | 126 | | | | 125,897 | |
14
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
JP Morgan Madison Avenue Securities Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2014-CH1, Class M2 6.654% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.25%), 11/25/24(j)(k) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 26 | | | $ | 28,163 | |
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2019-1R, Class A 4.429% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.00%), 3/27/24(j)(k) | | | | | | | 147 | | | | 147,461 | |
Radnor RE Ltd. | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2019-1, Class M1B 4.354% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.95%), 2/25/29(c)(j) | | | | | | | 220 | | | | 221,538 | |
Series2019-2, Class M1B 4.187% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.75%), 6/25/29(c)(j) | | | | | | | 220 | | | | 220,000 | |
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2015-WF1, Class 1M2 7.654% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.25%), 11/25/25(j)(k) | | | | | | | 122 | | | | 137,094 | |
Series2015-WF1, Class 2M2 7.904% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.50%), 11/25/25(j)(k) | | | | | | | 39 | | | | 44,804 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4,340,485 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMICs | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 4416, Class BS 3.706% (6.10%–LIBOR 1Month), 12/15/44(j)(l) | | | | | | | 598 | | | | 109,434 | |
Series 4693, Class SL 3.756% (6.15%–LIBOR 1Month), 6/15/47(j)(l) | | | | | | | 557 | | | | 113,611 | |
Series 4719, Class JS 3.756% (6.15%–LIBOR 1Month), 9/15/47(j)(l) | | | | | | | 485 | | | | 80,245 | |
Series 4727, Class SA 3.806% (6.20%–LIBOR 1Month), 11/15/47(j)(l) | | | | | | | 626 | | | | 114,302 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association REMICs | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2011-131, Class ST 4.136% (6.54%–LIBOR 1Month), 12/25/41(j)(l) | | | | | | | 285 | | | | 59,901 | |
Series2012-70, Class SA 4.146% (6.55%–LIBOR 1Month), 7/25/42(j)(l) | | | | | | | 514 | | | | 115,567 | |
Series2016-106, Class ES 3.596% (6.00%–LIBOR 1Month), 1/25/47(j)(l) | | | | | | | 565 | | | | 103,228 | |
Series2017-16, Class SG 3.646% (6.05%–LIBOR 1Month), 3/25/47(j)(l) | | | | | | | 569 | | | | 106,730 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2017-81, Class SA 3.796% (6.20%–LIBOR 1Month), 10/25/47(j)(l) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 572 | | | $ | 114,052 | |
Series2017-97, Class LS 3.796% (6.20%–LIBOR 1Month), 12/25/47(j)(l) | | | | | | | 445 | | | | 96,959 | |
Government National Mortgage Association | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2017-134, Class SE 3.817% (6.20%–LIBOR 1Month), 9/20/47(j)(l) | | | | | | | 428 | | | | 70,279 | |
Series2017-65, Class ST 3.767% (6.15%–LIBOR 1Month), 4/20/47(j)(l) | | | | | | | 545 | | | | 109,796 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,194,104 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alternative Loan Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2005-20CB, Class 3A6 5.50%, 7/25/35 | | | | | | | 24 | | | | 22,974 | |
Series 2006-24CB, Class A16 5.75%, 8/01/36 | | | | | | | 107 | | | | 88,919 | |
Series 2006-28CB, Class A14 6.25%, 10/25/36 | | | | | | | 79 | | | | 63,722 | |
Series2006-J1, Class 1A13 5.50%, 2/25/36 | | | | | | | 58 | | | | 52,907 | |
Chase Mortgage Finance Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2007-S5, Class 1A17 6.00%, 7/25/37 | | | | | | | 36 | | | | 27,285 | |
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2005-2, Class 1A4 4.403%, 5/25/35 | | | | | | | 9 | | | | 9,176 | |
Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2006-10, Class 1A8 6.00%, 5/25/36 | | | | | | | 56 | | | | 45,031 | |
Series2006-13, Class 1A19 6.25%, 9/25/36 | | | | | | | 29 | | | | 22,185 | |
First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2006-FA3, Class A9 6.00%, 7/25/36 | | | | | | | 102 | | | | 80,005 | |
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2007-8, Class 2A5 5.75%, 7/25/37 | | | | | | | 23 | | | | 22,853 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 435,057 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
15
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DeutscheAlt-A Securities Mortgage Loan Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2006-AR4, Class A2 2.594% (LIBOR 1 Month + 0.19%), 12/25/36(j) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 251 | | | $ | 137,585 | |
HomeBanc Mortgage Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2005-1, Class A1 2.654% (LIBOR 1 Month + 0.25%), 3/25/35(j) | | | | | | | 76 | | | | 66,493 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 204,078 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (cost $5,946,431) | | | | | | | | | | | 6,173,724 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–1.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CGRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2013-VN05, Class A 3.369%, 3/13/35(c) | | | | | | | 495 | | | | 515,844 | |
Commercial Mortgage Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2013-SFS, Class A1 1.873%, 4/12/35(c) | | | | | | | 106 | | | | 105,208 | |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2013-KING, Class A 2.706%, 12/10/27(c) | | | | | | | 401 | | | | 400,495 | |
GS Mortgage Securities Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2013-G1, Class A2 3.557%, 4/10/31(c) | | | | | | | 276 | | | | 282,188 | |
JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2012-C6, Class E 5.32%, 5/15/45(c)(g) | | | | | | | 119 | | | | 112,985 | |
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2015-C31, Class A3 3.801%, 8/15/48 | | | | | | | 355 | | | | 379,489 | |
Series2015-C32, Class C 4.816%, 11/15/48(g) | | | | | | | 195 | | | | 205,181 | |
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage TrustSecurities Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2006-C6, Class AJ 5.452%, 9/15/39(g) | | | | | | | 48 | | | | 32,819 | |
LSTAR Commercial Mortgage Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2015-3, Class A2 2.729%, 4/20/48(c) | | | | | | | 108 | | | | 108,297 | |
Series2016-4, Class A2 2.579%, 3/10/49(c) | | | | | | | 161 | | | | 160,658 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2005-IQ9, Class D 5.00%, 7/15/56(g)(i) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 112 | | | $ | 104,790 | |
UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2018-C9, Class A4 4.117%, 3/15/51 | | | | | | | 300 | | | | 330,132 | |
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2015-SG1, Class C 4.617%, 9/15/48(g) | | | | | | | 197 | | | | 201,650 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,939,736 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE CMBS–0.6% | | | | | | | | | |
Ashford Hospitality Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2018-KEYS, Class A 3.394% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.00%), 5/15/35(c)(j) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 200,126 | |
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2017-SCH, Class AF 3.394% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.00%), 11/15/33(c)(g)(j) | | | | | | | 375 | | | | 374,711 | |
BHMS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2018-ATLS, Class A 3.644% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.25%), 7/15/35(c)(j) | | | | | | | 195 | | | | 195,065 | |
BX Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2018-EXCL, Class A 3.482% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.09%), 9/15/37(c)(j) | | | | | | | 163 | | | | 162,767 | |
DBWF Mortgage Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2018-GLKS, Class A 3.42% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.03%), 11/19/35(c)(j) | | | | | | | 166 | | | | 165,974 | |
Invitation Homes Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2018-SFR4, Class A 3.494% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.10%), 1/17/38(c)(j) | | | | | | | 227 | | | | 227,669 | |
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2015-XLF2, Class SNMA 4.344% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.95%), 11/15/26(j)(k) | | | | | | | 90 | | | | 89,717 | |
Starwood Retail Property Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2014-STAR, Class A 3.614% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.22%), 11/15/27(c)(j) | | | | | | | 177 | | | | 176,809 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,592,838 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $4,473,688) | | | | | | | | | | | 4,532,574 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
16
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CORPORATES–NON-INVESTMENT GRADE–1.6% | | | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–0.8% | | | | | | | | | |
BASIC–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions ULC 2.875%, 1/15/26(c) | | | EUR | | | | 150 | | | $ | 185,561 | |
SPCM SA 4.875%, 9/15/25(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 200 | | | | 201,584 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 387,145 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL GOODS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Colfax Corp. 3.25%, 5/15/25(c) | | | EUR | | | | 120 | | | | 140,771 | |
TransDigm, Inc. 6.25%, 3/15/26(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 110 | | | | 115,256 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 256,027 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS–MEDIA–0.0% | | | | | | | | | |
CSC Holdings LLC 6.75%, 11/15/21 | | | | | | | 45 | | | | 48,207 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Panther BF Aggregator 2 LP/Panther Finance Co., Inc. 4.375%, 5/15/26(c) | | | EUR | | | | 120 | | | | 141,057 | |
Tenneco, Inc. 5.00%, 7/15/24(c) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 112,004 | |
Volvo Car AB 2.00%, 1/24/25(c) | | | | | | | 159 | | | | 183,741 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 436,802 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
International Game Technology PLC 6.25%, 2/15/22(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 200 | | | | 211,246 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMERNON-CYCLICAL–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Spectrum Brands, Inc. 5.75%, 7/15/25 | | | | | | | 135 | | | | 140,273 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PDC Energy, Inc. 5.75%, 5/15/26 | | | | | | | 137 | | | | 135,934 | |
SM Energy Co. 6.625%, 1/15/27 | | | | | | | 53 | | | | 49,052 | |
Transocean Poseidon Ltd. 6.875%, 2/01/27(c) | | | | | | | 62 | | | | 65,576 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 250,562 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
OTHER INDUSTRIAL–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ProGroup AG 3.00%, 3/31/26(c) | | | EUR | | | | 125 | | | | 146,402 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CommScope, Inc. 5.50%, 3/01/24(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 67 | | | $ | 68,754 | |
6.00%, 3/01/26(c) | | | | | | | 88 | | | | 90,226 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 158,980 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION–SERVICES–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
XPO Logistics, Inc. 6.75%, 8/15/24(c) | | | | | | | 130 | | | | 138,594 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,174,238 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.8% | | | | | | | | | |
BANKING–0.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ABN AMRO Bank NV 5.75%, 9/22/20(c)(f) | | | EUR | | | | 200 | | | | 239,360 | |
Allied Irish Banks PLC 7.375%, 12/03/20(c)(f) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 245,614 | |
Citigroup, Inc. 5.95%, 1/30/23(f) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 90 | | | | 93,056 | |
Danske Bank A/S 5.875%, 4/06/22(c)(f) | | | EUR | | | | 200 | | | | 240,149 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) Series P 5.00%, 11/10/22(f) | | U.S.$ | | | | | 61 | | | | 58,522 | |
Series Q 5.50%, 8/10/24(f) | | | | | | | 69 | | | | 70,840 | |
Morgan Stanley Series J 5.55%, 7/15/20(f) | | | | | | | 95 | | | | 96,020 | |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC Series U 4.65% (LIBOR 3 Month + 2.32%), 9/30/27(f)(j) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 190,000 | |
Societe Generale SA 6.75%, 4/07/21(c)(f) | | | EUR | | | | 200 | | | | 243,021 | |
Standard Chartered PLC 4.093% (LIBOR 3 Month + 1.51%), 1/30/27(c)(f)(j) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 200 | | | | 168,018 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,644,600 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FINANCE–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Navient Corp. 6.625%, 7/26/21 | | | | | | | 170 | | | | 180,854 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REITS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP FinanceCo-Issuer, Inc. 5.75%, 2/01/27(c) | | | | | | | 130 | | | | 140,018 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,965,472 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TotalCorporates–Non-Investment Grade (cost $4,089,026) | | | | | | | | | | | 4,139,710 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
17
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
EMERGING MARKETS–TREASURIES–1.1% | | | | | | | | | |
BRAZIL–0.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brazil Letras do Tesouro Nacional Series LTN Zero Coupon, 7/01/19 | | | BRL | | | | 8,485 | | | $ | 2,211,877 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SOUTH AFRICA–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Republic of South Africa Government Bond Series 2048 8.75%, 2/28/48 | | | ZAR | | | | 11,087 | | | | 716,290 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Emerging Markets–Treasuries (cost $2,789,788) | | | | | | | | | | | 2,928,167 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COVERED BONDS–0.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bank of Montreal 0.75%, 9/21/22(c) | | | EUR | | | | 315 | | | | 370,569 | |
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Zero Coupon, 7/25/22(c) | | | | | | | 325 | | | | 373,224 | |
Credit Suisse AG/Guernsey 0.75%, 9/17/21(c) | | | | | | | 320 | | | | 372,951 | |
Danske Bank A/S 0.125%, 2/14/22(c) | | | | | | | 280 | | | | 322,454 | |
DNB Boligkreditt AS 2.75%, 3/21/22(c) | | | | | | | 300 | | | | 370,481 | |
Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi TAO 2.375%, 5/04/21(c) | | | | | | | 140 | | | | 157,113 | |
UBS AG/London | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1.375%, 4/16/21(c) | | | | | | | 140 | | | | 164,239 | |
4.00%, 4/08/22(c) | | | | | | | 158 | | | | 201,361 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Covered Bonds (cost $2,282,377) | | | | | | | | | | | 2,332,392 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS–0.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CLO–FLOATING RATE–0.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ICG US CLO Ltd. Series2015-1A, Class A1R 3.732% (LIBOR 3 Month + 1.14%), 10/19/28(c)(g)(j) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 300 | | | | 299,675 | |
Octagon Loan Funding Ltd. Series2014-1A, Class ARR 3.70% (LIBOR 3 Month + 1.18%), 11/18/31(c)(g)(j) | | | | | | | 320 | | | | 318,244 | |
TIAA CLO IV Ltd. Series2018-1A, Class A1A 4.05% (LIBOR 3 Month + 1.23%), 1/20/32(c)(g)(j) | | | | | | | 250 | | | | 250,025 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Voya CLO Ltd. Series2016-3A, Class A1R 3.791% (LIBOR 3 Month + 1.19%), 10/38/31(c)(g)(j) | | U.S.$ | | | | | 500 | | | $ | 498,701 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Collateralized Loan Obligations (cost $1,370,000) | | | | | | | | | | | 1,366,645 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
EMERGING MARKETS–SOVEREIGNS–0.4% | | | | | | | | | |
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Dominican Republic International Bond 5.95%, 1/25/27(b)(c) | | | | | | | 190 | | | | 204,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
EGYPT–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Egypt Government International Bond 5.577%, 2/21/23(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 203,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
IVORY COAST–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ivory Coast Government International Bond 5.125%, 6/15/25(c) | | | EUR | | | | 125 | | | | 148,178 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NIGERIA–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Nigeria Government International Bond 6.75%, 1/28/21(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 200 | | | | 208,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SRI LANKA–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sri Lanka Government International Bond 6.85%, 3/14/24(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 204,316 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Emerging Markets–Sovereigns (cost $939,240) | | | | | | | | | | | 968,494 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS– SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.4% | | | | | | | | | |
MEXICO–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mexico Government International Bond 3.60%, 1/30/25 | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 204,700 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
QATAR–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Qatar Government International Bond 3.875%, 4/23/23(c) | | | | | | | 250 | | | | 262,187 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SAUDI ARABIA–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Saudi Government International Bond 4.00%, 4/17/25(c) | | | | | | | 251 | | | | 267,566 | |
4.375%, 4/16/29(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 216,390 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 483,956 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Sovereign Bonds (cost $892,786) | | | | | | | | | | | 950,843 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
18
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OTHER ABS–FIXED RATE–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Credit Trust Series2018-P1, Class A 3.39%, 7/15/25(c)(g) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 57 | | | $ | 57,502 | |
Marlette Funding Trust Series2017-3A, Class A 2.36%, 12/15/24(c)(g) | | | | | | | 11 | | | | 10,804 | |
Prosper Marketplace Issuance Trust Series2017-2A, Class B 3.48%, 9/15/23(c)(g) | | | | | | | 22 | | | | 22,250 | |
SBA Tower Trust Series2015-1A,Class C 3.156%, 10/08/20(c)(g) | | | | | | | 251 | | | | 251,391 | |
SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC Series2017-2, Class A 3.28%, 2/25/26(c)(g) | | | | | | | 47 | | | | 47,186 | |
SoFi Consumer Loan Program Trust Series2018-1, Class A1 2.55%, 2/25/27(c)(g) | | | | | | | 51 | | | | 50,625 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 439,758 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
AUTOS–FIXED RATE–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CPS Auto Receivables Trust Series2017-D, Class A 1.87%, 3/15/21(c) | | | | | | | 7 | | | | 6,873 | |
DT Auto Owner Trust Series2018-1A, Class A 2.59%, 5/17/21(c) | | | | | | | 13 | | | | 12,892 | |
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2016-1A, Class D 8.20%, 2/15/23(c) | | | | | | | 140 | | | | 145,293 | |
Series2018-2A, Class A 2.79%, 7/15/21(c) | | | | | | | 35 | | | | 34,782 | |
Flagship Credit Auto Trust | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2016-4, Class D 3.89%, 11/15/22(c) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 101,615 | |
Series2017-2, Class A 1.85%, 7/15/21(c) | | | | | | | 22 | | | | 22,018 | |
Series2017-3, Class A 1.88%, 10/15/21(c) | | | | | | | 39 | | | | 38,702 | |
Series2017-4, Class A 2.07%, 4/15/22(c) | | | | | | | 42 | | | | 41,954 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 404,129 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securitization LLC | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2003-CB1, Class AF 3.95%, 1/25/33(g) | | | | | | | 40 | | | | 40,915 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Asset-Backed Securities (cost $870,755) | | | | | | | | | | | 884,802 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
EMERGING MARKETS–CORPORATE BONDS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–0.2% | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMERNON-CYCLICAL–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Minerva Luxembourg SA 6.50%, 9/20/26(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 200 | | | $ | 207,624 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Petrobras Global Finance BV 6.25%, 3/17/24 | | | | | | | 15 | | | | 16,407 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION–SERVICES–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Rumo Luxembourg SARL 5.875%, 1/18/25(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 211,992 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 436,023 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
UTILITY–0.0% | | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC–0.0% | | | | | | | | | |
Genneia SA 8.75%, 1/20/22(c) | | | | | | | 76 | | | | 69,374 | |
Terraform Global Operating LLC 6.125%, 3/01/26(k) | | | | | | | 42 | | | | 42,138 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 111,512 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Emerging Markets–Corporate Bonds (cost $535,571) | | | | | | | | | | | 547,535 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
QUASI-SOVEREIGNS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | |
QUASI-SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | |
INDONESIA–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Perusahaan Listrik Negara PT 5.45%, 5/21/28(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 221,750 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SAUDI ARABIA–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Saudi Arabian Oil Co. 2.875%, 4/16/24(c) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 201,318 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Quasi-Sovereigns (cost $397,648) | | | | | | | | | | | 423,068 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | | | |
RIGHTS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | |
Repsol SA, expiring 7/09/19(a) | | | | | | | 15,390 | | | | 8,536 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
METALS & MINING–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Syrah Resources Ltd., expiring 7/08/19(a)(g) | | | | | | | 4,122 | | | | 203 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Rights (cost $8,725) | | | | | | | | | | | 8,739 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
19
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. TREASURY BILLS–1.2% | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Bill Zero Coupon, 7/05/19(m) (cost $3,101,182) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 3,102 | | | $ | 3,101,331 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITY LENDING COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–101.3% (cost $244,704,850) | | | | | | | | | | | 261,354,468 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(d)(n)(e) (cost $346,232) | | | | | | | 346,232 | | | $ | 346,232 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.5% (cost $245,051,082) | | | | | | | | | | | 261,700,700 | |
Other assets less liabilities–(1.5)% | | | | | | | | | | | (3,766,031 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 257,934,669 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FUTURES (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Number of Contracts | | | Expiration Month | | | Current Notional | | | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Purchased Contracts | |
10 Yr Canadian Bond Futures | | | 15 | | | | September 2019 | | | $ | 1,637,165 | | | $ | 15,266 | |
10 Yr Japan Bond (OSE) Futures | | | 2 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 2,853,963 | | | | 7,686 | |
10 Yr Mini Japan Government Bond Futures | | | 24 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 3,425,868 | | | | 7,691 | |
Euro-Bund Futures | | | 6 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 1,178,536 | | | | 12,422 | |
Euro-Schatz Futures | | | 12 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 1,532,152 | | | | 2,374 | |
Long Gilt Futures | | | 3 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 496,423 | | | | 3,705 | |
U.S.T-Note 2 Yr (CBT) Futures | | | 53 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 11,404,523 | | | | 93,088 | |
U.S. Ultra Bond (CBT) Futures | | | 27 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 4,794,188 | | | | 172,297 | |
Sold Contracts | |
Euro-BOBL Futures | | | 41 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 6,267,742 | | | | (25,892 | ) |
Euro-OAT Futures | | | 5 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 937,368 | | | | (14,561 | ) |
Euro-Schatz Futures | | | 4 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 922,870 | | | | (26,385 | ) |
U.S.T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures | | | 40 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 4,726,250 | | | | (58,471 | ) |
U.S.T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures | | | 12 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 1,535,625 | | | | (38,555 | ) |
U.S. Ultra Bond (CBT) Futures | | | 32 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 4,420,000 | | | | (119,355 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 31,310 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 895 | | | | RUB | | | | 58,237 | | | | 8/06/19 | | | $ | 21,702 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | INR | | | | 30,326 | | | | USD | | | | 433 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (5,625 | ) |
20
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 461 | | | | RUB | | | | 29,270 | | | | 8/06/19 | | | $ | 88 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | ZAR | | | | 6,567 | | | | USD | | | | 454 | | | | 9/18/19 | | | | (7,272 | ) |
BNP Paribas SA | | | CAD | | | | 1,261 | | | | USD | | | | 937 | | | | 7/24/19 | | | | (26,462 | ) |
BNP Paribas SA | | | CHF | | | | 911 | | | | USD | | | | 938 | | | | 9/12/19 | | | | (1,572 | ) |
BNP Paribas SA | | | USD | | | | 836 | | | | CAD | | | | 1,110 | | | | 7/24/19 | | | | 11,977 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | USD | | | | 908 | | | | SGD | | | | 1,234 | | | | 8/22/19 | | | | 4,354 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | USD | | | | 114 | | | | KRW | | | | 132,984 | | | | 8/26/19 | | | | 1,119 | |
Citibank, NA | | | IDR | | | | 6,387,826 | | | | USD | | | | 430 | | | | 8/22/19 | | | | (19,697 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | EUR | | | | 19,397 | | | | USD | | | | 22,020 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | (51,253 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | CAD | | | | 4,579 | | | | USD | | | | 3,398 | | | | 7/24/19 | | | | (100,559 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 693 | | | | INR | | | | 48,718 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 12,675 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 500 | | | | KRW | | | | 580,158 | | | | 8/26/19 | | | | 2,503 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 195 | | | | IDR | | | | 2,872,272 | | | | 8/22/19 | | | | 7,046 | |
Credit Suisse International | | | MXN | | | | 16,622 | | | | USD | | | | 833 | | | | 8/29/19 | | | | (25,027 | ) |
Credit Suisse International | | | EUR | | | | 2,917 | | | | USD | | | | 3,293 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | (26,282 | ) |
Credit Suisse International | | | USD | | | | 751 | | | | EUR | | | | 660 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | (352 | ) |
Credit Suisse International | | | USD | | | | 911 | | | | EUR | | | | 806 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | 6,035 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | JPY | | | | 818,097 | | | | USD | | | | 7,695 | | | | 9/12/19 | | | | 66,913 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | INR | | | | 31,317 | | | | USD | | | | 446 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (7,268 | ) |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | BRL | | | | 8,485 | | | | USD | | | | 2,013 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | | (194,561 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | IDR | | | | 1,333,144 | | | | USD | | | | 91 | | | | 8/22/19 | | | | (2,620 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | KRW | | | | 268,025 | | | | USD | | | | 226 | | | | 8/26/19 | | | | (6,296 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | EUR | | | | 2,420 | | | | USD | | | | 2,716 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | (37,127 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | GBP | | | | 655 | | | | USD | | | | 836 | | | | 8/28/19 | | | | 2,287 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 842 | | | | MXN | | | | 16,896 | | | | 8/29/19 | | | | 30,129 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 904 | | | | TWD | | | | 28,346 | | | | 9/11/19 | | | | 14,164 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,019 | | | | KRW | | | | 1,177,896 | | | | 8/26/19 | | | | 12 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | RUB | | | | 8,126 | | | | USD | | | | 123 | | | | 8/06/19 | | | | (5,101 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | BRL | | | | 5,453 | | | | USD | | | | 1,350 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (70,407 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | MYR | | | | 2,803 | | | | USD | | | | 675 | | | | 8/21/19 | | | | (3,660 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | PLN | | | | 2,527 | | | | USD | | | | 658 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | | (18,857 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | MYR | | | | 1,992 | | | | USD | | | | 485 | | | | 8/21/19 | | | | 2,707 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | EUR | | | | 776 | | | | USD | | | | 871 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | (12,194 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 919 | | | | CHF | | | | 904 | | | | 9/12/19 | | | | 13,844 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 915 | | | | PLN | | | | 3,450 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | | 9,123 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 1,423 | | | | BRL | | | | 5,453 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (2,872 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | ILS | | | | 3,168 | | | | USD | | | | 893 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 4,654 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | BRL | | | | 1,760 | | | | USD | | | | 460 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 1,911 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 459 | | | | BRL | | | | 1,759 | | | | 8/02/19 | | | | (1,864 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 459 | | | | BRL | | | | 1,759 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (926 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | TWD | | | | 84,951 | | | | USD | | | | 2,708 | | | | 9/11/19 | | | | (44,474 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | INR | | | | 30,983 | | | | USD | | | | 438 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (10,253 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | SGD | | | | 2,479 | | | | USD | | | | 1,819 | | | | 8/22/19 | | | | (14,940 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | BRL | | | | 1,474 | | | | USD | | | | 385 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 777 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | CNY | | | | 114 | | | | USD | | | | 16 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (136 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 886 | | | | EUR | | | | 785 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | 7,121 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 385 | | | | BRL | | | | 1,474 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (1,018 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 628 | | | | INR | | | | 44,364 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 14,423 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 926 | | | | TWD | | | | 28,569 | | | | 9/11/19 | | | | (3 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 244 | | | | IDR | | | | 3,612,675 | | | | 8/22/19 | | | | 10,056 | |
21
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | HUF | | | | 129,628 | | | | USD | | | | 451 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | $ | (5,808 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | JPY | | | | 6,128 | | | | USD | | | | 57 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 32 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | ZAR | | | | 3,556 | | | | USD | | | | 246 | | | | 9/18/19 | | | | (3,702 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | MYR | | | | 1,503 | | | | USD | | | | 366 | | | | 8/21/19 | | | | 2,488 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | INR | | | | 1,439 | | | | USD | | | | 20 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (606 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | PLN | | | | 715 | | | | USD | | | | 188 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | | (3,188 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | SGD | | | | 612 | | | | USD | | | | 452 | | | | 8/22/19 | | | | (335 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | MXN | | | | 553 | | | | USD | | | | 28 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (797 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 1,759 | | | | USD | | | | 1,993 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | (9,290 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | NZD | | | | 352 | | | | USD | | | | 233 | | | | 9/09/19 | | | | (3,769 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | ILS | | | | 137 | | | | USD | | | | 38 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (106 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 27 | | | | USD | | | | 31 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (92 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | AUD | | | | 32 | | | | USD | | | | 22 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (36 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | CAD | | | | 16 | | | | USD | | | | 12 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (332 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | GBP | | | | 10 | | | | USD | | | | 12 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 56 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 24 | | | | CAD | | | | 32 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 342 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 34 | | | | AUD | | | | 49 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 63 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 19 | | | | SGD | | | | 26 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (2 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 115 | | | | CHF | | | | 114 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 1,690 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 28 | | | | CAD | | | | 37 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (5 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 99 | | | | EUR | | | | 87 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | (8 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 17 | | | | NOK | | | | 142 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 8 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 658 | | | | EUR | | | | 583 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | 6,118 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 326 | | | | CZK | | | | 8,392 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | | 3,825 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 460 | | | | AUD | | | | 657 | | | | 9/05/19 | | | | 2,149 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 1,298 | | | | PLN | | | | 4,926 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | | 21,269 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 23 | | | | JPY | | | | 2,532 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 148 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 1,479 | | | | BRL | | | | 5,738 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 14,967 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | CZK | | | | 8,386 | | | | EUR | | | | 325 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | (5,509 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 455 | | | | HUF | | | | 129,403 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | | 1,012 | |
UBS AG | | | USD | | | | 915 | | | | TWD | | | | 28,266 | | | | 9/11/19 | | | | 1,134 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | (431,342 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | | | Payment Frequency | | | Implied Credit Spread at June 30, 2019 | | | Notional Amount (000) | | | Market Value | | | Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts | | | | | |
CDX-NAHY Series 32, 5 Year Index, 6/20/24* | | | (5.00 | )% | | | Quarterly | | | | 3.25 | % | | | USD | | | | 5,270 | | | $ | (405,987 | ) | | $ | (344,903 | ) | | $ | (61,084 | ) |
22
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Rate Type | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notional Amount (000) | | | Termination Date | | | Payments made by the Fund | | | Payments received by the Fund | | | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | | Market Value | | | Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
USD | | | 9,940 | | | | 9/10/20 | | | | 3 Month LIBOR | | | | 2.824% | | | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | | $ | 171,424 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 171,424 | |
USD | | | 3,470 | | | | 5/24/21 | | | | 2.288% | | | | 3 Month LIBOR | | | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | | | (28,919 | ) | | | — | | | | (28,919 | ) |
SEK | | | 22,621 | | | | 6/04/21 | | | | 3 Month STIBOR | | | | 0.023% | | | Quarterly/Annual | | | 5,283 | | | | — | | | | 5,283 | |
EUR | | | 2,105 | | | | 6/04/21 | | | | (0.273)% | | | | 6 Month EURIBOR | | | Annual/ Semi-Annual | | | (5,635 | ) | | | — | | | | (5,635 | ) |
USD | | | 4,130 | | | | 9/10/23 | | | | 3 Month LIBOR | | | | 2.883% | | | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | | | 222,956 | | | | — | | | | 222,956 | |
EUR | | | 3,150 | | | | 1/15/24 | | | | 6 Month EURIBOR | | | | 0.201% | | | Semi-Annual/Annual | | | 84,037 | | | | — | | | | 84,037 | |
CAD | | | 3,780 | | | | 5/22/24 | | | | 3 Month CDOR | | | | 1.980% | | | Semi-Annual/Semi-Annual | | | 35,963 | | | | 3 | | | | 35,960 | |
USD | | | 1,420 | | | | 5/24/24 | | | | 2.200% | | | | 3 Month LIBOR | | | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | | | (29,235 | ) | | | — | | | | (29,235 | ) |
USD | | | 295 | | | | 11/08/26 | | | | 1.657% | | | | 3 Month LIBOR | | | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | | | 4,341 | | | | — | | | | 4,341 | |
USD | | | 1,870 | | | | 9/10/48 | | | | 2.980% | | | | 3 Month LIBOR | | | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | | | (336,506 | ) | | | — | | | | (336,506 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 123,709 | | | $ | 3 | | | $ | 123,706 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | | | Payment Frequency | | | Implied Credit Spread at June 30, 2019 | | | Notional Amount (000) | | | Market Value | | | Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Sale Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 2.00 | % | | | Monthly | | | | 1.98 | % | | | USD | | | | 450 | | | $ | 735 | | | $ | (8,956 | ) | | $ | 9,691 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 60 | | | | (5,999 | ) | | | (8,046 | ) | | | 2,047 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 55 | | | | (5,499 | ) | | | (7,550 | ) | | | 2,051 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 69 | | | | (6,893 | ) | | | (10,710 | ) | | | 3,817 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 11 | | | | (1,098 | ) | | | (1,791 | ) | | | 693 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 70 | | | | (6,993 | ) | | | (10,548 | ) | | | 3,555 | |
Credit Suisse International | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 165 | | | | (16,497 | ) | | | (10,792 | ) | | | (5,705 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 75 | | | | (7,492 | ) | | | (11,250 | ) | | | 3,758 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 9 | | | | (900 | ) | | | (522 | ) | | | (378 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 8 | | | | (800 | ) | | | (948 | ) | | | 148 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 48 | | | | (4,800 | ) | | | (6,116 | ) | | | 1,316 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 53 | | | | (5,300 | ) | | | (6,130 | ) | | | 830 | |
23
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | | | Payment Frequency | | | Implied Credit Spread at June 30, 2019 | | | Notional Amount (000) | | | Market Value | | | Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Sale Contracts (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | % | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | % | | | USD | | | | 52 | | | $ | (5,200 | ) | | $ | (6,012 | ) | | $ | 812 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 79 | | | | (7,898 | ) | | | (8,605 | ) | | | 707 | |
Goldman Sachs International | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 64 | | | | (6,399 | ) | | | (4,290 | ) | | | (2,109 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 47 | | | | (4,699 | ) | | | (4,106 | ) | | | (593 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 4 | | | | (399 | ) | | | (362 | ) | | | (37 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 8 | | | | (800 | ) | | | (738 | ) | | | (62 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 8 | | | | (800 | ) | | | (799 | ) | | | (1 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 15 | | | | (1,499 | ) | | | (1,637 | ) | | | 138 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 78 | | | | (7,798 | ) | | | (10,733 | ) | | | 2,935 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 53 | | | | (5,299 | ) | | | (5,709 | ) | | | 410 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 75 | | | | (7,492 | ) | | | (11,657 | ) | | | 4,165 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 58 | | | | (5,794 | ) | | | (9,585 | ) | | | 3,791 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 82 | | | | (8,192 | ) | | | (13,746 | ) | | | 5,554 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 5 | | | | (500 | ) | | | (768 | ) | | | 268 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (124,305 | ) | | $ | (162,106 | ) | | $ | 37,801 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INFLATION (CPI) SWAPS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Rate Type | | | | | |
Swap Counterparty | | Notional Amount (000) | | | Termination Date | | | Payments made by the Fund | | Payments received by the Fund | | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 10,000 | | | | 7/11/24 | | | 2.416% | | CPI# | | Maturity | | $ | (328,707 | ) |
# | | Variable interest rate based on the rate of inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). |
(a) | | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(c) | | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $36,271,885 or 14.1% of net assets. |
(d) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800)227-4618. |
24
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
(e) | | Affiliated investments. |
(f) | | Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date. |
(g) | | Security in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. |
(h) | | Fair valued by the Adviser. |
(j) | | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest/floor/ceiling rate was in effect at June 30, 2019. |
(k) | | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 0.19% of net assets as of June 30, 2019, are considered illiquid and restricted. Additional information regarding such securities follows: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | | Acquisition Date | | | Cost | | | Market Value | | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
JP Morgan Madison Avenue Securities Trust Series2014-CH1, Class M2 6.654%, 11/25/24 | | | 11/06/15 | | | $ | 25,716 | | | $ | 28,163 | | | | 0.01 | % |
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust Series 2015-XLF2, Class SNMA 4.344%, 11/15/26 | | | 11/16/15 | | | | 89,615 | | | | 89,717 | | | | 0.03 | % |
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust Series2019-1R, Class A 4.429%, 3/27/24 | | | 3/21/19 | | | | 147,331 | | | | 147,461 | | | | 0.06 | % |
Terraform Global Operating LLC 6.125%, 3/01/26 | | | 2/08/18 | | | | 42,000 | | | | 42,138 | | | | 0.02 | % |
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust Series2015-WF1, Class 1M2 7.654%, 11/25/25 | | | 9/28/15 | | | | 121,581 | | | | 137,094 | | | | 0.07 | % |
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust Series2015-WF1, Class 2M2 7.904%, 11/25/25 | | | 9/28/15 | | | | 38,690 | | | | 44,804 | | | | 0.07 | % |
(l) | | Inverse interest only security. |
(m) | | Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize OTC derivatives outstanding. |
(n) | | The rate shown represents the7-day yield as of period end. |
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD—Australian Dollar
BRL—Brazilian Real
CAD—Canadian Dollar
CHF—Swiss Franc
CNY—Chinese Yuan Renminbi
CZK—Czech Koruna
EUR—Euro
GBP—Great British Pound
HUF—Hungarian Forint
IDR—Indonesian Rupiah
ILS—Israeli Shekel
INR—Indian Rupee
JPY—Japanese Yen
KRW—South Korean Won
MXN—Mexican Peso
MYR—Malaysian Ringgit
NOK—Norwegian Krone
NZD—New Zealand Dollar
PLN—Polish Zloty
RUB—Russian Ruble
SEK—Swedish Krona
SGD—Singapore Dollar
TWD—New Taiwan Dollar
USD—United States Dollar
ZAR—South African Rand
25
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Glossary:
ABS—Asset-Backed Securities
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
BOBL—Bundesobligationen
CBT—Chicago Board of Trade
CDOR—Canadian Dealer Offered Rate
CDX-CMBX.NA—North American Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index
CDX-NAHY—North American High Yield Credit Default Swap Index
CMBS—Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
CPI—Consumer Price Index
EURIBOR—Euro Interbank Offered Rate
GDR—Global Depositary Receipt
LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rates
OAT—Obligations Assimilables du Trésor
OSE—Osaka Securities Exchange
PJSC—Public Joint Stock Company
REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust
REMICs—Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits
STIBOR—Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate
TBA—To Be Announced
TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security
See notes to financial statements.
26
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $168,784,647) | | $ | 191,771,851 | (a) |
Affiliated issuers (cost $76,266,435—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $346,232) | | | 69,928,849 | |
Cash collateral due from broker | | | 672,422 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $393,576) | | | 393,967 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions | | | 1,561,111 | |
Unaffiliated interest and dividends receivable | | | 763,386 | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 300,921 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 49,439 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 1,771 | |
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums received $8,956) | | | 735 | |
Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | | | 328 | |
Other assets | | | 4,404 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 265,449,184 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Due to custodian | | | 2,361,309 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 1,604,509 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 1,551,971 | |
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 732,263 | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 346,232 | |
Unrealized depreciation on inflation swaps | | | 328,707 | |
Payable for terminated credit default swaps | | | 172,000 | |
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums received $153,150) | | | 125,040 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 68,151 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 44,544 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,771 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,505 | |
Payable for variation margin on futures | | | 6,107 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 132,348 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 7,514,515 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 257,934,669 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 23,101 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 200,733,903 | |
Distributable earnings | | | 57,177,665 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 257,934,669 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 24,926,617 | | | | 2,205,772 | | | $ | 11.30 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 233,008,052 | | | | 20,895,235 | | | $ | 11.15 | |
(a) | | Includes securities on loan with a value of $4,301,227 (see Note E). |
See notes to financial statements.
27
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 1,498,762 | |
Dividends | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $23,081) | | | 1,151,394 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 19,511 | |
Securities lending income | | | 145 | |
Other income | | | 1,500 | |
| | | | |
| | | 2,671,312 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 700,129 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 287,475 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 254 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 2,369 | |
Custodian | | | 89,328 | |
Audit and tax | | | 45,031 | |
Administrative | | | 35,562 | |
Printing | | | 25,292 | |
Legal | | | 19,648 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,066 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 15,839 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 1,232,993 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Notes B & E) | | | (258,527 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 974,466 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 1,696,846 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | |
Affiliated Underlying Portfolios | | | (68,677 | ) |
Investment transactions(a) | | | 3,405,002 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | (15,809 | ) |
Futures | | | 277,812 | |
Swaps | | | (136,820 | ) |
Foreign currency transactions | | | 5,341 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Affiliated Underlying Portfolios | | | 8,173,597 | |
Investments(b) | | | 15,493,773 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | (301,553 | ) |
Futures | | | (305,342 | ) |
Swaps | | | 63,202 | |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 1,908 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 26,592,434 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 28,289,280 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | Net of foreign capital gains taxes of $5,461. |
(b) | | Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $6,356. |
See notes to financial statements.
28
| | |
|
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 1,696,846 | | | $ | 5,105,776 | |
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 3,466,849 | | | | 30,548,043 | |
Net realized gain distributions from Underlying Portfolios | | | –0 | – | | | 2,347,246 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 23,125,585 | | | | (54,922,332 | ) |
Contributions from Affiliates (see Note B) | | | –0 | – | | | 3,140 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 28,289,280 | | | | (16,918,127 | ) |
Distributions to Shareholders | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (2,582,061 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (23,104,999 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (14,596,106 | ) | | | (16,551,330 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 13,693,174 | | | | (59,156,517 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 244,241,495 | | | | 303,398,012 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 257,934,669 | | | $ | 244,241,495 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
29
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to maximize total return consistent with the determination of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) 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 eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, the Adviser will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S.
30
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3. In addition, non-agency rated investments are classified as Level 3.
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar collateral and risk profiles, including relevant indices. Mortgage and asset-backed securities for which management has collected current observable data through pricing services are generally categorized within Level 2. Those investments for which current observable data has not been provided are classified as Level 3.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread
31
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Common Stocks: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Information Technology | | $ | 18,629,147 | | | $ | 80,378 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 18,709,525 | |
Financials | | | 12,320,778 | | | | 419,017 | | | | –0 | – | | | 12,739,795 | |
Health Care | | | 11,393,115 | | | | 424,364 | | | | –0 | – | | | 11,817,479 | |
Real Estate | | | 8,899,393 | | | | 2,856,850 | | | | –0 | – | | | 11,756,243 | |
Communication Services | | | 10,571,139 | | | | 225,751 | | | | –0 | – | | | 10,796,890 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 9,186,606 | | | | 551,189 | | | | –0 | – | | | 9,737,795 | |
Energy | | | 5,173,833 | | | | 2,985,786 | | | | –0 | – | | | 8,159,619 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 6,421,187 | | | | 561,185 | | | | –0 | – | | | 6,982,372 | |
Industrials | | | 4,485,331 | | | | 431,656 | | | | –0 | – | | | 4,916,987 | |
Materials | | | 1,990,980 | | | | 1,203,197 | | | | –0 | – | | | 3,194,177 | |
Utilities | | | 2,305,509 | | | | 104,198 | | | | –0 | – | | | 2,409,707 | |
Transportation | | | –0 | – | | | 94,940 | | | | –0 | – | | | 94,940 | |
Banks | | | –0 | – | | | 75,349 | | | | –0 | – | | | 75,349 | |
Health Care Equipment & Services | | | 57,995 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 57,995 | |
Consumer Services | | | 41,653 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 41,653 | |
Capital Goods | | | –0 | – | | | 40,069 | | | | –0 | – | | | 40,069 | |
Consumer Durables & Apparel | | | 38,865 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 38,865 | |
Investment Companies | | | 69,582,617 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 69,582,617 | |
Corporates—Investment Grade | | | –0 | – | | | 23,197,785 | | | | 165,577 | | | | 23,363,362 | |
Governments—Treasuries | | | –0 | – | | | 23,298,540 | | | | –0 | – | | | 23,298,540 | |
Inflation-Linked Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 8,400,977 | | | | –0 | – | | | 8,400,977 | |
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | | | –0 | ��� | | | 6,781,488 | | | | –0 | – | | | 6,781,488 | |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | | | –0 | – | | | 6,173,724 | | | | –0 | – | | | 6,173,724 | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 3,500,438 | | | | 1,032,136 | | | | 4,532,574 | |
Corporates—Non-Investment Grade | | | –0 | – | | | 4,139,710 | | | | –0 | – | | | 4,139,710 | |
Emerging Markets—Treasuries | | | –0 | – | | | 2,928,167 | | | | –0 | – | | | 2,928,167 | |
Covered Bonds | | | –0 | – | | | 2,332,392 | | | | –0 | – | | | 2,332,392 | |
Collateralized Loan Obligations | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 1,366,645 | | | | 1,366,645 | |
Emerging Markets—Sovereigns | | | –0 | – | | | 968,494 | | | | –0 | – | | | 968,494 | |
Governments—Sovereign Bonds | | | –0 | – | | | 950,843 | | | | –0 | – | | | 950,843 | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 404,129 | | | | 480,673 | | | | 884,802 | |
Emerging Markets—Corporate Bonds | | | –0 | – | | | 547,535 | | | | –0 | – | | | 547,535 | |
Quasi-Sovereigns | | | –0 | – | | | 423,068 | | | | –0 | – | | | 423,068 | |
Rights | | | 8,536 | | | | –0 | – | | | 203 | | | | 8,739 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | –0 | – | | | 3,101,331 | | | | –0 | – | | | 3,101,331 | |
Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund | | | 346,232 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 346,232 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 161,452,916 | | | | 97,202,550 | | | | 3,045,234 | | | | 261,700,700 | |
32
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Other Financial Instruments(a): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Futures | | $ | 314,529 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 314,529 | (b) |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | 300,921 | | | | –0 | – | | | 300,921 | |
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | 524,004 | | | | –0 | – | | | 524,004 | (b) |
Credit Default Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | 735 | | | | –0 | – | | | 735 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Futures | | | (283,219 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | (283,219 | )(b) |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | (732,263 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (732,263 | ) |
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | (405,987 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (405,987 | )(b) |
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | (400,295 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (400,295 | )(b) |
Credit Default Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | (125,040 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (125,040 | ) |
Inflation (CPI) Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | (328,707 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (328,707 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 161,484,226 | | | $ | 96,035,918 | | | $ | 3,045,234 | | | $ | 260,565,378 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(b) | | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Corporates - Investment Grade | | | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities | | | Collateralized Loan Obligations | |
Balance as of 12/31/18 | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 1,312,564 | | | $ | 1,355,132 | |
Accrued discounts/(premiums) | | | 65 | | | | 422 | | | | –0 | – |
Realized gain (loss) | | | –0 | – | | | (647 | ) | | | –0 | – |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 7,010 | | | | 34,167 | | | | 11,513 | |
Purchases/Payups | | | 158,502 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Sales/Paydowns | | | –0 | – | | | (150,513 | ) | | | –0 | – |
Transfers in to Level 3 | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | | –0 | – | | | (163,857 | ) | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/19 | | $ | 165,577 | | | $ | 1,032,136 | | | $ | 1,366,645 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/19(a) | | $ | 7,010 | | | $ | 33,128 | | | $ | 11,513 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
33
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset - Backed Securities | | | Rights | | | Total | |
Balance as of 12/31/18 | | $ | 798,453 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 3,466,149 | |
Accrued discounts/(premiums) | | | 187 | | | | –0 | – | | | 674 | |
Realized gain (loss) | | | 507 | | | | –0 | – | | | (140 | ) |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 4,995 | | | | 203 | | | | 57,888 | |
Purchases/Payups | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 158,502 | |
Sales/Paydowns | | | (323,469 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (473,982 | ) |
Transfers in to Level 3 | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | (163,857 | )(b) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/19 | | $ | 480,673 | | | $ | 203 | | | $ | 3,045,234 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/19(a) | | $ | 4,823 | | | $ | 203 | | | $ | 56,677 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and other financial instruments in the accompanying statement of operations. |
(b) | | There were de minimis transfers under 1% of net assets during the reporting period. |
The following presents information about significant unobservable inputs related to the Fund’s Level 3 investments at June 30, 2019. Securities priced i) by third party vendors, or ii) by brokers are excluded from the following table:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Fair Value at 6/30/19 | | Valuation Technique | | Unobservable Input | | Input |
Rights | | $203 | | Market Approach | | Terms of the Rights Offering | | $.07 / N/A |
Generally, a change in the assumptions used in any input in isolation may be accompanied by a change in another input. A significant increase (decrease) of the terms of the rights offering in isolation would be expected to result in a significant higher (lower) fair value measurement.
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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. 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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.
34
| | |
| |
| | AB 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
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 (the “Expense Caps”) to .75% and 1.00% of daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.
During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Adviser reimbursed the Portfolio $3,140 for trading losses incurred due to a trade entry error.
35
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,562.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
The Portfolio may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. Effective August 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2020. In connection with the investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to $756.
In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in other AB mutual funds, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the expenses payable to the Adviser by the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of AB mutual funds, as paid by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. These fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will remain in effect until May 1, 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waivers and/or reimbursements amounted to $257,747.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Distributions | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Realized Gain (Loss) (000) | | | Change in Unrealized Appr./(Depr.) (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | | | Realized Gains (000) | |
Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 241 | | | $ | 35,627 | | | $ | 35,868 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 18 | | | $ | 0 | |
AB Discovery Growth Fund, Inc. | | | 2,778 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 794 | | | | 3,572 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
AB Discovery Value Fund, Inc. | | | 2,913 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 408 | | | | 3,321 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
Bernstein Fund, Inc.: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
International Small Cap Portfolio | | | 7,778 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 869 | | | | 8,647 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
International Strategic Equities Portfolio | | | 27,139 | | | | 0 | | | | 497 | | | | (69 | ) | | | 3,072 | | | | 29,645 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
Small Cap Core Portfolio | | | 2,801 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 466 | | | | 3,267 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc.: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Emerging Markets Portfolio | | | 3,686 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 592 | | | | 4,278 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
International Portfolio | | | 14,880 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,973 | | | | 16,853 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
Government Money Market Portfolio* | | | 155 | | | | 2,725 | | | | 2,534 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 346 | | | | 2 | | | | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (69 | ) | | $ | 8,174 | | | $ | 69,929 | | | $ | 20 | | | $ | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Investments of cash collateral for securities lending transactions (see Note E). |
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $9,859, of which $17 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
36
| | |
| |
| | AB 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 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 or 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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 60,307,339 | | | $ | 62,586,003 | |
U.S. government securities | | | 13,951,021 | | | | 15,801,219 | |
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 | | $ | 16,649,618 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (628,316 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 16,021,302 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
The Portfolio may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The 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 and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Portfolio may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
At the time the Portfolio enters into futures, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the 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 exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the 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.
Use of long futures subjects the Portfolio to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Portfolio to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held futures for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
| • | | 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 forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the 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.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
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 gaining market exposures, making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions.” A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Portfolio in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Portfolio or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Portfolio, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Portfolio considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the 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 swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for OTC swaps are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Portfolio enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the 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 centrally cleared swaps is generally less than non-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the 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.
Interest Rate Swaps:
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 swaps. 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.
In addition, the Portfolio may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the 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).
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held interest rate swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Inflation (CPI) Swaps:
Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index (the Consumer Price Index with respect to CPI swaps) over the term of the swap (with some lag on the inflation index), and the other pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swaps may be used to protect the net asset value, or NAV, of a Portfolio against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index since the value of these agreements is expected to increase if there are unexpected inflation increases.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held inflation (CPI) swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
Credit Default Swaps:
The Portfolio may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Portfolio, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Portfolio may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap, the Portfolio receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. If the Portfolio is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap, the Portfolio will either
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
(i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation.
In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Portfolio for the same referenced obligations with the same counterparty. As of June 30, 2019, the Portfolio did not have Buy Contracts outstanding with respect to the same referenced obligations and same counterparty for its Sale Contracts outstanding.
Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Portfolio had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Portfolio is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the Portfolio is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Portfolio coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Portfolio.
Implied credit spreads over U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held credit default swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.
The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Portfolio typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Portfolio’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Portfolio’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty tables below for additional details.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:
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| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
Interest rate contracts | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | | $ | 314,529 | * | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | | $ | 283,219 | * |
| | | | |
Credit contracts | | | | | | | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | | | 61,084 | * |
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
| | | | |
Interest rate contracts | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | | $ | 524,001 | * | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | | $ | 400,295 | * |
| | | | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 300,921 | | | Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 732,263 | |
| | | | |
Interest rate contracts | | | | | | | | Unrealized depreciation on inflation swaps | | | 328,707 | |
| | | | |
Credit contracts | | Market value on credit default swaps | | | 735 | | | Market value on credit default swaps | | | 125,040 | |
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Total | | | | $ | 1,140,186 | | | | | $ | 1,930,608 | |
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* | | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
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Derivative Type | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Within Statement of Operations | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Interest rate contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | | $ | 277,812 | | | $ | (305,342 | ) |
| | | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | (15,809 | ) | | | (301,553 | ) |
| | | |
Interest rate contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | | | 15,884 | | | | (95,348 | ) |
| | | |
Credit contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | | | (152,704 | ) | | | 158,550 | |
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Total | | | | $ | 125,183 | | | $ | (543,693 | ) |
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The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2019:
| | | | |
Futures: | | | | |
Average notional amount of buy contracts | | $ | 31,349,239 | |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | | $ | 20,218,687 | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | | | | |
Average principal amount of buy contracts | | $ | 16,648,754 | |
Average principal amount of sale contracts | | $ | 53,858,402 | |
Inflation Swaps: | | | | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 10,000,000 | |
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps: | | | | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 26,647,251 | |
Credit Default Swaps: | | | | |
Average notional amount of buy contracts | | $ | 1,081,333 | (a) |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | | $ | 2,133,857 | |
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps: | | | | |
Average notional amount of buy contracts | | $ | 6,686,900 | (b) |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | | $ | 3,467,240 | (c) |
(a) | | Positions were open for five months during the period. |
(b) | | Positions were open for four months during the period. |
(c) | | Positions were open for one month during the period. |
For financial reporting purposes, the Portfolio does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2019. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
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Counterparty | | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Received* | | | Security Collateral Received* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |
Bank of America, NA | | $ | 21,702 | | | $ | (21,702 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | 88 | | | | (88 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
BNP Paribas SA | | | 17,450 | | | | (17,450 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Citibank, NA | | | 22,224 | | | | (22,224 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | 735 | | | | (735 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Credit Suisse International | | | 6,035 | | | | (6,035 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | | | 66,913 | | | | (66,913 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | 46,592 | | | | (46,043 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 549 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | 25,674 | | | | (25,674 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | 6,565 | | | | (2,790 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 3,775 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | 32,377 | | | | (32,377 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 54,167 | | | | (33,585 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 20,582 | |
UBS AG | | | 1,134 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 1,134 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 301,656 | | | $ | (275,616 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 26,040 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Pledged* | | | Security Collateral Pledged* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |
Bank of America, NA | | $ | 328,707 | | | $ | (21,702 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | (272,341 | ) | | $ | 34,664 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | 5,625 | | | | (88 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 5,537 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | 35,306 | | | | (17,450 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 17,856 | |
Citibank, NA | | | 171,509 | | | | (22,224 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 149,285 | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | 26,482 | | | | (735 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 25,747 | |
Credit Suisse International | | | 75,650 | | | | (6,035 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 69,615 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | 24,898 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 24,898 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | | | 251,500 | | | | (66,913 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (184,587 | ) | | | –0 | – |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | 46,043 | | | | (46,043 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | 113,091 | | | | (25,674 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 87,417 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | 2,790 | | | | (2,790 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | 70,824 | | | | (32,377 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 38,447 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 33,585 | | | | (33,585 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 1,186,010 | | | $ | (275,616 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | (456,928 | ) | | $ | 453,466 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
^ | | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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. TBA and Dollar Rolls
The Portfolio may invest in TBA mortgage-backed securities. A TBA, or “To Be Announced”, trade represents a contract for the purchase or sale of mortgage-backed securities to be delivered at a future agree-upon date; however, the specific mortgage pool numbers or the number of pools that will be delivered to fulfill the trade obligation or terms of the contract are unknown at the time of the trade. Mortgage pools (including fixed-rate or variable-rate mortgages) guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association, or GNMA, the Federal National Mortgage Association, or FNMA, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or FHLMC, are subsequently allocated to the TBA transactions.
The 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. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio earned drop income of $8,073 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.
NOTE E: Securities Lending
The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Portfolio cannot sell or repledge any non-cash collateral, and accordingly will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. If the Portfolio receives non-cash collateral, the Portfolio will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the statement of operations. When the Portfolio earns net securities lending income from Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Government Money Market Portfolio | |
Market Value of Securities on Loan* | | | Cash Collateral* | | | Market Value of Non-Cash Collateral* | | | Income from Borrowers | | | Income Earned | | | Advisory Fee Waived | |
$ | 4,301,227 | | | $ | 346,232 | | | $ | 4,000,766 | | | $ | 145 | | | $ | 1,753 | | | $ | 24 | |
NOTE F: Capital Stock
Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
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| | SHARES | | | | | | AMOUNT | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 42,288 | | | | 69,093 | | | | | | | $ | 465,838 | | | $ | 811,711 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 235,375 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 2,582,059 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (210,228 | ) | | | (402,656 | ) | | | | | | | (2,284,845 | ) | | | (4,591,886 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (167,940 | ) | | | (98,188 | ) | | | | | | $ | (1,819,007 | ) | | $ | (1,198,116 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 780,712 | | | | 894,991 | | | | | | | $ | 8,426,762 | | | $ | 10,112,751 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | | | –0 | – | | | 2,129,493 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 23,105,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (1,966,624 | ) | | | (4,303,899 | ) | | | | | | | (21,203,861 | ) | | | (48,570,965 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (1,185,912 | ) | | | (1,279,415 | ) | | | | | | $ | (12,777,099 | ) | | $ | (15,353,214 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2019, certain shareholders of the Portfolio owned 64% in aggregate of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholders, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Allocation Risk—The allocation of investments among the different investment styles, such as growth or value, equity or debt securities, or U.S. or non-U.S. securities may have a more significant effect on the Portfolio’s net asset value, or NAV, when one of these investment strategies is performing more poorly than others.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors. These risks may be heightened with respect to investments in emerging market countries, where there may be an increased amount of economic, political and social instability.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the Portfolio’s returns.
Interest Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations.
44
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
Below Investment Grade Security Risk—Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (“junk bonds”) tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of than other types of securities.
Capitalization Risk—Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than investments in large-capitalization companies. Investments in small-capitalization companies may have additional risks because these companies have limited product lines, markets or financial resources.
Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk—As with other investments, investments in other investment companies are subject to market and selection risk. In addition, shareholders invested in the Portfolio bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Portfolio (including advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies (to the extent these expenses are not waived or reimbursed by the Adviser).
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Real Asset Risk—The Portfolio’s investments in securities linked to real assets involve significant risks, including financial, operating, and competitive risks. Investments in securities linked to real assets expose the Portfolio to adverse macroeconomic conditions, such as a rise in interest rates or a downturn in the economy in which the asset is located. Changes in inflation rates or in the market’s inflation expectations may adversely affect the market value of inflation-sensitive equities. The Portfolio’s investments in real estate securities have many of the same risks as direct ownership of real estate, including the risk that the value of real estate could decline due to a variety of factors that affect the real estate market generally. Investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may have additional risks. REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in tax laws.
Active Trading Risk—The Portfolio expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate is expected to exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Portfolio’s return.
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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
45
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 6,160,964 | | | $ | 5,554,623 | |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 19,526,096 | | | | 2,490,503 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions paid | | $ | 25,687,060 | | | $ | 8,045,126 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 5,951,351 | |
Undistributed capital gains | | | 30,417,898 | |
Other losses | | | (27,902 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (7,447,667 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | 28,893,680 | (c) |
| | | | |
(a) | | As of December 31, 2018, the cumulative deferred loss on straddles was $27,902. |
(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 swaps, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), and the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
(c) | | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) are attributable primarily to the tax treatment of deferred dividends from real estate investment trusts (REITs) and the accrual of foreign capital gains tax. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2017-08, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. ASU 2017-08 does not require any accounting change for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Portfolio has adopted ASU 2017-08, which did not have a material impact on the Portfolio’s financial position or the results of its operations, and had no impact on the Portfolio’s net assets.
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU 2018-13 (“ASU”) apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE K: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
46
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|
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
| |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.10 | | | | $11.86 | | | | $10.54 | | | | $10.99 | | | | $12.16 | | | | $13.77 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .08 | (b) | | | .23 | (b) | | | .17 | (b) | | | .19 | (b)† | | | .20 | | | | .26 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 1.12 | | | | (.87 | ) | | | 1.48 | | | | .34 | | | | .02 | + | | | .71 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) | | | .00 | (c) | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 1.20 | | | | (.64 | ) | | | 1.65 | | | | .53 | | | | .22 | | | | .97 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.23 | ) | | | (.24 | ) | | | (.24 | ) | | | (.27 | ) | | | (.39 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (.89 | ) | | | (.09 | ) | | | (.74 | ) | | | (1.12 | ) | | | (2.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (1.12 | ) | | | (.33 | ) | | | (.98 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (2.58 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $11.30 | | | | $10.10 | | | | $11.86 | | | | $10.54 | | | | $10.99 | | | | $12.16 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d)* | | | 11.88 | % | | | (6.17 | )% | | | 15.84 | % | | | 4.69 | %† | | | 1.65 | % | | | 7.37 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $24,927 | | | | $23,967 | | | | $29,328 | | | | $30,132 | | | | $33,409 | | | | $36,882 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .54 | %^ | | | .66 | % | | | .73 | % | | | .73 | % | | | .70 | % | | | .71 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .74 | %^ | | | .75 | % | | | .73 | % | | | .73 | % | | | .70 | % | | | .71 | % |
Net investment income | | | 1.56 | %(b)^ | | | 2.05 | %(b) | | | 1.51 | %(b) | | | 1.74 | %(b)† | | | 1.71 | % | | | 1.96 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate ** | | | 30 | % | | | 150 | % | | | 108 | % | | | 106 | % | | | 132 | % | | | 114 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying | |
portfolios | | | .22 | %^ | | | .11 | % | | | –0 | –% | | | –0 | –% | | | –0 | –% | | | –0 | –% |
See footnote summary on page 49.
47
| | |
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $9.98 | | | | $11.73 | | | | $10.42 | | | | $10.87 | | | | $12.05 | | | | $13.65 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .07 | (b) | | | .20 | (b) | | | .14 | (b) | | | .16 | (b)† | | | .17 | | | | .22 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 1.10 | | | | (.86 | ) | | | 1.47 | | | | .33 | | | | .01 | + | | | .71 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) | | | .00 | (c) | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 1.17 | | | | (.66 | ) | | | 1.61 | | | | .49 | | | | .18 | | | | .93 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.20 | ) | | | (.21 | ) | | | (.20 | ) | | | (.24 | ) | | | (.34 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (.89 | ) | | | (.09 | ) | | | (.74 | ) | | | (1.12 | ) | | | (2.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (1.09 | ) | | | (.30 | ) | | | (.94 | ) | | | (1.36 | ) | | | (2.53 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $11.15 | | | | $9.98 | | | | $11.73 | | | | $10.42 | | | | $10.87 | | | | $12.05 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d)* | | | 11.72 | % | | | (6.41 | )% | | | 15.62 | % | | | 4.44 | %† | | | 1.29 | % | | | 7.11 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $233,008 | | | | $220,274 | | | | $274,070 | | | | $272,733 | | | | $298,233 | | | | $328,363 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .79 | %^ | | | .91 | % | | | .98 | % | | | .98 | % | | | .95 | % | | | .96 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .99 | %^ | | | 1.00 | % | | | .98 | % | | | .98 | % | | | .95 | % | | | .96 | % |
Net investment income | | | 1.31 | %(b)^ | | | 1.79 | %(b) | | | 1.26 | %(b) | | | 1.49 | %(b)† | | | 1.46 | % | | | 1.71 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate ** | | | 30 | % | | | 150 | % | | | 108 | % | | | 106 | % | | | 132 | % | | | 114 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying | |
portfolios | | | .22 | %^ | | | .11 | % | | | –0 | –% | | | –0 | –% | | | –0 | –% | | | –0 | –% |
See footnote summary on page 49.
48
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
(a) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(c) | | Amount is less than $.005. |
(d) | | Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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) | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses, and for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, such waiver amounted to .20% (annualized) and .09%, respectively. |
† | | For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income Per Share | | Net Investment Income Ratio | | Total Return |
$.001 | | .01% | | .01% |
+ | | Due to timing of sales and repurchase of capital shares, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share is not in accordance with the Portfolio’s change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions for the period. |
* | | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014 by .02%, .03% and .01%, respectively. |
** | | The Portfolio accounts for dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales. |
See notes to financial statements.
49
| | |
|
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
| |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held on July 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held on July 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July 31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within the one-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. 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 Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the
50
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Proposed Agreement, including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund- specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds; 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the ‘‘15(c) provider’’) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to any sub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund and sub- advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore or sub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (‘‘ETFs’’), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the 150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Current Advisory Agreement
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held on July 31-August 2, 2018 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including materials from an outside consultant, who acted as their independent fee consultant, and comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the
53
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BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Fund’s Class B shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended May 31, 2018 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Adviser informed the directors that there were no institutional products managed by it that have a substantially similar investment style.
The directors noted that the Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Fund is for services that are in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year. The directors considered the effects of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as a result of the Adviser’s expense cap. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
55
VPS-BW-0152-0619
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
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DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
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EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. 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 table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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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| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | | | Total Expenses Paid During Period+ | | | Total Annualized Expense Ratio+ | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,103.30 | | | $ | 4.12 | | | | 0.79 | % | | $ | 4.22 | | | | 0.81 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,020.88 | | | $ | 3.96 | | | | 0.79 | % | | $ | 4.06 | | | | 0.81 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,102.40 | | | $ | 5.42 | | | | 1.04 | % | | $ | 5.53 | | | | 1.06 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,019.64 | | | $ | 5.21 | | | | 1.04 | % | | $ | 5.31 | | | | 1.06 | % |
* | | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect theone-half year period). |
+ | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Portfolio’s total expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratio plus the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the weighted average expense ratio of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios in which it invests, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect theone-half year period). |
1
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DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS1 | | |
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June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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SECURITY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes | | $ | 181,300,382 | | | | 32.2 | % |
Vanguard Real Estate ETF | | | 14,841,831 | | | | 2.6 | |
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | | | 14,090,290 | | | | 2.5 | |
Vanguard Globalex-U.S. Real Estate ETF | | | 12,825,184 | | | | 2.3 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | 6,997,133 | | | | 1.2 | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 5,974,017 | | | | 1.1 | |
Amazon.com, Inc. | | | 5,340,037 | | | | 1.0 | |
Alphabet, Inc. | | | 4,525,300 | | | | 0.8 | |
Nestle SA | | | 3,593,256 | | | | 0.6 | |
Facebook, Inc. | | | 3,133,741 | | | | 0.6 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 252,621,171 | | | | 44.9 | % |
PORTFOLIO BREAKDOWN2
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
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ASSET CLASSES | | ALLOCATION | |
Equities | | | | |
International Large Cap | | | 24.7 | % |
U.S. Large Cap | | | 18.9 | |
Emerging Market Equities | | | 5.1 | |
Real Estate Equities | | | 4.9 | |
U.S.Mid-Cap | | | 2.4 | |
U.S.Small-Cap | | | 2.4 | |
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Sub-total | | | 58.4 | |
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Fixed Income | | | | |
U.S. Bonds | | | 37.2 | |
International Bonds | | | 2.3 | |
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Sub-total | | | 39.5 | |
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Cash | | | 2.1 | |
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Total | | | 100.0 | % |
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN3
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
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SECURITY TYPE | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 325,116,362 | | | | 58.5 | % |
Governments—Treasuries | | | 181,300,382 | | | | 32.6 | |
Investment Companies | | | 41,757,305 | | | | 7.5 | |
Options Purchased—Calls | | | 254,690 | | | | 0.0 | |
Rights | | | 13,005 | | | | 0.0 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 7,599,069 | | | | 1.4 | |
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Total Investments | | $ | 556,040,813 | | | | 100.0 | % |
2 | | All data are as of June 30, 2019. The Portfolio breakdown is expressed as an approximate percentage of the Portfolio’s total investments inclusive of derivative exposure, based on the Adviser’s internal classification guidelines. |
3 | | The Portfolio’s security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). |
2
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DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
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June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
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COMMON STOCKS–57.8% | | | | | | | | |
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FINANCIALS–9.2% | | | | | | | | |
BANKS–4.4% | | | | | | | | |
AIB Group PLC | | | 5,844 | | | $ | 23,896 | |
Aozora Bank Ltd. | | | 2,000 | | | | 48,089 | |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | | | 31,095 | | | | 617,215 | |
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA | | | 73,153 | | | | 408,024 | |
Banco de Sabadell SA | | | 68,373 | | | | 70,871 | |
Banco Santander SA | | | 183,994 | | | | 852,748 | |
Bank Hapoalim BM | | | 14,749 | | | | 109,529 | |
Bank LeumiLe-Israel BM | | | 16,778 | | | | 121,272 | |
Bank of America Corp. | | | 61,645 | | | | 1,787,705 | |
Bank of East Asia Ltd. (The) | | | 41,231 | | | | 115,298 | |
Bank of Ireland Group PLC | | | 11,605 | | | | 60,713 | |
Bank of Kyoto Ltd. (The) | | | 400 | | | | 15,508 | |
Bank of Queensland Ltd. | | | 7,933 | | | | 53,121 | |
Bankia SA | | | 10,832 | | | | 25,585 | |
Bankinter SA | | | 7,353 | | | | 50,685 | |
Barclays PLC | | | 188,978 | | | | 359,445 | |
BB&T Corp. | | | 5,150 | | | | 253,020 | |
Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Ltd. | | | 9,233 | | | | 75,152 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | 13,908 | | | | 659,312 | |
BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd. | | | 39,500 | | | | 155,517 | |
CaixaBank SA | | | 42,465 | | | | 121,790 | |
Chiba Bank Ltd. (The) | | | 11,000 | | | | 53,867 | |
Citigroup, Inc. | | | 16,479 | | | | 1,154,024 | |
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | | | 3,119 | | | | 110,288 | |
Comerica, Inc. | | | 1,100 | | | | 79,904 | |
Commerzbank AG | | | 15,814 | | | | 113,565 | |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | | | 20,060 | | | | 1,167,262 | |
Concordia Financial Group Ltd. | | | 11,221 | | | | 41,879 | |
Credit Agricole SA | | | 14,327 | | | | 170,960 | |
Danske Bank A/S | | | 7,940 | | | | 125,796 | |
DBS Group Holdings Ltd. | | | 21,665 | | | | 416,186 | |
DNB ASA | | | 9,303 | | | | 173,349 | |
Erste Group Bank AG(a) | | | 3,207 | | | | 118,929 | |
Fifth Third Bancorp | | | 4,340 | | | | 121,086 | |
First Republic Bank/CA | | | 1,073 | | | | 104,778 | |
Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc. | | | 1,800 | | | | 32,964 | |
Hang Seng Bank Ltd. | | | 8,100 | | | | 201,613 | |
HSBC Holdings PLC | | | 227,222 | | | | 1,896,454 | |
Huntington Bancshares, Inc./OH(b) | | | 7,165 | | | | 99,020 | |
ING Groep NV | | | 36,740 | | | | 425,587 | |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | | | 165,706 | | | | 354,744 | |
Israel Discount Bank Ltd.–Class A | | | 13,191 | | | | 53,785 | |
Japan Post Bank Co., Ltd. | | | 3,855 | | | | 39,173 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 22,415 | | | | 2,505,997 | |
KBC Group NV | | | 3,064 | | | | 201,076 | |
KeyCorp | | | 6,925 | | | | 122,919 | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC | | | 821,886 | | | | 590,294 | |
M&T Bank Corp. | | | 915 | | | | 155,614 | |
Mebuki Financial Group, Inc. | | | 16,800 | | | | 43,900 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Mediobanca Banca di Credito Finanziario SpA | | | 12,965 | | | $ | 133,692 | |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | | | 135,900 | | | | 647,288 | |
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd. | | | 1,057 | | | | 24,417 | |
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. | | | 273,362 | | | | 397,503 | |
National Australia Bank Ltd. | | | 30,446 | | | | 571,900 | |
Nordea Bank Abp | | | 28,914 | | | | 209,950 | |
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., Ltd. | | | 29,000 | | | | 244,621 | |
People’s United Financial, Inc.(b) | | | 2,465 | | | | 41,363 | |
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) | | | 3,130 | | | | 429,686 | |
Raiffeisen Bank International AG | | | 1,307 | | | | 30,689 | |
Regions Financial Corp. | | | 6,925 | | | | 103,460 | |
Resona Holdings, Inc. | | | 21,000 | | | | 87,603 | |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC | | | 53,666 | | | | 149,680 | |
Seven Bank Ltd. | | | 16,218 | | | | 42,502 | |
Shinsei Bank Ltd. | | | 3,700 | | | | 57,581 | |
Shizuoka Bank Ltd. (The) | | | 4,000 | | | | 29,539 | |
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB–Class A | | | 16,190 | | | | 149,902 | |
Societe Generale SA | | | 9,446 | | | | 238,411 | |
Standard Chartered PLC | | | 34,982 | | | | 317,352 | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | | | 14,300 | | | | 506,873 | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. | | | 3,200 | | | | 116,261 | |
SunTrust Banks, Inc. | | | 2,990 | | | | 187,922 | |
SVB Financial Group(a) | | | 386 | | | | 86,692 | |
Svenska Handelsbanken AB–Class A | | | 14,254 | | | | 140,668 | |
Swedbank AB–Class A | | | 8,621 | | | | 129,783 | |
UniCredit SpA | | | 17,422 | | | | 214,444 | |
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | | | 12,000 | | | | 231,986 | |
US Bancorp | | | 10,215 | | | | 535,266 | |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 28,575 | | | | 1,352,169 | |
Westpac Banking Corp. | | | 38,249 | | | | 762,312 | |
Zions Bancorp NA | | | 1,230 | | | | 56,555 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 24,887,578 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
3i Group PLC | | | 9,721 | | | | 137,532 | |
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. | | | 307 | | | | 28,287 | |
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. | | | 945 | | | | 137,176 | |
Amundi SA(c) | | | 1,517 | | | | 105,917 | |
ASX Ltd. | | | 1,453 | | | | 84,182 | |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The) | | | 6,115 | | | | 269,977 | |
BlackRock, Inc.–Class A | | | 877 | | | | 411,576 | |
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. | | | 746 | | | | 77,308 | |
Charles Schwab Corp. (The) | | | 8,090 | | | | 325,137 | |
CME Group, Inc.–Class A | | | 2,450 | | | | 475,570 | |
Credit Suisse Group AG(a) | | | 28,090 | | | | 336,214 | |
Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. | | | 16,000 | | | | 70,247 | |
3
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | 19,693 | | | $ | 151,854 | |
Deutsche Boerse AG | | | 2,077 | | | | 293,210 | |
E*TRADE Financial Corp. | | | 1,670 | | | | 74,482 | |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | | | 1,920 | | | | 66,816 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) | | | 2,338 | | | | 478,355 | |
Hargreaves Lansdown PLC | | | 4,023 | | | | 98,295 | |
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. | | | 13,451 | | | | 475,360 | |
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. | | | 3,830 | | | | 329,150 | |
Invesco Ltd. | | | 2,730 | | | | 55,856 | |
Investec PLC | | | 5,877 | | | | 38,204 | |
Japan Exchange Group, Inc. | | | 4,965 | | | | 79,077 | |
Julius Baer Group Ltd.(a) | | | 2,130 | | | | 94,900 | |
London Stock Exchange Group PLC | | | 3,987 | | | | 277,832 | |
Macquarie Group Ltd. | | | 3,705 | | | | 326,803 | |
MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. | | | 260 | | | | 83,569 | |
Moody’s Corp. | | | 1,145 | | | | 223,630 | |
Morgan Stanley | | | 8,770 | | | | 384,214 | |
MSCI, Inc.–Class A | | | 557 | | | | 133,006 | |
Nasdaq, Inc. | | | 760 | | | | 73,089 | |
Natixis SA | | | 21,759 | | | | 87,614 | |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. | | | 38,855 | | | | 137,554 | |
Northern Trust Corp. | | | 1,460 | | | | 131,400 | |
Partners Group Holding AG | | | 231 | | | | 181,663 | |
Raymond James Financial, Inc. | | | 809 | | | | 68,401 | |
S&P Global, Inc. | | | 1,660 | | | | 378,131 | |
SBI Holdings, Inc./Japan | | | 2,468 | | | | 61,301 | |
Schroders PLC | | | 1,291 | | | | 50,082 | |
Singapore Exchange Ltd. | | | 21,000 | | | | 123,029 | |
St. James’s Place PLC | | | 4,994 | | | | 69,728 | |
Standard Life Aberdeen PLC | | | 24,984 | | | | 93,479 | |
State Street Corp. | | | 2,535 | | | | 142,112 | |
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | | | 1,625 | | | | 178,279 | |
UBS Group AG(a) | | | 42,353 | | | | 503,375 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,402,973 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Acom Co., Ltd. | | | 13,014 | | | | 46,964 | |
American Express Co. | | | 4,710 | | | | 581,402 | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | | 3,213 | | | | 291,548 | |
Credit Saison Co., Ltd. | | | 3,500 | | | | 41,077 | |
Discover Financial Services | | | 2,210 | | | | 171,474 | |
Synchrony Financial | | | 4,418 | | | | 153,172 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,285,637 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
AMP Ltd. | | | 67,589 | | | | 100,821 | |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.–Class B(a) | | | 13,114 | | | | 2,795,511 | |
Challenger Ltd. | | | 12,809 | | | | 59,788 | |
EXOR NV | | | 3,679 | | | | 257,745 | |
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA | | | 768 | | | | 75,457 | |
IHS Markit Ltd.(a) | | | 2,361 | | | | 150,443 | |
Industrivarden AB–Class C | | | 4,979 | | | | 110,478 | |
Investor AB–Class B | | | 4,336 | | | | 208,514 | |
Jefferies Financial Group, Inc. | | | 1,855 | | | | 35,672 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Kinnevik AB | | | 4,676 | | | $ | 121,715 | |
Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co., Ltd. | | | 7,362 | | | | 39,121 | |
ORIX Corp. | | | 14,110 | | | | 210,873 | |
Pargesa Holding SA | | | 1,023 | | | | 78,899 | |
Wendel SA | | | 844 | | | | 115,060 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,360,097 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–2.3% | | | | | | | | |
Admiral Group PLC | | | 2,010 | | | | 56,363 | |
Aegon NV | | | 38,312 | | | | 190,313 | |
Aflac, Inc. | | | 5,110 | | | | 280,079 | |
Ageas | | | 2,085 | | | | 108,504 | |
AIA Group Ltd. | | | 128,423 | | | | 1,386,827 | |
Allianz SE | | | 4,871 | | | | 1,174,769 | |
Allstate Corp. (The) | | | 2,300 | | | | 233,887 | |
American International Group, Inc. | | | 5,893 | | | | 313,979 | |
Aon PLC | | | 1,665 | | | | 321,312 | |
Arthur J Gallagher & Co. | | | 1,202 | | | | 105,283 | |
Assicurazioni Generali SpA | | | 11,115 | | | | 209,268 | |
Assurant, Inc. | | | 310 | | | | 32,978 | |
Aviva PLC | | | 43,251 | | | | 229,081 | |
Baloise Holding AG | | | 926 | | | | 164,001 | |
Chubb Ltd. | | | 3,132 | | | | 461,312 | |
Cincinnati Financial Corp. | | | 960 | | | | 99,523 | |
CNP Assurances | | | 4,544 | | | | 103,141 | |
Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. | | | 11,850 | | | | 179,287 | |
Direct Line Insurance Group PLC | | | 13,089 | | | | 55,174 | |
Everest Re Group Ltd. | | | 294 | | | | 72,671 | |
Gjensidige Forsikring ASA | | | 3,690 | | | | 74,372 | |
Hannover Rueck SE | | | 795 | | | | 128,546 | |
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) | | | 2,375 | | | | 132,335 | |
Insurance Australia Group Ltd. | | | 22,589 | | | | 131,151 | |
Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 16,700 | | | | 189,128 | |
Legal & General Group PLC | | | 63,405 | | | | 217,226 | |
Lincoln National Corp. | | | 1,390 | | | | 89,586 | |
Loews Corp. | | | 1,790 | | | | 97,859 | |
Mapfre SA | | | 17,737 | | | | 51,869 | |
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc. | | | 3,390 | | | | 338,152 | |
Medibank Pvt Ltd. | | | 39,307 | | | | 96,448 | |
MetLife, Inc. | | | 6,570 | | | | 326,332 | |
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. | | | 4,800 | | | | 152,575 | |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen | | | 1,588 | | | | 398,044 | |
NN Group NV | | | 7,137 | | | | 286,899 | |
Principal Financial Group, Inc. | | | 1,740 | | | | 100,781 | |
Progressive Corp. (The) | | | 3,845 | | | | 307,331 | |
Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | 2,765 | | | | 279,265 | |
Prudential PLC | | | 30,322 | | | | 661,959 | |
QBE Insurance Group Ltd. | | | 13,053 | | | | 108,590 | |
RSA Insurance Group PLC | | | 10,859 | | | | 79,581 | |
Sampo Oyj–Class A | | | 4,765 | | | | 224,929 | |
SCOR SE | | | 3,333 | | | | 146,115 | |
Sompo Holdings, Inc. | | | 4,000 | | | | 154,726 | |
4
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Sony Financial Holdings, Inc. | | | 4,130 | | | $ | 99,389 | |
Suncorp Group Ltd. | | | 12,247 | | | | 115,974 | |
Swiss Life Holding AG | | | 342 | | | | 169,559 | |
Swiss Re AG | | | 3,176 | | | | 322,737 | |
T&D Holdings, Inc. | | | 5,500 | | | | 59,859 | |
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. | | | 7,300 | | | | 366,280 | |
Torchmark Corp. | | | 652 | | | | 58,328 | |
Travelers Cos., Inc. (The) | | | 1,830 | | | | 273,622 | |
Tryg A/S | | | 1,821 | | | | 59,256 | |
Unum Group | | | 1,420 | | | | 47,641 | |
Willis Towers Watson PLC | | | 887 | | | | 169,896 | |
Zurich Insurance Group AG | | | 1,604 | | | | 558,111 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 12,852,203 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 51,788,488 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–8.2% | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Arista Networks, Inc.(a) | | | 335 | | | | 86,973 | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 30,290 | | | | 1,657,772 | |
F5 Networks, Inc.(a) | | | 380 | | | | 55,339 | |
Juniper Networks, Inc. | | | 2,240 | | | | 59,651 | |
Motorola Solutions, Inc. | | | 1,145 | | | | 190,906 | |
Nokia Oyj | | | 62,192 | | | | 309,765 | |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson–Class B | | | 28,969 | | | | 274,966 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,635,372 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. | | | 2,053 | | | | 34,769 | |
Amphenol Corp.–Class A | | | 2,050 | | | | 196,677 | |
Corning, Inc. | | | 5,405 | | | | 179,608 | |
FLIR Systems, Inc. | | | 910 | | | | 49,231 | |
Halma PLC | | | 4,302 | | | | 110,487 | |
Hamamatsu Photonics KK | | | 1,600 | | | | 62,507 | |
Hexagon AB–Class B | | | 4,263 | | | | 237,038 | |
Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. | | | 315 | | | | 35,248 | |
Hitachi High-Technologies Corp. | | | 1,881 | | | | 96,701 | |
Hitachi Ltd. | | | 10,400 | | | | 382,644 | |
Ingenico Group SA | | | 930 | | | | 82,306 | |
IPG Photonics Corp.(a) | | | 273 | | | | 42,110 | |
Keyence Corp. | | | 1,054 | | | | 650,025 | |
Keysight Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 1,228 | | | | 110,287 | |
Kyocera Corp. | | | 3,637 | | | | 238,310 | |
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | | | 6,000 | | | | 270,124 | |
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. | | | 2,938 | | | | 74,673 | |
Omron Corp. | | | 1,800 | | | | 94,403 | |
Shimadzu Corp. | | | 2,000 | | | | 49,236 | |
TDK Corp. | | | 1,200 | | | | 93,473 | |
TE Connectivity Ltd. | | | 2,260 | | | | 216,463 | |
Venture Corp., Ltd. | | | 4,005 | | | | 48,355 | |
Yaskawa Electric Corp. | | | 2,723 | | | | 93,118 | |
Yokogawa Electric Corp. | | | 4,500 | | | | 88,572 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,536,365 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
IT SERVICES–1.8% | | | | | | | | |
Accenture PLC–Class A | | | 4,335 | | | $ | 800,978 | |
Adyen NV(a)(c) | | | 83 | | | | 64,025 | |
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 1,005 | | | | 80,541 | |
Alliance Data Systems Corp. | | | 330 | | | | 46,243 | |
Amadeus IT Group SA–Class A | | | 4,973 | | | | 394,088 | |
Atos SE | | | 677 | | | | 56,561 | |
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | | | 2,920 | | | | 482,764 | |
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | | | 819 | | | | 104,570 | |
Capgemini SE | | | 1,557 | | | | 193,587 | |
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.–Class A | | | 3,880 | | | | 245,953 | |
Computershare Ltd. | | | 3,663 | | | | 41,775 | |
DXC Technology Co. | | | 1,868 | | | | 103,020 | |
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. | | | 2,220 | | | | 272,350 | |
Fiserv, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 2,650 | | | | 241,574 | |
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 661 | | | | 185,642 | |
Fujitsu Ltd. | | | 2,228 | | | | 155,706 | |
Gartner, Inc.(a) | | | 640 | | | | 103,002 | |
Global Payments, Inc.(b) | | | 1,009 | | | | 161,571 | |
International Business Machines Corp. | | | 6,168 | | | | 850,567 | |
Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp. | | | 1,463 | | | | 37,611 | |
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. | | | 547 | | | | 73,254 | |
Mastercard, Inc.–Class A | | | 6,160 | | | | 1,629,505 | |
Nomura Research Institute Ltd. | | | 3,900 | | | | 62,717 | |
NTT Data Corp. | | | 6,010 | | | | 80,246 | |
Obic Co., Ltd. | | | 730 | | | | 82,961 | |
Otsuka Corp. | | | 1,200 | | | | 48,392 | |
Paychex, Inc. | | | 2,145 | | | | 176,512 | |
PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 7,935 | | | | 908,240 | |
Total System Services, Inc. | | | 1,060 | | | | 135,966 | |
VeriSign, Inc.(a) | | | 775 | | | | 162,099 | |
Visa, Inc.–Class A(b) | | | 11,850 | | | | 2,056,567 | |
Western Union Co. (The)–Class W(b) | | | 2,930 | | | | 58,278 | |
Wirecard AG | | | 1,262 | | | | 213,046 | |
Wix.com Ltd.(a) | | | 521 | | | | 74,034 | |
Worldline SA/France(a)(c) | | | 270 | | | | 19,617 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 10,403,562 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 5,883 | | | | 178,667 | |
Advantest Corp. | | | 2,262 | | | | 62,275 | |
Analog Devices, Inc. | | | 2,510 | | | | 283,304 | |
Applied Materials, Inc. | | | 6,635 | | | | 297,978 | |
ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. | | | 900 | | | | 9,227 | |
ASML Holding NV | | | 3,784 | | | | 787,412 | |
Broadcom, Inc. | | | 2,859 | | | | 822,992 | |
Disco Corp. | | | 309 | | | | 50,990 | |
Infineon Technologies AG | | | 10,766 | | | | 191,308 | |
Intel Corp. | | | 30,740 | | | | 1,471,524 | |
KLA-Tencor Corp. | | | 1,060 | | | | 125,292 | |
Lam Research Corp. | | | 1,029 | | | | 193,287 | |
5
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. | | | 1,775 | | | $ | 106,180 | |
Microchip Technology, Inc.(b) | | | 1,595 | | | | 138,286 | |
Micron Technology, Inc.(a) | | | 7,520 | | | | 290,197 | |
NVIDIA Corp. | | | 4,135 | | | | 679,091 | |
NXP Semiconductors NV | | | 3,348 | | | | 326,798 | |
Qorvo, Inc.(a) | | | 768 | | | | 51,156 | |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | 8,094 | | | | 615,711 | |
Renesas Electronics Corp.(a) | | | 9,161 | | | | 45,574 | |
Rohm Co., Ltd. | | | 1,300 | | | | 87,589 | |
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. | | | 1,124 | | | | 86,851 | |
STMicroelectronics NV | | | 12,251 | | | | 217,285 | |
SUMCO Corp. | | | 2,522 | | | | 30,062 | |
Texas Instruments, Inc. | | | 6,475 | | | | 743,071 | |
Tokyo Electron Ltd. | | | 1,689 | | | | 237,398 | |
Xilinx, Inc. | | | 1,735 | | | | 204,591 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,334,096 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SOFTWARE–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
Adobe, Inc.(a) | | | 3,360 | | | | 990,024 | |
ANSYS, Inc.(a) | | | 612 | | | | 125,350 | |
Autodesk, Inc.(a) | | | 1,525 | | | | 248,422 | |
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 1,864 | | | | 131,990 | |
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a)(b) | | | 1,416 | | | | 163,704 | |
Citrix Systems, Inc.–Class C | | | 880 | | | | 86,363 | |
CyberArk Software Ltd.(a) | | | 422 | | | | 53,948 | |
Dassault Systemes SE | | | 1,424 | | | | 227,136 | |
Fortinet, Inc.(a) | | | 919 | | | | 70,607 | |
Intuit, Inc. | | | 1,800 | | | | 470,394 | |
Micro Focus International PLC | | | 3,943 | | | | 103,701 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | 52,233 | | | | 6,997,133 | |
Nice Ltd.(a) | | | 690 | | | | 94,458 | |
Oracle Corp. | | | 17,156 | | | | 977,377 | |
Oracle Corp./Japan | | | 500 | | | | 36,608 | |
Red Hat, Inc.(a) | | | 1,240 | | | | 232,822 | |
Sage Group PLC (The) | | | 12,240 | | | | 124,831 | |
salesforce.com, Inc.(a) | | | 5,162 | | | | 783,230 | |
SAP SE | | | 11,137 | | | | 1,526,792 | |
Symantec Corp. | | | 4,255 | | | | 92,589 | |
Synopsys, Inc.(a) | | | 1,022 | | | | 131,521 | |
Temenos AG(a) | | | 662 | | | | 118,534 | |
Trend Micro, Inc./Japan | | | 1,600 | | | | 71,494 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,859,028 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE & PERIPHERALS–1.3% | | | | | | | | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 30,184 | | | | 5,974,017 | |
Brother Industries Ltd. | | | 2,200 | | | | 41,671 | |
Canon, Inc. | | | 11,400 | | | | 333,827 | |
FUJIFILM Holdings Corp. | | | 4,200 | | | | 213,233 | |
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. | | | 9,560 | | | | 142,922 | |
HP, Inc. | | | 10,610 | | | | 220,582 | |
Konica Minolta, Inc. | | | 6,000 | | | | 58,462 | |
NEC Corp. | | | 2,500 | | | | 98,653 | |
NetApp, Inc. | | | 1,640 | | | | 101,188 | |
Ricoh Co., Ltd. | | | 6,000 | | | | 60,025 | |
Seagate Technology PLC | | | 1,750 | | | | 82,460 | |
Seiko Epson Corp. | | | 2,700 | | | | 42,779 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Western Digital Corp. | | | 1,863 | | | $ | 88,586 | |
Xerox Corp. | | | 1,386 | | | | 49,078 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,507,483 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 46,275,906 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–7.4% | | | | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
AbbVie, Inc. | | | 10,162 | | | | 738,981 | |
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 1,480 | | | | 193,850 | |
Amgen, Inc. | | | 4,278 | | | | 788,350 | |
BeiGene Ltd. (Sponsored ADR)(a)(b) | | | 405 | | | | 50,200 | |
Biogen, Inc.(a) | | | 1,365 | | | | 319,232 | |
Celgene Corp.(a) | | | 4,730 | | | | 437,241 | |
CSL Ltd. | | | 5,165 | | | | 782,104 | |
Genmab A/S(a) | | | 540 | | | | 99,294 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | | | 8,715 | | | | 588,785 | |
Grifols SA | | | 3,644 | | | | 107,839 | |
Incyte Corp.(a) | | | 1,140 | | | | 96,854 | |
PeptiDream, Inc.(a) | | | 1,023 | | | | 52,543 | |
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 540 | | | | 169,020 | |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 1,707 | | | | 313,030 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,737,323 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Abbott Laboratories | | | 11,776 | | | | 990,362 | |
ABIOMED, Inc.(a) | | | 308 | | | | 80,231 | |
Alcon, Inc.(a) | | | 4,817 | | | | 297,448 | |
Align Technology, Inc.(a) | | | 540 | | | | 147,798 | |
Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd. | | | 1,468 | | | | 36,288 | |
Baxter International, Inc. | | | 3,280 | | | | 268,632 | |
Becton Dickinson and Co. | | | 1,848 | | | | 465,714 | |
Boston Scientific Corp.(a) | | | 9,260 | | | | 397,995 | |
Cochlear Ltd. | | | 405 | | | | 58,966 | |
Coloplast A/S–Class B | | | 1,154 | | | | 130,447 | |
Cooper Cos., Inc. (The) | | | 361 | | | | 121,617 | |
Danaher Corp. | | | 4,140 | | | | 591,689 | |
Demant A/S(a) | | | 2,050 | | | | 63,806 | |
DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc. | | | 1,496 | | | | 87,307 | |
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a) | | | 1,390 | | | | 256,789 | |
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp., Ltd. | | | 6,133 | | | | 63,799 | |
Hologic, Inc.(a) | | | 1,720 | | | | 82,594 | |
Hoya Corp. | | | 4,322 | | | | 332,164 | |
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a) | | | 633 | | | | 174,284 | |
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a) | | | 815 | | | | 427,508 | |
Koninklijke Philips NV | | | 14,135 | | | | 614,532 | |
Medtronic PLC | | | 9,059 | | | | 882,256 | |
Olympus Corp. | | | 11,200 | | | | 124,644 | |
ResMed, Inc. | | | 916 | | | | 111,779 | |
Sartorius AG (Preference Shares) | | | 812 | | | | 166,528 | |
Siemens Healthineers AG(c) | | | 1,618 | | | | 68,179 | |
Smith & Nephew PLC | | | 9,779 | | | | 212,347 | |
Sonova Holding AG | | | 666 | | | | 151,581 | |
Straumann Holding AG | | | 145 | | | | 128,133 | |
Stryker Corp. | | | 2,075 | | | | 426,578 | |
Sysmex Corp. | | | 1,836 | | | | 120,111 | |
6
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Teleflex, Inc. | | | 311 | | | $ | 102,988 | |
Terumo Corp. | | | 6,600 | | | | 197,165 | |
Varian Medical Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 645 | | | | 87,804 | |
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. | | | 1,385 | | | | 163,070 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,633,133 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.0% | | | | | | | | |
Alfresa Holdings Corp. | | | 2,700 | | | | 66,774 | |
AmerisourceBergen Corp.–Class A | | | 1,035 | | | | 88,244 | |
Anthem, Inc. | | | 1,750 | | | | 493,867 | |
Cardinal Health, Inc. | | | 1,995 | | | | 93,965 | |
Centene Corp.(a) | | | 2,774 | | | | 145,469 | |
Cigna Corp.(a) | | | 2,561 | | | | 403,486 | |
CVS Health Corp. | | | 8,729 | | | | 475,643 | |
DaVita, Inc.(a) | | | 850 | | | | 47,821 | |
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA | | | 2,085 | | | | 163,742 | |
Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA | | | 4,696 | | | | 254,993 | |
HCA Healthcare, Inc. | | | 1,850 | | | | 250,064 | |
Henry Schein, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 1,040 | | | | 72,696 | |
Humana, Inc. | | | 965 | | | | 256,014 | |
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a) | | | 725 | | | | 125,353 | |
McKesson Corp. | | | 1,365 | | | | 183,442 | |
Medipal Holdings Corp. | | | 3,900 | | | | 86,262 | |
NMC Health PLC | | | 1,143 | | | | 34,971 | |
Quest Diagnostics, Inc. | | | 850 | | | | 86,539 | |
Ramsay Health Care Ltd. | | | 1,156 | | | | 58,688 | |
Ryman Healthcare Ltd. | | | 5,937 | | | | 46,890 | |
Sonic Healthcare Ltd. | | | 5,598 | | | | 106,664 | |
Suzuken Co., Ltd./Aichi Japan | | | 1,200 | | | | 70,516 | |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | 6,535 | | | | 1,594,605 | |
Universal Health Services, Inc.–Class B | | | 550 | | | | 71,715 | |
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.(a) | | | 347 | | | | 98,919 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,377,342 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Cerner Corp. | | | 2,180 | | | | 159,794 | |
M3, Inc. | | | 4,140 | | | | 75,973 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 235,767 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Agilent Technologies, Inc. | | | 2,145 | | | | 160,167 | |
Illumina, Inc.(a) | | | 1,011 | | | | 372,199 | |
IQVIA Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 1,096 | | | | 176,346 | |
Lonza Group AG(a) | | | 779 | | | | 262,985 | |
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a) | | | 220 | | | | 184,800 | |
PerkinElmer, Inc. | | | 755 | | | | 72,737 | |
QIAGEN NV(a) | | | 2,703 | | | | 109,990 | |
Sartorius Stedim Biotech | | | 712 | | | | 112,270 | |
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | | | 2,785 | | | | 817,899 | |
Waters Corp.(a)(b) | | | 545 | | | | 117,306 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,386,699 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–3.6% | | | | | | | | |
Allergan PLC | | | 2,100 | | | $ | 351,603 | |
Astellas Pharma, Inc. | | | 22,500 | | | | 320,642 | |
AstraZeneca PLC | | | 14,359 | | | | 1,173,872 | |
Bayer AG | | | 10,385 | | | | 720,307 | |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | | | 10,965 | | | | 497,263 | |
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | | | 2,537 | | | | 166,155 | |
Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. | | | 6,428 | | | | 337,120 | |
Eisai Co., Ltd. | | | 2,933 | | | | 166,231 | |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | | 5,913 | | | | 655,101 | |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | | | 56,263 | | | | 1,127,782 | |
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. | | | 1,000 | | | | 39,631 | |
Ipsen SA | | | 880 | | | | 120,028 | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | 18,105 | | | | 2,521,664 | |
Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. | | | 2,152 | | | | 38,830 | |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | | 17,505 | | | | 1,467,794 | |
Merck KGaA | | | 1,230 | | | | 128,475 | |
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp. | | | 3,000 | | | | 33,386 | |
Mylan NV(a) | | | 3,455 | | | | 65,783 | |
Nektar Therapeutics(a)(b) | | | 1,074 | | | | 38,213 | |
Novartis AG | | | 24,089 | | | | 2,199,127 | |
Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B | | | 20,377 | | | | 1,040,800 | |
Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | | | 3,900 | | | | 70,121 | |
Orion Oyj–Class B | | | 974 | | | | 35,717 | |
Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 4,348 | | | | 142,078 | |
Perrigo Co. PLC | | | 822 | | | | 39,144 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | 37,944 | | | | 1,643,734 | |
Recordati SpA | | | 2,055 | | | | 85,653 | |
Roche Holding AG | | | 7,961 | | | | 2,238,535 | |
Sanofi | | | 12,344 | | | | 1,066,797 | |
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | | | 2,500 | | | | 41,563 | |
Shionogi & Co., Ltd. | | | 2,800 | | | | 161,792 | |
Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. | | | 2,900 | | | | 55,209 | |
Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 567 | | | | 43,674 | |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | | | 16,445 | | | | 584,995 | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored ADR)(a)(b) | | | 12,347 | | | | 113,963 | |
UCB SA | | | 1,519 | | | | 126,061 | |
Vifor Pharma AG | | | 802 | | | | 115,920 | |
Zoetis, Inc. | | | 3,246 | | | | 368,389 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 20,143,152 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 41,513,416 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–7.0% | | | | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
Airbus SE | | | 6,243 | | | | 883,519 | |
Arconic, Inc. | | | 2,856 | | | | 73,742 | |
BAE Systems PLC | | | 33,818 | | | | 212,542 | |
Boeing Co. (The) | | | 3,560 | | | | 1,295,876 | |
Dassault Aviation SA | | | 41 | | | | 58,929 | |
Elbit Systems Ltd. | | | 250 | | | | 37,300 | |
General Dynamics Corp. | | | 1,910 | | | | 347,276 | |
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. | | | 329 | | | | 73,940 | |
L3 Harris Technologies, Inc. | | | 845 | | | | 159,815 | |
L3 Technologies, Inc. | | | 525 | | | | 128,714 | |
7
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Leonardo SpA | | | 5,271 | | | $ | 66,871 | |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | | | 1,700 | | | | 618,018 | |
Meggitt PLC | | | 10,854 | | | | 72,314 | |
MTU Aero Engines AG | | | 579 | | | | 138,098 | |
Northrop Grumman Corp. | | | 1,240 | | | | 400,656 | |
Raytheon Co. | | | 1,950 | | | | 339,066 | |
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a) | | | 19,591 | | | | 209,289 | |
Safran SA | | | 3,586 | | | | 524,602 | |
Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. | | | 43,000 | | | | 131,700 | |
Textron, Inc. | | | 1,555 | | | | 82,477 | |
Thales SA | | | 1,184 | | | | 146,250 | |
TransDigm Group, Inc.(a) | | | 363 | | | | 175,619 | |
United Technologies Corp. | | | 5,475 | | | | 712,845 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,889,458 | |
| | | | | | | | |
AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Bollore SA | | | 25,929 | | | | 114,410 | |
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.(b) | | | 865 | | | | 72,963 | |
Deutsche Post AG | | | 10,803 | | | | 355,384 | |
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. | | | 1,120 | | | | 84,963 | |
FedEx Corp. | | | 1,615 | | | | 265,167 | |
Kuehne & Nagel International AG | | | 477 | | | | 70,852 | |
SG Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 2,174 | | | | 61,816 | |
United Parcel Service, Inc.–Class B | | | 4,655 | | | | 480,722 | |
Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 3,400 | | | | 69,304 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,575,581 | |
| | | | | | | | |
AIRLINES–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Alaska Air Group, Inc. | | | 743 | | | | 47,485 | |
American Airlines Group, Inc.(b) | | | 2,682 | | | | 87,460 | |
ANA Holdings, Inc. | | | 1,007 | | | | 33,378 | |
Delta Air Lines, Inc. | | | 4,202 | | | | 238,464 | |
Deutsche Lufthansa AG | | | 3,330 | | | | 57,096 | |
easyJet PLC | | | 2,320 | | | | 28,089 | |
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. | | | 900 | | | | 28,724 | |
Singapore Airlines Ltd. | | | 14,000 | | | | 95,933 | |
Southwest Airlines Co. | | | 3,405 | | | | 172,906 | |
United Continental Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 1,522 | | | | 133,251 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 922,786 | |
| | | | | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
AGC, Inc./Japan | | | 2,000 | | | | 69,284 | |
Allegion PLC | | | 635 | | | | 70,199 | |
AO Smith Corp. | | | 955 | | | | 45,038 | |
Assa Abloy AB–Class B | | | 9,541 | | | | 215,271 | |
Cie de Saint-Gobain | | | 4,539 | | | | 177,247 | |
Daikin Industries Ltd. | | | 2,774 | | | | 363,225 | |
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. | | | 871 | | | | 49,760 | |
Geberit AG | | | 360 | | | | 168,273 | |
Johnson Controls International PLC | | | 6,192 | | | | 255,791 | |
Kingspan Group PLC | | | 1,858 | | | | 100,904 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIXIL Group Corp. | | | 2,500 | | | $ | 39,657 | |
Masco Corp. | | | 2,005 | | | | 78,676 | |
TOTO Ltd. | | | 1,522 | | | | 60,275 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,693,600 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Brambles Ltd. | | | 15,030 | | | | 136,121 | |
Cintas Corp. | | | 585 | | | | 138,815 | |
Copart, Inc.(a) | | | 1,391 | | | | 103,963 | |
Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | | | 2,500 | | | | 53,393 | |
G4S PLC | | | 17,154 | | | | 45,383 | |
ISS A/S | | | 1,785 | | | | 53,965 | |
Park24 Co., Ltd. | | | 1,300 | | | | 30,352 | |
Rentokil Initial PLC | | | 20,957 | | | | 105,805 | |
Republic Services, Inc.–Class A | | | 1,400 | | | | 121,296 | |
Rollins, Inc.(b) | | | 944 | | | | 33,861 | |
Secom Co., Ltd. | | | 2,338 | | | | 201,465 | |
Societe BIC SA | | | 891 | | | | 67,872 | |
Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd. | | | 1,000 | | | | 46,222 | |
Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. | | | 2,500 | | | | 38,016 | |
Waste Management, Inc. | | | 2,645 | | | | 305,154 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,481,683 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA | | | 2,672 | | | | 106,904 | |
Bouygues SA | | | 1,739 | | | | 64,400 | |
CIMIC Group Ltd. | | | 2,988 | | | | 93,959 | |
Eiffage SA | | | 1,102 | | | | 108,910 | |
Epiroc AB–Class A | | | 16,027 | | | | 166,990 | |
Epiroc AB–Class B | | | 3,579 | | | | 35,502 | |
Ferrovial SA | | | 4,869 | | | | 124,640 | |
HOCHTIEF AG | | | 422 | | | | 51,391 | |
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. | | | 715 | | | | 60,339 | |
JGC Corp. | | | 4,000 | | | | 54,724 | |
Kajima Corp. | | | 3,500 | | | | 48,141 | |
Obayashi Corp. | | | 6,000 | | | | 59,272 | |
Quanta Services, Inc. | | | 915 | | | | 34,944 | |
Shimizu Corp. | | | 4,000 | | | | 33,305 | |
Skanska AB–Class B | | | 8,587 | | | | 155,158 | |
Taisei Corp. | | | 2,000 | | | | 72,853 | |
Vinci SA | | | 5,456 | | | | 557,197 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,828,629 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.5% | | | | | | | | |
ABB Ltd. | | | 20,970 | | | | 420,410 | |
AMETEK, Inc. | | | 1,499 | | | | 136,169 | |
Eaton Corp. PLC | | | 2,844 | | | | 236,848 | |
Emerson Electric Co. | | | 4,150 | | | | 276,888 | |
Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. | | | 2,800 | | | | 97,039 | |
Legrand SA | | | 2,541 | | | | 185,769 | |
Melrose Industries PLC | | | 52,623 | | | | 120,967 | |
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. | | | 21,000 | | | | 277,622 | |
Nidec Corp. | | | 2,567 | | | | 352,539 | |
Prysmian SpA | | | 1,074 | | | | 22,191 | |
Rockwell Automation, Inc. | | | 830 | | | | 135,979 | |
8
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Schneider Electric SE | | | 6,098 | | | $ | 551,765 | |
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA | | | 2,259 | | | | 37,546 | |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S | | | 2,133 | | | | 184,790 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,036,522 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
3M Co. | | | 3,955 | | | | 685,560 | |
CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. | | | 25,840 | | | | 254,879 | |
DCC PLC | | | 1,216 | | | | 108,481 | |
General Electric Co. | | | 58,659 | | | | 615,919 | |
Honeywell International, Inc. | | | 5,005 | | | | 873,823 | |
Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd. | | | 2,300 | | | | 145,068 | |
Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd. | | | 2,005 | | | | 76,505 | |
Keihan Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 1,000 | | | | 43,630 | |
Keppel Corp., Ltd. | | | 13,000 | | | | 64,056 | |
NWS Holdings Ltd. | | | 37,000 | | | | 76,100 | |
Roper Technologies, Inc. | | | 725 | | | | 265,539 | |
Siemens AG | | | 8,669 | | | | 1,032,091 | |
Smiths Group PLC | | | 3,761 | | | | 74,829 | |
Toshiba Corp. | | | 7,200 | | | | 224,458 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,540,938 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MACHINERY–1.3% | | | | | | | | |
Alfa Laval AB | | | 3,778 | | | | 82,559 | |
Alstom SA | | | 3,502 | | | | 162,320 | |
Amada Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 3,000 | | | | 33,910 | |
ANDRITZ AG | | | 693 | | | | 26,091 | |
Atlas Copco AB–Class A | | | 6,392 | | | | 204,836 | |
Atlas Copco AB–Class B SHS | | | 3,579 | | | | 102,898 | |
Caterpillar, Inc. | | | 3,985 | | | | 543,116 | |
CNH Industrial NV | | | 22,634 | | | | 232,524 | |
Cummins, Inc. | | | 1,000 | | | | 171,340 | |
Daifuku Co., Ltd. | | | 1,030 | | | | 58,178 | |
Deere & Co. | | | 2,135 | | | | 353,791 | |
Dover Corp. | | | 985 | | | | 98,697 | |
FANUC Corp. | | | 2,100 | | | | 390,207 | |
Flowserve Corp. | | | 810 | | | | 42,679 | |
Fortive Corp. | | | 1,970 | | | | 160,594 | |
GEA Group AG | | | 1,741 | | | | 49,411 | |
Hino Motors Ltd. | | | 6,000 | | | | 50,641 | |
Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. | | | 3,000 | | | | 78,485 | |
Hoshizaki Corp. | | | 400 | | | | 29,828 | |
IHI Corp. | | | 2,600 | | | | 62,855 | |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | | | 2,025 | | | | 305,390 | |
Ingersoll-Rand PLC | | | 1,605 | | | | 203,305 | |
JTEKT Corp. | | | 4,300 | | | | 52,285 | |
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. | | | 3,337 | | | | 78,700 | |
KION Group AG | | | 1,747 | | | | 110,482 | |
Knorr-Bremse AG | | | 473 | | | | 52,709 | |
Komatsu Ltd. | | | 9,800 | | | | 237,922 | |
Kone Oyj–Class B | | | 3,593 | | | | 212,179 | |
Kubota Corp. | | | 11,872 | | | | 198,340 | |
Kurita Water Industries Ltd. | | | 1,200 | | | | 29,898 | |
Makita Corp. | | | 2,200 | | | | 75,113 | |
Metso Oyj | | | 1,073 | | | | 42,229 | |
MINEBEA MITSUMI, Inc. | | | 4,131 | | | | 70,382 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MISUMI Group, Inc. | | | 2,900 | | | $ | 73,100 | |
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. | | | 3,100 | | | | 135,197 | |
Nabtesco Corp. | | | 1,000 | | | | 27,937 | |
NGK Insulators Ltd. | | | 2,000 | | | | 29,248 | |
NSK Ltd. | | | 4,719 | | | | 42,180 | |
PACCAR, Inc. | | | 2,310 | | | | 165,535 | |
Parker-Hannifin Corp. | | | 945 | | | | 160,659 | |
Pentair PLC | | | 1,060 | | | | 39,432 | |
Sandvik AB | | | 12,165 | | | | 223,545 | |
Schindler Holding AG | | | 413 | | | | 92,057 | |
Schindler Holding AG (REG) | | | 575 | | | | 125,703 | |
SKF AB–Class B | | | 4,700 | | | | 86,524 | |
SMC Corp./Japan | | | 600 | | | | 224,925 | |
Snap-on, Inc.(b) | | | 420 | | | | 69,569 | |
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC | | | 834 | | | | 97,361 | |
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | | | 1,065 | | | | 154,010 | |
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. | | | 1,200 | | | | 41,457 | |
Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. | | | 13,454 | | | | 103,069 | |
THK Co., Ltd. | | | 1,531 | | | | 36,826 | |
Volvo AB–Class B | | | 14,676 | | | | 233,197 | |
Wabtec Corp. | | | 315 | | | | 22,604 | |
Wartsila Oyj Abp | | | 4,224 | | | | 61,332 | |
Weir Group PLC (The) | | | 2,037 | | | | 40,081 | |
Xylem, Inc./NY | | | 1,135 | | | | 94,931 | |
Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd. | | | 56,331 | | | | 63,821 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,048,194 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MARINE–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
AP Moller–Maersk A/S–Class A | | | 70 | | | | 81,407 | |
AP Moller–Maersk A/S–Class B | | | 68 | | | | 84,613 | |
Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. | | | 1,200 | | | | 28,816 | |
Nippon Yusen KK | | | 3,100 | | | | 49,892 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 244,728 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Adecco Group AG | | | 1,673 | | | | 100,543 | |
Bureau Veritas SA | | | 3,094 | | | | 76,369 | |
Equifax, Inc. | | | 755 | | | | 102,106 | |
Experian PLC | | | 10,230 | | | | 309,862 | |
Intertek Group PLC | | | 1,990 | | | | 139,121 | |
Nielsen Holdings PLC | | | 2,316 | | | | 52,341 | |
Persol Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 2,583 | | | | 60,897 | |
Randstad NV | | | 1,613 | | | | 88,526 | |
Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 13,453 | | | | 450,432 | |
RELX PLC (London) | | | 22,241 | | | | 539,443 | |
Robert Half International, Inc. | | | 785 | | | | 44,753 | |
SEEK Ltd. | | | 4,101 | | | | 61,040 | |
SGS SA | | | 52 | | | | 132,541 | |
Teleperformance | | | 655 | | | | 131,234 | |
Verisk Analytics, Inc.–Class A | | | 1,100 | | | | 161,106 | |
Wolters Kluwer NV | | | 5,568 | | | | 405,079 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,855,393 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Aurizon Holdings Ltd. | | | 22,082 | | | | 83,827 | |
Central Japan Railway Co. | | | 1,537 | | | | 308,181 | |
CSX Corp. | | | 5,360 | | | | 414,703 | |
9
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
DSV A/S | | | 1,630 | | | $ | 160,506 | |
East Japan Railway Co. | | | 3,600 | | | | 337,117 | |
Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc. | | | 2,200 | | | | 78,941 | |
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc. | | | 603 | | | | 55,120 | |
Kansas City Southern | | | 670 | | | | 81,619 | |
Keikyu Corp. | | | 2,000 | | | | 34,486 | |
Keio Corp. | | | 1,200 | | | | 79,084 | |
Keisei Electric Railway Co., Ltd. | | | 1,465 | | | | 53,436 | |
Kintetsu Group Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 1,700 | | | | 81,502 | |
Kyushu Railway Co. | | | 1,722 | | | | 50,235 | |
MTR Corp., Ltd. | | | 15,500 | | | | 104,406 | |
Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd. | | | 1,800 | | | | 49,849 | |
Nippon Express Co., Ltd. | | | 1,200 | | | | 63,960 | |
Norfolk Southern Corp. | | | 1,840 | | | | 366,767 | |
Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. | | | 3,000 | | | | 73,517 | |
Seibu Holdings, Inc. | | | 3,142 | | | | 52,452 | |
Tobu Railway Co., Ltd. | | | 2,165 | | | | 63,184 | |
Tokyu Corp. | | | 5,000 | | | | 88,774 | |
Union Pacific Corp. | | | 5,000 | | | | 845,550 | |
West Japan Railway Co. | | | 1,568 | | | | 126,907 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,654,123 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
AerCap Holdings NV(a) | | | 1,498 | | | | 77,911 | |
Ashtead Group PLC | | | 5,697 | | | | 163,227 | |
Brenntag AG | | | 1,471 | | | | 72,178 | |
Bunzl PLC | | | 3,191 | | | | 84,198 | |
Fastenal Co.(b) | | | 3,760 | | | | 122,538 | |
Ferguson PLC(a) | | | 2,936 | | | | 209,014 | |
ITOCHU Corp. | | | 16,000 | | | | 306,512 | |
Marubeni Corp. | | | 16,000 | | | | 106,204 | |
Mitsubishi Corp. | | | 16,100 | | | | 425,449 | |
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. | | | 18,200 | | | | 297,077 | |
MonotaRO Co., Ltd. | | | 2,090 | | | | 51,197 | |
Sumitomo Corp. | | | 13,465 | | | | 204,507 | |
Toyota Tsusho Corp. | | | 2,300 | | | | 69,867 | |
United Rentals, Inc.(a) | | | 500 | | | | 66,315 | |
WW Grainger, Inc. | | | 380 | | | | 101,927 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,358,121 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Aena SME SA(c) | | | 780 | | | | 154,598 | |
Aeroports de Paris | | | 1,000 | | | | 176,433 | |
Atlantia SpA | | | 3,639 | | | | 94,892 | |
Auckland International Airport Ltd. | | | 10,521 | | | | 69,652 | |
Getlink SE | | | 6,892 | | | | 110,399 | |
Kamigumi Co., Ltd. | | | 1,500 | | | | 35,571 | |
Sydney Airport | | | 8,828 | | | | 49,874 | |
Transurban Group | | | 30,317 | | | | 313,914 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,005,333 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 39,135,089 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–6.2% | | | | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. | | | 1,800 | | | $ | 62,091 | |
Aptiv PLC(b) | | | 1,691 | | | | 136,684 | |
BorgWarner, Inc. | | | 1,380 | | | | 57,932 | |
Bridgestone Corp. | | | 6,900 | | | | 272,198 | |
Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA–Class B | | | 1,732 | | | | 218,997 | |
Continental AG | | | 1,047 | | | | 152,463 | |
Denso Corp. | | | 5,200 | | | | 219,264 | |
Faurecia SA | | | 1,635 | | | | 75,834 | |
Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | | | 1,000 | | | | 53,516 | |
NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. | | | 3,000 | | | | 56,440 | |
Nokian Renkaat Oyj(a) | | | 1,090 | | | | 34,041 | |
Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | | | 1,600 | | | | 39,451 | |
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. | | | 7,200 | | | | 94,771 | |
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. | | | 4,100 | | | | 47,487 | |
Toyota Industries Corp. | | | 1,600 | | | | 88,244 | |
Valeo SA | | | 2,277 | | | | 74,130 | |
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. (The) | | | 1,000 | | | | 18,412 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,701,955 | |
| | | | | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–1.0% | | | | | | | | |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG | | | 3,152 | | | | 232,988 | |
Daimler AG | | | 10,262 | | | | 572,330 | |
Ferrari NV | | | 1,527 | | | | 247,587 | |
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV | | | 14,140 | | | | 196,241 | |
Ford Motor Co. | | | 26,320 | | | | 269,254 | |
General Motors Co. | | | 8,816 | | | | 339,680 | |
Harley-Davidson, Inc.(b) | | | 1,050 | | | | 37,622 | |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | | | 18,521 | | | | 478,930 | |
Isuzu Motors Ltd. | | | 5,500 | | | | 62,816 | |
Mazda Motor Corp. | | | 5,200 | | | | 53,827 | |
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. | | | 11,400 | | | | 54,755 | |
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | | | 26,300 | | | | 188,373 | |
Peugeot SA | | | 7,475 | | | | 183,978 | |
Porsche Automobil Holding SE (Preference Shares) | | | 1,458 | | | | 94,456 | |
Renault SA | | | 1,830 | | | | 115,053 | |
Subaru Corp. | | | 6,000 | | | | 146,083 | |
Suzuki Motor Corp. | | | 4,173 | | | | 196,323 | |
Toyota Motor Corp. | | | 25,884 | | | | 1,606,460 | |
Volkswagen AG | | | 630 | | | | 108,062 | |
Volkswagen AG (Preference Shares) | | | 2,067 | | | | 348,161 | |
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. | | | 2,700 | | | | 48,124 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,581,103 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTORS–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Genuine Parts Co. | | | 1,010 | | | | 104,616 | |
Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd. | | | 2,000 | | | | 53,595 | |
LKQ Corp.(a) | | | 2,064 | | | | 54,923 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 213,134 | |
| | | | | | | | |
10
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Benesse Holdings, Inc. | | | 300 | | | $ | 7,001 | |
H&R Block, Inc.(b) | | | 1,320 | | | | 38,676 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 45,677 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.0% | | | | | | | | |
Accor SA | | | 2,705 | | | | 116,114 | |
Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. | | | 4,876 | | | | 105,401 | |
Carnival Corp. | | | 2,685 | | | | 124,987 | |
Carnival PLC | | | 2,273 | | | | 100,031 | |
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 244 | | | | 178,823 | |
Compass Group PLC | | | 17,973 | | | | 430,844 | |
Crown Resorts Ltd. | | | 9,430 | | | | 82,422 | |
Darden Restaurants, Inc. | | | 870 | | | | 105,905 | |
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd. | | | 823 | | | | 21,750 | |
Flutter Entertainment PLC | | | 1,060 | | | | 79,720 | |
Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. | | | 20,155 | | | | 135,583 | |
Genting Singapore Ltd. | | | 92,000 | | | | 62,593 | |
GVC Holdings PLC | | | 5,872 | | | | 48,676 | |
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. | | | 1,966 | | | | 192,157 | |
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC | | | 1,950 | | | | 128,251 | |
Marriott International, Inc./MD–Class A | | | 1,931 | | | | 270,900 | |
McDonald’s Corp. | | | 5,180 | | | | 1,075,679 | |
McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan Ltd. | | | 2,200 | | | | 97,063 | |
Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd. (ADR) | | | 2,345 | | | | 50,933 | |
Merlin Entertainments PLC(c) | | | 11,141 | | | | 63,684 | |
MGM Resorts International | | | 3,360 | | | | 95,995 | |
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.(a) | | | 1,481 | | | | 79,426 | |
Oriental Land Co., Ltd./Japan | | | 2,100 | | | | 260,522 | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | | | 1,177 | | | | 142,664 | |
Sands China Ltd. | | | 39,744 | | | | 189,860 | |
Sodexo SA | | | 1,005 | | | | 117,478 | |
Starbucks Corp. | | | 8,311 | | | | 696,711 | |
Tabcorp Holdings Ltd. | | | 26,623 | | | | 83,181 | |
TUI AG | | | 4,841 | | | | 47,532 | |
Whitbread PLC | | | 2,125 | | | | 125,030 | |
Wynn Macau Ltd. | | | 77,455 | | | | 173,394 | |
Wynn Resorts Ltd.(b) | | | 660 | | | | 81,833 | |
Yum! Brands, Inc. | | | 2,045 | | | | 226,320 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,791,462 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Auto Trader Group PLC(c) | | | 9,529 | | | | 66,367 | |
Barratt Developments PLC | | | 9,541 | | | | 69,430 | |
Berkeley Group Holdings PLC | | | 1,236 | | | | 58,578 | |
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | | | 181 | | | | 2,257 | |
DR Horton, Inc. | | | 2,255 | | | | 97,258 | |
Electrolux AB–Class B | | | 2,430 | | | | 62,289 | |
Garmin Ltd. | | | 770 | | | | 61,446 | |
Husqvarna AB–Class B | | | 8,194 | | | | 76,733 | |
Iida Group Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 2,902 | | | | 46,983 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Leggett & Platt, Inc.(b) | | | 825 | | | $ | 31,655 | |
Lennar Corp.–Class A | | | 1,900 | | | | 92,074 | |
Mohawk Industries, Inc.(a) | | | 450 | | | | 66,362 | |
Newell Brands, Inc.(b) | | | 2,855 | | | | 44,024 | |
Nikon Corp. | | | 3,200 | | | | 45,503 | |
Panasonic Corp. | | | 23,500 | | | | 196,299 | |
Persimmon PLC | | | 3,527 | | | | 89,603 | |
PulteGroup, Inc. | | | 1,735 | | | | 54,861 | |
Rinnai Corp. | | | 700 | | | | 44,591 | |
SEB SA | | | 568 | | | | 102,184 | |
Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. | | | 4,000 | | | | 60,229 | |
Sekisui House Ltd. | | | 6,000 | | | | 98,860 | |
Sharp Corp./Japan | | | 4,999 | | | | 55,143 | |
Sony Corp. | | | 14,135 | | | | 742,794 | |
Taylor Wimpey PLC | | | 31,025 | | | | 62,256 | |
Whirlpool Corp.(b) | | | 450 | | | | 64,062 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,391,841 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INTERNET & DIRECT MARKETING RETAIL–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
Amazon.com, Inc.(a) | | | 2,820 | | | | 5,340,037 | |
Booking Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 347 | | | | 650,524 | |
Delivery Hero SE(a)(c) | | | 1,586 | | | | 71,992 | |
eBay, Inc. | | | 6,085 | | | | 240,358 | |
Expedia Group, Inc. | | | 832 | | | | 110,681 | |
Ocado Group PLC(a) | | | 5,151 | | | | 76,358 | |
Rakuten, Inc. | | | 8,852 | | | | 105,827 | |
Zalando SE(a)(c) | | | 2,021 | | | | 89,483 | |
ZOZO, Inc. | | | 2,592 | | | | 48,644 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,733,904 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LEISURE PRODUCTS–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Bandai Namco Holdings, Inc. | | | 1,900 | | | | 92,197 | |
Hasbro, Inc. | | | 800 | | | | 84,544 | |
Sankyo Co., Ltd. | | | 300 | | | | 10,877 | |
Shimano, Inc. | | | 700 | | | | 104,307 | |
Yamaha Corp. | | | 1,600 | | | | 76,156 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 368,081 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MULTILINE RETAIL–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Dollar General Corp. | | | 1,770 | | | | 239,233 | |
Dollar Tree, Inc.(a) | | | 1,588 | | | | 170,535 | |
Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd. | | | 14,257 | | | | 40,798 | |
Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. | | | 2,200 | | | | 17,859 | |
J Front Retailing Co., Ltd. | | | 3,500 | | | | 40,209 | |
Kohl’s Corp.(b) | | | 1,080 | | | | 51,354 | |
Macy’s, Inc. | | | 2,005 | | | | 43,027 | |
Marks & Spencer Group PLC | | | 15,442 | | | | 41,288 | |
Marui Group Co., Ltd. | | | 3,300 | | | | 67,297 | |
Next PLC | | | 1,643 | | | | 115,054 | |
Nordstrom, Inc.(b) | | | 720 | | | | 22,939 | |
Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp. | | | 1,000 | | | | 63,580 | |
Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. | | | 257 | | | | 46,564 | |
Target Corp. | | | 3,525 | | | | 305,300 | |
Wesfarmers Ltd. | | | 12,002 | | | | 305,093 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,570,130 | |
| | | | | | | | |
11
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
ABC-Mart, Inc. | | | 500 | | | $ | 32,608 | |
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | | | 531 | | | | 81,848 | |
AutoZone, Inc.(a) | | | 225 | | | | 247,381 | |
Best Buy Co., Inc. | | | 1,500 | | | | 104,595 | |
CarMax, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 1,120 | | | | 97,250 | |
Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. | | | 641 | | | | 387,996 | |
Foot Locker, Inc. | | | 692 | | | | 29,009 | |
Gap, Inc. (The) | | | 1,405 | | | | 25,248 | |
Hennes & Mauritz AB–Class B | | | 9,038 | | | | 160,570 | |
Hikari Tsushin, Inc. | �� | | 500 | | | | 109,233 | |
Home Depot, Inc. (The) | | | 7,630 | | | | 1,586,811 | |
Industria de Diseno Textil SA | | | 11,626 | | | | 349,795 | |
Kingfisher PLC | | | 29,522 | | | | 80,468 | |
L Brands, Inc.(b) | | | 1,485 | | | | 38,758 | |
Lowe’s Cos., Inc. | | | 5,390 | | | | 543,905 | |
Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 750 | | | | 99,527 | |
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.(a) | | | 590 | | | | 217,899 | |
Ross Stores, Inc. | | | 2,450 | | | | 242,844 | |
Shimamura Co., Ltd. | | | 200 | | | | 14,973 | |
Tiffany & Co.(b) | | | 705 | | | | 66,016 | |
TJX Cos., Inc. (The) | | | 8,340 | | | | 441,019 | |
Tractor Supply Co. | | | 765 | | | | 83,232 | |
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.(a) | | | 402 | | | | 139,450 | |
USS Co., Ltd. | | | 4,120 | | | | 81,391 | |
Yamada Denki Co., Ltd. | | | 10,990 | | | | 48,638 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,310,464 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–1.0% | | | | | | | | |
adidas AG | | | 2,040 | | | | 631,115 | |
Burberry Group PLC | | | 4,236 | | | | 100,402 | |
Capri Holdings Ltd.(a) | | | 959 | | | | 33,258 | |
Cie Financiere Richemont SA | | | 5,585 | | | | 474,594 | |
EssilorLuxottica SA | | | 3,192 | | | | 415,987 | |
Hanesbrands, Inc.(b) | | | 2,427 | | | | 41,793 | |
Hermes International | | | 281 | | | | 202,572 | |
HUGO BOSS AG | | | 1,317 | | | | 87,773 | |
Kering SA | | | 859 | | | | 507,002 | |
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE | | | 3,148 | | | | 1,338,295 | |
Moncler SpA | | | 2,123 | | | | 90,995 | |
NIKE, Inc.–Class B | | | 8,520 | | | | 715,254 | |
Pandora A/S | | | 1,106 | | | | 39,343 | |
Puma SE | | | 1,420 | | | | 94,701 | |
PVH Corp. | | | 545 | | | | 51,579 | |
Ralph Lauren Corp. | | | 390 | | | | 44,300 | |
Swatch Group AG (The) | | | 294 | | | | 84,279 | |
Swatch Group AG (The)(REG) | | | 1,834 | | | | 99,388 | |
Tapestry, Inc. | | | 1,930 | | | | 61,239 | |
Under Armour, Inc.–Class A(a)(b) | | | 1,247 | | | | 31,611 | |
Under Armour, Inc.–Class C(a)(b) | | | 1,254 | | | | 27,839 | |
VF Corp. | | | 2,110 | | | | 184,308 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,357,627 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 35,065,378 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–5.4% | | | | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–1.3% | | | | | | | | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV | | | 8,385 | | | $ | 741,992 | |
Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. | | | 3,700 | | | | 166,569 | |
Brown-Forman Corp.–Class B(b) | | | 1,092 | | | | 60,530 | |
Carlsberg A/S–Class B | | | 1,051 | | | | 139,465 | |
Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd. | | | 14,439 | | | | 103,658 | |
Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Holdings, Inc. | | | 1,300 | | | | 32,973 | |
Coca-Cola Co. (The) | | | 25,830 | | | | 1,315,264 | |
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC(a) | | | 2,687 | | | | 151,816 | |
Coca-Cola HBC AG(a) | | | 1,928 | | | | 72,830 | |
Constellation Brands, Inc.–Class A | | | 1,170 | | | | 230,420 | |
Diageo PLC | | | 27,623 | | | | 1,188,900 | |
Heineken Holding NV | | | 1,000 | | | | 104,745 | |
Heineken NV | | | 2,500 | | | | 278,631 | |
Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 9,345 | | | | 201,782 | |
Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B | | | 1,200 | | | | 67,200 | |
Monster Beverage Corp.(a) | | | 2,680 | | | | 171,064 | |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | | 9,475 | | | | 1,242,457 | |
Pernod Ricard SA | | | 2,406 | | | | 443,128 | |
Remy Cointreau SA | | | 1,062 | | | | 153,124 | |
Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. | | | 1,324 | | | | 57,570 | |
Treasury Wine Estates Ltd. | | | 6,024 | | | | 63,267 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,987,385 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
Aeon Co., Ltd. | | | 6,200 | | | | 106,699 | |
Carrefour SA | | | 5,903 | | | | 113,975 | |
Casino Guichard Perrachon SA | | | 1,228 | | | | 41,891 | |
Coles Group Ltd.(a) | | | 12,002 | | | | 112,688 | |
Colruyt SA | | | 862 | | | | 50,042 | |
Costco Wholesale Corp. | | | 2,965 | | | | 783,531 | |
Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd. | | | 7,381 | | | | 52,758 | |
FamilyMart UNY Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 3,200 | | | | 76,398 | |
ICA Gruppen AB | | | 2,462 | | | | 105,838 | |
J Sainsbury PLC | | | 18,022 | | | | 44,785 | |
Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA | | | 2,405 | | | | 38,767 | |
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV | | | 9,852 | | | | 221,174 | |
Kroger Co. (The) | | | 5,380 | | | | 116,800 | |
Lawson, Inc. | | | 600 | | | | 28,825 | |
METRO AG | | | 7,593 | | | | 138,745 | |
Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 8,000 | | | | 271,051 | |
Sundrug Co., Ltd. | | | 1,000 | | | | 27,121 | |
Sysco Corp. | | | 3,155 | | | | 223,122 | |
Tesco PLC | | | 106,921 | | | | 308,218 | |
Tsuruha Holdings, Inc. | | | 600 | | | | 55,646 | |
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. | | | 5,345 | | | | 292,211 | |
Walmart, Inc. | | | 9,563 | | | | 1,056,616 | |
Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC | | | 31,098 | | | | 79,600 | |
12
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Woolworths Group Ltd. | | | 14,003 | | | $ | 326,987 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,673,488 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–1.4% | | | | | | | | |
a2 Milk Co., Ltd.(a) | | | 8,040 | | | | 79,476 | |
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. | | | 5,000 | | | | 86,744 | |
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. | | | 3,715 | | | | 151,572 | |
Associated British Foods PLC | | | 3,965 | | | | 124,125 | |
Barry Callebaut AG | | | 91 | | | | 182,641 | |
Calbee, Inc. | | | 1,315 | | | | 35,515 | |
Campbell Soup Co.(b) | | | 1,225 | | | | 49,086 | |
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG (REG) | | | 1 | | | | 81,336 | |
Conagra Brands, Inc. | | | 3,185 | | | | 84,466 | |
Danone SA | | | 6,291 | | | | 532,673 | |
General Mills, Inc. | | | 3,935 | | | | 206,666 | |
Hershey Co. (The) | | | 900 | | | | 120,627 | |
Hormel Foods Corp. | | | 1,750 | | | | 70,945 | |
JM Smucker Co. (The) | | | 795 | | | | 91,576 | |
Kellogg Co.(b) | | | 1,665 | | | | 89,194 | |
Kerry Group PLC–Class A | | | 1,906 | | | | 227,568 | |
Kikkoman Corp. | | | 1,619 | | | | 70,599 | |
Kraft Heinz Co. (The) | | | 4,178 | | | | 129,685 | |
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. | | | 940 | | | | 59,558 | |
Marine Harvest ASA(a) | | | 4,327 | | | | 101,247 | |
McCormick & Co., Inc./MD | | | 825 | | | | 127,883 | |
MEIJI Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 1,100 | | | | 78,651 | |
Mondelez International, Inc.–Class A | | | 9,735 | | | | 524,717 | |
Nestle SA | | | 34,710 | | | | 3,593,256 | |
NH Foods Ltd.(a) | | | 933 | | | | 40,002 | |
Nisshin Seifun Group, Inc. | | | 4,000 | | | | 91,355 | |
Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 1,200 | | | | 77,402 | |
Orkla ASA | | | 10,095 | | | | 89,592 | |
Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd. | | | 1,000 | | | | 41,219 | |
Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A | | | 1,975 | | | | 159,462 | |
WH Group Ltd.(c) | | | 157,321 | | | | 159,585 | |
Wilmar International Ltd. | | | 26,000 | | | | 71,174 | |
Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. | | | 1,333 | | | | 78,672 | |
Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.(a) | | | 59 | | | | 893 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,709,162 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. | | | 1,576 | | | | 115,143 | |
Clorox Co. (The) | | | 820 | | | | 125,550 | |
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | | | 5,800 | | | | 415,686 | |
Essity AB–Class B | | | 4,979 | | | | 153,171 | |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA | | | 989 | | | | 90,896 | |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Preference Shares) | | | 1,696 | | | | 165,902 | |
Kimberly-Clark Corp. | | | 2,315 | | | | 308,543 | |
Lion Corp. | | | 2,000 | | | | 37,311 | |
Pigeon Corp. | | | 1,287 | | | | 51,899 | |
Procter & Gamble Co. (The) | | | 16,770 | | | | 1,838,830 | |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | | 8,017 | | | | 632,980 | |
Unicharm Corp. | | | 3,800 | | | | 114,564 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,050,475 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Beiersdorf AG | | | 1,051 | | | $ | 126,021 | |
Coty, Inc.–Class A(b) | | | 2,962 | | | | 39,691 | |
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The)–Class A | | | 1,440 | | | | 263,678 | |
Kao Corp. | | | 5,400 | | | | 412,043 | |
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | | | 809 | | | | 58,041 | |
Kose Corp. | | | 500 | | | | 84,391 | |
L’Oreal SA | | | 2,700 | | | | 767,686 | |
Pola Orbis Holdings, Inc. | | | 1,800 | | | | 50,440 | |
Shiseido Co., Ltd. | | | 4,533 | | | | 342,861 | |
Unilever NV | | | 15,507 | | | | 942,176 | |
Unilever PLC | | | 12,594 | | | | 781,776 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,868,804 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOBACCO–0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Altria Group, Inc. | | | 12,660 | | | | 599,451 | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | | 26,574 | | | | 927,855 | |
Imperial Brands PLC | | | 10,218 | | | | 239,767 | |
Japan Tobacco, Inc. | | | 13,598 | | | | 299,750 | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | | 10,450 | | | | 820,639 | |
Swedish Match AB | | | 2,884 | | | | 121,930 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,009,392 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 30,298,706 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.5% | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
AT&T, Inc. | | | 49,137 | | | | 1,646,581 | |
BT Group PLC | | | 101,334 | | | | 253,369 | |
Cellnex Telecom SA(a)(c) | | | 2,201 | | | | 81,423 | |
CenturyLink, Inc. | | | 6,362 | | | | 74,817 | |
Deutsche Telekom AG | | | 37,770 | | | | 654,352 | |
Elisa Oyj | | | 1,354 | | | | 66,066 | |
Eurazeo SE | | | 1,509 | | | | 105,150 | |
HKT Trust & HKT Ltd.–Class SS | | | 55,098 | | | | 87,460 | |
Iliad SA | | | 714 | | | | 80,180 | |
Koninklijke KPN NV | | | 28,755 | | | | 88,301 | |
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | | | 7,400 | | | | 344,764 | |
Orange SA | | | 18,911 | | | | 298,285 | |
Proximus SADP | | | 1,568 | | | | 46,342 | |
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. | | | 76,000 | | | | 196,621 | |
Spark New Zealand Ltd. | | | 17,417 | | | | 46,858 | |
Swisscom AG | | | 247 | | | | 124,066 | |
Telecom Italia SpA/Milano(a) | | | 150,129 | | | | 81,964 | |
Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG | | | 17,113 | | | | 47,811 | |
Telefonica SA | | | 52,707 | | | | 433,425 | |
Telenor ASA | | | 7,146 | | | | 151,825 | |
Telia Co. AB | | | 24,258 | | | | 107,543 | |
Telstra Corp., Ltd. | | | 40,732 | | | | 110,143 | |
TPG Telecom Ltd. | | | 8,880 | | | | 40,189 | |
United Internet AG | | | 2,321 | | | | 76,468 | |
13
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 27,845 | | | $ | 1,590,785 | |
Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co., Ltd. | | | 3,258 | | | | 50,379 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,885,167 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ENTERTAINMENT–0.8% | |
Activision Blizzard, Inc. | | | 5,105 | | | | 240,956 | |
Electronic Arts, Inc.(a) | | | 2,035 | | | | 206,064 | |
Konami Holdings Corp. | | | 1,300 | | | | 61,150 | |
Netflix, Inc.(a) | | | 2,982 | | | | 1,095,348 | |
Nexon Co., Ltd.(a) | | | 5,190 | | | | 75,824 | |
Nintendo Co., Ltd. | | | 1,284 | | | | 471,098 | |
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(a) | | | 785 | | | | 89,121 | |
Toho Co., Ltd./Tokyo | | | 1,000 | | | | 42,604 | |
Ubisoft Entertainment SA(a) | | | 804 | | | | 62,880 | |
Viacom, Inc.–Class B | | | 2,310 | | | | 69,000 | |
Vivendi SA | | | 11,072 | | | | 303,845 | |
Walt Disney Co. (The) | | | 11,952 | | | | 1,668,977 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,386,867 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INTERACTIVE MEDIA & SERVICES–1.4% | | | | | | | | |
Alphabet, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 2,039 | | | | 2,207,829 | |
Alphabet, Inc.–Class C(a) | | | 2,144 | | | | 2,317,471 | |
Facebook, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 16,237 | | | | 3,133,741 | |
Kakaku.com, Inc. | | | 3,799 | | | | 73,474 | |
LINE Corp.(a) | | | 933 | | | | 26,241 | |
REA Group Ltd. | | | 1,002 | | | | 67,688 | |
TripAdvisor, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 612 | | | | 28,330 | |
Twitter, Inc.(a) | | | 4,786 | | | | 167,032 | |
Yahoo Japan Corp. | | | 32,653 | | | | 96,050 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,117,856 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MEDIA–0.6% | |
CBS Corp.–Class B | | | 2,240 | | | | 111,776 | |
Charter Communications, Inc.–Class A(a)(b) | | | 1,223 | | | | 483,305 | |
Comcast Corp.–Class A | | | 30,602 | | | | 1,293,852 | |
CyberAgent, Inc. | | | 1,112 | | | | 40,524 | |
Dentsu, Inc. | | | 2,100 | | | | 73,444 | |
Discovery, Inc.–Class A(a)(b) | | | 1,045 | | | | 32,081 | |
Discovery, Inc.–Class C(a) | | | 2,354 | | | | 66,971 | |
DISH Network Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 1,475 | | | | 56,655 | |
Eutelsat Communications SA | | | 3,140 | | | | 58,643 | |
Fox Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 2,440 | | | | 89,402 | |
Fox Corp.–Class B(a) | | | 1,022 | | | | 37,334 | |
Hakuhodo DY Holdings, Inc. | | | 2,490 | | | | 42,058 | |
Informa PLC | | | 13,755 | | | | 145,870 | |
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The) | | | 2,595 | | | | 58,621 | |
ITV PLC | | | 44,429 | | | | 60,932 | |
JCDecaux SA | | | 1,905 | | | | 57,686 | |
News Corp.–Class A | | | 2,558 | | | | 34,507 | |
News Corp.–Class B | | | 817 | | | | 11,405 | |
Omnicom Group, Inc.(b) | | | 1,460 | | | | 119,647 | |
Pearson PLC | | | 7,821 | | | | 81,370 | |
Publicis Groupe SA | | | 1,801 | | | | 95,058 | |
RTL Group SA(a) | | | 1,166 | | | | 59,689 | |
Schibsted ASA–Class B | | | 2,252 | | | | 58,712 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SES SA | | | 4,651 | | | $ | 72,719 | |
Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. | | | 29,528 | | | | 53,261 | |
Telenet Group Holding NV | | | 715 | | | | 39,842 | |
WPP PLC | | | 13,761 | | | | 173,340 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,508,704 | |
| | | | | | | | |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.5% | | | | | | | | |
KDDI Corp. | | | 19,550 | | | | 497,483 | |
Millicom International Cellular SA | | | 641 | | | | 36,083 | |
NTT DOCOMO, Inc. | | | 14,767 | | | | 344,542 | |
Softbank Corp. | | | 19,000 | | | | 246,826 | |
SoftBank Group Corp. | | | 18,384 | | | | 885,471 | |
Tele2 AB–Class B | | | 9,542 | | | | 139,363 | |
Vodafone Group PLC | | | 293,152 | | | | 480,494 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,630,262 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 25,528,856 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–3.1% | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Baker Hughes a GE Co.–Class A(b) | | | 3,460 | | | | 85,220 | |
Halliburton Co. | | | 5,890 | | | | 133,939 | |
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.(b) | | | 735 | | | | 37,206 | |
John Wood Group PLC | | | 7,316 | | | | 42,125 | |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. | | | 2,505 | | | | 55,686 | |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | | 9,300 | | | | 369,582 | |
TechnipFMC PLC(b) | | | 2,818 | | | | 73,099 | |
Tenaris SA | | | 10,900 | | | | 142,962 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 939,819 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–2.9% | | | | | | | | |
Aker BP ASA | | | 1,570 | | | | 45,281 | |
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | | | 3,395 | | | | 239,551 | |
Apache Corp. | | | 2,545 | | | | 73,729 | |
BP PLC | | | 229,582 | | | | 1,599,443 | |
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. | | | 2,840 | | | | 65,206 | |
Caltex Australia Ltd. | | | 3,100 | | | | 53,962 | |
Chevron Corp. | | | 12,880 | | | | 1,602,787 | |
Cimarex Energy Co. | | | 577 | | | | 34,233 | |
Concho Resources, Inc. | | | 1,307 | | | | 134,856 | |
ConocoPhillips | | | 7,720 | | | | 470,920 | |
Devon Energy Corp. | | | 3,120 | | | | 88,982 | |
Diamondback Energy, Inc. | | | 1,078 | | | | 117,470 | |
Enagas SA | | | 2,159 | | | | 57,616 | |
Eni SpA | | | 24,216 | | | | 402,647 | |
EOG Resources, Inc. | | | 3,860 | | | | 359,598 | |
Equinor ASA | | | 12,989 | | | | 257,668 | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 28,510 | | | | 2,184,721 | |
Galp Energia SGPS SA | | | 5,341 | | | | 82,141 | |
Hess Corp. | | | 1,640 | | | | 104,255 | |
HollyFrontier Corp. | | | 1,000 | | | | 46,280 | |
Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. | | | 2,956 | | | | 89,404 | |
Inpex Corp. | | | 11,643 | | | | 105,524 | |
JXTG Holdings, Inc. | | | 32,750 | | | | 163,223 | |
14
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Kinder Morgan, Inc./DE | | | 12,789 | | | $ | 267,034 | |
Koninklijke Vopak NV | | | 502 | | | | 23,118 | |
Lundin Petroleum AB | | | 3,430 | | | | 106,868 | |
Marathon Oil Corp. | | | 5,605 | | | | 79,647 | |
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | | | 4,641 | | | | 259,339 | |
Neste Oyj | | | 4,795 | | | | 163,018 | |
Noble Energy, Inc. | | | 3,200 | | | | 71,680 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp.(b) | | | 5,050 | | | | 253,914 | |
Oil Search Ltd. | | | 18,278 | | | | 91,149 | |
OMV AG | | | 1,402 | | | | 68,340 | |
ONEOK, Inc. | | | 2,718 | | | | 187,026 | |
Origin Energy Ltd. | | | 16,658 | | | | 85,657 | |
Phillips 66 | | | 2,810 | | | | 262,847 | |
Pioneer Natural Resources Co. | | | 1,115 | | | | 171,554 | |
Repsol SA | | | 15,886 | | | | 249,297 | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC–Class A | | | 51,172 | | | | 1,670,129 | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC–Class B | | | 42,444 | | | | 1,390,749 | |
Santos Ltd. | | | 18,468 | | | | 92,202 | |
Snam SpA | | | 26,833 | | | | 133,489 | |
TOTAL SA | | | 26,478 | | | | 1,485,251 | |
Valero Energy Corp. | | | 2,825 | | | | 241,848 | |
Williams Cos., Inc. (The) | | | 8,158 | | | | 228,750 | |
Woodside Petroleum Ltd. | | | 10,061 | | | | 258,050 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,220,453 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 17,160,272 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–2.9% | | | | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Air Liquide SA | | | 4,557 | | | | 637,380 | |
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. | | | 1,520 | | | | 344,082 | |
Akzo Nobel NV | | | 3,226 | | | | 303,148 | |
Albemarle Corp.(b) | | | 661 | | | | 46,541 | |
Arkema SA | | | 1,159 | | | | 107,746 | |
Asahi Kasei Corp. | | | 12,000 | | | | 128,287 | |
BASF SE | | | 9,789 | | | | 712,142 | |
Celanese Corp.–Class A | | | 858 | | | | 92,492 | |
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | | | 1,500 | | | | 70,065 | |
Chr Hansen Holding A/S | | | 1,460 | | | | 137,393 | |
Clariant AG(a) | | | 4,702 | | | | 95,662 | |
Corteva, Inc.(a) | | | 5,156 | | | | 152,463 | |
Covestro AG(c) | | | 1,766 | | | | 89,906 | |
Croda International PLC | | | 1,648 | | | | 107,196 | |
Daicel Corp. | | | 3,000 | | | | 26,736 | |
Dow, Inc.(a) | | | 5,156 | | | | 254,242 | |
DuPont de Nemours, Inc. | | | 5,156 | | | | 387,061 | |
Eastman Chemical Co. | | | 930 | | | | 72,382 | |
Ecolab, Inc. | | | 1,740 | | | | 343,546 | |
EMS-Chemie Holding AG | | | 203 | | | | 131,777 | |
Evonik Industries AG | | | 2,574 | | | | 75,001 | |
FMC Corp. | | | 830 | | | | 68,849 | |
FUCHS PETROLUB SE (Preference Shares) | | | 2,420 | | | | 95,010 | |
Givaudan SA | | | 88 | | | | 248,559 | |
Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. | | | 3,000 | | | | 81,767 | |
Incitec Pivot Ltd. | | | 32,013 | | | | 76,725 | |
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.(b) | | | 651 | | | | 94,410 | |
Israel Chemicals Ltd. | | | 9,886 | | | | 52,010 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Johnson Matthey PLC | | | 1,842 | | | $ | 77,875 | |
JSR Corp. | | | 800 | | | | 12,672 | |
Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. | | | 3,000 | | | | 63,048 | |
Koninklijke DSM NV | | | 2,026 | | | | 249,977 | |
Kuraray Co., Ltd. | | | 3,000 | | | | 35,938 | |
LANXESS AG | | | 1,767 | | | | 104,941 | |
Linde PLC | | | 3,700 | | | | 742,960 | |
LyondellBasell Industries NV–Class A | | | 2,099 | | | | 180,787 | |
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. | | | 13,000 | | | | 91,017 | |
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc. | | | 2,500 | | | | 33,438 | |
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. | | | 1,600 | | | | 39,751 | |
Mosaic Co. (The) | | | 2,330 | | | | 58,320 | |
Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 2,000 | | | | 77,861 | |
Nissan Chemical Corp. | | | 1,000 | | | | 45,178 | |
Nitto Denko Corp. | | | 1,600 | | | | 79,194 | |
Novozymes A/S–Class B | | | 2,458 | | | | 114,609 | |
Orica Ltd. | | | 7,662 | | | | 109,169 | |
PPG Industries, Inc. | | | 1,650 | | | | 192,571 | |
Sherwin-Williams Co. (The) | | | 565 | | | | 258,934 | |
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. | | | 4,100 | | | | 383,604 | |
Showa Denko KK | | | 1,500 | | | | 44,390 | |
Sika AG | | | 1,200 | | | | 205,011 | |
Solvay SA | | | 927 | | | | 96,270 | |
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. | | | 15,000 | | | | 69,845 | |
Symrise AG | | | 1,178 | | | | 113,430 | |
Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp. | | | 3,206 | | | | 68,259 | |
Teijin Ltd. | | | 3,000 | | | | 51,254 | |
Toray Industries, Inc. | | | 14,000 | | | | 106,365 | |
Tosoh Corp. | | | 3,149 | | | | 44,416 | |
Umicore SA | | | 2,002 | | | | 64,247 | |
Yara International ASA | | | 1,297 | | | | 63,009 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,910,918 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Boral Ltd. | | | 17,642 | | | | 63,624 | |
CRH PLC | | | 8,841 | | | | 288,988 | |
Fletcher Building Ltd. | | | 8,637 | | | | 28,144 | |
HeidelbergCement AG | | | 1,342 | | | | 108,602 | |
James Hardie Industries PLC | | | 3,449 | | | | 45,403 | |
LafargeHolcim Ltd.(a) | | | 5,336 | | | | 260,912 | |
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.(b) | | | 477 | | | | 109,762 | |
Taiheiyo Cement Corp. | | | 1,304 | | | | 39,590 | |
Vulcan Materials Co. | | | 915 | | | | 125,639 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,070,664 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
AMCOR PLC(a) | | | 11,213 | | | | 128,837 | |
Avery Dennison Corp. | | | 585 | | | | 67,673 | |
Ball Corp. | | | 2,220 | | | | 155,378 | |
International Paper Co. | | | 2,665 | | | | 115,448 | |
Packaging Corp. of America | | | 575 | | | | 54,809 | |
Sealed Air Corp. | | | 1,040 | | | | 44,491 | |
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC | | | 2,476 | | | | 75,029 | |
15
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Toyo Seikan Group Holdings Ltd. | | | 1,700 | | | $ | 33,800 | |
Westrock Co. | | | 1,647 | | | | 60,066 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 735,531 | |
| | | | | | | | |
METALS & MINING–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
Alumina Ltd. | | | 28,452 | | | | 46,702 | |
Anglo American PLC | | | 11,577 | | | | 330,736 | |
Antofagasta PLC | | | 6,389 | | | | 75,468 | |
ArcelorMittal | | | 12,535 | | | | 224,226 | |
BHP Group Ltd. | | | 32,976 | | | | 958,564 | |
BHP Group PLC | | | 23,519 | | | | 601,483 | |
BlueScope Steel Ltd. | | | 6,941 | | | | 59,019 | |
Boliden AB | | | 4,189 | | | | 107,339 | |
Evraz PLC | | | 5,725 | | | | 48,476 | |
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. | | | 18,067 | | | | 114,899 | |
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | | | 9,725 | | | | 112,907 | |
Fresnillo PLC | | | 2,356 | | | | 26,076 | |
Glencore PLC(a) | | | 130,406 | | | | 451,325 | |
Hitachi Metals Ltd. | | | 5,000 | | | | 56,698 | |
JFE Holdings, Inc. | | | 5,000 | | | | 73,624 | |
Kobe Steel Ltd. | | | 1,199 | | | | 7,870 | |
Mitsubishi Materials Corp. | | | 2,700 | | | | 76,920 | |
Newcrest Mining Ltd. | | | 7,017 | | | | 157,645 | |
Newmont Goldcorp Corp. | | | 5,601 | | | | 215,470 | |
Nippon Steel Corp. | | | 8,643 | | | | 148,746 | |
Norsk Hydro ASA | | | 16,444 | | | | 58,898 | |
Nucor Corp. | | | 2,110 | | | | 116,261 | |
Rio Tinto Ltd. | | | 4,038 | | | | 295,684 | |
Rio Tinto PLC | | | 13,185 | | | | 816,060 | |
South32 Ltd. | | | 56,741 | | | | 127,193 | |
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. | | | 2,500 | | | | 74,941 | |
thyssenkrupp AG | | | 3,919 | | | | 57,220 | |
voestalpine AG | | | 1,082 | | | | 33,450 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,473,900 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Mondi PLC | | | 3,496 | | | | 79,569 | |
Oji Holdings Corp. | | | 14,000 | | | | 81,097 | |
Stora Enso Oyj–Class R | | | 6,056 | | | | 71,265 | |
UPM-Kymmene Oyj | | | 5,689 | | | | 151,367 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 383,298 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,574,311 | |
| | | | | | | | |
UTILITIES–2.0% | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
Alliant Energy Corp. | | | 1,588 | | | | 77,939 | |
American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | 3,325 | | | | 292,633 | |
AusNet Services | | | 37,398 | | | | 49,285 | |
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | 6,100 | | | | 85,689 | |
Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (The) | | | 4,000 | | | | 50,443 | |
CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd. | | | 15,000 | | | | 122,254 | |
CLP Holdings Ltd. | | | 12,500 | | | | 137,747 | |
Duke Energy Corp. | | | 4,782 | | | | 421,964 | |
Edison International | | | 2,165 | | | | 145,943 | |
| | | | | | | | |
EDP–Energias de Portugal SA | | | 29,006 | | | $ | 110,235 | |
Electricite de France SA | | | 11,071 | | | | 139,582 | |
Endesa SA | | | 3,024 | | | | 77,779 | |
Enel SpA | | | 88,110 | | | | 614,633 | |
Entergy Corp. | | | 1,225 | | | | 126,089 | |
Evergy, Inc. | | | 1,685 | | | | 101,353 | |
Eversource Energy(b) | | | 2,110 | | | | 159,854 | |
Exelon Corp. | | | 6,497 | | | | 311,466 | |
FirstEnergy Corp. | | | 3,235 | | �� | | 138,490 | |
Fortum Oyj | | | 4,947 | | | | 109,337 | |
HK Electric Investments & HK Electric Investments Ltd.–Class SS(c) | | | 104,180 | | | | 106,691 | |
Iberdrola SA | | | 69,184 | | | | 688,808 | |
Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (The) | | | 8,491 | | | | 97,335 | |
Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | 4,100 | | | | 40,280 | |
NextEra Energy, Inc. | | | 3,245 | | | | 664,771 | |
Orsted A/S(c) | | | 2,499 | | | | 216,186 | |
Pinnacle West Capital Corp. | | | 685 | | | | 64,452 | |
Power Assets Holdings Ltd. | | | 8,500 | | | | 61,149 | |
PPL Corp. | | | 4,795 | | | | 148,693 | |
Red Electrica Corp. SA | | | 5,707 | | | | 118,866 | |
Southern Co. (The) | | | 6,910 | | | | 381,985 | |
SSE PLC | | | 10,739 | | | | 153,067 | |
Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA | | | 23,069 | | | | 146,987 | |
Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | 4,300 | | | | 43,511 | |
Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 13,800 | | | | 72,078 | |
Verbund AG | | | 759 | | | | 39,761 | |
Xcel Energy, Inc. | | | 3,420 | | | | 203,456 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,520,791 | |
| | | | | | | | |
GAS UTILITIES–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
APA Group | | | 13,346 | | | | 101,207 | |
Atmos Energy Corp. | | | 792 | | | | 83,603 | |
Hong Kong & China Gas Co., Ltd. | | | 96,005 | | | | 212,834 | |
Naturgy Energy Group SA | | | 4,316 | | | | 118,944 | |
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. | | | 3,600 | | | | 62,827 | |
Toho Gas Co., Ltd. | | | 2,017 | | | | 74,372 | |
Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. | | | 3,800 | | | | 89,573 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 743,360 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDEPENDENT POWER AND RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY PRODUCERS–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
AES Corp./VA | | | 4,385 | | | | 73,493 | |
Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. | | | 1,600 | | | | 36,410 | |
Meridian Energy Ltd. | | | 18,542 | | | | 59,245 | |
NRG Energy, Inc. | | | 1,890 | | | | 66,377 | |
Uniper SE | | | 2,006 | | | | 60,786 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 296,311 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
AGL Energy Ltd. | | | 6,423 | | | | 90,330 | |
Ameren Corp. | | | 1,560 | | | | 117,172 | |
16
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | | | 3,295 | | | $ | 94,336 | |
Centrica PLC | | | 64,140 | | | | 71,501 | |
CMS Energy Corp. | | | 1,820 | | | | 105,396 | |
Consolidated Edison, Inc. | | | 2,030 | | | | 177,990 | |
Dominion Energy, Inc. | | | 5,050 | | | | 390,466 | |
DTE Energy Co. | | | 1,170 | | | | 149,620 | |
E.ON SE | | | 23,845 | | | | 258,721 | |
Engie SA | | | 18,347 | | | | 278,204 | |
Innogy SE(c) | | | 1,395 | | | | 66,147 | |
National Grid PLC | | | 38,933 | | | | 414,047 | |
NiSource, Inc. | | | 2,405 | | | | 69,264 | |
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. | | | 3,405 | | | | 200,282 | |
RWE AG | | | 5,973 | | | | 147,387 | |
Sempra Energy | | | 1,860 | | | | 255,638 | |
Suez | | | 5,769 | | | | 83,245 | |
United Utilities Group PLC | | | 8,008 | | | | 79,711 | |
Veolia Environnement SA | | | 5,882 | | | | 143,229 | |
WEC Energy Group, Inc.(b) | | | 2,088 | | | | 174,077 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,366,763 | |
| | | | | | | | |
WATER UTILITIES–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
American Water Works Co., Inc. | | | 1,221 | | | | 141,636 | |
Severn Trent PLC | | | 2,239 | | | | 58,247 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 199,883 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 11,127,108 | |
| | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE–1.9% | | | | | | | | |
EQUITY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | | | 732 | | | | 103,278 | |
American Tower Corp. | | | 2,965 | | | | 606,194 | |
Apartment Investment & Management Co.–Class A | | | 974 | | | | 48,817 | |
Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust | | | 58,294 | | | | 134,512 | |
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. | | | 945 | | | | 192,005 | |
Boston Properties, Inc. | | | 1,000 | | | | 129,000 | |
British Land Co. PLC (The) | | | 9,308 | | | | 63,704 | |
Crown Castle International Corp. | | | 2,770 | | | | 361,070 | |
Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp. | | | 13 | | | | 31,380 | |
Dexus | | | 13,420 | | | | 122,426 | |
Digital Realty Trust, Inc.(b) | | | 1,430 | | | | 168,440 | |
Duke Realty Corp. | | | 2,348 | | | | 74,220 | |
Equinix, Inc. | | | 620 | | | | 312,660 | |
Equity Residential | | | 2,440 | | | | 185,245 | |
Essex Property Trust, Inc. | | | 478 | | | | 139,543 | |
Extra Space Storage, Inc. | | | 783 | | | | 83,076 | |
Federal Realty Investment Trust | | | 522 | | | | 67,213 | |
Goodman Group | | | 16,928 | | | | 178,925 | |
GPT Group (The) | | | 17,105 | | | | 73,908 | |
HCP, Inc.(b) | | | 3,180 | | | | 101,696 | |
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 4,950 | | | | 90,189 | |
ICADE | | | 1,592 | | | | 145,907 | |
Iron Mountain, Inc.(b) | | | 1,908 | | | | 59,720 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp. | | | 15 | | | $ | 65,010 | |
Japan Real Estate Investment Corp. | | | 12 | | | | 73,042 | |
Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp. | | | 24 | | | | 48,542 | |
Kimco Realty Corp. | | | 2,830 | | | | 52,298 | |
Klepierre SA | | | 2,231 | | | | 74,745 | |
Land Securities Group PLC | | | 9,736 | | | | 103,131 | |
Link REIT | | | 21,500 | | | | 264,566 | |
Macerich Co. (The)(b) | | | 710 | | | | 23,778 | |
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | | | 796 | | | | 93,737 | |
Mirvac Group | | | 40,488 | | | | 89,128 | |
Nippon Building Fund, Inc. | | | 13 | | | | 89,045 | |
Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc. | | | 14 | | | | 32,338 | |
Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc. | | | 34 | | | | 52,288 | |
Prologis, Inc. | | | 4,170 | | | | 334,017 | |
Public Storage | | | 1,030 | | | | 245,315 | |
Realty Income Corp. | | | 1,908 | | | | 131,595 | |
Regency Centers Corp. | | | 1,133 | | | | 75,616 | |
SBA Communications Corp.(a) | | | 770 | | | | 173,127 | |
Scentre Group | | | 50,683 | | | | 136,782 | |
Segro PLC | | | 11,022 | | | | 102,334 | |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | | | 2,116 | | | | 338,052 | |
SL Green Realty Corp. | | | 576 | | | | 46,293 | |
Stockland | | | 23,010 | | | | 67,466 | |
UDR, Inc. | | | 1,828 | | | | 82,059 | |
United Urban Investment Corp. | | | 26 | | | | 43,580 | |
Ventas, Inc. | | | 2,341 | | | | 160,007 | |
Vicinity Centres | | | 39,646 | | | | 68,259 | |
Vornado Realty Trust | | | 1,085 | | | | 69,549 | |
Welltower, Inc. | | | 2,475 | | | | 201,787 | |
Weyerhaeuser Co. | | | 4,998 | | | | 131,647 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,942,261 | |
| | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Aeon Mall Co., Ltd. | | | 3,541 | | | | 53,356 | |
Aroundtown SA | | | 11,635 | | | | 95,991 | |
Azrieli Group Ltd. | | | 387 | | | | 25,969 | |
CapitaLand Ltd. | | | 35,000 | | | | 91,393 | |
CBRE Group, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 2,065 | | | | 105,934 | |
City Developments Ltd. | | | 11,000 | | | | 77,054 | |
CK Asset Holdings Ltd. | | | 25,719 | | | | 201,485 | |
Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd. | | | 700 | | | | 89,272 | |
Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. | | | 6,000 | | | | 175,324 | |
Deutsche Wohnen SE | | | 3,212 | | | | 117,698 | |
Hang Lung Properties Ltd. | | | 14,000 | | | | 33,306 | |
Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd. | | | 30,420 | | | | 167,715 | |
Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd. | | | 14,000 | | | | 90,240 | |
Hulic Co., Ltd. | | | 6,591 | | | | 53,062 | |
Kerry Properties Ltd. | | | 8,500 | | | | 35,704 | |
LendLease Group | | | 10,380 | | | | 94,852 | |
17
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | | | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 13,000 | | | $ | 242,287 | |
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 10,000 | | | | 243,042 | |
New World Development Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 82,122 | | | | 128,453 | |
Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc. | | | | | | | 3,600 | | | | 77,540 | |
Sino Land Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 63,328 | | | | 106,206 | |
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 3,843 | | | | 137,482 | |
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | | | | | | | 15,000 | | | | 254,476 | |
Swire Properties Ltd. | | | | | | | 25,389 | | | | 102,640 | |
Swiss Prime Site AG(a) | | | | | | | 976 | | | | 85,240 | |
Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Corp. | | | | | | | 7,989 | | | | 44,213 | |
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield | | | | | | | 1,707 | | | | 255,731 | |
Vonovia SE | | | | | | | 5,710 | | | | 272,766 | |
Wharf Holdings Ltd. (The) | | | | | | | 13,000 | | | | 34,454 | |
Wharf Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 13,000 | | | | 91,616 | |
Wheelock & Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | 17,000 | | | | 122,070 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 3,706,571 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 10,648,832 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $238,903,316) | | | | | | | | | | | 325,116,362 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS– TREASURIES–32.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
UNITED STATES–32.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Bonds | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2.25%, 8/15/46 | | | | | | $ | 6,373 | | | | 6,020,871 | |
2.50%, 2/15/45–5/15/46 | | | | | | | 598 | | | | 595,599 | |
2.75%, 8/15/42–8/15/47 | | | | | | | 1,177 | | | | 1,232,923 | |
2.875%, 5/15/43–11/15/46 | | | | | | | 6,307 | | | | 6,741,536 | |
3.00%, 5/15/45–2/15/49 | | | | | | | 4,289 | | | | 4,701,794 | |
3.125%, 11/15/41–2/15/43 | | | | | | | 2,825 | | | | 3,154,891 | |
3.50%, 2/15/39 | | | | | | | 23 | | | | 27,309 | |
3.625%, 8/15/43 | | | | | | | 3,658 | | | | 4,414,749 | |
3.75%, 8/15/41–11/15/43 | | | | | | | 399 | | | | 490,416 | |
3.875%, 8/15/40 | | | | | | | 280 | | | | 349,781 | |
4.25%, 5/15/39 | | | | | | | 240 | | | | 313,837 | |
4.375%, 11/15/39–5/15/41 | | | | | | | 1,258 | | | | 1,673,910 | |
4.50%, 8/15/39 | | | | | | | 317 | | | | 428,099 | |
4.75%, 2/15/37–2/15/41 | | | | | | | 1,127 | | | | 1,551,458 | |
5.25%, 11/15/28 | | | | | | | 690 | | | | 882,230 | |
5.375%, 2/15/31 | | | | | | | 650 | | | | 872,828 | |
5.50%, 8/15/28 | | | | | | | 1,383 | | | | 1,789,040 | |
6.00%, 2/15/26 | | | | | | | 2,846 | | | | 3,576,622 | |
6.125%, 11/15/27 | | | | | | | 732 | | | | 967,841 | |
6.25%, 8/15/23–5/15/30 | | | | | | | 724 | | | | 992,369 | |
6.875%, 8/15/25 | | | | | | | 849 | | | | 1,094,945 | |
7.25%, 8/15/22 | | | | | | | 775 | | | | 903,844 | |
7.625%, 2/15/25 | | | | | | | 55 | | | | 71,955 | |
8.00%, 11/15/21 | | | | | | | 9,123 | | | | 10,427,304 | |
U.S. Treasury Notes | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1.00%, 8/31/19 | | | | | | | 4,087 | | | | 4,078,060 | |
1.125%, 2/28/21–9/30/21 | | | | | | | 2,905 | | | | 2,870,064 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
1.25%, 3/31/21–10/31/21 | | | | | | $ | 5,957 | | | $ | 5,894,870 | |
1.375%, 8/31/20–8/31/23 | | | | | | | 6,850 | | | | 6,791,509 | |
1.50%, 8/15/26 | | | | | | | 2,035 | | | | 1,983,489 | |
1.625%, 6/30/20–2/15/26 | | | | | | | 13,391 | | | | 13,292,719 | |
1.75%, 3/31/22–5/15/23 | | | | | | | 12,336 | | | | 12,344,006 | |
1.875%, 11/30/21–10/31/22 | | | | | | | 6,713 | | | | 6,740,799 | |
2.00%, 11/15/21–11/15/26 | | | | | | | 24,668 | | | | 24,881,673 | |
2.125%, 8/15/21–5/15/25 | | | | | | | 13,382 | | | | 13,579,945 | |
2.25%, 4/30/24–11/15/27 | | | | | | | 8,626 | | | | 8,831,044 | |
2.375%, 8/15/24–5/15/29 | | | | | | | 2,964 | | | | 3,059,290 | |
2.50%, 1/31/21–5/15/24 | | | | | | | 7,335 | | | | 7,543,498 | |
2.625%, 2/15/29 | | | | | | | 821 | | | | 865,898 | |
2.75%, 11/15/23–2/15/28 | | | | | | | 3,400 | | | | 3,548,883 | |
2.875%, 10/31/23–5/15/49 | | | | | | | 3,371 | | | | 3,578,388 | |
3.125%, 5/15/21–11/15/28 | | | | | | | 2,049 | | | | 2,219,125 | |
3.625%, 2/15/21 | | | | | | | 5,756 | | | | 5,920,971 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Treasuries (cost $177,250,541) | | | | | | | | | | | 181,300,382 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–7.4% | | | | | | | | | |
FUNDS AND INVESTMENT TRUSTS–7.4%(d) | | | | | | | | | |
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | | | | | | | 273,917 | | | | 14,090,290 | |
Vanguard Globalex-U.S. Real Estate ETF | | | | | | | 217,376 | | | | 12,825,184 | |
Vanguard Real Estate ETF | | | | | | | 169,815 | | | | 14,841,831 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investment Companies (cost $40,548,765) | | | | | | | | | | | 41,757,305 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Notional Amount | | | | |
OPTIONS PURCHASED–CALLS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
OPTIONS ON INDICES–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
S&P 500 Index Expiration: Sep 2019; Contracts: 19,000; Exercise Price: USD 3,100.00; Counterparty: JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA(a) (premium paid $346,940) | | | USD | | | | 58,900,000 | | | | 254,690 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | | | |
RIGHTS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Repsol SA, expiring 7/09/19(a) | | | | | | | 15,886 | | | | 8,812 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
18
| | |
|
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA, expiring 7/29/19(a) | | | 2,672 | | | $ | 4,193 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Rights (cost $13,412) | | | | | | | 13,005 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.3% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–1.0% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(d)(e)(f) (cost $5,789,870) | | | 5,789,870 | | | | 5,789,870 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | | |
U.S. TREASURY BILLS–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
UNITED STATES–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Bill Zero Coupon, 7/09/19 (cost $1,809,047) | | $ | 1,810 | | | | 1,809,199 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (cost $7,598,917) | | | | | | | 7,599,069 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITY LENDING COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–98.8% (cost $464,661,891) | | | | | | $ | 556,040,813 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(d)(e)(f) (cost $96,958) | | | 96,958 | | | | 96,958 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.8% (cost $464,758,849) | | | | | | | 556,137,771 | |
Other assets less liabilities–1.2% | | | | | | | 6,938,769 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | $ | 563,076,540 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FUTURES (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Number of Contracts | | | Expiration Month | | | Current Notional | | | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Purchased Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
10 Yr Australian Bond Futures | | | 36 | | | | September 2019 | | | $ | 3,630,585 | | | $ | 31,075 | |
E-Mini Russell 2000 Futures | | | 170 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 13,320,350 | | | | 235,832 | |
Long Gilt Futures | | | 73 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 12,079,631 | | | | 72,297 | |
Mini MSCI EAFE Futures | | | 12 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 1,153,980 | | | | 17,851 | |
MSCI Emerging Markets Futures | | | 277 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 14,589,590 | | | | 504,245 | |
S&P Mid 400E-Mini Futures | | | 69 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 13,455,000 | | | | 232,285 | |
U.S.T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures | | | 212 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 27,129,375 | | | | 209,661 | |
| | | | |
Sold Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Euro STOXX 50 Futures | | | 11 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 433,531 | | | | (8,466 | ) |
FTSE 100 Index Futures | | | 56 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 5,240,623 | | | | (57,509 | ) |
Hang Seng Index Futures | | | 29 | | | | July 2019 | | | | 5,291,070 | | �� | | (16,359 | ) |
S&P 500E-Mini Futures | | | 472 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 69,483,120 | | | | (908,559 | ) |
SPI 200 Futures | | | 4 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 460,475 | | | | (4,080 | ) |
TOPIX Index Futures | | | 63 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 9,063,025 | | | | (18,243 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 290,030 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
19
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | CHF | | | | 2,888 | | | | USD | | | | 2,935 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | $ | (42,935 | ) |
BNP Paribas SA | | | USD | | | | 9,374 | | | | AUD | | | | 13,398 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 52,873 | |
Citibank, NA | | | EUR | | | | 6,624 | | | | USD | | | | 7,463 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (111,561 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | JPY | | | | 1,616,386 | | | | USD | | | | 14,996 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (76,330 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,685 | | | | EUR | | | | 1,477 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 4,191 | |
Credit Suisse International | | | USD | | | | 3,242 | | | | CAD | | | | 4,334 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 71,640 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | EUR | | | | 4,013 | | | | USD | | | | 4,517 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (71,977 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | AUD | | | | 5,040 | | | | USD | | | | 3,533 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (13,262 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | JPY | | | | 364,632 | | | | USD | | | | 3,329 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (70,766 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 3,062 | | | | NZD | | | | 4,642 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 61,098 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,629 | | | | SEK | | | | 15,018 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (3,529 | ) |
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | | | USD | | | | 1,742 | | | | CAD | | | | 2,305 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 20,710 | |
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | | | USD | | | | 813 | | | | SEK | | | | 7,628 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 13,135 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | JPY | | | | 184,068 | | | | USD | | | | 1,708 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (8,481 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 3,261 | | | | NZD | | | | 4,952 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 70,035 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 3,957 | | | | USD | | | | 4,514 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (10,826 | ) |
UBS AG | | | EUR | | | | 618 | | | | USD | | | | 706 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (433 | ) |
UBS AG | | | GBP | | | | 4,161 | | | | USD | | | | 5,312 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 10,297 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | (106,121 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(c) | | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $1,423,800 or 0.3% of net assets. |
(d) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Additionally, shareholder reports for AB funds can be obtained by calling AB at (800)227-4618. |
(e) | | Affiliated investments. |
(f) | | The rate shown represents the7-day yield as of period end. |
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD—Australian Dollar
CAD—Canadian Dollar
CHF—Swiss Franc
EUR—Euro
GBP—Great British Pound
JPY—Japanese Yen
NZD—New Zealand Dollar
SEK—Swedish Krona
USD—United States Dollar
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
CBT—Chicago Board of Trade
EAFE—Europe, Australia, and Far East
ETF—Exchange Traded Fund
FTSE—Financial Times Stock Exchange
MSCI—Morgan Stanley Capital International
REG—Registered Shares
REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust
SPI—Share Price Index
TOPIX—Tokyo Price Index
See notes to financial statements.
20
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $458,872,021) | | $ | 550,250,943 | (a) |
Affiliated issuers (cost $5,886,828—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $96,958) | | | 5,886,828 | |
Cash | | | 1,422 | |
Cash collateral due from broker | | | 4,401,297 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $1,779,761) | | | 1,787,820 | |
Unaffiliated interest and dividends receivable | | | 2,055,651 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 1,863,319 | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 303,979 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 45,216 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 14,466 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 566,610,941 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 1,866,515 | |
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 410,100 | |
Cash collateral due to broker | | | 320,000 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 299,192 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 202,413 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 107,008 | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 96,958 | |
Payable for variation margin on futures | | | 66,536 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,999 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,504 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 124,118 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 3,534,401 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 563,076,540 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 43,217 | |
Additionalpaid-in capital | | | 461,334,345 | |
Distributable earnings | | | 101,698,978 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 563,076,540 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 365,824 | | | | 27,846 | | | $ | 13.14 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 562,710,716 | | | | 43,189,561 | | | $ | 13.03 | |
(a) | | Includes securities on loan with a value of $6,989,787 (see Note E). |
See notes to financial statements.
21
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $350,947) | | $ | 5,778,211 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 113,405 | |
Interest | | | 1,917,581 | |
| | | | |
| | | 7,809,197 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 1,924,098 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 686,700 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 1,655 | |
Custodian | | | 89,891 | |
Audit and tax | | | 50,126 | |
Administrative | | | 35,491 | |
Legal | | | 23,761 | |
Printing | | | 15,312 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,066 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 33,298 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 2,872,398 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Notes B & E) | | | (4,756 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 2,867,642 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 4,941,555 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | |
Investment transactions(a) | | | 185,307 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | 171,658 | |
Futures | | | (5,036,902 | ) |
Options written | | | (175,686 | ) |
Swaps | | | 365,707 | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | (54,515 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments(b) | | | 54,266,882 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | 202,523 | |
Futures | | | (399,490 | ) |
Swaps | | | (1,028,560 | ) |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 3,079 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 48,500,003 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 53,441,558 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | Net of foreign capital gains taxes of $46. |
(b) | | Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $3,229. |
See notes to financial statements.
22
| | |
|
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 4,941,555 | | | $ | 7,918,692 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (4,544,431 | ) | | | 3,954,193 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 53,044,434 | | | | (54,832,789 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 53,441,558 | | | | (42,959,904 | ) |
Distributions to Shareholders | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (7,345 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (10,143,788 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (24,186,916 | ) | | | (18,098,509 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 29,254,642 | | | | (71,209,546 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 533,821,898 | | | | 605,031,444 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 563,076,540 | | | $ | 533,821,898 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
23
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to maximize total return consistent with the determination of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) 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 anopen-end series investment company. The Fund offers eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, the Adviser will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded innon-U.S. markets
24
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, andover-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3. In addition,non-agency rated investments are classified as Level 3.
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Options are valued using market-based inputs to models, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency, where such inputs and models are available. Alternatively, the values may be obtained through unobservable management determined inputs and/or management’s proprietary models. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value an option depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the option as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, measures of volatility and correlations of such inputs. Exchange traded options generally will be classified as Level 2. For options that do not trade on exchange but trade in liquid markets, inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. Options are classified within Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy when all of the significant inputs can be corroborated to market evidence. Otherwise such instruments are classified as Level 3.
Other fixed income investments, includingnon-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a
25
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Common Stocks: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financials | | $ | 22,158,259 | | | $ | 29,630,229 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 51,788,488 | |
Information Technology | | | 36,627,530 | | | | 9,648,376 | | | | –0 | – | | | 46,275,906 | |
Health Care | | | 24,271,021 | | | | 17,242,395 | | | | –0 | – | | | 41,513,416 | |
Industrials | | | 15,938,170 | | | | 23,196,919 | | | | –0 | – | | | 39,135,089 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 17,830,849 | | | | 17,234,529 | | | | –0 | – | | | 35,065,378 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 12,827,411 | | | | 17,471,295 | | | | –0 | – | | | 30,298,706 | |
Communication Services | | | 17,280,355 | | | | 8,248,501 | | | | –0 | – | | | 25,528,856 | |
Energy | | | 8,300,959 | | | | 8,859,313 | | | | –0 | – | | | 17,160,272 | |
Materials | | | 4,666,345 | | | | 11,907,966 | | | | –0 | – | | | 16,574,311 | |
Utilities | | | 5,594,521 | | | | 5,532,587 | | | | –0 | – | | | 11,127,108 | |
Real Estate | | | 5,388,815 | | | | 5,260,017 | | | | –0 | – | | | 10,648,832 | |
Governments—Treasuries | | | –0 | – | | | 181,300,382 | | | | –0 | – | | | 181,300,382 | |
Investment Companies | | | 41,757,305 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 41,757,305 | |
Options Purchased—Calls | | | –0 | – | | | 254,690 | | | | –0 | – | | | 254,690 | |
Rights | | | 13,005 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 13,005 | |
Short-Term Investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment Companies | | | 5,789,870 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 5,789,870 | |
U.S. Treasury Bills | | | –0 | – | | | 1,809,199 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,809,199 | |
Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund | | | 96,958 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 96,958 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 218,541,373 | | | | 337,596,398 | | | | –0 | – | | | 556,137,771 | |
Other Financial Instruments(a): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Futures | | | 1,303,246 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 1,303,246 | (b) |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | 303,979 | | | | –0 | – | | | 303,979 | |
Liabilities: | |
Futures | | | (908,559 | ) | | | (104,657 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (1,013,216 | )(b) |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | (410,100 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (410,100 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 218,936,060 | | | $ | 337,385,620 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 556,321,680 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(b) | | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
26
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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. 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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on theex-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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 apro-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 proportionately to the portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on theex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .70% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to .85% and 1.10% of daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. The Expense Caps will remain in effect until May 1, 2020 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additionalone-year terms. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.
During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no
27
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,491.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
The Portfolio may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. Effective August 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2020. In connection with the investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to $4,288.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | |
Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 14,797 | | | $ | 73,689 | | | $ | 82,696 | | | $ | 5,790 | | | $ | 101 | |
Government Money Market Portfolio* | | | 869 | | | | 82,930 | | | | 83,702 | | | | 97 | | | | 12 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 5,887 | | | $ | 113 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Investments of cash collateral for securities lending transactions (see Note E). |
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $51,938, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule12b-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 currently limits
28
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 or 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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 35,194,445 | | | $ | 59,427,319 | |
U.S. government securities | | | 17,594,904 | | | | 17,458,361 | |
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 | | $ | 111,099,188 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (19,536,357 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 91,562,831 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
The Portfolio may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The 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 and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Portfolio may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon fornon-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 futures, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the 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 exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the 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.
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DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Use of long futures subjects the Portfolio to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Portfolio to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held futures for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
| • | | 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 fornon-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the 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.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
For hedging and investment 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 andover-the-counter markets. Among other things, the Portfolio may use options transactions fornon-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the 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. If a put or call option purchased by the Portfolio were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Portfolio. 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. The Portfolio’s maximum payment for written put options equates to the number of shares multiplied by the strike price. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the 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.
30
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held purchased options for hedging andnon-hedging purposes. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held written options for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
The Portfolio may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk, equity markets or currencies. The Portfolio may also enter into swaps fornon-hedging purposes as a means of gaining market exposures, making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” or in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset described below under “Total Return Swaps”. A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Portfolio in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Portfolio or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Portfolio, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Portfolio considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the 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 swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for OTC swaps are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on aphased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Portfolio enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the 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 centrally cleared swaps is generally less thannon-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the 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.
Inflation (CPI) Swaps:
Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index (the Consumer Price Index with respect to CPI swaps) over the term of the swap (with some lag on the inflation index), and the other pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swaps may be used to protect the net asset
31
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
value, or NAV, of a Portfolio against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index since the value of these agreements is expected to increase if there are unexpected inflation increases.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held inflation (CPI) swaps for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
Total Return Swaps:
The Portfolio may enter into total return swaps in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Portfolio is subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Portfolio will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held total return swaps for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Portfolio typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment(close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Portfolio’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Portfolio’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty tables below for additional details.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
Interest rate contracts | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | | $ | 313,033 | * | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Equity contracts | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | | | 990,213 | * | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | | $ | 1,013,216 | * |
| | | | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 303,979 | | | Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 410,100 | |
| | | | |
Equity contracts | | Investments in securities, at value | | | 254,690 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 1,861,915 | | | | | $ | 1,423,316 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
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| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Type | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Within Statement of Operations | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Interest rate contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | | $ | 1,263,497 | | | $ | (273,111 | ) |
| | | |
Equity contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | | | (6,300,399 | ) | | | (126,379 | ) |
| | | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | 171,658 | | | | 202,523 | |
| | | |
Equity contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 342,451 | | | | (92,250 | ) |
| | | |
Equity contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on options written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of options written | | | (175,686 | ) | | | –0 | – |
| | | |
Interest rate contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | | | (785,708 | ) | | | 1,087,901 | |
| | | |
Equity contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | | | 1,151,415 | | | | (2,116,461 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | (4,332,772 | ) | | $ | (1,317,777 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2019:
| | | | |
Futures: | | | | |
Average notional amount of buy contracts | | $ | 78,321,617 | |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | | $ | 80,869,201 | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | | | | |
Average principal amount of buy contracts | | $ | 55,576,283 | |
Average principal amount of sale contracts | | $ | 76,646,103 | |
Purchased Options: | | | | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 52,450,000 | |
Options Written: | | | | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 46,000,000 | (a) |
Inflation Swaps: | | | | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 56,430,000 | (b) |
Total Return Swaps: | | | | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 29,221,611 | (b) |
(a) | | Positions were open for less than one month during the period. |
(b) | | Positions were open for two months during the period. |
For financial reporting purposes, the Portfolio does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
33
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2019. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Received* | | | Security Collateral Received* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |
BNP Paribas SA | | $ | 52,873 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 52,873 | |
Citibank, NA | | | 4,191 | | | | (4,191 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Credit Suisse International | | | 71,640 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 71,640 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | 315,788 | | | | (87,557 | ) | | | (228,231 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. | | | 33,845 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 33,845 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | 70,035 | | | | (8,481 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 61,554 | |
UBS AG | | | 10,297 | | | | (433 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 9,864 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 558,669 | | | $ | (100,662 | ) | | $ | (228,231 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 229,776 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Pledged* | | | Security Collateral Pledged* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | $ | 42,935 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 42,935 | |
Citibank, NA | | | 187,891 | | | | (4,191 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 183,700 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | 71,977 | | | | 0 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 71,977 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | 87,557 | | | | (87,557 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | 8,481 | | | | (8,481 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 10,826 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 10,826 | |
UBS AG | | | 433 | | | | (433 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 410,100 | | | $ | (100,662 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 309,438 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest innon-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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: Securities Lending
The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/ornon-cash collateral.Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Portfolio cannot sell or repledge anynon-cash collateral, and accordingly will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. If the Portfolio receivesnon-cash collateral, the Portfolio will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary
34
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the statement of operations. When the Portfolio earns net securities lending income from Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Market Value of Securities on Loan* | | | Cash Collateral* | | | Market Value of Non-Cash Collateral* | | | Income from Borrowers | | | Government Money Market Portfolio | |
| Income Earned | | | Advisory Fee Waived | |
$ | 6,989,787 | | | $ | 96,958 | | | $ | 6,986,930 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 12,466 | | | $ | 468 | |
NOTE F: 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, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 3,109 | | | | 5,972 | | | | | | | $ | 39,087 | | | $ | 76,807 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 573 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 7,345 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (5,069 | ) | | | (1,907 | ) | | | | | | | (64,335 | ) | | | (24,051 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (1,960 | ) | | | 4,638 | | | | | | | $ | (25,248 | ) | | $ | 60,101 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 1,256,554 | | | | 3,742,997 | | | | | | | $ | 15,918,510 | | | $ | 47,716,084 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 797,468 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 10,143,788 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (3,188,488 | ) | | | (6,011,432 | ) | | | | | | | (40,080,178 | ) | | | (76,018,482 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (1,931,934 | ) | | | (1,470,967 | ) | | | | | | $ | (24,161,668 | ) | | $ | (18,158,610 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2019, certain shareholders of the Portfolio owned 91% in aggregate of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholders, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
35
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Interest Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations.
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security. Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations.
Allocation Risk—The allocation of investments among different global asset classes may have a significant effect on the Portfolio’s net asset value, or NAV, when one of these asset classes is performing more poorly than others. As both the direct investments and derivatives positions will be periodically adjusted to reflect the Adviser’s view of market and economic conditions, there will be transaction costs that may be, over time, significant. In addition, there is a risk that certain asset allocation decisions may not achieve the desired results and, as a result, the Portfolio may incur significant losses.
Foreign(Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities ofnon-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid, and because these investments may be subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce its returns.
ETF Risk—ETFs are investment companies. When the Portfolio invests in an ETF, the Portfolio bears its share of the ETF’s expenses and runs the risk that the ETF may not achieve its investment objective.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk—When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The Portfolio may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Portfolio, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Portfolio than if the Portfolio were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Illiquid Investment Risk—Illiquid investment risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Portfolio. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Portfolio shares.
Capitalization Risk—Investments in small- andmid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than investments in large-capitalization companies. Investments in small-capitalization companies may have additional risks because these companies have limited product lines, markets or financial resources.
36
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Real Estate Risk—The Portfolio’s investments in the real estate securities have many of the same risks as direct ownership of real estate, including the risk that the value of real estate could decline due to a variety of factors that affect the real estate market generally. Investments in real estate investment trusts, or “REITs”, may have additional risks. REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in taxes.
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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility
A number ofopen-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 9,401,635 | | | $ | 10,391,103 | |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 749,498 | | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions paid | | $ | 10,151,133 | | | $ | 10,391,103 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 10,233,914 | |
Undistributed capital gains | | | 529,276 | |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 37,494,231 | (a) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | 48,257,421 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | The differences between book-basis andtax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax treatment of swaps, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), the tax treatment of corporate restructurings, the tax treatment of partnership investments, return of capital distributions received from underlying securities, and the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2017-08, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. ASU2017-08 does not require any accounting change for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. ASU2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Portfolio has adopted ASU2017-08, which did not have a material impact on the Portfolio’s financial position or the results of its operations, and had no impact on the Portfolio’s net assets.
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU2018-13 (“ASU”)
37
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE K: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
38
| | |
|
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
| |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $11.91 | | | | $13.07 | | | | $11.63 | | | | $11.33 | | | | $11.74 | | | | $11.74 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .13 | (b) | | | .20 | (b) | | | .17 | (b) | | | .13 | (b)† | | | .08 | | | | .08 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 1.10 | | | | (1.11 | ) | | | 1.52 | | | | .27 | | | | (.19 | ) | | | .44 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 1.23 | | | | (.91 | ) | | | 1.69 | | | | .40 | | | | (.11 | ) | | | .52 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.23 | ) | | | (.25 | ) | | | (.10 | ) | | | (.10 | ) | | | (.07 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (.02 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (.00 | )(c) | | | (.20 | ) | | | (.45 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (.25 | ) | | | (.25 | ) | | | (.10 | ) | | | (.30 | ) | | | (.52 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $13.14 | | | | $11.91 | | | | $13.07 | | | | $11.63 | | | | $11.33 | | | | $11.74 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | | 10.33 | % | | | (7.07 | )% | | | 14.67 | % | | | 3.59 | %† | | | (1.09 | )% | | | 4.45 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $366 | | | | $355 | | | | $328 | | | | $303 | | | | $400 | | | | $350 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .79 | %^ | | | .78 | % | | | .77 | % | | | .79 | % | | | .83 | % | | | .85 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .79 | %^ | | | .79 | % | | | .78 | % | | | .81 | % | | | .83 | % | | | .85 | % |
Net investment income | | | 2.07 | %(b)^ | | | 1.60 | %(b) | | | 1.39 | %(b) | | | 1.11 | %(b)† | | | .67 | % | | | .69 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 10 | % | | | 24 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 64 | % | | | 93 | % | | | 53 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying | |
portfolios | | | .02 | %^ | | | .03 | % | | | .04 | % | | | .04 | % | | | .03 | % | | | .02 | % |
See footnote summary on page 41.
39
| | |
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $11.82 | | | | $12.98 | | | | $11.56 | | | | $11.26 | | | | $11.68 | | | | $11.68 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .11 | (b) | | | .17 | (b) | | | .14 | (b) | | | .10 | (b)† | | | .05 | | | | .05 | (b) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 1.10 | | | | (1.11 | ) | | | 1.50 | | | | .27 | | | | (.19 | ) | | | .45 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 1.21 | | | | (.94 | ) | | | 1.64 | | | | .37 | | | | (.14 | ) | | | .50 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.20 | ) | | | (.22 | ) | | | (.07 | ) | | | (.08 | ) | | | (.05 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (.02 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (.00 | )(c) | | | (.20 | ) | | | (.45 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (.22 | ) | | | (.22 | ) | | | (.07 | ) | | | (.28 | ) | | | (.50 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $13.03 | | | | $11.82 | | | | $12.98 | | | | $11.56 | | | | $11.26 | | | | $11.68 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d) | | | 10.24 | % | | | (7.35 | )% | | | 14.32 | % | | | 3.37 | %† | | | (1.30 | )% | | | 4.21 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $562,711 | | | | $533,467 | | | | $604,703 | | | | $558,725 | | | | $511,164 | | | | $481,600 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | 1.04 | %^ | | | 1.03 | % | | | 1.03 | % | | | 1.05 | % | | | 1.08 | % | | | 1.10 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | 1.05 | %^ | | | 1.04 | % | | | 1.04 | % | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.08 | % | | | 1.10 | % |
Net investment income | | | 1.80 | %(b)^ | | | 1.35 | %(b) | | | 1.15 | %(b) | | | .89 | %(b)† | | | .43 | % | | | .44 | %(b) |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 10 | % | | | 24 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 64 | % | | | 93 | % | | | 53 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying | |
portfolios | | | .02 | %^ | | | .03 | % | | | .04 | % | | | .04 | % | | | .03 | % | | | .02 | % |
See footnote summary on page 41.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
(a) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | | Net of fees and expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(c) | | Amount is less than $.005. |
(d) | | Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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) | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses, and for the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, such waiver amounted to .01%, .01% and .02%, respectively. |
† | | For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income Per Share | | Net Investment Income Ratio | | Total Return |
$.00005 | | .0004% | | .0004% |
See notes to financial statements.
41
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DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
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CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within theone-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. The Directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-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 Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreement, including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund- specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds;12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
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CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the ‘‘15(c) provider’’) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub- advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (‘‘ETFs’’), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
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Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Current Advisory Agreement
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including materials from an outside consultant, who acted as their independent fee consultant, and comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the
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CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the underlying fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients);12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Fund’s Class B shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the1-,3- and5-year periods ended May 31, 2018 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual advisory fee rate with a peer group median and took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The directors noted that the Fund invests in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts, and that the Adviser had provided, and they had reviewed, information about the expense ratios of the relevant ETFs. The directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Fund is for services that are in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year. The directors considered the effects of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as a result of the Adviser’s expense cap (although the directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was currently below the Adviser’s expense cap). The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund does not contain breakpoints and that they had previously discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect
47
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DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. The directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the Fund’s assets (which were well below the level at which they would anticipate adding an initial breakpoint) and its profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warranted doing so.
48
VPS-DAA-0152-0619
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
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EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. 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 table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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.
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| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | | | Total Expenses Paid During Period+ | | | Total Annualized Expense Ratio+ | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,112.40 | | | $ | 3.61 | | | | 0.69 | % | | $ | 4.03 | | | | 0.77 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,021.37 | | | $ | 3.46 | | | | 0.69 | % | | $ | 3.86 | | | | 0.77 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,111.10 | | | $ | 4.92 | | | | 0.94 | % | | $ | 5.34 | | | | 1.02 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,020.13 | | | $ | 4.71 | | | | 0.94 | % | | $ | 5.11 | | | | 1.02 | % |
* | | 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). |
+ | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fund fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees and expenses from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios acquired fund fees and expenses. The Portfolio’s total expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratio plus the Portfolio’s pro-rata share of the weighted average expense ratio of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios in which it invests, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
1
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN1 | | |
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June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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SECURITY TYPE | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Investment Companies | | $ | 43,634,981 | | | | 47.1 | % |
Inflation-Linked Securities | | | 19,072,070 | | | | 20.6 | |
Options Purchased—Puts | | | 131,131 | | | | 0.1 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 29,830,775 | | | | 32.2 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 92,668,957 | | | | 100.0 | % |
COUNTRY BREAKDOWN2
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
COUNTRY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
United States | | $ | 47,675,258 | | | | 51.5 | % |
Japan | | | 15,135,250 | | | | 16.3 | |
United Kingdom | | | 27,674 | | | | 0.0 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 29,830,775 | | | | 32.2 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 92,668,957 | | | | 100.0 | % |
1 | | The Portfolio’s security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivatives transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purpose (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). |
2 | | All data are as of June 30, 2019. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. |
2
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–46.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FUNDS AND INVESTMENT TRUSTS–46.2%(a) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | | | | | | | 76,670 | | | $ | 4,707,538 | |
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | | | | | | | 43,375 | | | | 12,784,781 | |
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | | | | | | | 75,980 | | | | 4,994,165 | |
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | | | | | | | 44,790 | | | | 1,921,939 | |
iShares Russell 2000 ETF(b) | | | | | | | 11,040 | | | | 1,716,720 | |
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | | | | | | | 14,581 | | | | 4,272,233 | |
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | | | | | | | 49,183 | | | | 13,237,605 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investment Companies (cost $36,249,195) | | | | | | | | | | | 43,634,981 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Principal Amount (000) | | | | |
INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–20.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
JAPAN–16.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Japanese Government CPI Linked Bond Series 22 0.10%, 3/10/27 | | | JPY | | | | 1,564,532 | | | | 15,135,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
UNITED STATES–4.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Inflation Index 0.375%, 7/15/25 (TIPS) | | $ | | | | | 3,894 | | | | 3,936,820 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Inflation-Linked Securities (cost $18,867,120) | | | | | | | | | | | 19,072,070 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Notional Amount | | | | |
OPTIONS PURCHASED– PUTS– 0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OPTIONS ON FUNDS AND INVESTMENT TRUSTS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust Expiration: Jul 2019; Contracts: 449; Exercise Price: USD 288.00; Counterparty: Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.(c) | | | USD | | | | 12,931,200 | | | | 77,677 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust Expiration: Jul 2019; Contracts: 162; Exercise Price: USD 283.00; Counterparty: Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.(c) | | | USD | | | | 4,584,600 | | | $ | 16,605 | |
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust Expiration: Jul 2019; Contracts: 80; Exercise Price: USD 284.00; Counterparty: Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.(c) | | | | | | | 2,272,000 | | | | 9,080 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 103,362 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
OPTIONS ON INDICES–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Euro STOXX 50 Index Expiration: Jul 2019; Contracts: 970; Exercise Price: EUR 3,375.00; Counterparty: Goldman Sachs International(c) | | | EUR | | | | 3,273,750 | | | | 17,342 | |
FTSE 100 Index Expiration: Jul 2019; Contracts: 150; Exercise Price: GBP 7,250.00; Counterparty: Goldman Sachs International(c) | | | GBP | | | | 1,087,500 | | | | 3,571 | |
Nikkei 225 Index Expiration: Jul 2019; Contracts: 9,000; Exercise Price: JPY 20,625.00; Counterparty: Goldman Sachs International(c) | | | JPY | | | | 185,625,000 | | | | 6,761 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 27,674 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SWAPTIONS–0.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
IRS Swaption Expiration: Jul 2019; Contracts: 18,320,000; Exercise Rate: 2.19%; Counterparty: Citibank, NA(c) | | | USD | | | | 18,320,000 | | | | 95 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Options Purchased–Puts (premiums paid $254,072) | | | | | | | | | | | 131,131 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Shares | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–31.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–19.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(a)(d)(e) (cost $18,730,962) | | | | | | | 18,730,962 | | | | 18,730,962 | |
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3
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company | | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS– TREASURIES–6.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
JAPAN–6.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Japan Treasury Discount Bill Series 826 Zero Coupon, 7/22/19 | | | JPY | | | | 540,100 | | | $ | 5,009,908 | |
Series 831 Zero Coupon, 8/13/19 | | | | | | | 103,850 | | | | 963,426 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Treasuries (cost $5,767,054) | | | | | | | | | | | 5,973,334 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. TREASURY BILLS–5.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Bill Zero Coupon,7/05/19-8/15/19 (cost $5,125,150) | | $ | | | | | 5,134 | | | | 5,126,479 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (cost $29,623,166) | | | | | | | | | | | 29,830,775 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITY LENDING COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–98.1% (cost $84,993,553) | | | | | | | | | | | 92,668,957 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(a)(d)(e) (cost $1,188,322) | | $ | | | | | 1,188,322 | | | $ | 1,188,322 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.3% (cost $86,181,875) | | | | | | | | | | | 93,857,279 | |
Other assets less liabilities–0.7% | | | | | | | | | | | 622,903 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 94,480,182 | |
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FUTURES (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Number of Contracts | | | Expiration Month | | | Current Notional | | | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Purchased Contracts | |
Canadian 10 Yr Bond Futures | | | 16 | | | | September 2019 | | | $ | 1,746,310 | | | $ | 16,285 | |
Euro STOXX 50 Index Futures | | | 192 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 7,567,083 | | | | 200,342 | |
Euro-BTP Futures | | | 17 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 2,596,113 | | | | 108,620 | |
Euro-OAT Futures | | | 14 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 2,624,632 | | | | 40,784 | |
FTSE 100 Index Futures | | | 27 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 2,526,729 | | | | 26,106 | |
Hang Seng Index Futures | | | 1 | | | | July 2019 | | | | 182,451 | | | | 666 | |
Long Gilt Futures | | | 28 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 4,633,283 | | | | 34,284 | |
Nikkei 225 (CME) Futures | | | 12 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 1,279,200 | | | | 18,265 | |
S&P 500 E mini Futures | | | 27 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 3,974,670 | | | | 61,641 | |
S&P TSX 60 Index Futures | | | 9 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 1,343,866 | | | | 12,425 | |
SPI 200 Futures | | | 10 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 1,151,186 | | | | 9,809 | |
TOPIX Index Futures | | | 11 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 1,582,433 | | | | 3,038 | |
U.S.T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures | | | 32 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 4,095,000 | | | | 79,706 | |
U.S. Ultra Bond (CBT) Futures | | | 2 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 355,125 | | | | 12,763 | |
| | | | |
Sold Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
10 Yr Mini Japan Government Bond Futures | | | 146 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 20,840,699 | | | | (49,360 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 575,374 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
4
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | AUD | | | | 1,080 | | | | USD | | | | 753 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | $ | (6,432 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | CHF | | | | 866 | | | | USD | | | | 880 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (12,876 | ) |
Citibank NA | | | JPY | | | | 2,614,047 | | | | USD | | | | 24,197 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (177,243 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 2,180 | | | | EUR | | | | 1,911 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 5,227 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (191,324) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN (see Note D)
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Description | | Counterparty | | | Contracts | | | Exercise Price | | | Expiration Month | | | Notional (000) | | | Premiums Received | | | U.S. $ Value | |
Euro STOXX 50 Index(f) | | | Goldman Sachs International | | | | 970 | | | | EUR | | | | 3,250.00 | | | | July 2019 | | | | EUR | | | | 3,153 | | | $ | 6,618 | | | $ | (4,853 | ) |
FTSE 100 Index(f) | | | Goldman Sachs International | | | | 150 | | | | GBP | | | | 6,950.00 | | | | July 2019 | | | | GBP | | | | 1,043 | | | | 1,338 | | | | (657 | ) |
Nikkei 225 Index(f) | | | Goldman Sachs International | | | | 9,000 | | | | JPY | | | | 19,625.00 | | | | July 2019 | | | | JPY | | | | 176,625 | | | | 4,893 | | | | (1,353 | ) |
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(g) | | | Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | | 242 | | | | USD | | | | 271.00 | | | | July 2019 | | | | USD | | | | 6,558 | | | | 16,676 | | | | (8,107 | ) |
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(g) | | | Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | | 449 | | | | USD | | | | 276.00 | | | | July 2019 | | | | USD | | | | 12,392 | | | | 29,167 | | | | (23,572 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 58,692 | | | $ | (38,542) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INTEREST RATE SWAPTIONS WRITTEN (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Index | | | Counter- Party | | | Strike Rate | | | Expiration Date | | | Notional Amount (000) | | | Premiums Received | | | Market Value | |
Call | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OTC–1 Year Interest Rate Swap | | | 3 Month LIBOR | | | | Citibank, NA | | | | 1.84 | % | | | 7/05/19 | | | $ | 18,320 | | | $ | 32,976 | | | $ | (10,110 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Put | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OTC–1 Year Interest Rate Swap | | | 3 Month LIBOR | | | | Citibank, NA | | | | 2.34 | | | | 7/05/19 | | | | 18,320 | | | | 17,404 | | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 50,380 | | | $ | (10,110 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Additionally, shareholder reports for AB funds can be obtained by calling AB at (800)227-4618. |
(b) | | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(c) | | Non-income producing security. |
(d) | | Affiliated investments. |
(e) | | The rate shown represents the7-day yield as of period end. |
(f) | | One contract relates to 1 share. |
(g) | | One contract relates to 100 shares. |
5
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD—Australian Dollar
CHF—Swiss Franc
EUR—Euro
GBP—Great British Pound
JPY—Japanese Yen
USD—United States Dollar
Glossary:
BTP—Buoni del Tesoro Poliennali
CBT—Chicago Board of Trade
CME—Chicago Mercantile Exchange
CPI—Consumer Price Index
EAFE—Europe, Australia, and Far East
ETF—Exchange Traded Fund
FTSE—Financial Times Stock Exchange
LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rates
MSCI—Morgan Stanley Capital International
OAT—Obligations Assimilables du Trésor
SPDR—Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipt
SPI—Share Price Index
TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security
TOPIX—Tokyo Price Index
TSX—Toronto Stock Exchange
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $66,262,591) | | $ | 73,937,995 | (a) |
Affiliated issuers (cost $19,919,284—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $1,188,322) | | | 19,919,284 | |
Cash collateral due from broker | | | 1,411,371 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $581,376) | | | 583,691 | |
Unaffiliated dividends and interest receivable | | | 100,920 | |
Receivable for variation margin on futures | | | 86,113 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 35,248 | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 5,227 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 4,261 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 96,084,110 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Options written, at value (premiums received $58,692) | | | 38,542 | |
Swaptions written, at value (premiums received $50,380) | | | 10,110 | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 1,188,322 | |
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 196,551 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,573 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 25,914 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 21,348 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 17,946 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,477 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 64,087 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,603,928 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 94,480,182 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 8,750 | |
Additionalpaid-in capital | | | 83,300,454 | |
Distributable earnings | | | 11,170,978 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 94,480,182 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 11,976 | | | | 1,100 | | | $ | 10.89 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 94,468,206 | | | | 8,748,420 | | | $ | 10.80 | |
(a) | | Includes securities on loan with a value of $1,178,846 (see Note E). |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | $ | 511,427 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 233,089 | |
Interest | | | 91,472 | |
| | | | |
| | | 835,988 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 278,509 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 116,031 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 1,322 | |
Custodian | | | 39,566 | |
Administrative | | | 35,615 | |
Audit and tax | | | 23,978 | |
Legal | | | 14,484 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,039 | |
Printing | | | 7,818 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 11,718 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses before bank overdraft expense | | | 541,080 | |
Bank overdraft expense | | | 6,992 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 548,072 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Notes B & E) | | | (111,323 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 436,749 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 399,239 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | (960,207 | ) |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | (603,227 | ) |
Futures | | | 2,426,267 | |
Options written | | | 494,467 | |
Swaptions written | | | 9,371 | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | 18,051 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 6,522,747 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | 468,391 | |
Futures | | | 931,814 | |
Options written | | | 72,844 | |
Swaptions written | | | 40,270 | |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (70,190 | ) |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 9,350,598 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 9,749,837 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
| | |
GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 399,239 | | | $ | 620,131 | |
Net realized gain on investment transactions and foreign currency transactions | | | 1,384,722 | | | | 349,613 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 7,965,876 | | | | (5,596,012 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 9,749,837 | | | | (4,626,268 | ) |
Distributions to Shareholders | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (638 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (5,168,376 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (4,407,269 | ) | | | 418,910 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 5,342,568 | | | | (9,376,372 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 89,137,614 | | | | 98,513,986 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 94,480,182 | | | $ | 89,137,614 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
9
| | |
GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB Global Risk Allocation—Moderate Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), is a series of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to generate income and price appreciation without assuming what AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) considers undue risk. The Portfolio isnon-diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as anopen-end series investment company. The Fund offers eleven separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. At June 30, 2019, the Adviser was the sole shareholder of Class A 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 Portfolio’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, the Adviser will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded innon-U.S.
10
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, andover-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3. In addition,non-agency rated investments are classified as Level 3.
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Options are valued using market-based inputs to models, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency, where such inputs and models are available. Alternatively, the values may be obtained through unobservable management determined inputs and/or management’s proprietary models. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value an option depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the option as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, measures of volatility and correlations of such inputs. Exchange traded options generally will be classified as Level 2. For options that do not trade on exchange but trade in liquid markets, inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. Options are classified within Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy when all of the significant inputs can be corroborated to market evidence. Otherwise such instruments are classified as Level 3.
Other fixed income investments, includingnon-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk
11
| | |
GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Investment Companies | | $ | 43,634,981 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 43,634,981 | |
Inflation-Linked Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 19,072,070 | | | | –0 | – | | | 19,072,070 | |
Options Purchased—Puts | | | –0 | – | | | 131,131 | | | | –0 | – | | | 131,131 | |
Short-Term Investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment Companies | | | 18,730,962 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 18,730,962 | |
Governments—Treasuries | | | –0 | – | | | 5,973,334 | | | | –0 | – | | | 5,973,334 | |
U.S. Treasury Bills | | | –0 | – | | | 5,126,479 | | | | –0 | – | | | 5,126,479 | |
Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund | | | 1,188,322 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 1,188,322 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 63,554,265 | | | | 30,303,014 | | | | –0 | – | | | 93,857,279 | |
Other Financial Instruments(a): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Futures | | | 384,773 | | | | 239,961 | | | | –0 | – | | | 624,734 | (b) |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | 5,227 | | | | –0 | – | | | 5,227 | |
Liabilities: | |
Futures | | | (49,360 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | (49,360 | )(b) |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | (196,551 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (196,551 | ) |
Put Options Written | | | –0 | – | | | (38,542 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (38,542 | ) |
Interest Rate Swaptions Written | | | –0 | – | | | (10,110 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (10,110 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 63,889,678 | | | $ | 30,302,999 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 94,192,677 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(b) | | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
12
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
4. 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. 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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on theex-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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 apro-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 Portfolio are charged proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on theex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .60% 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 (excluding interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, expenses associated with securities sold short, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs), inclusive of the Portfolio’s proportionate share of fees and expenses of registered investment companies or series thereof in which the Portfolio invests (“Acquired Fund Expenses”) on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to .75% and 1.00% of daily average net assets for Class A and Class B, respectively. The Expense Caps may not be terminated by the Adviser before May 1, 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursements/waivers, exclusive of Acquired Fund Expenses, amounted to $76,914. Any fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser through April 27, 2016 are subject to repayment by the Portfolio until the end of the third fiscal year after the fiscal period in which the fee was waived or the expense was borne; such waivers that are subject to repayment amounted to $70,109 for the year ended December 31, 2016. In any case, no reimbursement payment will be made that would cause the Portfolio’s total annual fund operating expenses to exceed the Expense Caps’ net fee percentage set forth above. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver for Acquired Fund Expenses for both affiliated and unaffiliated underlying portfolios amounted to $10,833 and $23,469, respectively.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | |
AB Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 17,872 | | | $ | 10,306 | | | $ | 9,447 | | | $ | 18,731 | | | $ | 232 | |
AB Government Money Market Portfolio* | | | 0 | | | | 15,376 | | | | 14,188 | | | | 1,188 | | | | 1 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 19,919 | | | $ | 233 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Investments of cash collateral for securities lending transactions (see Note E). |
13
| | |
GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,615.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $24,878, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule12b-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 .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board 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 or servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.
14
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 1,895,513 | | | $ | 4,868,617 | |
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 | | $ | 8,488,726 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (368,852 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 8,119,874 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
The Portfolio may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The 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 and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Portfolio may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon fornon-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 futures, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the 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 exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the 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.
Use of long futures subjects the Portfolio to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Portfolio to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held futures for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
| • | | 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 fornon-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
15
| | |
GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB 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 forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the 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.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
For hedging and investment 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 andover-the-counter markets. Among other things, the Portfolio may use options transactions fornon-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the 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. If a put or call option purchased by the Portfolio were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Portfolio. 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. The Portfolio’s maximum payment for written put options equates to the number of shares multiplied by the strike price. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the 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.
The Portfolio may also invest in options on swap agreements, also called “swaptions”. A swaption is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market-based “premium”. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return on a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties. The Portfolio’s maximum payment for written put swaptions equates to the notional amount of the underlying swap. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held purchased options for hedging andnon-hedging purposes. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held purchased swaptions for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held written options for hedging andnon-hedging purposes. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held written swaptions for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Portfolio typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment(close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Portfolio’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Portfolio’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty tables below for additional details.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
Interest rate contracts | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | | $ | 292,442 | * | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | | $ | 49,360 | * |
Equity contracts | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | | | 332,292 | * | | | | | | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 5,227 | | | Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 196,551 | |
Interest rate contracts | | Investments in securities, at value | | | 95 | | | | | | | |
Equity contracts | | Investments in securities, at value | | | 131,036 | | | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | | | | | | | | Swaptions written, at value | | | 10,110 | |
Equity contracts | | | | | | | | Options written, at value | | | 38,542 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | $761,092 | | | | | | $294,563 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. |
This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments.
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Type | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Within Statement of Operations | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Interest rate contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | | $ | 710,483 | | | $ | 7,913 | |
Equity contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | | | 1,715,784 | | | | 923,901 | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | (603,227 | ) | | | 468,391 | |
Interest rate contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | (25,951 | ) | | | (67,690 | ) |
Equity contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | (1,088,764 | ) | | | (172,417 | ) |
Equity contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on options written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of options written | | | 494,467 | | | | 72,844 | |
Interest rate contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on swaptions written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaptions written | | | 9,371 | | | | 40,270 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 1,212,163 | | | $ | 1,273,212 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2019:
| | | | |
Futures: | | | | |
Average notional amount of buy contracts | | $ | 36,009,050 | |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | | $ | 20,904,959 | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | | | | |
Average principal amount of buy contracts | | $ | 4,564,853 | |
Average principal amount of sale contracts | | $ | 29,488,554 | |
Purchased Options: | | | | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 22,460,207 | |
Purchased Swaptions: | | | | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 16,368,500 | (a) |
Options Written: | | | | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 23,613,370 | |
Swaptions Written: | | | | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 25,528,500 | (a) |
(a) | | Positions were open for two months during the period. |
For financial reporting purposes, the Portfolio does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2019. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Received* | | | Security Collateral Received* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |
Citibank, NA | | $ | 95 | | | $ | (95 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – |
Goldman Sachs International | | | 27,674 | | | | (6,863 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 20,811 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 5,227 | | | | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 5,227 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 32,996 | | | $ | (6,958 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 26,038 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Pledged* | | | Security Collateral Pledged* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | $ | 19,308 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 19,308 | |
Citibank, NA | | | 187,353 | | | | (95 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 187,258 | |
Goldman Sachs International | | | 6,863 | | | | (6,863 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 213,524 | | | $ | (6,958 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 206,566 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest innon-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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: Securities Lending
The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/ornon-cash collateral.Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Portfolio cannot sell or repledge anynon-cash collateral, and accordingly will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. If the Portfolio receivesnon-cash collateral, the Portfolio will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in AB Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Portfolio, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and AB Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the statement of operations. When the Portfolio earns net securities lending income from AB Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Portfolio in AB Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of AB Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Market Value of Securities on Loan* | | | Cash Collateral* | | | Market Value of Non-Cash Collateral* | | | Income from Borrowers | | | AB Government Money Market Portfolio | |
| Income Earned | | | Advisory Fee Waived | |
$ | 1,178,846 | | | $ | 1,188,322 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 1,127 | | | $ | 107 | |
NOTE F: 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, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 334,456 | | | | 1,135,018 | | | | | | | $ | 3,462,866 | | | $ | 12,083,758 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 493,581 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 5,167,796 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (755,534 | ) | | | (1,593,282 | ) | | | | | | | (7,870,135 | ) | | | (16,832,644 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (421,078 | ) | | | 35,317 | | | | | | | $ | (4,407,269 | ) | | $ | 418,910 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
There were no transactions in capital shares for Class A for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018.
At June 30, 2019, a shareholder of the Portfolio owned 98% of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholder, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Allocation Risk—The allocation of investments among asset classes may have a significant effect on the Portfolio’s net asset value, or NAV, when the asset classes in which the Portfolio has invested more heavily perform worse than the asset classes invested in less heavily.
Interest Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations.
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
High Yield Securities Risk—Investments in fixed-income securities with ratings below investment grade (commonly known as “junk bonds”) tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and less secondary market liquidity.
Foreign(Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities ofnon-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce its returns.
Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk—As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including ETFs, are subject to market and selection risk. In addition, shareholders of the Portfolio bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Portfolio (including management fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk—When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The Portfolio may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Portfolio, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Portfolio than if the Portfolio were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Illiquidity Investment Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Portfolio. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes and large positions. Foreign fixed-income securities may have more illiquid investments risk because secondary trading markets for these securities may be smaller and less well developed and the securities may trade less frequently. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Non-Diversification Risk—The Portfolio may have more risk because it is“non-diversified”, meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers. Accordingly, changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Portfolio’s net asset value, or NAV.
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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility
A number ofopen-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 3,216,260 | | | $ | 765,088 | |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 1,952,754 | | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions | | $ | 5,169,014 | | | $ | 765,088 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 1,823,796 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (842,733 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 440,078 | (b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | 1,421,141 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $717,270. As of December 31, 2018, the cumulative deferred loss on straddles was $125,463. |
(b) | | The differences between book-basis andtax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax treatment of Treasury inflation-protected securities, and the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio had a net short-term capital loss carryforward of $717,270, which may be carried forward for an indefinite period.
NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2017-08, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. ASU2017-08 does not require any accounting change for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. ASU2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Portfolio has adopted ASU2017-08, which did not have a material impact on the Portfolio’s financial position or the results of its operations, and had no impact on the Portfolio’s net assets.
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU2018-13 (“ASU”) apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE K: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
| |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | April 28, 2015(a) to December 31, 2015 | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $9.79 | | | | $10.83 | | | | $9.78 | | | | $9.40 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (b)(c) | | | .06 | | | | .09 | | | | .06 | | | | .04 | | | | .05 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions and foreign currency transactions | | | 1.04 | | | | (.55 | ) | | | 1.09 | | | | .37 | | | | (.65 | ) |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (d) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 1.10 | | | | (.46 | ) | | | 1.15 | | | | .41 | | | | (.60 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | (.05 | ) | | | (.03 | ) | | | –0 | – |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (.58 | ) | | | (.05 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (.58 | ) | | | (.10 | ) | | | (.03 | ) | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.89 | | | | $9.79 | | | | $10.83 | | | | $9.78 | | | | $9.40 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (e) | | | 11.24 | % | | | (4.62 | )% | | | 11.87 | % | | | 4.39 | % | | | (6.00 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $12 | | | | $11 | | | | $12 | | | | $11 | | | | $10 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (f)(g)‡ | | | .69 | %^ | | | .67 | % | | | .63 | % | | | .63 | % | | | .69 | %^ |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (f)(g)‡ | | | .95 | %^ | | | .92 | % | | | .94 | % | | | 1.08 | % | | | 3.21 | %^ |
Net investment income (c) | | | 1.12 | %^ | | | .88 | % | | | .55 | % | | | .46 | % | | | .82 | %^ |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 3 | % | | | 67 | % | | | 59 | % | | | 79 | % | | | 111 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying | |
portfolios | | | .08 | %^ | | | .08 | % | | | .11 | % | | | .12 | % | | | .06 | %^ |
See footnote summary on pages 24-25.
23
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | April 28, 2015(a) to December 31, 2015 | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $9.72 | | | | $10.78 | | | | $9.75 | | | | $9.39 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (b)(c) | | | .04 | | | | .07 | | | | .03 | | | | .02 | | | | .01 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions and foreign currency transactions | | | 1.04 | | | | (.55 | ) | | | 1.09 | | | | .37 | | | | (.62 | ) |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (d) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 1.08 | | | | (.48 | ) | | | 1.12 | | | | .39 | | | | (.61 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | (.04 | ) | | | (.03 | ) | | | –0 | – |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (.58 | ) | | | (.05 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (.58 | ) | | | (.09 | ) | | | (.03 | ) | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.80 | | | | $9.72 | | | | $10.78 | | | | $9.75 | | | | $9.39 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (e) | | | 11.11 | % | | | (4.84 | )% | | | 11.50 | % | | | 4.24 | % | | | (6.20 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $94,468 | | | | $89,127 | | | | $98,502 | | | | $79,298 | | | | $51,115 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (f)(g)‡ | | | .94 | %^ | | | .92 | % | | | .89 | % | | | .88 | % | | | .94 | %^ |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (f)(g)‡ | | | 1.18 | %^ | | | 1.16 | % | | | 1.17 | % | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.62 | %^ |
Net investment income (c) | | | .86 | %^ | | | .64 | % | | | .31 | % | | | .24 | % | | | .19 | %^ |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 3 | % | | | 67 | % | | | 59 | % | | | 79 | % | | | 111 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying | |
portfolios | | | .08 | %^ | | | .08 | % | | | .11 | % | | | .12 | % | | | .06 | %^ |
(a) | | Commencement of operations. |
(b) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) | | Net of fees and expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(d) | | Amount is less than $.005. |
(e) | | Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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) | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of affiliated/unaffiliated acquired fund fees and expenses, and for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, such waiver amounted to .08% (annualized), .08%, .11%, .12% and .06% (annualized), respectively. |
24
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
(g) | | The expense ratios presented below exclude interest/bank overdraft expense: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | April 28, 2015(a) to December 31, 2015 | |
| 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net of waivers/reimbursements | | | .67 | %^ | | | N/A | | | | N/A | | | | N/A | | | | N/A | |
Before waivers/reimbursements | | | .94 | %^ | | | N/A | | | | N/A | | | | N/A | | | | N/A | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net of waivers/reimbursements | | | .93 | %^ | | | N/A | | | | N/A | | | | N/A | | | | N/A | |
Before waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.17 | %^ | | | N/A | | | | N/A | | | | N/A | | | | N/A | |
See notes to financial statements.
25
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
| |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB Global Risk Allocation – Moderate Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within theone-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. The Directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-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 Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreement, including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the
26
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund- specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds;12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
27
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the ‘‘15(c) provider’’) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub- advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (‘‘ETFs’’), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
28
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S CURRENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Global Risk Allocation – Moderate Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including materials from an outside consultant, who acted as their independent fee consultant, and comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund
29
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GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors noted that the Fund was not profitable to the Adviser in 2016. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund in 2017 was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the underlying fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients);12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Fund’s Class B shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s recent profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the1- and3-year periods ended May 31, 2018 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual advisory fee rate with a peer group median and took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The directors noted that the Fund invests in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts, and that the Adviser had provided, and they had reviewed, information about the expense ratios of the relevant ETFs. The directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Fund is for services that are in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year. The directors considered the effects of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as a result of the Adviser’s expense cap (although the directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was currently below the Adviser’s expense cap). The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund does not contain breakpoints and that they had previously discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect
31
| | |
GLOBAL RISK ALLOCATION—MODERATE PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. The directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the Fund’s assets (which were well below the level at which they would anticipate adding an initial breakpoint) and its profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warranted doing so.
32
VPS-GRA-0152-0619
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS
SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
|
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
| |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio 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 Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | | | Total Expenses Paid During Period+ | | | Total Annualized Expense Ratio+ | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,212.40 | | | $ | 5.38 | | | | 0.98 | % | | $ | 5.43 | | | | 0.99 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,019.93 | | | $ | 4.91 | | | | 0.98 | % | | $ | 4.96 | | | | 0.99 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,210.40 | | | $ | 6.74 | | | | 1.23 | % | | $ | 6.80 | | | | 1.24 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,018.70 | | | $ | 6.16 | | | | 1.23 | % | | $ | 6.21 | | | | 1.24 | % |
* | | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect theone-half year period). |
+ | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Portfolio’s total expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratio plus the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the weighted average expense ratio of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios in which it invests, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect theone-half year period). |
1
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Visa, Inc.—Class A | | $ | 3,497,033 | | | | 2.7 | % |
MSCI, Inc.—Class A | | | 3,347,836 | | | | 2.6 | |
Kingspan Group PLC | | | 3,323,101 | | | | 2.5 | |
Xylem, Inc./NY | | | 3,313,817 | | | | 2.5 | |
American Water Works Co., Inc. | | | 3,260,644 | | | | 2.5 | |
Ecolab, Inc. | | | 3,238,016 | | | | 2.5 | |
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. | | | 3,195,158 | | | | 2.4 | |
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.—Class A | | | 2,797,680 | | | | 2.1 | |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S | | | 2,782,675 | | | | 2.1 | |
Koninklijke DSM NV | | | 2,750,238 | | | | 2.1 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 31,506,198 | | | | 24.0 | % |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN2
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Health Care | | $ | 27,648,550 | | | | 21.2 | % |
Information Technology | | | 23,284,512 | | | | 17.8 | |
Industrials | | | 18,629,457 | | | | 14.2 | |
Financials | | | 17,382,853 | | | | 13.3 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 10,349,027 | | | | 7.9 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 9,101,420 | | | | 7.0 | |
Utilities | | | 6,281,936 | | | | 4.8 | |
Materials | | | 5,988,254 | | | | 4.6 | |
Communication Services | | | 3,389,330 | | | | 2.6 | |
Real Estate | | | 2,318,100 | | | | 1.8 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 6,277,801 | | | | 4.8 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 130,651,240 | | | | 100.0 | % |
2 | | The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). |
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 & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industrysub-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 Portfolio’s prospectus.
2
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
COUNTRY BREAKDOWN1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
COUNTRY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
United States | | $ | 58,927,278 | | | | 45.1 | % |
India | | | 7,983,070 | | | | 6.1 | |
Ireland | | | 7,688,681 | | | | 5.9 | |
Germany | | | 7,487,901 | | | | 5.7 | |
Japan | | | 7,023,055 | | | | 5.4 | |
China | | | 6,455,995 | | | | 5.0 | |
France | | | 5,874,443 | | | | 4.5 | |
Netherlands | | | 5,050,114 | | | | 3.9 | |
Switzerland | | | 4,716,446 | | | | 3.6 | |
United Kingdom | | | 4,570,619 | | | | 3.5 | |
Denmark | | | 2,782,675 | | | | 2.1 | |
Hong Kong | | | 2,650,049 | | | | 2.0 | |
Brazil | | | 1,692,077 | | | | 1.3 | |
Indonesia | | | 1,471,036 | | | | 1.1 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 6,277,801 | | | | 4.8 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 130,651,240 | | | | 100.0 | % |
1 | | All data are as of June 30, 2019. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. |
3
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–94.7% | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–21.0% | | | | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
Abcam PLC | | | 39,640 | | | $ | 742,023 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–7.0% | | | | | | | | |
Abbott Laboratories | | | 27,100 | | | | 2,279,110 | |
Danaher Corp. | | | 18,810 | | | | 2,688,325 | |
Koninklijke Philips NV | | | 52,900 | | | | 2,299,876 | |
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. | | | 15,970 | | | | 1,998,646 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,265,957 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–4.5% | | | | | | | | |
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. | | | 161,510 | | | | 3,195,158 | |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | 11,110 | | | | 2,710,951 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,906,109 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–8.6% | | | | | | | | |
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 8,950 | | | | 2,797,680 | |
Bruker Corp. | | | 45,570 | | | | 2,276,221 | |
Gerresheimer AG | | | 28,500 | | | | 2,100,607 | |
ICON PLC(a) | | | 10,650 | | | | 1,639,781 | |
Tecan Group AG | | | 9,470 | | | | 2,459,422 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 11,273,711 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Vectura Group PLC(a) | | | 419,366 | | | | 460,750 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 27,648,550 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–17.7% | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–2.4% | | | | | | | | |
Horiba Ltd. | | | 25,700 | | | | 1,333,373 | |
Keyence Corp. | | | 3,000 | | | | 1,850,167 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,183,540 | |
| | | | | | | | |
IT SERVICES–6.1% | | | | | | | | |
Pagseguro Digital Ltd.(a)(b) | | | 43,420 | | | | 1,692,077 | |
Square, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 22,500 | | | | 1,631,925 | |
Visa, Inc.–Class A(b) | | | 20,150 | | | | 3,497,033 | |
Wirecard AG | | | 6,910 | | | | 1,166,521 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,987,556 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.0% | | | | | | | | |
Infineon Technologies AG | | | 135,420 | | | | 2,406,370 | |
NVIDIA Corp. | | | 9,198 | | | | 1,510,588 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,916,958 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SOFTWARE–4.7% | | | | | | | | |
Dassault Systemes SE | | | 14,150 | | | | 2,257,000 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | 19,800 | | | | 2,652,408 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SailPoint Technologies Holding, Inc.(a) | | | 64,620 | | | $ | 1,294,985 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,204,393 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE & PERIPHERALS–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 10,065 | | | | 1,992,065 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 23,284,512 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–14.2% | | | | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Hexcel Corp. | | | 25,489 | | | | 2,061,550 | |
| | | | | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
Kingspan Group PLC | | | 61,190 | | | | 3,323,101 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
China Everbright International Ltd. | | | 1,720,407 | | | | 1,589,043 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–3.8% | | | | | | | | |
Schneider Electric SE | | | 24,810 | | | | 2,244,880 | |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S | | | 32,120 | | | | 2,782,675 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,027,555 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.4% | | | | | | | | |
Siemens AG | | | 15,240 | | | | 1,814,403 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MACHINERY–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
Xylem, Inc./NY | | | 39,620 | | | | 3,313,817 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 44,800 | | | | 1,499,988 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 18,629,457 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–13.2% | | | | | | | | |
BANKS–2.2% | | | | | | | | |
Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT | | | 2,591,000 | | | | 1,471,036 | |
HDFC Bank Ltd. | | | 39,380 | | | | 1,394,153 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,865,189 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–5.5% | | | | | | | | |
Charles Schwab Corp. (The) | | | 39,886 | | | | 1,603,018 | |
MSCI, Inc.–Class A | | | 14,020 | | | | 3,347,836 | |
Partners Group Holding AG | | | 2,870 | | | | 2,257,024 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,207,878 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd.(a) | | | 66,412 | | | | 862,604 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–3.0% | | | | | | | | |
AIA Group Ltd. | | | 245,400 | | | | 2,650,049 | |
Prudential PLC | | | 57,990 | | | | 1,265,978 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,916,027 | |
| | | | | | | | |
4
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.9% | | | | | | | | |
Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd. | | | 79,630 | | | $ | 2,531,155 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 17,382,853 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–7.9% | | | | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
Aptiv PLC(b) | | | 26,830 | | | | 2,168,669 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–1.9% | | | | | | | | |
Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(a) | | | 16,360 | | | | 2,468,233 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INTERNET & DIRECT MARKETING RETAIL–4.3% | | | | | | | | |
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (Sponsored ADR)(a) | | | 11,410 | | | | 1,933,425 | |
Amazon.com, Inc.(a) | | | 1,323 | | | | 2,505,272 | |
Etsy, Inc.(a) | | | 20,750 | | | | 1,273,428 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,712,125 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 10,349,027 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–6.9% | | | | | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–2.1% | | | | | | | | |
Kerry Group PLC–Class A | | | 22,830 | | | | 2,725,799 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–3.2% | | | | | | | | |
Procter & Gamble Co. (The) | | | 17,640 | | | | 1,934,226 | |
Unicharm Corp. | | | 77,600 | | | | 2,339,527 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,273,753 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PERSONAL PRODUCTS–1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Unilever PLC | | | 33,860 | | | | 2,101,868 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,101,420 | |
| | | | | | | | |
UTILITIES–4.8% | | | | | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–1.1% | | | | | | | | |
Suez | | | 95,120 | | | | 1,372,563 | |
| | | | | | | | |
WATER UTILITIES–3.7% | | | | | | | | |
American Water Works Co., Inc. | | | 28,109 | | | | 3,260,644 | |
Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.(a) | | | 2,774,000 | | | | 1,648,729 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,909,373 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,281,936 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–4.6% | | | | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–4.6% | | | | | | | | |
Ecolab, Inc. | | | 16,400 | | | $ | 3,238,016 | |
Koninklijke DSM NV | | | 22,290 | | | | 2,750,238 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,988,254 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.6% | | | | | | | | |
INTERACTIVE MEDIA & SERVICES–2.6% | | | | | | | | |
Alphabet, Inc.–Class C(a) | | | 1,947 | | | | 2,104,532 | |
Tencent Holdings Ltd. | | | 28,400 | | | | 1,284,798 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,389,330 | |
| | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE–1.8% | | | | | | | | |
EQUITY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–1.8% | | | | | | | | |
SBA Communications Corp.(a) | | | 10,310 | | | | 2,318,100 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $87,054,200) | | | | | | | 124,373,439 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–4.8% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–4.8% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(c)(d)(e) (cost $6,277,801) | | | 6,277,801 | | | | 6,277,801 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.5% (cost $93,332,001) | | | | | | | 130,651,240 | |
Other assets less liabilities–0.5% | | | | | | | 643,689 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | $ | 131,294,929 | |
| | | | | | | | |
5
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Bank of America, NA | | | GBP | | | | 636 | | | | USD | | | | 803 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | $ | (7,828 | ) |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 511 | | | | AUD | | | | 743 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 12,249 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | BRL | | | | 4,122 | | | | USD | | | | 1,079 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 5,202 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 1,076 | | | | BRL | | | | 4,122 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (2,171 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | INR | | | | 522,514 | | | | USD | | | | 7,389 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (174,542 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 3,213 | | | | INR | | | | 224,517 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 36,884 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 319 | | | | CNY | | | | 2,209 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | 3,145 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 303 | | | | CNY | | | | 2,054 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (3,301 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 1,076 | | | | BRL | | | | 4,122 | | | | 8/02/19 | | | | (5,184 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 2,081 | | | | AUD | | | | 2,983 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 17,764 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 836 | | | | ZAR | | | | 12,500 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 43,508 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | EUR | | | | 1,093 | | | | USD | | | | 1,235 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (15,476 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,821 | | | | KRW | | | | 2,150,271 | | | | 8/26/19 | | | | 39,631 | |
Citibank, NA | | | EUR | | | | 753 | | | | USD | | | | 863 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 1,851 | |
Citibank, NA | | | EUR | | | | 11,079 | | | | USD | | | | 12,624 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (45,867 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | HKD | | | | 6,919 | | | | USD | | | | 883 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (2,565 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 2,023 | | | | EUR | | | | 1,767 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (2,309 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 2,318 | | | | JPY | | | | 250,798 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 20,515 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | BRL | | | | 5,521 | | | | USD | | | | 1,428 | | | | 8/02/19 | | | | (5,377 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | BRL | | | | 4,122 | | | | USD | | | | 1,076 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 2,171 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 1,020 | | | | BRL | | | | 4,122 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 53,218 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 447 | | | | INR | | | | 31,317 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 6,591 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 531 | | | | RUB | | | | 35,119 | | | | 8/06/19 | | | | 22,046 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | EUR | | | | 499 | | | | USD | | | | 569 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (2,011 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 2,722 | | | | CAD | | | | 3,602 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 32,360 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 818 | | | | SEK | | | | 7,682 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 13,227 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | PEN | | | | 6,292 | | | | USD | | | | 1,893 | | | | 7/12/19 | | | | (17,576 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 1,906 | | | | PEN | | | | 6,292 | | | | 7/12/19 | | | | 3,989 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 720 | | | | CAD | | | | 941 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (562 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | INR | | | | 116,274 | | | | USD | | | | 1,653 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (30,458 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | CNY | | | | 14,656 | | | | USD | | | | 2,178 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | 42,273 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | CNY | | | | 8,338 | | | | USD | | | | 1,205 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (9,956 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 1,022 | | | | CNY | | | | 6,881 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (19,072 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 1,477 | | | | TWD | | | | 46,350 | | | | 9/11/19 | | | | 24,265 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | CHF | | | | 374 | | | | USD | | | | 380 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (5,539 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 233 | | | | USD | | | | 264 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (2,070 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | GBP | | | | 205 | | | | USD | | | | 261 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 126 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | HKD | | | | 1,519 | | | | USD | | | | 194 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (117 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | JPY | | | | 267,397 | | | | USD | | | | 2,495 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 1,832 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | JPY | | | | 41,274 | | | | USD | | | | 382 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (2,406 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 281 | | | | CAD | | | | 376 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 6,714 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 377 | | | | CHF | | | | 374 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 8,206 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 493 | | | | EUR | | | | 431 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (22 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 270 | | | | GBP | | | | 212 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (168 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 256 | | | | HKD | | | | 2,005 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 553 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 257 | | | | JPY | | | | 27,708 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 1,535 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 281 | | | | JPY | | | | 30,165 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (165 | ) |
6
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 290 | | | | MXN | | | | 5,632 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | $ | 350 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 257 | | | | NOK | | | | 2,208 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 2,711 | |
UBS AG | | | EUR | | | | 917 | | | | USD | | | | 1,051 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | 1,830 | |
UBS AG | | | USD | | | | 1,796 | | | | GBP | | | | 1,407 | | | | 9/13/19 | | | | (3,482 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 46,522 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(c) | | Affiliated investments. |
(d) | | The rate shown represents the7-day yield as of period end. |
(e) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800)227-4618. |
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD—Australian Dollar
BRL—Brazilian Real
CAD—Canadian Dollar
CHF—Swiss Franc
CNY—Chinese Yuan Renminbi
EUR—Euro
GBP—Great British Pound
HKD—Hong Kong Dollar
INR—Indian Rupee
JPY—Japanese Yen
KRW—South Korean Won
MXN—Mexican Peso
NOK—Norwegian Krone
PEN—Peruvian Sol
RUB—Russian Ruble
SEK—Swedish Krona
TWD—New Taiwan Dollar
USD—United States Dollar
ZAR—South African Rand
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $87,054,200) | | $ | 124,373,439 | (a) |
Affiliated issuers (cost $6,277,801) | | | 6,277,801 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $275,343) | | | 275,285 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions | | | 686,691 | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 404,746 | |
Unaffiliated dividends and interest receivable | | | 177,339 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 28,001 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 13,160 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 132,236,462 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 358,224 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions | | | 345,851 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 68,622 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 35,073 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,579 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 16,989 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,505 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 75,632 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 941,533 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 131,294,929 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 4,069 | |
Additionalpaid-in capital | | | 81,576,812 | |
Distributable earnings | | | 49,714,048 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 131,294,929 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 41,246,791 | | | | 1,243,926 | | | $ | 33.16 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 90,048,138 | | | | 2,825,331 | | | $ | 31.87 | |
(a) | | Includes securities on loan with a value of $6,760,659 (see Note E). |
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $88,149) | | $ | 1,007,346 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 68,680 | |
Interest | | | 10 | |
Securities lending income | | | 393 | |
| | | | |
| | | 1,076,429 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 474,497 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 109,301 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 968 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 2,165 | |
Custodian | | | 51,765 | |
Administrative | | | 35,337 | |
Audit and tax | | | 28,788 | |
Printing | | | 23,846 | |
Legal | | | 18,151 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,067 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 8,113 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 764,998 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Notes B & E) | | | (34,437 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 730,561 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 345,868 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | 4,686,002 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | (211,964 | ) |
Foreign currency transactions | | | 43,545 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments (a) | | | 19,006,929 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | 189,903 | |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 2,907 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 23,717,322 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 24,063,190 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | Net of decrease in accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $8,092. |
| | See notes to financial statements. |
9
| | |
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 345,868 | | | $ | 277,413 | |
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 4,517,583 | | | | 7,396,267 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 19,199,739 | | | | (20,681,230 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 24,063,190 | | | | (13,007,550 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (9,516,149 | ) | | | (16,696,371 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 14,547,041 | | | | (29,703,921 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 116,747,888 | | | | 146,451,809 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 131,294,929 | | | $ | 116,747,888 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
10
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB Global Thematic Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AB 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 anopen-end series investment company. The Fund offers eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded innon-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The
11
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Health Care | | $ | 17,132,737 | | | $ | 10,515,813 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 27,648,550 | |
Information Technology | | | 14,271,081 | | | | 9,013,431 | | | | –0 | – | | | 23,284,512 | |
Industrials | | | 8,698,468 | | | | 9,930,989 | | | | –0 | – | | | 18,629,457 | |
Financials | | | 6,345,007 | | | | 11,037,846 | | | | –0 | – | | | 17,382,853 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 10,349,027 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 10,349,027 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 4,660,025 | | | | 4,441,395 | | | | –0 | – | | | 9,101,420 | |
Utilities | | | 4,633,207 | | | | 1,648,729 | | | | –0 | – | | | 6,281,936 | |
Materials | | | 3,238,016 | | | | 2,750,238 | | | | –0 | – | | | 5,988,254 | |
Communication Services | | | 2,104,532 | | | | 1,284,798 | | | | –0 | – | | | 3,389,330 | |
Real Estate | | | 2,318,100 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 2,318,100 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 6,277,801 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 6,277,801 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 80,028,001 | | | | 50,623,239 | (a) | | | –0 | – | | | 130,651,240 | |
12
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Other Financial Instruments(b): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 404,746 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 404,746 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | (358,224 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (358,224 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 80,028,001 | | | $ | 50,669,761 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 130,697,762 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | A significant portion of the Portfolio’s foreign equity investments are categorized as Level 2 investments since they are valued using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available, see Note A.1. |
(b) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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. 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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on theex-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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 apro-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 proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on theex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance
13
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the 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. Effective September 4, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or bear expenses of the Portfolio in order to reduce the Portfolio’s total operating expenses by an amount equal to .05% on an annual basis of the average net assets for Class A and Class B. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such reimbursements/waivers amounted to $31,632. This fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement agreement extends through May 1, 2020 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additionalone-year terms.
During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,337.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
The Portfolio may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. Effective August 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2020. In connection with the investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to $2,746.
14
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | |
Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 2,718 | | | $ | 16,749 | | | $ | 13,189 | | | $ | 6,278 | | | $ | 65 | |
Government Money Market Portfolio* | | | 1,997 | | | | 3,420 | | | | 5,417 | | | | 0 | | | | 4 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 6,278 | | | $ | 69 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Investments of cash collateral for securities lending transactions (see Note E). |
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $15,124, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule12b-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 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 or 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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 13,484,265 | | | $ | 26,856,878 | |
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 | | $ | 39,892,211 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (2,526,450 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 37,365,761 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
15
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The principal type of derivative 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 sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and fornon-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the 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.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes.
The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Portfolio typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment(close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Portfolio’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Portfolio’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty tables below for additional details.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 404,746 | | | Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 358,224 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 404,746 | | | | | $ | 358,224 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Type | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Within Statement of Operations | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | (211,964 | ) | | $ | 189,903 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | (211,964 | ) | | $ | 189,903 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
16
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2019:
| | | | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | | | | |
Average principal amount of buy contracts | | $ | 28,164,412 | |
Average principal amount of sale contracts | | $ | 35,138,745 | |
For financial reporting purposes, the Portfolio does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2019. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Received* | | | Security Collateral Received* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |
Bank of America, NA | | $ | 12,249 | | | $ | (7,828 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 4,421 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | 106,503 | | | | (106,503 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Citibank, NA | | | 61,997 | | | | (50,741 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 11,256 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | 129,613 | | | | (2,011 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 127,602 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | 3,989 | | | | (3,989 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | 66,538 | | | | (59,486 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 7,052 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 22,027 | | | | (10,487 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 11,540 | |
UBS AG | | | 1,830 | | | | (1,830 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 404,746 | | | $ | (242,875 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 161,871 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Pledged* | | | Security Collateral Pledged* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |
Bank of America, NA | | $ | 7,828 | | | $ | (7,828 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | 185,198 | | | | (106,503 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 78,695 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | 15,476 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 15,476 | |
Citibank, NA | | | 50,741 | | | | (50,741 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | 5,377 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 5,377 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | 2,011 | | | | (2,011 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | 18,138 | | | | (3,989 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 14,149 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | 59,486 | | | | (59,486 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 10,487 | | | | (10,487 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
UBS AG | | | 3,482 | | | | (1,830 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 1,652 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 358,224 | | | $ | (242,875 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 115,349 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest innon-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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).
17
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE E: Securities Lending
The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/ornon-cash collateral.Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Portfolio cannot sell or repledge anynon-cash collateral, and accordingly will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. If the Portfolio receivesnon-cash collateral, the Portfolio will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the statement of operations. When the Portfolio earns net securities lending income from Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Market Value of Securities on Loan* | | | Cash Collateral* | | | Market Value ofNon-Cash Collateral* | | | Income from Borrowers | | | Government Money Market Portfolio | |
| Income Earned | | | Advisory Fee Waived | |
$ | 6,760,659 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 6,815,562 | | | $ | 393 | | | $ | 4,083 | | | $ | 59 | |
NOTE F: 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, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class A | |
Shares sold | | | 45,260 | | | | 216,094 | | | | | | | $ | 1,387,100 | | | $ | 6,612,541 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (110,038 | ) | | | (230,647 | ) | | | | | | | (3,410,868 | ) | | | (7,032,186 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (64,778 | ) | | | (14,553 | ) | | | | | | $ | (2,023,768 | ) | | $ | (419,645 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | |
Shares sold | | | 116,703 | | | | 353,636 | | | | | | | $ | 3,460,460 | | | $ | 10,398,435 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (366,309 | ) | | | (913,680 | ) | | | | | | | (10,952,841 | ) | | | (26,675,161 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (249,606 | ) | | | (560,044 | ) | | | | | | $ | (7,492,381 | ) | | $ | (16,276,726 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
18
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
At June 30, 2019, certain shareholders of the Portfolio owned 67% in aggregate of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholders, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign(Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities ofnon-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid, and because these investments may be subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce its returns.
Capitalization Risk—Investments inmid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than investments in large-capitalization companies. Investments inmid-capitalization companies may have additional risks because these companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Focused Portfolio Risk—Investments in a limited number of companies may have more risk because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Portfolio’s net asset value, or NAV.
Leverage Risk—When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The Portfolio may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Portfolio, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Portfolio than if the Portfolio were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility
A number ofopen-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
NOTE I: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 433,406 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions paid | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 433,406 | |
| | | | | | | | |
19
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 315,850 | |
Undistributed capital gains | | | 7,253,846 | |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 18,081,162 | (a) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | 25,650,858 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | The differences between book-basis andtax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, return of capital distributions received from underlying securities, and the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU2018-13 (“ASU”) apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE K: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
20
| | |
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
| |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $27.35 | | | | $30.32 | | | | $22.29 | | | | $22.43 | | | | $21.80 | | | | $20.75 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .11 | (b) | | | .11 | (b) | | | .03 | (b) | | | .04 | (b)† | | | .02 | | | | .06 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 5.70 | | | | (3.08 | ) | | | 8.13 | | | | (.18 | ) | | | .60 | | | | .99 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .01 | | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 5.81 | | | | (2.97 | ) | | | 8.16 | | | | (.14 | ) | | | .63 | | | | 1.05 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | (.13 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $33.16 | | | | $27.35 | | | | $30.32 | | | | $22.29 | | | | $22.43 | | | | $21.80 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c)* | | | 21.24 | % | | | (9.79 | )% | | | 36.66 | % | | | (.62 | )%† | | | 2.89 | % | | | 5.06 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $41,247 | | | | $35,799 | | | | $40,121 | | | | $28,458 | | | | $31,534 | | | | $30,886 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | | | .98 | %^ | | | .99 | % | | | 1.02 | % | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.01 | % | | | 1.01 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.04 | %^ | | | 1.01 | % | | | 1.02 | % | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.01 | % | | | 1.01 | % |
Net investment income | | | .72 | %(b)^ | | | .37 | %(b) | | | .09 | %(b) | | | .17 | %(b)† | | | .07 | % | | | .26 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 11 | % | | | 32 | % | | | 40 | % | | | 54 | % | | | 47 | % | | | 48 | % |
See footnote summary on page 22.
21
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $26.33 | | | | $29.25 | | | | $21.52 | | | | $21.71 | | | | $21.15 | | | | $20.18 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (a) | | | .07 | (b) | | | .04 | (b) | | | (.04 | )(b) | | | (.02 | )(b)† | | | (.04 | ) | | | .00 | (d) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 5.47 | | | | (2.96 | ) | | | 7.84 | | | | (.17 | ) | | | .59 | | | | .97 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .01 | | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 5.54 | | | | (2.92 | ) | | | 7.80 | | | | (.19 | ) | | | .56 | | | | .97 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | (.07 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $31.87 | | | | $26.33 | | | | $29.25 | | | | $21.52 | | | | $21.71 | | | | $21.15 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c)* | | | 21.04 | % | | | (9.98 | )% | | | 36.30 | % | | | (.87 | )%† | | | 2.65 | % | | | 4.81 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $90,048 | | | | $80,949 | | | | $106,331 | | | | $78,625 | | | | $92,298 | | | | $96,728 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.23 | %^ | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.26 | % | | | 1.31 | % | | | 1.26 | % | | | 1.26 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.29 | %^ | | | 1.25 | % | | | 1.27 | % | | | 1.31 | % | | | 1.26 | % | | | 1.26 | % |
Net investment income (loss) | | | .47 | %(b)^ | | | .13 | %(b) | | | (.15 | )%(b) | | | (.07 | )%(b)† | | | (.17 | )% | | | .01 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 11 | % | | | 32 | % | | | 40 | % | | | 54 | % | | | 47 | % | | | 48 | % |
(a) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | | Net of fees and expenses waived/reimbursed 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 deductions 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) | | Amount is less than $.005. |
† | | For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income Per Share | | Net Investment Income Ratio | | Total Return |
$.004 | | .02% | | .02% |
* | | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 by .04%, .28%, .01% and .02%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
22
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| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
| |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB Global Thematic Growth Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within theone-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. The Directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-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 Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreement,
23
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds;12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
24
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) provider”) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub- advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
25
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GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S CURRENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Global Thematic Growth Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held on May7-9, 2019 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
26
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2017 and 2018 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the underlying fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients);12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Fund’s Class B shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
27
| | |
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the1-,3-,5- and10-year periods ended February 28, 2019. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and noted that it was above the median. The directors also took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant. The directors also compared the advisory fee rate for the Fund with those for two other funds advised by the Adviser with a similar investment strategy.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to funds such as the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. The directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was above the peer group median. After reviewing and discussing the Adviser’s explanations of the reasons for this, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of
28
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
29
VPS-GTG-0152-0619
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. 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 table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | | | Total Expenses Paid During Period+ | | | Total Annualized Expense Ratio+ | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,141.50 | | | $ | 3.13 | | | | 0.59 | % | | $ | 3.19 | | | | 0.60 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,021.87 | | | $ | 2.96 | | | | 0.59 | % | | $ | 3.01 | | | | 0.60 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,140.40 | | | $ | 4.46 | | | | 0.84 | % | | $ | 4.51 | | | | 0.85 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,020.63 | | | $ | 4.21 | | | | 0.84 | % | | $ | 4.26 | | | | 0.85 | % |
* | | Expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect theone-half year period). |
+ | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Portfolio’s total expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratio plus the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the weighted average expense ratio of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios in which it invests, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect theone-half year period). |
1
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | $ | 47,909,789 | | | | 4.5 | % |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 41,766,244 | | | | 4.0 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | 36,026,038 | | | | 3.4 | |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.—Class B | | | 35,859,884 | | | | 3.4 | |
Walmart, Inc. | | | 35,523,309 | | | | 3.4 | |
Roche Holding AG (Sponsored ADR) | | | 33,282,522 | | | | 3.2 | |
Phillips 66 | | | 33,062,648 | | | | 3.1 | |
Citigroup, Inc. | | | 31,013,486 | | | | 2.9 | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | | 30,657,961 | | | | 2.9 | |
Comcast Corp.—Class A | | | 29,549,069 | | | | 2.8 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 354,650,950 | | | | 33.6 | % |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN2
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Financials | | $ | 237,066,421 | | | | 22.2 | % |
Health Care | | | 149,735,878 | | | | 14.0 | |
Industrials | | | 139,862,244 | | | | 13.1 | |
Communication Services | | | 101,899,043 | | | | 9.5 | |
Energy | | | 85,807,771 | | | | 8.0 | |
Information Technology | | | 85,380,840 | | | | 8.0 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 71,934,936 | | | | 6.7 | |
Real Estate | | | 46,931,977 | | | | 4.4 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 35,523,309 | | | | 3.3 | |
Materials | | | 4,168,692 | | | | 0.4 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 111,583,333 | | | | 10.4 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 1,069,894,444 | | | | 100.0 | % |
2 | | The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industrysub-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 Portfolio’s prospectus.
2
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–90.9% | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–22.5% | | | | | | | | |
BANKS–6.9% | | | | | | | | |
Citigroup, Inc. | | | 442,860 | | | $ | 31,013,486 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 373,580 | | | | 41,766,244 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 72,779,730 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–3.3% | | | | | | | | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) | | | 41,840 | | | | 8,560,464 | |
Northern Trust Corp. | | | 102,569 | | | | 9,231,210 | |
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.(a) | | | 336,610 | | | | 16,803,571 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 34,595,245 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE–2.9% | | | | | | | | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | | 337,866 | | | | 30,657,961 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–3.4% | | | | | | | | |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.–Class B(b) | | | 168,222 | | | | 35,859,884 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–6.0% | | | | | | | | |
Aflac, Inc. | | | 110,730 | | | | 6,069,111 | |
Allstate Corp. (The) | | | 214,090 | | | | 21,770,812 | |
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. | | | 378,140 | | | | 15,239,042 | |
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.–Class A | | | 128,787 | | | | 20,094,636 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 63,173,601 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 237,066,421 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–14.2% | | | | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–3.9% | | | | | | | | |
Amgen, Inc. | | | 35,300 | | | | 6,505,084 | |
Biogen, Inc.(b) | | | 40,615 | | | | 9,498,630 | |
Celgene Corp.(b) | | | 95,200 | | | | 8,800,288 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | | | 241,283 | | | | 16,301,079 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 41,105,081 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–3.2% | | | | | | | | |
AmerisourceBergen Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 49,610 | | | | 4,229,749 | |
Anthem, Inc.(a) | | | 61,570 | | | | 17,375,670 | |
Cigna Corp.(b) | | | 78,541 | | | | 12,374,134 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 33,979,553 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–7.1% | | | | | | | | |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(a) | | | 117,810 | | | | 5,342,684 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | 831,626 | | | | 36,026,038 | |
Roche Holding AG (Sponsored ADR) | | | 948,220 | | | | 33,282,522 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 74,651,244 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 149,735,878 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–13.3% | | | | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–4.2% | | | | | | | | |
Curtiss-Wright Corp. | | | 62,210 | | | $ | 7,908,757 | |
Hexcel Corp. | | | 86,870 | | | | 7,026,046 | |
Raytheon Co. | | | 168,831 | | | | 29,356,334 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 44,291,137 | |
| | | | | | | | |
AIRLINES–1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Delta Air Lines, Inc. | | | 170,330 | | | | 9,666,228 | |
Southwest Airlines Co. | | | 142,230 | | | | 7,222,439 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,888,667 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
EMCOR Group, Inc. | | | 100,790 | | | | 8,879,599 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
Acuity Brands, Inc.(a) | | | 28,750 | | | | 3,964,912 | |
Hubbell, Inc. | | | 31,730 | | | | 4,137,592 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,102,504 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MACHINERY–3.2% | | | | | | | | |
Altra Industrial Motion Corp. | | | 355,370 | | | | 12,750,676 | |
Crane Co. | | | 153,580 | | | | 12,814,715 | |
PACCAR, Inc. | | | 59,630 | | | | 4,273,086 | |
Parker-Hannifin Corp. | | | 23,720 | | | | 4,032,637 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 33,871,114 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Robert Half International, Inc. | | | 66,650 | | | | 3,799,717 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–2.3% | | | | | | | | |
Kansas City Southern | | | 68,130 | | | | 8,299,597 | |
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 161,030 | | | | 5,288,225 | |
Norfolk Southern Corp. | | | 22,890 | | | | 4,562,664 | |
Saia, Inc.(b) | | | 90,908 | | | | 5,879,020 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 24,029,506 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 139,862,244 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATION SERVICES–9.7% | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.6% | | | | | | | | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 838,610 | | | | 47,909,789 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ENTERTAINMENT–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
Walt Disney Co. (The) | | | 59,200 | | | | 8,266,688 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MEDIA–4.3% | | | | | | | | |
Comcast Corp.–Class A | | | 698,890 | | | | 29,549,069 | |
Discovery, Inc.–Class A(a)(b) | | | 526,824 | | | | 16,173,497 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 45,722,566 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 101,899,043 | |
| | | | | | | | |
3
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–8.1% | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Dril-Quip, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 88,280 | | | $ | 4,237,440 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–7.7% | | | | | | | | |
Chevron Corp. | | | 49,380 | | | | 6,144,847 | |
ConocoPhillips | | | 382,980 | | | | 23,361,780 | |
Exxon Mobil Corp.(a) | | | 182,830 | | | | 14,010,263 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp.(a) | | | 99,260 | | | | 4,990,793 | |
Phillips 66 | | | 353,460 | | | | 33,062,648 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 81,570,331 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 85,807,771 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–8.1% | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–4.0% | | | | | | | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 462,400 | | | | 25,307,152 | |
F5 Networks, Inc.(b) | | | 118,860 | | | | 17,309,582 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 42,616,734 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–3.1% | | | | | | | | |
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.–Class A | | | 262,865 | | | | 16,981,079 | |
FLIR Systems, Inc. | | | 76,240 | | | | 4,124,584 | |
Keysight Technologies, Inc.(b) | | | 70,570 | | | | 6,337,892 | |
Littelfuse, Inc. | | | 28,460 | | | | 5,034,858 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 32,478,413 | |
| | | | | | | | |
IT SERVICES–1.0% | | | | | | | | |
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(b) | | | 49,750 | | | | 3,986,965 | |
Leidos Holdings, Inc. | | | 78,882 | | | | 6,298,728 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 10,285,693 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 85,380,840 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–6.8% | | | | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
BorgWarner, Inc. | | | 92,840 | | | | 3,897,423 | |
Gentex Corp. | | | 117,510 | | | | 2,891,921 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,789,344 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
DR Horton, Inc.(a) | | | 204,600 | | | | 8,824,398 | |
Garmin Ltd. | | | 91,110 | | | | 7,270,578 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,094,976 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INTERNET & DIRECT MARKETING RETAIL–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Expedia Group, Inc. | | | 118,020 | | | | 15,700,200 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–2.6% | | | | | | | | |
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | | | 82,130 | | | | 12,659,518 | |
Murphy USA, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 172,290 | | | | 14,477,529 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 27,137,047 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
Tapestry, Inc. | | | 195,820 | | | $ | 6,213,369 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 71,934,936 | |
| | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE–4.4% | | | | | | | | |
EQUITY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–2.1% | | | | | | | | |
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | | | 56,720 | | | | 6,679,347 | |
Regency Centers Corp.(a) | | | 230,490 | | | | 15,382,903 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 22,062,250 | |
| | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–2.3% | | | | | | | | |
CBRE Group, Inc.–Class A(b) | | | 484,790 | | | | 24,869,727 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 46,931,977 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–3.4% | | | | | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–3.4% | | | | | | | | |
Walmart, Inc.(a) | | | 321,507 | | | | 35,523,309 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
LyondellBasell Industries NV–Class A | | | 48,400 | | | | 4,168,692 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $844,426,662) | | | | | | | 958,311,111 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–10.6% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–10.6% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(c)(d)(e) (cost $111,583,333) | | | 111,583,333 | | | | 111,583,333 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.5% (cost $956,009,995) | | | | | | | 1,069,894,444 | |
Other assets less liabilities–(1.5)% | | | | | | | (15,322,496 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | $ | 1,054,571,948 | |
| | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(b) | | Non-income producing security. |
(c) | | Affiliated investments. |
(d) | | The rate shown represents the7-day yield as of period end. |
(e) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800)227-4618. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
4
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $844,426,662) | | $ | 958,311,111 | (a) |
Affiliated issuers (cost $111,583,333) | | | 111,583,333 | |
Unaffiliated dividends receivable | | | 527,425 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 187,242 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 114,126 | |
Other assets | | | 14,816 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 1,070,738,053 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 14,808,660 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 517,269 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 431,178 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 171,816 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,397 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,504 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 196,223 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 16,166,105 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 1,054,571,948 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 33,747 | |
Additionalpaid-in capital | | | 798,208,645 | |
Distributable earnings | | | 256,329,556 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 1,054,571,948 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 147,290,408 | | | | 4,644,364 | | | $ | 31.71 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 907,281,540 | | | | 29,102,689 | | | $ | 31.18 | |
(a) | | Includes securities on loan with a value of $60,948,831 (see Note E). |
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $11,961) | | $ | 8,760,362 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 1,356,436 | |
Interest | | | 608 | |
| | | | |
| | | 10,117,406 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 2,728,221 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 1,062,970 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 604 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 3,621 | |
Custodian | | | 83,097 | |
Printing | | | 40,404 | |
Administrative | | | 35,132 | |
Legal | | | 31,670 | |
Audit and tax | | | 21,581 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,066 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 25,311 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 4,044,677 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Notes B & E) | | | (56,588 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 3,988,089 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 6,129,317 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | 17,213,753 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 103,309,230 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment transactions | | | 120,522,983 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 126,652,300 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 6,129,317 | | | $ | 10,908,094 | |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | 17,213,753 | | | | 111,242,634 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 103,309,230 | | | | (176,425,722 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 126,652,300 | | | | (54,274,994 | ) |
Distributions to Shareholders | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (18,264,930 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (104,977,978 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | |
Net increase | | | 21,827,198 | | | | 17,496,207 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 148,479,498 | | | | (160,021,695 | ) |
NET ASSETS | |
Beginning of period | | | 906,092,450 | | | | 1,066,114,145 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 1,054,571,948 | | | $ | 906,092,450 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AB 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 anopen-end series investment company. The Portfolio acquired the assets and liabilities of AB Value Portfolio (the “Acquired Portfolio”), a reorganization that was effective at the close of business April 26, 2019 (the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization was approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors pursuant to a Plan of Acquisition and Liquidation (the “Reorganization Agreement”) (see Note J for additional information). The Fund offers eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, the Adviser will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but
8
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 innon-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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks(a) | | $ | 958,311,111 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 958,311,111 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 111,583,333 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 111,583,333 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 1,069,894,444 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 1,069,894,444 | |
Other Financial Instruments(b) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 1,069,894,444 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 1,069,894,444 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications. |
(b) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
9
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB 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 ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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. 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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on theex-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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 apro-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 proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on theex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the 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 second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common
10
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,132.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
The Portfolio may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. Effective August 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2020. In connection with the investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to $55,582.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | |
Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 64,547 | | | $ | 224,886 | | | $ | 177,850 | | | $ | 111,583 | | | $ | 1,307 | |
Government Money Market Portfolio* | | | 0 | | | | 52,278 | | | | 52,278 | | | | 0 | | | | 49 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 111,583 | | | $ | 1,356 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Investments of cash collateral for securities lending transactions (see Note E). |
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $165,356, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments,
11
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 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 or 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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 369,481,845 | | | $ | 372,723,207 | |
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 | | $ | 126,051,207 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (12,166,758 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 113,884,449 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest innon-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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: Securities Lending
The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/ornon-cash collateral.Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Portfolio cannot sell or repledge anynon-cash collateral, and accordingly will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for
12
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
certain other administrative expenses. If the Portfolio receivesnon-cash collateral, the Portfolio will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the statement of operations. When the Portfolio earns net securities lending income from Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Market Value of Securities on Loan* | | | Cash Collateral* | | | Market Value of Non-Cash Collateral* | | | Income from Borrowers | | | Government Money Market Portfolio | |
| Income Earned | | | Advisory Fee Waived | |
$ | 60,948,831 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 61,017,134 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 48,693 | | | $ | 1,006 | |
13
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE F: 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, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 304,255 | | | | 577,389 | | | | | | | $ | 9,259,562 | | | $ | 18,280,433 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 587,297 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 18,264,931 | |
Shares issued in connection with the Reorganization | | | 34,530 | | | | –0 | – | | | | | | | 1,088,086 | | | | –0 | – |
Shares redeemed | | | (489,557 | ) | | | (1,146,686 | ) | | | | | | | (14,825,709 | ) | | | (36,663,199 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (150,772 | ) | | | 18,000 | | | | | | | $ | (4,478,061 | ) | | $ | (117,835 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 994,686 | | | | 1,754,622 | | | | | | | $ | 29,715,891 | | | $ | 54,964,533 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 3,426,174 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 104,977,978 | |
Share issued in connection with the Reorganization | | | 1,788,938 | | | | –0 | – | | | | | | | 55,438,527 | | | | –0 | – |
Shares redeemed | | | (1,953,317 | ) | | | (4,484,525 | ) | | | | | | | (58,849,159 | ) | | | (142,328,469 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 830,307 | | | | 696,271 | | | | | | | $ | 26,305,259 | | | $ | 17,614,042 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2019, certain shareholders of the Portfolio owned 58% in aggregate of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholders, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities ofnon-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce its returns.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Industry/Sector Risk—Investments in a particular industry or group of related industries may have more risk because market or economic factors affecting that industry could have a significant effect on the value of the Portfolio’s 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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility
A number ofopen-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
14
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 37,164,764 | | | $ | 21,981,056 | |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 86,078,144 | | | | 83,069,911 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions paid | | $ | 123,242,908 | | | $ | 105,050,967 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 32,356,686 | |
Undistributed capital gains | | | 90,755,752 | |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 5,482,432 | (a) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | 128,594,870 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | The difference between book-basis andtax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE J: Merger and Reorganization
At a meeting held on November6-8, 2018, the Board of the Fund approved the acquisition of the assets and assumption of the liabilities of the Acquired Portfolio by the Portfolio, each a series of the Fund. The Reorganization was completed at the close of business April 26, 2019. Pursuant to the Reorganization, the assets and liabilities of the Acquired Portfolio shares were transferred in exchange for the shares of the same class of the Portfolio, in atax-free exchange as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares outstanding before the Reorganization | | | Shares outstanding immediately after the Reorganization | | | Aggregate net assets before the Reorganization | | | Aggregate net assets immediately after the Reorganization | |
The Acquired Portfolio | | | 3,830,499 | | | | –0 | – | | $ | 56,526,613 | + | | $ | –0 | – |
The Portfolio | | | 32,453,079 | | | | 34,276,547 | | | $ | 1,008,129,745 | ++ | | $ | 1,064,656,358 | |
+ | | Includes distributions in excess of net investment income of $9,338, accumulated realized gain on investments of $4,555,184 and unrealized appreciation on investments of $1,082,388, with a fair value of $49,044,206 and identified cost of $47,961,818. |
++ | | Includes undistributed net investment income of $15,078,001, accumulated realized gain on investments of $114,156,821 and unrealized appreciation on investments of $119,935,920, with a fair value of $1,011,419,058 and identified cost of $891,483,138. |
Assuming the acquisition of the Acquired Portfolio had been completed on January 1, 2019, the Portfolio’s pro forma results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2019, are as follows:
| | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 6,249,900 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | | | 127,100,702 | |
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 133,350,602 | |
| | | | |
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Portfolio that have been included in the Portfolio’s Statement of Operations since April 26, 2019.
For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Portfolio were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the Acquired Portfolio was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Portfolio’s realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.
15
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE K: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU2018-13 (“ASU”) apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE L: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
16
| | |
| | |
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $27.78 | | | | $33.35 | | | | $31.21 | | | | $30.12 | | | | $30.04 | | | | $27.80 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .22 | (b) | | | .41 | (b) | | | .31 | (b) | | | .43 | (b)† | | | .37 | | | | .40 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | | 3.71 | | | | (1.84 | ) | | | 5.21 | | | | 2.84 | | | | .14 | | | | 2.23 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 3.93 | | | | (1.43 | ) | | | 5.52 | | | | 3.27 | | | | .51 | | | | 2.63 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.34 | ) | | | (.49 | ) | | | (.32 | ) | | | (.43 | ) | | | (.39 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (3.80 | ) | | | (2.89 | ) | | | (1.86 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (4.14 | ) | | | (3.38 | ) | | | (2.18 | ) | | | (.43 | ) | | | (.39 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $31.71 | | | | $27.78 | | | | $33.35 | | | | $31.21 | | | | $30.12 | | | | $30.04 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d)* | | | 14.15 | % | | | (5.61 | )% | | | 18.93 | % | | | 11.30 | %† | | | 1.70 | % | | | 9.54 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $147,290 | | | | $133,188 | | | | $159,324 | | | | $155,924 | | | | $150,801 | | | | $168,135 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .59 | %^ | | | .59 | % | | | .60 | % | | | .61 | % | | | .60 | % | | | .60 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .60 | %^ | | | .60 | % | | | .60 | % | | | .61 | % | | | .60 | % | | | .60 | % |
Net investment income | | | 1.45 | %(b)^ | | | 1.28 | %(b) | | | .97 | %(b) | | | 1.46 | %(b)† | | | 1.21 | % | | | 1.39 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 41 | % | | | 96 | % | | | 85 | % | | | 101 | % | | | 73 | % | | | 51 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying | |
portfolios | | | .01 | %^ | | | .01 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % |
See footnote summary on page 19.
17
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GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $27.34 | | | | $32.88 | | | | $30.82 | | | | $29.78 | | | | $29.71 | | | | $27.49 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .18 | (b) | | | .33 | (b) | | | .23 | (b) | | | .36 | (b)† | | | .29 | | | | .32 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | | 3.66 | | | | (1.81 | ) | | | 5.14 | | | | 2.79 | | | | .14 | | | | 2.22 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 3.84 | | | | (1.48 | ) | | | 5.37 | | | | 3.15 | | | | .43 | | | | 2.54 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.26 | ) | | | (.42 | ) | | | (.25 | ) | | | (.36 | ) | | | (.32 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (3.80 | ) | | | (2.89 | ) | | | (1.86 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (4.06 | ) | | | (3.31 | ) | | | (2.11 | ) | | | (.36 | ) | | | (.32 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $31.18 | | | | $27.34 | | | | $32.88 | | | | $30.82 | | | | $29.78 | | | | $29.71 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d)* | | | 14.04 | % | | | (5.84 | )% | | | 18.59 | % | | | 11.07 | %† | | | 1.43 | % | | | 9.29 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $907,282 | | | | $772,904 | | | | $906,790 | | | | $886,666 | | | | $646,424 | | | | $701,442 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .84 | %^ | | | .84 | % | | | .85 | % | | | .86 | % | | | .85 | % | | | .85 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .85 | %^ | | | .85 | % | | | .85 | % | | | .86 | % | | | .85 | % | | | .85 | % |
Net investment income | | | 1.20 | %(b)^ | | | 1.03 | %(b) | | | .72 | %(b) | | | 1.21 | %(b)† | | | .96 | % | | | 1.14 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 41 | % | | | 96 | % | | | 85 | % | | | 101 | % | | | 73 | % | | | 51 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying | |
portfolios | | | .01 | %^ | | | .01 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % |
See footnote summary on page 19.
18
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
(a) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(c) | | Amount is less than $.005. |
(d) | | Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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) | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses, and for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, such waiver amounted to .01% (annualized) and .01%, respectively. |
† | | For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income Per Share | | Net Investment Income Ratio | | Total Return |
$.002 | | .01% | | .01% |
* | | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 by .13%, .02%, .68%, .03%, .14% and .11%, respectively. |
| | Includes the impact of a reimbursement from the Adviser as a result of an error made by the Adviser in processing a claim for class action settlement, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2017 by .01%. |
See notes to financial statements.
19
| | |
| | |
|
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO |
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CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB Growth and Income Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within theone-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. The Directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-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 Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreement, including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the
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Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds;12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
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CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) provider”) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (‘‘ETFs’’), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
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Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S CURRENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Growth and Income Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held on May7-9, 2017 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the
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GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2017 and 2018 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors noted that the Fund was not profitable to the Adviser in the periods reviewed.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the underlying fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients);12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Fund’s Class B shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the1-,3-,5- and10-year periods ended February 28, 2019 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
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Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant. The directors also compared the advisory fee rate for the Fund with that for another fund advised by the Adviser with a similar investment strategy.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
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VPS-GI-0152-0619
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
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INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
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EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. 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 table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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.
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| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,059.70 | | | $ | 6.23 | | | | 1.22 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,018.74 | | | $ | 6.11 | | | | 1.22 | % |
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Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,058.40 | | | $ | 7.50 | | | | 1.47 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,017.50 | | | $ | 7.35 | | | | 1.47 | % |
* | | 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 | | |
TOP TEN SECTORS (including derivatives)1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
Interest Rate Swaps2 | | | 27.1 | % |
Corporates—Investment Grade3 | | | 25.0 | |
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | | | 17.3 | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities3 | | | 14.2 | |
Governments—Treasuries | | | 14.1 | |
Interest Rate Futures | | | 10.1 | |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | | | 8.7 | |
Inflation-Linked Securities | | | 7.7 | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | 7.0 | |
Agencies | | | 3.6 | |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN (excluding derivatives)4
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | |
Corporates—Investment Grade | | | 26.2 | % |
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | | | 16.9 | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | 11.8 | |
Governments—Treasuries | | | 11.7 | |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | | | 8.6 | |
Inflation-Linked Securities | | | 7.6 | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | 6.9 | |
Agencies | | | 3.5 | |
Corporates—Non-Investment Grade | | | 2.3 | |
Local Governments—US Municipal Bonds | | | 0.7 | |
Preferred Stocks | | | 0.2 | |
Emerging Markets—Corporate Bonds | | | 0.1 | |
Quasi-Sovereigns | | | 0.1 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 3.4 | |
1 | | All data are as of June 30, 2019. The Portfolio’s sectors include derivative exposure and are expressed as approximate percentages of the Portfolio’s total net assets, based on the Adviser’s internal classification. The percentages will vary over time. |
2 | | Represents the exposure of the Portfolio’s fixed-rate payments on the Interest Rate Swaps. Interest Rate Swaps involve the exchange by a fund with another party of payments calculated by reference to specified interest rates (e.g., an exchange of floating-rate payments for fixed-rate payments). |
3 | | Includes Credit Default Swaps. |
4 | | All data are as of June 30, 2019. The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). |
2
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADE–26.7% | | | | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–13.4% | | | | | | | | | |
BANKING–12.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
American Express Co. Series C 4.90%, 12/29/49(a) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 15 | | | $ | 14,880 | |
Banco Santander SA 3.25%, 4/04/26(b) | | | EUR | | | | 100 | | | | 128,358 | |
3.50%, 4/11/22 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 200 | | | | 205,184 | |
Bank of America Corp. Series DD 6.30%, 12/29/49(a) | | | | | | | 27 | | | | 30,081 | |
Series L 3.95%, 4/21/25 | | | | | | | 360 | | | | 377,554 | |
Series V 5.797% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.39%), 12/29/49(a)(c) | | | | | | | 90 | | | | 89,745 | |
Series Z 6.50%, 10/29/49(a) | | | | | | | 41 | | | | 45,319 | |
Banque Federative du Credit Mutuel SA 2.75%, 10/15/20(b) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 200,984 | |
Barclays Bank PLC 6.86%, 9/29/49(a)(b) | | | | | | | 29 | | | | 33,213 | |
BB&T Corp. 2.625%, 6/29/20 | | | | | | | 45 | | | | 45,133 | |
BNP Paribas SA 4.705%, 1/10/25(b) | | | | | | | 225 | | | | 241,326 | |
Capital One Financial Corp. 3.30%, 10/30/24 | | | | | | | 135 | | | | 138,455 | |
Citigroup, Inc. 3.875%, 3/26/25 | | | | | | | 165 | | | | 172,069 | |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia 2.25%, 3/10/20(b) | | | | | | | 52 | | | | 51,988 | |
Compass Bank 5.50%, 4/01/20 | | | | | | | 250 | | | | 255,265 | |
Cooperatieve Rabobank UA 4.375%, 8/04/25 | | | | | | | 250 | | | | 266,115 | |
Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd. 3.80%, 6/09/23 | | | | | | | 265 | | | | 275,629 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) 2.35%, 11/15/21 | | | | | | | 118 | | | | 117,768 | |
3.75%, 5/22/25 | | | | | | | 53 | | | | 55,444 | |
3.85%, 7/08/24 | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 104,958 | |
Series D 6.00%, 6/15/20 | | | | | | | 195 | | | | 201,433 | |
HSBC Holdings PLC 4.25%, 8/18/25 | | | | | | | 203 | | | | 213,477 | |
ING Groep NV 3.55%, 4/09/24 | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 206,676 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 3.22%, 3/01/25 | | | | | | | 140 | | | | 143,795 | |
3.54%, 5/01/28 | | | | | | | 105 | | | | 109,272 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series Z 5.30%, 12/29/49(a) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 22 | | | $ | 22,246 | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC 4.45%, 5/08/25 | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 212,728 | |
Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. 2.625%, 1/25/21 | | | | | | | 250 | | | | 251,277 | |
Morgan Stanley 3.737%, 4/24/24 | | | | | | | 75 | | | | 78,199 | |
5.00%, 11/24/25 | | | | | | | 60 | | | | 66,445 | |
Series G 4.35%, 9/08/26 | | | | | | | 186 | | | | 199,418 | |
MUFG Bank Ltd. 2.30%, 3/05/20(b) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 199,818 | |
PNC Bank NA 2.60%, 7/21/20 | | | | | | | 250 | | | | 250,682 | |
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. 4.40%, 7/13/27 | | | | | | | 140 | | | | 146,226 | |
UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG 4.125%, 9/24/25(b) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 214,000 | |
US Bancorp Series J 5.30%, 12/31/99(a) | | | | | | | 63 | | | | 65,747 | |
Wells Fargo & Co. 3.069%, 1/24/23 | | | | | | | 113 | | | | 114,811 | |
3.75%, 1/24/24 | | | | | | | 110 | | | | 115,644 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 5,661,362 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FINANCE–0.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Synchrony Financial 4.50%, 7/23/25 | | | | | | | 147 | | | | 154,309 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–0.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) 5.50%, 3/30/20 | | | | | | | 31 | | | | 31,681 | |
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. 9.375%, 8/15/39(b) | | | | | | | 35 | | | | 56,448 | |
New York Life Global Funding 1.95%, 2/11/20(b) | | | | | | | 129 | | | | 128,688 | |
Voya Financial, Inc. 5.65%, 5/15/53 | | | | | | | 31 | | | | 32,189 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 249,006 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REITS–0.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Host Hotels & Resorts LP Series D 3.75%, 10/15/23 | | | | | | | 6 | | | | 6,146 | |
Welltower, Inc. 4.00%, 6/01/25 | | | | | | | 146 | | | | 154,583 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 160,729 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 6,225,406 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–12.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BASIC–0.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DuPont de Nemours, Inc. 4.205%, 11/15/23 | | | | | | | 65 | | | | 69,603 | |
4.493%, 11/15/25 | | | | | | | 65 | | | | 71,940 | |
3
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Eastman Chemical Co. 3.80%, 3/15/25 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 50 | | | $ | 52,277 | |
Glencore Funding LLC 4.125%, 5/30/23(b) | | | | | | | 58 | | | | 60,131 | |
Vale Overseas Ltd. 6.25%, 8/10/26 | | | | | | | 58 | | | | 65,739 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 319,690 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL GOODS–0.6% | | | | | | | | | |
Embraer Netherlands Finance BV 5.40%, 2/01/27 | | | | | | | 85 | | | | 94,266 | |
General Electric Co. 4.50%, 3/11/44 | | | | | | | 65 | | | | 63,320 | |
United Technologies Corp. 3.95%, 8/16/25 | | | | | | | 90 | | | | 96,959 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 254,545 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– MEDIA–1.1% | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital 4.908%, 7/23/25 | | | | | | | 135 | | | | 146,499 | |
5.05%, 3/30/29 | | | | | | | 90 | | | | 99,294 | |
Comcast Corp. 4.15%, 10/15/28 | | | | | | | 95 | | | | 104,664 | |
Cox Communications, Inc. 2.95%, 6/30/23(b) | | | | | | | 51 | | | | 51,411 | |
Time Warner Cable LLC 4.125%, 2/15/21 | | | | | | | 111 | | | | 113,211 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 515,079 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–1.5% | |
AT&T, Inc. 3.40%, 5/15/25 | | | | | | | 310 | | | | 318,494 | |
4.125%, 2/17/26 | | | | | | | 147 | | | | 156,701 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. 4.862%, 8/21/46 | | | | | | | 75 | | | | 87,304 | |
Vodafone Group PLC 3.75%, 1/16/24 | | | | | | | 40 | | | | 41,819 | |
4.125%, 5/30/25 | | | | | | | 88 | | | | 93,701 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 698,019 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL– AUTOMOTIVE–0.4% | |
General Motors Financial Co., Inc. 4.00%, 1/15/25 | | | | | | | 23 | | | | 23,343 | |
4.30%, 7/13/25 | | | | | | | 30 | | | | 30,898 | |
5.10%, 1/17/24 | | | | | | | 109 | | | | 116,546 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 170,787 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–2.3% | | | | | | | | | |
AmerisourceBergen Corp. 4.30%, 12/15/47 | | | | | | | 50 | | | | 48,495 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc. 5.55%, 1/23/49 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 45 | | | $ | 55,020 | |
Becton Dickinson and Co. 3.734%, 12/15/24 | | | | | | | 40 | | | | 41,917 | |
Biogen, Inc. 4.05%, 9/15/25 | | | | | | | 144 | | | | 154,423 | |
Cigna Corp. 3.75%, 7/15/23(b) | | | | | | | 37 | | | | 38,505 | |
4.125%, 11/15/25(b) | | | | | | | 45 | | | | 47,869 | |
4.375%, 10/15/28(b) | | | | | | | 58 | | | | 62,588 | |
CVS Health Corp. 4.10%, 3/25/25 | | | | | | | 60 | | | | 63,293 | |
4.30%, 3/25/28 | | | | | | | 60 | | | | 63,284 | |
Reynolds American, Inc. 6.875%, 5/01/20 | | | | | | | 50 | | | | 51,710 | |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 4.40%, 11/26/23(b) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 213,840 | |
Tyson Foods, Inc. 2.65%, 8/15/19 | | | | | | | 39 | | | | 38,999 | |
3.95%, 8/15/24 | | | | | | | 48 | | | | 50,931 | |
4.00%, 3/01/26 | | | | | | | 12 | | | | 12,773 | |
4.35%, 3/01/29 | | | | | | | 13 | | | | 14,210 | |
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. 2.70%, 4/01/20 | | | | | | | 51 | | | | 51,068 | |
Zoetis, Inc. 3.45%, 11/13/20 | | | | | | | 45 | | | | 45,602 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,054,527 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–4.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Antero Resources Corp. 5.125%, 12/01/22 | | | | | | | 16 | | | | 15,361 | |
Cenovus Energy, Inc. 3.00%, 8/15/22 | | | | | | | 12 | | | | 12,046 | |
5.70%, 10/15/19 | | | | | | | 14 | | | | 13,945 | |
Devon Energy Corp. 5.00%, 6/15/45 | | | | | | | 30 | | | | 34,425 | |
Encana Corp. 3.90%, 11/15/21 | | | | | | | 45 | | | | 46,110 | |
Energy Transfer Operating LP 4.75%, 1/15/26 | | | | | | | 175 | | | | 187,593 | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC 3.70%, 2/15/26 | | | | | | | 161 | | | | 170,200 | |
5.20%, 9/01/20 | | | | | | | 55 | | | | 56,754 | |
Hess Corp. 4.30%, 4/01/27 | | | | | | | 109 | | | | 113,005 | |
Kinder Morgan, Inc./DE 3.15%, 1/15/23 | | | | | | | 150 | | | | 152,563 | |
Marathon Oil Corp. 3.85%, 6/01/25 | | | | | | | 19 | | | | 19,695 | |
6.80%, 3/15/32 | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 124,931 | |
Noble Energy, Inc. 3.85%, 1/15/28 | | | | | | | 30 | | | | 30,593 | |
3.90%, 11/15/24 | | | | | | | 107 | | | | 111,587 | |
4.15%, 12/15/21 | | | | | | | 40 | | | | 41,271 | |
ONEOK, Inc. 4.35%, 3/15/29 | | | | | | | 57 | | | | 60,924 | |
4
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Plains All American Pipeline LP/PAA Finance Corp. 3.60%, 11/01/24 | | U.S.$ | | | | | 137 | | | $ | 139,639 | |
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC 5.00%, 3/15/27 | | | | | | | 80 | | | | 87,751 | |
5.625%, 3/01/25 | | | | | | | 161 | | | | 180,214 | |
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. 9.875%, 1/01/21 | | | | | | | 108 | | | | 119,436 | |
Western Midstream Operating LP 4.50%, 3/01/28 | | | | | | | 30 | | | | 29,905 | |
4.75%, 8/15/28 | | | | | | | 20 | | | | 20,327 | |
Williams Cos., Inc. (The) 4.125%, 11/15/20 | | | | | | | 97 | | | | 98,703 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,866,978 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SERVICES–0.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expedia Group, Inc. 3.80%, 2/15/28 | | | | | | | 94 | | | | 95,655 | |
S&P Global, Inc. 4.40%, 2/15/26 | | | | | | | 127 | | | | 140,190 | |
Total System Services, Inc. 4.00%, 6/01/23 | | | | | | | 43 | | | | 44,991 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 280,836 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY–1.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Broadcom Corp./Broadcom Cayman Finance Ltd. 3.625%, 1/15/24 | | | | | | | 28 | | | | 28,252 | |
3.875%, 1/15/27 | | | | | | | 62 | | | | 60,741 | |
Broadcom, Inc. 3.625%, 10/15/24(b) | | | | | | | 35 | | | | 35,183 | |
4.25%, 4/15/26(b) | | | | | | | 35 | | | | 35,517 | |
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp. 6.02%, 6/15/26(b) | | | | | | | 78 | | | | 85,894 | |
KLA-Tencor Corp. 4.65%, 11/01/24 | | | | | | | 134 | | | | 146,723 | |
Lam Research Corp. 2.80%, 6/15/21 | | | | | | | 39 | | | | 39,301 | |
Seagate HDD Cayman 4.75%, 1/01/25 | | | | | | | 75 | | | | 75,649 | |
Western Digital Corp. 4.75%, 2/15/26 | | | | | | | 98 | | | | 96,239 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 603,499 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 5,763,960 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
UTILITY–0.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC–0.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Enel Chile SA 4.875%, 6/12/28 | | | | | | | 68 | | | | 74,290 | |
Exelon Generation Co. LLC 2.95%, 1/15/20 | | | | | | | 81 | | | | 81,109 | |
Israel Electric Corp., Ltd. Series 6 5.00%, 11/12/24(b) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 216,378 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 371,777 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Corporates–Investment Grade (cost $11,790,610) | | | | | | | | | | | 12,361,143 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS–17.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AGENCY FIXED RATE15-YEAR–2.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Series 2016 2.50%, 7/01/31–1/01/32 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 1,061 | | | $ | 1,070,116 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
AGENCY FIXED RATE30-YEAR–14.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold Series 2005 5.50%, 1/01/35 | | | | | | | 67 | | | | 75,129 | |
Series 2007 5.50%, 7/01/35 | | | | | | | 20 | | | | 22,021 | |
Series 2016 4.00%, 2/01/46 | | | | | | | 205 | | | | 216,454 | |
Series 2017 4.00%, 7/01/44 | | | | | | | 165 | | | | 174,048 | |
Series 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
4.00%, 11/01/48–12/01/48 | | | | | | | 213 | | | | 223,362 | |
4.50%, 10/01/48–11/01/48 | | | | | | | 417 | | | | 443,932 | |
5.00%, 11/01/48 | | | | | | | 109 | | | | 117,730 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Series 2003 5.50%, 4/01/33–7/01/33 | | | | | | | 62 | | | | 68,561 | |
Series 2004 5.50%, 4/01/34–11/01/34 | | | | | | | 55 | | | | 61,611 | |
Series 2005 5.50%, 2/01/35 | | | | | | | 65 | | | | 72,145 | |
Series 2010 4.00%, 12/01/40 | | | | | | | 99 | | | | 104,044 | |
Series 2013 4.00%, 10/01/43 | | | | | | | 386 | | | | 407,747 | |
Series 2017 3.50%, 9/01/47 | | | | | | | 330 | | | | 339,497 | |
Series 2018 3.50%, 2/01/48–5/01/48 | | | | | | | 2,947 | | | | 3,048,120 | |
4.00%, 8/01/48–12/01/48 | | | | | | | 467 | | | | 490,473 | |
4.50%, 9/01/48 | | | | | | | 375 | | | | 399,258 | |
Series 2019 4.00%, 6/01/49 | | | | | | | 230 | | | | 241,790 | |
4.00%, 7/01/49, TBA | | | | | | | 155 | | | | 160,195 | |
Government National Mortgage Association Series 1994 9.00%, 9/15/24 | | | | | | | 1 | | | | 992 | |
Series 2016 3.00%, 4/20/46 | | | | | | | 238 | | | | 243,650 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 6,910,759 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Mortgage Pass-Throughs (cost $7,762,184) | | | | | | | | | | | 7,980,875 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
5
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–12.0% | | | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–9.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CCUBS Commercial Mortgage Trust Series2017-C1, Class A4 3.544%, 11/15/50 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 155 | | | $ | 163,898 | |
CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust Series2016-C4, Class A4 3.283%, 5/10/58 | | | | | | | 115 | | | | 118,908 | |
CGRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2013-VN05, Class A 1.00%, 3/13/35(b) | | | | | | | 260 | | | | 270,948 | |
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2015-GC27, Class A5 3.137%, 2/10/48 | | | | | | | 144 | | | | 148,714 | |
Series 2015-GC35, Class A4 3.818%, 11/10/48 | | | | | | | 55 | | | | 59,020 | |
Series2016-C1, Class A4 3.209%, 5/10/49 | | | | | | | 192 | | | | 199,296 | |
Series 2016-GC36, Class A5 3.616%, 2/10/49 | | | | | | | 65 | | | | 69,073 | |
Commercial Mortgage Trust Series2013-SFS, Class A1 1.873%, 4/12/35(b) | | | | | | | 55 | | | | 54,850 | |
Series 2014-UBS3, Class A4 3.819%, 6/10/47 | | | | | | | 130 | | | | 138,166 | |
Series 2014-UBS5, Class A4 3.838%, 9/10/47 | | | | | | | 130 | | | | 138,581 | |
Series 2015-CR24, Class A5 3.696%, 8/10/48 | | | | | | | 65 | | | | 69,280 | |
Series2015-DC1, Class A5 3.35%, 2/10/48 | | | | | | | 80 | | | | 83,241 | |
CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust Series2015-C2, Class A4 3.504%, 6/15/57 | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 104,617 | |
Series2015-C3, Class A4 3.718%, 8/15/48 | | | | | | | 117 | | | | 123,308 | |
Series2015-C4, Class A4 3.808%, 11/15/48 | | | | | | | 215 | | | | 229,311 | |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II Series 2013-KING, Class A 2.706%, 12/10/27(b) | | | | | | | 218 | | | | 217,412 | |
GS Mortgage Securities Trust Series2013-G1, Class A2 3.557%, 4/10/31(b) | | | | | | | 136 | | | | 139,563 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series 2015-GC28, Class A5 3.396%, 2/10/48 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 95 | | | $ | 99,435 | |
Series2018-GS9, Class A4 3.992%, 3/10/51 | | | | | | | 75 | | | | 81,933 | |
JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series2012-C6, Class D 5.32%, 5/15/45(d) | | | | | | | 110 | | | | 111,533 | |
Series2012-C6, Class E 5.32%, 5/15/45(b)(d) | | | | | | | 132 | | | | 125,172 | |
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series2014-C21, Class A5 3.775%, 8/15/47 | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 105,780 | |
Series2014-C22, Class XA 1.01%, 9/15/47(e) | | | | | | | 2,723 | | | | 97,242 | |
Series2015-C30, Class A5 3.822%, 7/15/48 | | | | | | | 65 | | | | 69,468 | |
Series2015-C31, Class A3 3.801%, 8/15/48 | | | | | | | 195 | | | | 208,729 | |
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust Series2006-C6, Class AJ 5.452%, 9/15/39(d) | | | | | | | 25 | | | | 17,498 | |
LSTAR Commercial Mortgage Trust Series2016-4, Class A2 2.579%, 3/10/49(b) | | | | | | | 159 | | | | 159,113 | |
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust Series 2016-UB12, Class A4 3.596%, 12/15/49 | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 106,125 | |
UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust Series2018-C10, Class A4 1.00%, 5/15/51 | | | | | | | 125 | | | | 139,560 | |
Series2018-C8, Class A4 3.983%, 2/15/51 | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 109,041 | |
Series2018-C9, Class A4 4.117%, 3/15/51 | | | | | | | 125 | | | | 137,555 | |
UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust Series2012-C4, Class A5 2.85%, 12/10/45 | | | | | | | 112 | | | | 114,057 | |
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust Series2016-C35, Class XA 2.125%, 7/15/48(e) | | | | | | | 967 | | | | 101,613 | |
Series 2016-LC25, Class C 4.567%, 12/15/59(d) | | | | | | | 85 | | | | 88,483 | |
Series 2016-NXS6, Class C 4.456%, 11/15/49(d) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 105,674 | |
WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust Series2013-C11, Class XA 1.346%, 3/15/45(b)(e) | | | | | | | 1,283 | | | | 46,589 | |
6
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2014-C19, Class A5 4.101%, 3/15/47 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 130 | | | $ | 139,458 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4,492,244 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE CMBS–2.3% | | | | | | | | | |
Ashford Hospitality Trust Series 2018-KEYS, Class A 3.394% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.00%), 5/15/35(b)(c) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 100,063 | |
Atrium Hotel Portfolio Trust Series 2018-ATRM, Class A 3.344% (LIBOR 1 Month + 0.95%), 6/15/35(b)(c) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 99,909 | |
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series2017-SCH, Class AF 3.394% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.00%), 11/15/33(b)(c)(d) | | | | | | | 185 | | | | 184,858 | |
BHMS Series 2018-ATLS, Class A 3.644% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.25%), 7/15/35(b)(c) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 100,033 | |
BX Trust Series 2018-EXCL, Class A 3.482% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.09%), 9/15/37(b)(c) | | | | | | | 86 | | | | 85,905 | |
DBWF Mortgage Trust Series 2018-GLKS, Class A 3.42% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.03%), 11/19/35(b)(c) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 100,213 | |
Great Wolf Trust Series 2017-WOLF, Class A 3.244% (LIBOR 1 Month + 0.85%), 9/15/34(b)(c) | | | | | | | 93 | | | | 93,001 | |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp Trust Series 2019-BOCA, Class A 3.65% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.20%), 6/15/38(b)(c) | | | | | | | 115 | | | | 115,075 | |
Starwood Retail Property Trust Series 2014-STAR, Class A 3.614% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.22%), 11/15/27(b)(c) | | | | | | | 175 | | | | 174,782 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,053,839 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $5,470,720) | | | | | | | | | | | 5,546,083 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS– TREASURIES–11.9% | | | | | | | | | |
PERU–0.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Peru Government Bond 5.94%, 2/12/29(b) | | | PEN | | | | 1,048 | | | $ | 346,908 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SPAIN–0.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Spain Government Bond 1.40%, 7/30/28(b) | | | EUR | | | | 300 | | | | 374,169 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
UNITED STATES–10.4% | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Bonds 2.25%, 8/15/46 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 133 | | | | 125,643 | |
2.50%, 2/15/45–5/15/46 | | | | | | | 363 | | | | 361,015 | |
3.00%, 11/15/45–2/15/49 | | | | | | | 1,873 | | | | 2,050,026 | |
3.125%, 5/15/48 | | | | | | | 137 | | | | 153,740 | |
3.375%, 11/15/48 | | | | | | | 871 | | | | 1,025,212 | |
4.50%, 2/15/36 | | | | | | | 189 | | | | 249,303 | |
U.S. Treasury Notes 2.25%, 4/30/24 | | | | | | | 255 | | | | 260,777 | |
2.375%, 5/15/29 | | | | | | | 66 | | | | 68,207 | |
2.625%, 2/15/29 | | | | | | | 484 | | | | 510,469 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4,804,392 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Governments–Treasuries (cost $5,375,595) | | | | | | | | | | | 5,525,469 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS–8.7% | | | | | | | | | |
RISK SHARE FLOATING RATE–6.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bellemeade Re Ltd. Series2017-1, Class M1 4.104% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.70%), 10/25/27(b)(c) | | | | | | | 80 | | | | 80,791 | |
Series2018-2A, Class M1B 3.754% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.35%), 8/25/28(b)(c) | | | | | | | 150 | | | | 150,317 | |
Series2018-3A, Class M1B 4.254% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.85%), 10/25/27(b)(c) | | | | | | | 150 | | | | 150,225 | |
Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust Series2018-R07, Class 1M2 4.804% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.40%), 4/25/31(b)(c) | | | | | | | 53 | | | | 53,841 | |
Series2019-R02, Class 1M2 4.704% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.30%), 8/25/31(b)(c) | | | | | | | 70 | | | | 70,683 | |
Series2019-R03, Class 1M2 4.554% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.15%), 9/25/31(b)(c) | | | | | | | 110 | | | | 110,606 | |
Eagle RE Ltd. Series2018-1, Class M1 4.104% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.70%), 11/25/28(b)(c) | | | | | | | 150 | | | | 150,000 | |
7
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Series 2019-HQA1, Class M2 4.754% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.35%), 2/25/49(b)(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 90 | | | $ | 90,997 | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes Series 2015-HQA1, Class M2 5.054% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.65%), 3/25/28(c) | | | | | | | 54 | | | | 54,875 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities Series2014-C03, Class 1M2 5.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.00%), 7/25/24(c) | | | | | | | 41 | | | | 43,342 | |
Series2014-C04, Class 2M2 7.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.00%), 11/25/24(c) | | | | | | | 38 | | | | 41,501 | |
Series2015-C01, Class 1M2 6.704% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.30%), 2/25/25(c) | | | | | | | 55 | | | | 58,903 | |
Series2015-C01, Class 2M2 6.954% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.55%), 2/25/25(c) | | | | | | | 42 | | | | 43,982 | |
Series2015-C02, Class 1M2 6.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%), 5/25/25(c) | | | | | | | 70 | | | | 74,108 | |
Series2015-C02, Class 2M2 6.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%), 5/25/25(c) | | | | | | | 71 | | | | 74,637 | |
Series2015-C03, Class 1M2 7.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.00%), 7/25/25(c) | | | | | | | 86 | | | | 94,415 | |
Series2015-C03, Class 2M2 7.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.00%), 7/25/25(c) | | | | | | | 66 | | | | 70,074 | |
Series2015-C04, Class 1M2 8.104% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.70%), 4/25/28(c) | | | | | | | 108 | | | | 119,380 | |
Series2015-C04, Class 2M2 7.954% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.55%), 4/25/28(c) | | | | | | | 92 | | | | 100,353 | |
Series2016-C01, Class 1M2 9.154% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.75%), 8/25/28(c) | | | | | | | 150 | | | | 169,660 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2016-C01, Class 2M2 9.354% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.95%), 8/25/28(c) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 77 | | | $ | 87,223 | |
Series2016-C02, Class 1M2 8.404% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.00%), 9/25/28(c) | | | | | | | 123 | | | | 136,252 | |
Series2016-C03, Class 2M2 8.304% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.90%), 10/25/28(c) | | | | | | | 156 | | | | 171,244 | |
Series2016-C05, Class 2M2 6.854% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.45%), 1/25/29(c) | | | | | | | 104 | | | | 111,263 | |
Series2017-C04, Class 2M2 5.254% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.85%), 11/25/29(c) | | | | | | | 45 | | | | 46,366 | |
Series2019-R04, Class 2M2 4.504% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.10%), 6/25/39(b)(c) | | | | | | | 115 | | | | 115,302 | |
Home Re Ltd. Series2018-1, Class M1 4.03% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.60%), 10/25/28(b)(c) | | | | | | | 150 | | | | 149,959 | |
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust Series2019-1R, Class A 4.429% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.00%), 3/27/24(c)(f) | | | | | | | 98 | | | | 98,399 | |
Series2019-2R, Class A 5.162% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%), 5/27/23(c)(f) | | | | | | | 115 | | | | 114,809 | |
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust Series2015-WF1, Class 1M2 7.654% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.25%), 11/25/25(c)(f) | | | | | | | 41 | | | | 45,698 | |
Series2015-WF1, Class 2M2 7.904% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.50%), 11/25/25(c)(f) | | | | | | | 20 | | | | 22,565 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,901,770 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
AGENCY FLOATING RATE–1.3% | | | | | | | | | |
Federal National Mortgage Association REMICs Series2011-131, Class ST 4.136% (6.54%–LIBOR 1 Month), 12/25/41(c)(g) | | | | | | | 150 | | | | 31,614 | |
Series2012-70, Class SA 4.146% (6.55%–LIBOR 1 Month), 7/25/42(c)(g) | | | | | | | 275 | | | | 61,911 | |
Series2015-90, Class SL 3.746% (6.15%–LIBOR 1 Month), 12/25/45(c)(g) | | | | | | | 297 | | | | 58,764 | |
8
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2016-77, Class DS 3.51% (6.00%–LIBOR 1 Month), 10/25/46(c)(g) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 300 | | | $ | 54,581 | |
Series2017-16, Class SG 3.646% (6.05%–LIBOR 1 Month), 3/25/47(c)(g) | | | | | | | 304 | | | | 56,923 | |
Series2017-26, Class TS 3.46% (5.95%–LIBOR 1 Month), 4/25/47(c)(g) | | | | | | | 285 | | | | 56,697 | |
Series2017-62, Class AS 3.746% (6.15%–LIBOR 1 Month), 8/25/47(c)(g) | | | | | | | 302 | | | | 54,004 | |
Series2017-81, Class SA 3.796% (6.20%–LIBOR 1 Month), 10/25/47(c)(g) | | | | | | | 295 | | | | 58,897 | |
Series2017-97, Class LS 3.796% (6.20%–LIBOR 1 Month), 12/25/47(c)(g) | | | | | | | 299 | | | | 65,227 | |
Government National Mortgage Association Series2017-134, Class SE 3.817% (6.20%–LIBOR 1 Month), 9/20/47(c)(g) | | | | | | | 257 | | | | 42,167 | |
Series2017-65, Class ST 3.767% (6.15%–LIBOR 1 Month), 4/20/47(c)(g) | | | | | | | 284 | | | | 57,154 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 597,939 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.8% | | | | | | | | | |
Alternative Loan Trust Series 2005-20CB, Class 3A6 5.50%, 7/25/35 | | | | | | | 16 | | | | 15,316 | |
Series 2006-24CB, Class A16 5.75%, 8/01/36 | | | | | | | 64 | | | | 52,788 | |
Series 2006-28CB, Class A14 6.25%, 10/25/36 | | | | | | | 47 | | | | 37,654 | |
Series2006-J1, Class 1A13 5.50%, 2/25/36 | | | | | | | 35 | | | | 31,519 | |
Chase Mortgage Finance Trust Series2007-S5, Class 1A17 6.00%, 7/25/37 | | | | | | | 22 | | | | 16,729 | |
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. Series2005-2, Class 1A4 4.457%, 5/25/35 | | | | | | | 32 | | | | 32,772 | |
Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust Series2006-10, Class 1A8 6.00%, 5/25/36 | | | | | | | 34 | | | | 27,019 | |
Series2006-13, Class 1A19 6.25%, 9/25/36 | | | | | | | 17 | | | | 13,167 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust Series2006-FA3, Class A9 6.00%, 7/25/36 | | | U.S.$ | | | | 51 | | | $ | 40,452 | |
JP Morgan Alternative Loan Trust Series2006-A3, Class 2A1 4.303%, 7/25/36 | | | | | | | 110 | | | | 97,471 | |
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust Series2007-8, Class 2A5 5.75%, 7/25/37 | | | | | | | 13 | | | | 12,855 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 377,742 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DeutscheAlt-A Securities Mortgage Loan Trust Series2006-AR4, Class A2 2.594% (LIBOR 1 Month + 0.19%), 12/25/36(c) | | | | | | | 126 | | | | 69,327 | |
HomeBanc Mortgage Trust Series2005-1, Class A1 2.654% (LIBOR 1 Month + 0.25%), 3/25/35(c) | | | | | | | 38 | | | | 33,417 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 102,744 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Grantor Trust Series2004-T5, Class AB4 3.318%, 5/28/35(d) | | | | | | | 50 | | | | 48,162 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (cost $3,917,444) | | | | | | | | | | | 4,028,357 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–7.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
JAPAN–1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Japanese Government CPI Linked Bond Series 22 0.10%, 3/10/27 | | | JPY | | | | 60,633 | | | | 586,561 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
UNITED STATES–6.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Inflation Index 0.125%, 4/15/21–7/15/26 (TIPS)
| | | U.S.$ | | | | 2,248 | | | | 2,235,056 | |
0.375%, 7/15/25 (TIPS) | | | | | | | 658 | | | | 665,177 | |
0.75%, 7/15/28 (TIPS) | | | | | | | 92 | | | | 95,445 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,995,678 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Inflation-Linked Securities (cost $3,536,909) | | | | | | | | | | | 3,582,239 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–7.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AUTOS–FIXED RATE–3.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP LLC Series2016-1A, Class A 2.99%, 6/20/22(b) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 101,046 | |
9
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2018-2A, Class A 4.00%, 3/20/25(b) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 105 | | | $ | 111,035 | |
DT Auto Owner Trust Series2018-1A, Class A 2.59%, 5/17/21(b) | | | | | | | 6 | | | | 5,883 | |
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust Series2016-3A, Class D 6.40%, 7/17/23(b) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 103,354 | |
Series2017-1A, Class D 6.20%, 11/15/23(b) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 105,344 | |
Series2017-3A, Class A 2.05%, 12/15/21(b) | | | | | | | 18 | | | | 18,104 | |
Series2017-3A, Class C 3.68%, 7/17/23(b) | | | | | | | 60 | | | | 61,032 | |
Flagship Credit Auto Trust Series2016-4, Class D 3.89%, 11/15/22(b) | | | | | | | 125 | | | | 127,019 | |
Series2017-3, Class A 1.88%, 10/15/21(b) | | | | | | | 20 | | | | 20,426 | |
Series2018-3, Class B 3.59%, 12/16/24(b) | | | | | | | 75 | | | | 76,500 | |
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series2014-2, Class A 2.31%, 4/15/26(b) | | | | | | | 257 | | | | 256,814 | |
Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust Series2015-2, Class A1 1.98%, 1/15/22 | | | | | | | 198 | | | | 197,623 | |
Series2017-1, Class A1 2.07%, 5/15/22 | | | | | | | 115 | | | | 114,835 | |
Hertz Vehicle Financing II LP Series2015-1A, Class B 3.52%, 3/25/21(b) | | | | | | | 115 | | | | 115,633 | |
Series2017-1A, Class A 2.96%, 10/25/21(b) | | | | | | | 125 | | | | 125,631 | |
Series2019-1A, Class A 3.71%, 3/25/23(b) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 102,690 | |
Hertz Vehicle Financing LLC Series2018-2A, Class A 3.65%, 6/27/22(b) | | | | | | | 125 | | | | 127,805 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,770,774 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
OTHER ABS–FIXED RATE–2.2% | | | | | | | | | |
CLUB Credit Trust Series2017-P2, Class A 2.61%, 1/15/24(b)(d) | | | | | | | 21 | | | | 20,493 | |
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Credit Trust Series2017-P1, Class B 3.56%, 9/15/23(b)(d) | | | | | | | 73 | | | | 73,272 | |
Series2018-P1, Class A 3.39%, 7/15/25(b)(d) | | | | | | | 46 | | | | 46,002 | |
Marlette Funding Trust Series2017-3A, Class A 2.36%, 12/15/24(b)(d) | | | | | | | 7 | | | | 6,752 | |
Series2017-3A, Class B 3.01%, 12/15/24(b)(d) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 100,088 | |
Series2018-3A, Class A 3.20%, 9/15/28(b)(d) | | | | | | | 59 | | | | 59,091 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series2018-4A, Class A 3.71%, 12/15/28(b)(d) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 42 | | | $ | 42,862 | |
Series2019-3A, Class A 2.69%, 9/17/29(b)(d) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 99,992 | |
SBA Tower Trust Series2015-1A,Class C 3.156%, 10/08/20(b)(d) | | | | | | | 147 | | | | 147,229 | |
SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC Series2016-2, Class A 3.09%, 10/27/25(b)(d) | | | | | | | 20 | | | | 20,357 | |
Series2016-3, Class A 3.05%, 12/26/25(b)(d) | | | | | | | 25 | | | | 25,133 | |
Series2017-1, Class A 3.28%, 1/26/26(b)(d) | | | | | | | 26 | | | | 26,253 | |
Series2017-2, Class A 3.28%, 2/25/26(b)(d) | | | | | | | 32 | | | | 31,920 | |
Series2017-3, Class A 2.77%, 5/25/26(b)(d) | | | | | | | 38 | | | | 38,367 | |
Series2017-4, Class B 3.59%, 5/26/26(b)(d) | | | | | | | 130 | | | | 131,908 | |
Series2017-5, Class A2 2.78%, 9/25/26(b)(d) | | | | | | | 110 | | | | 110,254 | |
SoFi Consumer Loan Program Trust Series2018-1, Class A1 2.55%, 2/25/27(b)(d) | | | | | | | 24 | | | | 23,932 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,003,905 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CREDIT CARDS–FIXED RATE–0.8% | | | | | | | | | |
World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust Series2017-B, Class A 1.98%, 6/15/23 | | | | | | | 110 | | | | 109,915 | |
Series2018-A, Class A 3.07%, 12/16/24 | | | | | | | 130 | | | | 131,393 | |
Series2018-B, Class M 3.81%, 7/15/25 | | | | | | | 70 | | | | 71,880 | |
Series2019-B, Class M 3.04%, 4/15/26 | | | | | | | 80 | | | | 79,998 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 393,186 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securitization LLC Series2003-CB1, Class AF 3.95%, 1/25/33(d) | | | | | | | 46 | | | | 47,056 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING RATE–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ABFC Trust Series2003-WF1, Class A2 3.529% (LIBOR 1 Month + 1.13%), 12/25/32(c)(d) | | | | | | | 23 | | | | 23,184 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Asset-Backed Securities (cost $3,204,157) | | | | | | | | | | | 3,238,105 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
10
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
AGENCIES–3.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AGENCY DEBENTURES–3.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residual Funding Corp. Principal Strip Zero Coupon, 7/15/20 (cost $1,611,087) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 1,677 | | | $ | 1,641,548 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CORPORATES–NON-INVESTMENT GRADE–2.4% | | | | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–1.2% | | | | | | | | | |
BANKING–1.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CIT Group, Inc. 5.25%, 3/07/25 | | | | | | | 56 | | | | 61,400 | |
Citigroup, Inc. 5.95%, 1/30/23(a) | | | | | | | 55 | | | | 56,868 | |
Series O 5.875%, 3/27/20(a) | | | | | | | 46 | | | | 46,445 | |
Series Q 5.95%, 8/15/20(a) | | | | | | | 90 | | | | 91,886 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) Series L 6.429% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.88%), 7/29/19(a)(c) | | | | | | | 17 | | | | 17,008 | |
Series M 5.375%, 5/10/20(a) | | | | | | | 45 | | | | 45,179 | |
Series P 1.00%, 11/10/22(a) | | | | | | | 31 | | | | 29,740 | |
Morgan Stanley Series J 5.55%, 7/15/20(a) | | | | | | | 20 | | | | 20,215 | |
Standard Chartered PLC 4.093% (LIBOR 3 Month + 1.51%), 1/30/27(a)(b)(c) | | | | | | | 100 | | | | 84,009 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 452,750 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FINANCE–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Navient Corp. 6.625%, 7/26/21 | | | | | | | 95 | | | | 101,065 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 553,815 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL–1.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL GOODS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
TransDigm, Inc. 6.25%, 3/15/26(b) | | | | | | | 50 | | | | 52,389 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS–MEDIA–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
CSC Holdings LLC 6.75%, 11/15/21 | | | | | | | 30 | | | | 32,138 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
Panther BF Aggregator 2 LP/Panther Finance Co., Inc. 6.25%, 5/15/26(b) | | | | | | | 20 | | | | 20,784 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSUMERNON-CYCLICAL���0.4% | | | | | | | | | |
First Quality Finance Co., Inc. 4.625%, 5/15/21(b) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 85 | | | $ | 84,962 | |
Spectrum Brands, Inc. 5.75%, 7/15/25 | | | | | | | 69 | | | | 71,695 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 156,657 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp. 4.875%, 1/15/23 | | | | | | | 69 | | | | 70,606 | |
Transocean Poseidon Ltd. 6.875%, 2/01/27(b) | | | | | | | 33 | | | | 34,903 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 105,509 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CommScope, Inc. 5.50%, 3/01/24(b) | | | | | | | 26 | | | | 26,680 | |
6.00%, 3/01/26(b) | | | | | | | 30 | | | | 30,759 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 57,439 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TRANSPORTATION–SERVICES–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
XPO Logistics, Inc. 6.75%, 8/15/24(b) | | | | | | | 55 | | | | 58,636 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 483,552 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
UTILITY–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AES Corp./VA 4.00%, 3/15/21 | | | | | | | 49 | | | | 49,873 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TotalCorporates–Non-Investment Grade (cost $1,073,704) | | | | | | | | | | | 1,087,240 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS–US MUNICIPAL BONDS–0.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CALIFORNIA–0.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
State of California Series 2010 7.625%, 3/01/40 (cost $202,988) | | | | | | | 200 | | | | 315,588 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | | | |
PREFERRED STOCKS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
REITS–0.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sovereign Real Estate Investment Trust 12.00%(b) (cost $87,659) | | | | | | | 93 | | | | 100,905 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
11
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount (000) | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
EMERGING MARKETS–CORPORATE BONDS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
UTILITY–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Genneia SA 8.75%, 1/20/22(b) | | | U.S.$ | | | | 35 | | | $ | 31,948 | |
Terraform Global Operating LLC 6.125%, 3/01/26(f) | | | | | | | 21 | | | | 21,069 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Emerging Markets–Corporate Bonds (cost $58,003) | | | | | | | | | | | 53,017 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
QUASI-SOVEREIGNS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
QUASI-SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.1% | | | | | | | | | |
MEXICO–0.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Petroleos Mexicanos 6.75%, 9/21/47 (cost $43,835) | | | | | | | 50 | | | | 44,353 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–3.5% | | | | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENTS– TREASURIES–2.2% | | | | | | | | | |
JAPAN–2.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Japan Treasury Discount Bill Series 822 Zero Coupon, 7/01/19 (cost $1,000,318) | | | JPY | | | | 110,000 | | | | 1,020,266 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–1.3% | | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(h)(i)(j) (cost $600,401) | | | | | | | 600,401 | | | $ | 600,401 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (cost $1,600,719) | | | | | | | | | | | 1,620,667 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.8% (cost $45,735,614) | | | | | | | | | | | 47,125,589 | |
Other assets less liabilities–(1.8)% | | | | | | | | | | | (850,414 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 46,275,175 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FUTURES (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Number of Contracts | | | Expiration Month | | | Current Notional | | | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Purchased Contracts | |
U.S. 10 Yr Ultra Futures | | | 3 | | | | September 2019 | | | $ | 414,375 | | | $ | 1,808 | |
U.S.T-Note 2 Yr (CBT) Futures | | | 22 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 4,733,953 | | | | 23,424 | |
U.S.T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures | | | 3 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 354,470 | | | | 348 | |
| | | | |
Sold Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
10 Yr Mini Japan Government Bond Futures | | | 5 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 713,723 | | | | (1,690 | ) |
U.S.T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures | | | 1 | | | | September 2019 | | | | 127,969 | | | | (1,392 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 22,498 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | INR | | | | 6,241 | | | | USD | | | | 89 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | $ | (1,157 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 7 | | | | INR | | | | 508 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 179 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 141 | | | | INR | | | | 9,930 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 2,581 | |
12
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Citibank, NA | | | JPY | | | | 178,647 | | | | USD | | | | 1,639 | | | | 7/29/19 | | | $ | (21,546 | ) |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | INR | | | | 7,936 | | | | USD | | | | 113 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (1,842 | ) |
HSBC Bank USA | | | USD | | | | 23 | | | | INR | | | | 1,620 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 417 | |
HSBC Bank USA | | | USD | | | | 45 | | | | CNY | | | | 310 | | | | 8/09/19 | | | | 431 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | BRL | | | | 269 | | | | USD | | | | 70 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 154 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 70 | | | | BRL | | | | 269 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (142 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 70 | | | | BRL | | | | 269 | | | | 8/02/19 | | | | (154 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | EUR | | | | 62 | | | | USD | | | | 70 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | (975 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | PEN | | | | 1,493 | | | | USD | | | | 449 | | | | 7/12/19 | | | | (4,130 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 94 | | | | PEN | | | | 313 | | | | 7/12/19 | | | | 441 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | BRL | | | | 269 | | | | USD | | | | 70 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 142 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 70 | | | | BRL | | | | 269 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (186 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 143 | | | | INR | | | | 10,121 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 3,292 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 94 | | | | TWD | | | | 2,900 | | | | 9/11/19 | | | | (224 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 884 | | | | USD | | | | 994 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | (11,271 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 493 | | | | EUR | | | | 435 | | | | 7/10/19 | | | | 1,686 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | PLN | | | | 426 | | | | USD | | | | 111 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | | (3,281 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 92 | | | | HUF | | | | 26,100 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | | (230 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 321 | | | | PLN | | | | 1,218 | | | | 7/11/19 | | | | 5,069 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | CAD | | | | 267 | | | | USD | | | | 199 | | | | 7/24/19 | | | | (5,426 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 96 | | | | CAD | | | | 127 | | | | 7/24/19 | | | | 1,762 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 33 | | | | JPY | | | | 3,520 | | | | 7/29/19 | | | | (202 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | CNY | | | | 310 | | | | USD | | | | 45 | | | | 8/09/19 | | | | (51 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | GBP | | | | 81 | | | | USD | | | | 104 | | | | 8/28/19 | | | | 58 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | MXN | | | | 2,187 | | | | USD | | | | 109 | | | | 8/29/19 | | | | (3,532 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 110 | | | | MXN | | | | 2,220 | | | | 8/29/19 | | | | 4,208 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | NZD | | | | 135 | | | | USD | | | | 89 | | | | 9/09/19 | | | | (1,440 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 24 | | | | NOK | | | | 203 | | | | 9/20/19 | | | | (54 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (35,423 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | | | Payment Frequency | | | Implied Credit Spread at June 30, 2019 | | | Notional Amount (000) | | | Market Value | | | Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts | |
CDX-NAIG Series 32, 5 Year Index, 6/20/24* | | | (1.00)% | | | | Quarterly | | | | 0.55 | % | | | USD | | | | 760 | | | $ | (16,452 | ) | | $ | (13,818 | ) | | $ | (2,634 | ) |
13
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Rate Type | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notional Amount (000) | | | Termination Date | | | Payments made by the Fund | | Payments received by the Fund | | Payment Frequency Paid/ Received | | Market Value | | | Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
NOK | | | 44,100 | | | | 6/22/20 | | | 6 Month NIBOR | | 1.378% | | Semi-Annual/ Annual | | $ | (22,339 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | (22,339 | ) |
USD | | | 810 | | | | 3/05/21 | | | 2.631% | | 3 Month LIBOR | | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | | | (15,777 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (15,777 | ) |
NOK | | | 29,130 | | | | 4/23/21 | | | 6 Month NIBOR | | 1.780% | | Semi-Annual/ Annual | | | 1,915 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,915 | |
CAD | | | 1,780 | | | | 5/22/21 | | | 3 Month CDOR | | 1.998% | | Semi-Annual/ Semi-Annual | | | 5,187 | | | | 1 | | | | 5,186 | |
SEK | | | 13,240 | | | | 6/04/21 | | | 3 Month STIBOR | | 0.023% | | Quarterly/Annual | | | 3,087 | | | | –0 | – | | | 3,087 | |
USD | | | 319 | | | | 6/04/21 | | | 2.033% | | 3 Month LIBOR | | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | | | (1,156 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (1,156 | ) |
SEK | | | 24,630 | | | | 6/07/21 | | | 3 Month STIBOR | | -0.005% | | Quarterly/Annual | | | 4,132 | | | | –0 | – | | | 4,132 | |
USD | | | 780 | | | | 9/10/23 | | | 3 Month LIBOR | | 2.896% | | Quarterly/Semi-Annual | | | 42,385 | | | | –0 | – | | | 42,385 | |
NOK | | | 4,780 | | | | 8/31/28 | | | 2.186% | | 6 Month NIBOR | | Annual/ Semi-Annual | | | (25,533 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (25,533 | ) |
GBP | | | 285 | | | | 3/01/29 | | | 1.515% | | 6 Month LIBOR | | Semi-Annual/ Semi-Annual | | | (16,827 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (16,827 | ) |
GBP | | | 125 | | | | 3/01/29 | | | 1.501% | | 6 Month LIBOR | | Semi-Annual/ Semi-Annual | | | (7,170 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (7,170 | ) |
JPY | | | 19,000 | | | | 1/08/49 | | | 0.673% | | 6 Month LIBOR | | Semi-Annual/ Semi-Annual | | | (15,195 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (15,195 | ) |
JPY | | | 19,000 | | | | 1/08/49 | | | 6 Month LIBOR | | 0.673% | | Semi-Annual/ Semi-Annual | | | 15,193 | | | | 13,652 | | | | 1,541 | |
USD | | | 30 | | | | 7/01/49 | | | 2.247% | | 3 Month LIBOR | | Semi-Annual/Quarterly | | | (92 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (92 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (32,190 | ) | | $ | 13,653 | | | $ | (45,843 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | | | Payment Frequency | | | Implied Credit Spread at June 30, 2019 | | | Notional Amount (000) | | | Market Value | | | Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.AAA Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (0.50 | )% | | | Monthly | | | | 0.33 | % | | | USD | | | | 3 | | | $ | (31 | ) | | $ | 37 | | | $ | (68 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (3.00 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 3.62 | | | | USD | | | | 131 | | | | 4,282 | | | | 9,313 | | | | (5,031 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (3.00 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 3.62 | | | | USD | | | | 107 | | | | 3,497 | | | | 8,150 | | | | (4,653 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (3.00 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 3.62 | | | | USD | | | | 107 | | | | 3,497 | | | | 7,872 | | | | (4,375 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (3.00 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 3.62 | | | | USD | | | | 55 | | | | 1,797 | | | | 4,449 | | | | (2,652 | ) |
Credit Suisse International | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.AAA Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (0.50 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 0.33 | | | | USD | | | | 330 | | | | (3,389 | ) | | | 4,039 | | | | (7,428 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.AAA Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (0.50 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 0.33 | | | | USD | | | | 4 | | | | (41 | ) | | | 36 | | | | (77 | ) |
14
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | | | Payment Frequency | | | Implied Credit Spread at June 30, 2019 | | | Notional Amount (000) | | | Market Value | | | Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Buy Contracts (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.AAA Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (0.50 | )% | | | Monthly | | | | 0.33 | % | | | USD | | | | 408 | | | $ | (4,190 | ) | | $ | 4,224 | | | $ | (8,414 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.AAA Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (0.50 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 0.33 | | | | USD | | | | 122 | | | | (1,253 | ) | | | 1,252 | | | | (2,505 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.AAA Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (0.50 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 0.33 | | | | USD | | | | 42 | | | | (432 | ) | | | 554 | | | | (986 | ) |
Goldman Sachs International | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.AAA Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (0.50 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 0.33 | | | | USD | | | | 46 | | | | (472 | ) | | | 602 | | | | (1,074 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.AAA Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (0.50 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 0.33 | | | | USD | | | | 27 | | | | (278 | ) | | | 250 | | | | (528 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (3.00 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 3.62 | | | | USD | | | | 270 | | | | 8,802 | | | | 17,065 | | | | (8,263 | ) |
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.AAA Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (0.50 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 0.33 | | | | USD | | | | 99 | | | | (1,017 | ) | | | 1,261 | | | | (2,278 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.AAA Series 9, 9/17/58* | | | (0.50 | ) | | | Monthly | | | | 0.33 | | | | USD | | | | 50 | | | | (513 | ) | | | 637 | | | | (1,150 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Sale Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 5 | | | | (500 | ) | | | (651 | ) | | | 151 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 29 | | | | (2,900 | ) | | | (3,155 | ) | | | 255 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 14 | | | | (1,401 | ) | | | (1,707 | ) | | | 306 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 5 | | | | (499 | ) | | | (814 | ) | | | 315 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 37 | | | | (3,700 | ) | | | (4,283 | ) | | | 583 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 22 | | | | (2,199 | ) | | | (2,822 | ) | | | 623 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 78 | | | | (7,799 | ) | | | (8,497 | ) | | | 698 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 91 | | | | (9,098 | ) | | | (9,862 | ) | | | 764 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 73 | | | | (7,299 | ) | | | (8,101 | ) | | | 802 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 54 | | | | (5,399 | ) | | | (6,251 | ) | | | 852 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 73 | | | | (7,298 | ) | | | (8,263 | ) | | | 965 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 47 | | | | (4,704 | ) | | | (5,731 | ) | | | 1,027 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 32 | | | | (3,199 | ) | | | (4,291 | ) | | | 1,092 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 44 | | | | (4,400 | ) | | | (5,645 | ) | | | 1,245 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 107 | | | | (10,698 | ) | | | (12,112 | ) | | | 1,414 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 44 | | | | (4,399 | ) | | | (5,830 | ) | | | 1,431 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 31 | | | | (3,097 | ) | | | (4,812 | ) | | | 1,715 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 62 | | | | (6,199 | ) | | | (7,954 | ) | | | 1,755 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 60 | | | | (5,999 | ) | | | (8,237 | ) | | | 2,238 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 52 | | | | (5,195 | ) | | | (7,836 | ) | | | 2,641 | |
Credit Suisse International | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 318 | | | | (31,814 | ) | | | (13,154 | ) | | | (18,660 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 350 | | | | (34,994 | ) | | | (20,480 | ) | | | (14,514 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 94 | | | | (9,398 | ) | | | (6,148 | ) | | | (3,250 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 28 | | | | (2,799 | ) | | | (1,957 | ) | | | (842 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 56 | | | | (5,594 | ) | | | (8,400 | ) | | | 2,806 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.A Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 2.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 1.98 | | | | USD | | | | 135 | | | | 213 | | | | (2,670 | ) | | | 2,883 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 132 | | | | (13,198 | ) | | | (9,354 | ) | | | (3,844 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 85 | | | | (8,498 | ) | | | (7,069 | ) | | | (1,429 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 8 | | | | (800 | ) | | | (464 | ) | | | (336 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 8 | | | | (800 | ) | | | (948 | ) | | | 148 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 27 | | | | (2,699 | ) | | | (3,121 | ) | | | 422 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 28 | | | | (2,799 | ) | | | (3,238 | ) | | | 439 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 84 | | | | (8,399 | ) | | | (9,150 | ) | | | 751 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 51 | | | | (5,099 | ) | | | (6,498 | ) | | | 1,399 | |
15
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation | | Fixed Rate (Pay) Receive | | | Payment Frequency | | | Implied Credit Spread at June 30, 2019 | | | Notional Amount (000) | | | Market Value | | | Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Sale Contracts (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Goldman Sachs International | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | % | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | % | | | USD | | | | 246 | | | $ | (24,596 | ) | | $ | (12,164 | ) | | $ | (12,432 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 49 | | | | (4,899 | ) | | | (4,281 | ) | | | (618 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 8 | | | | (800 | ) | | | (738 | ) | | | (62 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 4 | | | | (399 | ) | | | (362 | ) | | | (37 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 8 | | | | (800 | ) | | | (799 | ) | | | (1 | ) |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 16 | | | | (1,599 | ) | | | (1,746 | ) | | | 147 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 4 | | | | (399 | ) | | | (614 | ) | | | 215 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 14 | | | | (1,399 | ) | | | (1,815 | ) | | | 416 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 57 | | | | (5,699 | ) | | | (6,140 | ) | | | 441 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 41 | | | | (4,100 | ) | | | (5,642 | ) | | | 1,542 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 28 | | | | (2,797 | ) | | | (4,627 | ) | | | 1,830 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 34 | | | | (3,396 | ) | | | (5,284 | ) | | | 1,888 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 39 | | | | (3,896 | ) | | | (6,538 | ) | | | 2,642 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 92 | | | | (9,199 | ) | | | (12,333 | ) | | | 3,134 | |
JP Morgan Securities, LLC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 9 | | | | (899 | ) | | | (1,161 | ) | | | 262 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 18 | | | | (1,799 | ) | | | (2,252 | ) | | | 453 | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 51 | | | | (5,108 | ) | | | (6,324 | ) | | | 1,216 | |
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63* | | | 3.00 | | | | Monthly | | | | 6.63 | | | | USD | | | | 35 | | | | (3,499 | ) | | | (2,495 | ) | | | (1,004 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (287,684 | ) | | $ | (225,079 | ) | | $ | (62,605 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date. |
(b) | | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $9,001,619 or 19.5% of net assets. |
(c) | | Floating Rate Security. Stated interest/floor/ceiling rate was in effect at June 30, 2019. |
(d) | | Security in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. |
(f) | | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 0.66% of net assets as of June 30, 2019, are considered illiquid and restricted. Additional information regarding such securities follows: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | | Acquisition Date | | | Cost | | | Market Value | | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust Series2019-1R, Class A 4.429%, 3/27/24 | | | 3/21/19 | | | $ | 98,312 | | | $ | 98,399 | | | | 0.21 | % |
PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust Series2019-2R, Class A 5.162%, 5/27/23 | | | 6/07/19 | | | | 114,621 | | | | 114,809 | | | | 0.25 | % |
Terraform Global Operating LLC 6.125%, 3/01/26 | | | 2/08/18 | | | | 21,000 | | | | 21,069 | | | | 0.05 | % |
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust Series2015-WF1, Class 1M2 7.654%, 11/25/25 | | | 9/28/15 | | | | 40,527 | | | | 45,698 | | | | 0.1 | % |
16
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
144A/Restricted & Illiquid Securities | | Acquisition Date | | | Cost | | | Market Value | | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust Series2015-WF1, Class 2M2 7.904%, 11/25/25 | | | 9/28/15 | | | $ | 19,486 | | | $ | 22,565 | | | | 0.05 | % |
(g) | | Inverse interest only security. |
(h) | | Affiliated investments. |
(i) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800)227-4618. |
(j) | | The rate shown represents the7-day yield as of period end. |
Currency Abbreviations:
BRL—Brazilian Real
CAD—Canadian Dollar
CNY—Chinese Yuan Renminbi
EUR—Euro
GBP—Great British Pound
HUF—Hungarian Forint
INR—Indian Rupee
JPY—Japanese Yen
MXN—Mexican Peso
NOK—Norwegian Krone
NZD—New Zealand Dollar
PEN—Peruvian Sol
PLN—Polish Zloty
SEK—Swedish Krona
TWD—New Taiwan Dollar
USD—United States Dollar
Glossary:
ABS—Asset-Backed Securities
CBT—Chicago Board of Trade
CDOR—Canadian Dealer Offered Rate
CDX-CMBX.NA—North American Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index
CDX-NAIG—North American Investment Grade Credit Default Swap Index
CMBS—Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
CPI—Consumer Price Index
LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rates
NIBOR—Norwegian Interbank Offered Rate
REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust
REMICs—Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits
STIBOR—Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate
TBA—To Be Announced
TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security
See notes to financial statements.
17
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $45,135,213) | | $ | 46,525,188 | |
Affiliated issuers (cost $600,401) | | | 600,401 | |
Cash | | | 7,050 | |
Cash collateral due from broker | | | 65,251 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $12,030) | | | 14,150 | |
Interest receivable | | | 257,383 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 216,664 | |
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums paid $44,179) | | | 22,088 | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 20,420 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 2,977 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 1,280 | |
Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | | | 533 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 47,733,385 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 713,485 | |
Market value on credit default swaps (net premiums received $269,258) | | | 309,772 | |
Payable for terminated credit default swaps | | | 210,000 | |
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 55,843 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,745 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 15,865 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 15,338 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,505 | |
Payable for variation margin on futures | | | 4,348 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 2,341 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Payable for newly entered centrally cleared interest rate swaps | | | 14,201 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 75,709 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,458,210 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 46,275,175 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 4,291 | |
Additionalpaid-in capital | | | 43,501,811 | |
Distributable earnings | | | 2,769,073 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 46,275,175 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 34,030,619 | | | | 3,145,664 | | | $ | 10.82 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 12,244,556 | | | | 1,145,318 | | | $ | 10.69 | |
See notes to financial statements.
18
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 875,297 | |
Dividends | | | | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 7,145 | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 6,994 | |
| | | | |
| | | 889,436 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 101,327 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 14,822 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 1,476 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 528 | |
Custodian | | | 55,665 | |
Audit and tax | | | 39,981 | |
Administrative | | | 35,517 | |
Legal | | | 13,953 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,067 | |
Printing | | | 10,573 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 3,800 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 289,709 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | | | (302 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 289,407 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 600,029 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | 53,382 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | (18,822 | ) |
Futures | | | 46,039 | |
Swaps | | | 78,945 | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | (20,638 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 1,881,445 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | 29,174 | |
Futures | | | (40,251 | ) |
Swaps | | | 12,087 | |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | (879 | ) |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 2,020,482 | |
| | | | |
Contributions from Affiliates (see Note B) | | | 355 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 2,620,866 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
19
| | |
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | |
Net investment income | | $ | 600,029 | | | $ | 1,040,060 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 138,906 | | | | (464,207 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 1,881,576 | | | | (1,067,366 | ) |
Contributions from Affiliates (see Note B) | | | 355 | | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 2,620,866 | | | | (491,513 | ) |
Distributions to Shareholders | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (921,149 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (318,391 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | |
Net decrease | | | (1,666,295 | ) | | | (5,906,625 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 954,571 | | | | (7,637,678 | ) |
NET ASSETS | |
Beginning of period | | | 45,320,604 | | | | 52,958,282 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 46,275,175 | | | $ | 45,320,604 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
20
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), is a series of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to generate income and price appreciation without assuming what AllianceBernstein L.P. (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 anopen-end series investment company. The Fund offers eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, the Adviser will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded innon-U.S.
21
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, andover-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3. In addition,non-agency rated investments are classified as Level 3.
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar collateral and risk profiles, including relevant indices. Mortgage and asset-backed securities for which management has collected current observable data through pricing services are generally categorized within Level 2. Those investments for which current observable data has not been provided are classified as Level 3.
Other fixed income investments, includingnon-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
22
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Corporates—Investment Grade | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 12,361,143 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 12,361,143 | |
Mortgage Pass-Throughs | | | –0 | – | | | 7,980,875 | | | | –0 | – | | | 7,980,875 | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 4,912,865 | | | | 633,218 | | | | 5,546,083 | |
Governments—Treasuries | | | –0 | – | | | 5,525,469 | | | | –0 | – | | | 5,525,469 | |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | | | –0 | – | | | 3,980,195 | | | | 48,162 | | | | 4,028,357 | |
Inflation-Linked Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 3,582,239 | | | | –0 | – | | | 3,582,239 | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | –0 | – | | | 2,163,960 | | | | 1,074,145 | | | | 3,238,105 | |
Agencies | | | –0 | – | | | 1,641,548 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,641,548 | |
Corporates—Non-Investment Grade | | | –0 | – | | | 1,087,240 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,087,240 | |
Local Governments—US Municipal Bonds | | | –0 | – | | | 315,588 | | | | –0 | – | | | 315,588 | |
Preferred Stocks | | | –0 | – | | | 100,905 | | | | –0 | – | | | 100,905 | |
Emerging Markets—Corporate Bonds | | | –0 | – | | | 53,017 | | | | –0 | – | | | 53,017 | |
Quasi-Sovereigns | | | –0 | – | | | 44,353 | | | | –0 | – | | | 44,353 | |
Short-Term Investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Governments—Treasuries | | | –0 | – | | | 1,020,266 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,020,266 | |
Investment Companies | | | 600,401 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 600,401 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 600,401 | | | | 44,769,663 | | | | 1,755,525 | | | | 47,125,589 | |
Other Financial Instruments(a): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Futures | | | 25,580 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 25,580 | (b) |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | 20,420 | | | | –0 | – | | | 20,420 | |
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | 71,899 | | | | –0 | – | | | 71,899 | (b) |
Credit Default Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | 22,088 | | | | –0 | – | | | 22,088 | |
Liabilities: | |
Futures | | | (3,082 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | (3,082 | )(b) |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | (55,843 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (55,843 | ) |
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | (16,452 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (16,452 | )(b) |
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | (104,089 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (104,089 | )(b) |
Credit Default Swaps | | | –0 | – | | | (309,772 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (309,772 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 622,899 | | | $ | 44,397,914 | | | $ | 1,755,525 | | | $ | 46,776,338 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
(b) | | Only variation margin receivable/(payable) at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Where applicable, centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value. |
23
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Commercial Mortgage- Backed Securities | | | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | | | Asset-Backed Securities | |
Balance as of 12/31/18 | | $ | 834,652 | | | $ | 46,889 | | | $ | 1,241,405 | |
Accrued discounts/(premiums) | | | (19 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | 29 | |
Realized gain (loss) | | | (313 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | 67 | |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 20,475 | | | | 1,273 | | | | 11,137 | |
Purchases/Payups | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 99,992 | |
Sales/Paydowns | | | (122,642 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (278,485 | ) |
Transfers in to Level 3 | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | | (98,935 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/19 | | $ | 633,218 | | | $ | 48,162 | | | $ | 1,074,145 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/19(a) | | $ | 19,851 | | | $ | 1,273 | | | $ | 11,112 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | Total | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 12/31/18 | | $ | 2,122,946 | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued discounts/(premiums) | | | 10 | | | | | | | | | |
Realized gain (loss) | | | (246 | ) | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 32,885 | | | | | | | | | |
Purchases/Payups | | | 99,992 | | | | | | | | | |
Sales/Paydowns | | | (401,127 | ) | | | | | | | | |
Transfers in to Level 3 | | | –0 | – | | | | | | | | |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | | (98,935 | )(b) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of 6/30/19 | | $ | 1,755,525 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 6/30/19(a) | | $ | 32,236 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and other financial instruments in the accompanying statement of operations. |
(b) | | There were de minimis transfers under 1% of net assets during the reporting period. |
As of June 30, 2019, all Level 3 securities were priced by third party vendors.
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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,
24
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on theex-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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 apro-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 proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on theex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the 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 up to $5 billion, .35% of the excess over $5 billion up to $8 billion and .30% in excess of $8 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Effective January 30, 2018, the investment advisory agreement was amended to implement the final advisory fee breakpoint for assets in excess of $8 billion of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are
25
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,517.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Adviser reimbursed the Portfolio $355 for trading losses incurred due to a trade entry error.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
The Portfolio may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. Effective August 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2020. In connection with the investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to $302.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | |
Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 938 | | | $ | 8,960 | | | $ | 9,298 | | | $ | 600 | | | $ | 7 | |
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule12b-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 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 or 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.
26
| | |
| |
| | AB 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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 4,050,465 | | | $ | 4,525,977 | |
U.S. government securities | | | 12,419,783 | | | | 10,873,715 | |
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 | | $ | 1,751,891 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (485,923 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 1,265,968 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
The Portfolio may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The 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 and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Portfolio may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon fornon-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 futures, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the 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 exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the 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.
Use of long futures subjects the Portfolio to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Portfolio to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of futures can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held futures for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
| • | | 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 fornon-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
27
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB 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 forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the 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.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
The Portfolio may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk or currencies. The Portfolio may also enter into swaps fornon-hedging purposes as a means of gaining market exposures, making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions.” A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Portfolio in accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Portfolio or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Portfolio, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Portfolio considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the 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 swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received for OTC swaps are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.
Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on aphased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
At the time the Portfolio enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the 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 centrally cleared swaps is generally less thannon-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the 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.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Interest Rate Swaps:
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 swaps. 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.
In addition, the Portfolio may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the 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).
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held interest rate swaps for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
Credit Default Swaps:
The Portfolio may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Portfolio, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Portfolio may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap, the Portfolio receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. If the Portfolio is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap, the Portfolio will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation.
In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Portfolio for the same referenced obligations with the same counterparty. As of June 30, 2019, the Portfolio did not have Buy Contracts outstanding with respect to the same referenced obligations and same counterparty for its Sale Contracts outstanding.
Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Portfolio had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Portfolio is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the Portfolio is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Portfolio coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Portfolio.
Implied credit spreads over U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.
29
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INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held credit default swaps for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
Variance Swaps:
The Portfolio may enter into variance swaps to hedge equity market risk or adjust exposure to the equity markets. Variance swaps are contracts in which two parties agree to exchange cash payments based on the difference between the stated level of variance and the actual variance realized on underlying asset(s) or index(es). Actual “variance” as used here is defined as the sum of the square of the returns on the reference asset(s) or index(es) (which in effect is a measure of its “volatility”) over the length of the contract term. So the parties to a variance swap can be said to exchange actual volatility for a contractually stated rate of volatility.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held variance swaps for hedging purposes.
The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Portfolio typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment(close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Portfolio’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Portfolio’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty tables below for additional details.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
Interest rate contracts | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | | $ | 25,580 | * | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures | | $ | 3,082 | * |
| | | | |
Credit contracts | | | | | | | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | | | 2,634 | * |
| | | | |
Interest rate contracts | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | | | 58,246 | * | | Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps | | | 104,089 | * |
| | | | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 20,420 | | | Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 55,843 | |
| | | | |
Credit contracts | | Market value on credit default swaps | | | 22,088 | | | Market value on credit default swaps | | | 309,772 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 126,334 | | | | | $ | 475,420 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. |
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Type | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Within Statement of Operations | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Interest rate contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures | | $ | 46,039 | | | $ | (40,251 | ) |
| | | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | | (18,822 | ) | | | 29,174 | |
| | | |
Interest rate contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | | | 60,060 | | | | (100,594 | ) |
| | | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | | | (2,313 | ) | | | (34 | ) |
| | | |
Credit contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps | | | 21,198 | | | | 112,715 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 106,162 | | | $ | 1,010 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2019:
| | | | |
Futures: | |
Average notional amount of buy contracts | | $ | 5,093,837 | |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | | $ | 1,907,372 | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | |
Average principal amount of buy contracts | | $ | 1,543,104 | |
Average principal amount of sale contracts | | $ | 3,920,704 | |
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps: | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 15,094,382 | |
Credit Default Swaps: | |
Average notional amount of buy contracts | | $ | 2,003,857 | |
Average notional amount of sale contracts | | $ | 3,146,043 | |
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps: | |
Average notional amount of buy contracts | | $ | 760,000 | |
Variance Swaps: | |
Average notional amount | | $ | 70,377 | (a) |
(a) | | Positions were open for two months during the period. |
For financial reporting purposes, the Portfolio does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
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INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2019. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Received* | | | Security Collateral Received* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | $ | 179 | | | $ | (179 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – |
Citibank, NA | | | 2,581 | | | | (2,581 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | 13,073 | | | | (13,073 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | 213 | | | | (213 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | | | 8,802 | | | | (8,802 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
HSBC Bank USA | | | 848 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 848 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA/ JP Morgan Securities, LLC | | | 154 | | | | (154 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc./Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | | | 441 | | | | (441 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | 3,434 | | | | (410 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 3,024 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 12,783 | | | | (12,783 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 42,508 | | | $ | (38,636 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 3,872 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Pledged* | | | Security Collateral Pledged* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | $ | 1,157 | | | $ | (179 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 978 | |
Citibank, NA | | | 21,546 | | | | (2,581 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 18,965 | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | 96,013 | | | | (13,073 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 82,940 | |
Credit Suisse International | | | 88,029 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 88,029 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | 48,167 | | | | (213 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 47,954 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA/Goldman Sachs International | | | 66,570 | | | | (8,802 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 57,768 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA/ JP Morgan Securities, LLC | | | 8,102 | | | | (154 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 7,948 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc./Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC | | | 10,134 | | | | (441 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 9,693 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | 410 | | | | (410 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 25,487 | | | | (12,783 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 12,704 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 365,615 | | | $ | (38,636 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 326,979 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest innon-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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
32
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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. TBA and Dollar Rolls
The Portfolio may invest in TBA mortgage-backed securities. A TBA, or “To Be Announced”, trade represents a contract for the purchase or sale of mortgage-backed securities to be delivered at a future agree-upon date; however, the specific mortgage pool numbers or the number of pools that will be delivered to fulfill the trade obligation or terms of the contract are unknown at the time of the trade. Mortgage pools (including fixed-rate or variable-rate mortgages) guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association, or GNMA, the Federal National Mortgage Association, or FNMA, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or FHLMC, are subsequently allocated to the TBA transactions.
The 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. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio earned drop income of $1,596 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.
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, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class A | |
Shares sold | | | 109,726 | | | | 157,318 | | | | | | | $ | 1,159,126 | | | $ | 1,619,528 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 90,575 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 921,149 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (222,631 | ) | | | (603,884 | ) | | | | | | | (2,337,014 | ) | | | (6,197,517 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (112,905 | ) | | | (355,991 | ) | | | | | | $ | (1,177,888 | ) | | $ | (3,656,840 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | |
Shares sold | | | 70,892 | | | | 83,073 | | | | | | | $ | 739,931 | | | $ | 850,206 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 31,618 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 318,391 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (118,883 | ) | | | (336,571 | ) | | | | | | | (1,228,338 | ) | | | (3,418,382 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (47,991 | ) | | | (221,880 | ) | | | | | | $ | (488,407 | ) | | $ | (2,249,785 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2019, certain shareholders of the Portfolio owned 81% in aggregate of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholders, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Interest Rate Risk—Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations.
Credit Risk—An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.
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INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Below Investment Grade Security Risk—Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (“junk bonds”) tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of than other types of securities.
Duration Risk—Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Portfolio’s assets can decline as can the value of the Portfolio’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater if the Portfolio invests a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Foreign(Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities ofnon-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid, and because these investments may be subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce its returns.
Mortgage-Related and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk—Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Portfolio to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered bynon-governmental issuers and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.
Leverage Risk—When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The Portfolio may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Portfolio, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Portfolio than if the Portfolio were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Illiquid Investments Risk—Illiquid investments risk exists when certain investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling such investments may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Portfolio. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Portfolio shares. Over recent years illiquid investments risk has also increased because the capacity of dealers in the secondary market for fixed-income securities to make markets in these securities has decreased, even as the overall bond market has grown significantly, due to, among other things, structural changes, additional regulatory requirements and capital and risk restraints that have led to reduced inventories. Illiquid investments risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Active Trading Risk—The Portfolio expects to engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities and its portfolio turnover rate is expected to exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction costs, which may negatively affect the Portfolio’s return.
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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility
A number ofopen-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 794,650 | | | $ | 1,775,674 | |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 444,890 | | | | 527,673 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions paid | | $ | 1,239,540 | | | $ | 2,303,347 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 1,285,374 | |
Accumulated capital and other losses | | | (642,524 | )(a) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (494,288 | )(b) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | 148,562 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $581,603. As of December 31, 2018, the cumulative deferred loss on straddles was $60,921. |
(b) | | The differences between book-basis andtax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax treatment of swaps, and the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio had a net short-term capital loss carryforward of $406,073 and a net long-term capital loss carryforward of $175,530, which may be carried forward for an indefinite period.
NOTE I: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2017-08, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. ASU2017-08 does not require any accounting change for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. ASU2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Portfolio has adopted ASU2017-08, which did not have a material impact on the Portfolio’s financial position or the results of its operations, and had no impact on the Portfolio’s net assets.
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INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU2018-13 (“ASU”) apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE J: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
36
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| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.21 | | | | $10.56 | | | | $10.65 | | | | $10.63 | | | | $11.37 | | | | $11.22 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .14 | (b) | | | .23 | (b) | | | .23 | | | | .28 | † | | | .27 | | | | .28 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | .47 | | | | (.31 | ) | | | .14 | | | | .23 | | | | (.27 | ) | | | .44 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | .61 | | | | (.08 | ) | | | .37 | | | | .51 | | | | –0 | – | | | .72 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.13 | ) | | | (.36 | ) | | | (.35 | ) | | | (.40 | ) | | | (.41 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (.14 | ) | | | (.10 | ) | | | (.14 | ) | | | (.34 | ) | | | (.16 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (.27 | ) | | | (.46 | ) | | | (.49 | ) | | | (.74 | ) | | | (.57 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.82 | | | | $10.21 | | | | $10.56 | | | | $10.65 | | | | $10.63 | | | | $11.37 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d)* | | | 5.97 | % | | | (.72 | )% | | | 3.52 | % | | | 4.71 | %† | | | .01 | % | | | 6.48 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $34,031 | | | | $33,267 | | | | $38,172 | | | | $42,183 | | | | $47,554 | | | | $56,437 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.22 | %^ | | | 1.16 | % | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.06 | % | | | .96 | % | | | .88 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.22 | %^ | | | 1.16 | % | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.06 | % | | | .96 | % | | | .88 | % |
Net investment income | | | 2.73 | %(b)^ | | | 2.20 | %(b) | | | 2.11 | % | | | 2.60 | %† | | | 2.44 | % | | | 2.46 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate** | | | 35 | % | | | 155 | % | | | 216 | % | | | 156 | % | | | 230 | % | | | 262 | % |
See footnote summary on page 38.
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INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.10 | | | | $10.45 | | | | $10.54 | | | | $10.53 | | | | $11.26 | | | | $11.11 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .13 | (b) | | | .20 | (b) | | | .20 | | | | .25 | † | | | .24 | | | | .25 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | .46 | | | | (.31 | ) | | | .14 | | | | .22 | | | | (.26 | ) | | | .43 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | .59 | | | | (.11 | ) | | | .34 | | | | .47 | | | | (.02 | ) | | | .68 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.10 | ) | | | (.33 | ) | | | (.32 | ) | | | (.37 | ) | | | (.37 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (.14 | ) | | | (.10 | ) | | | (.14 | ) | | | (.34 | ) | | | (.16 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (.24 | ) | | | (.43 | ) | | | (.46 | ) | | | (.71 | ) | | | (.53 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.69 | | | | $10.10 | | | | $10.45 | | | | $10.54 | | | | $10.53 | | | | $11.26 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d)* | | | 5.84 | % | | | (1.01 | )% | | | 3.28 | % | | | 4.36 | %† | | | (.18 | )% | | | 6.22 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $12,244 | | | | $12,054 | | | | $14,786 | | | | $16,029 | | | | $17,681 | | | | $19,891 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.47 | %^ | | | 1.41 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.32 | % | | | 1.21 | % | | | 1.13 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.47 | %^ | | | 1.41 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.32 | % | | | 1.21 | % | | | 1.13 | % |
Net investment income | | | 2.48 | %(b)^ | | | 1.95 | %(b) | | | 1.87 | % | | | 2.36 | %† | | | 2.19 | % | | | 2.21 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate** | | | 35 | % | | | 155 | % | | | 216 | % | | | 156 | % | | | 230 | % | | | 262 | % |
(a) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(c) | | Amount is less than $.005. |
(d) | | Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
† | | For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income Per Share | | Net Investment Income Ratio | | Total Return |
$.03 | | .28% | | .29% |
* | | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 by .01%, .03%, .03% and .03%, respectively. |
** | | The Portfolio accounts for dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales. |
See notes to financial statements.
38
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| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within theone-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. The Directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-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 Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreement,
39
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INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds;12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
40
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the ‘‘15(c) provider’’) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub- advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (‘‘ETFs’’), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
41
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INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S CURRENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held onNovember 6-8, 2018 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including materials from an outside consultant, who acted as their independent fee consultant, and comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the
42
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency and distribution services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the underlying fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to12b-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 Fund’s Class B shares; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the1-,3-,5- and10-year periods ended July 31, 2018 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
43
| | |
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees payable by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to the Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant. The directors also compared the advisory fee rate for the Fund with that for another AB Fund with a similar investment style.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. The directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was above the medians. After reviewing and discussing the Adviser’s explanations of the reasons for this, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also discussed economies of scale with their independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
44
VPS-IB-0152-0619
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS
SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
| |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. 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 table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,169.00 | | | $ | 7.15 | | | | 1.33 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,018.20 | | | $ | 6.66 | | | | 1.33 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,167.80 | | | $ | 8.49 | | | | 1.58 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,016.96 | | | $ | 7.90 | | | | 1.58 | % |
* | | 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 HOLDINGS1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
AIA Group Ltd. | | $ | 1,585,279 | | | | 3.0 | % |
Kingspan Group PLC | | | 1,576,830 | | | | 2.9 | |
Partners Group Holding AG | | | 1,524,867 | | | | 2.9 | |
Siemens AG | | | 1,502,954 | | | | 2.8 | |
Koninklijke DSM NV | | | 1,436,194 | | | | 2.7 | |
London Stock Exchange Group PLC | | | 1,418,774 | | | | 2.7 | |
Schneider Electric SE | | | 1,382,398 | | | | 2.6 | |
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. | | | 1,356,167 | | | | 2.5 | |
Unilever PLC | | | 1,305,442 | | | | 2.4 | |
Dassault Systemes SE | | | 1,285,613 | | | | 2.4 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 14,374,518 | | | | 26.9 | % |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN2
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Information Technology | | $ | 9,778,313 | | | | 18.3 | % |
Industrials | | | 9,080,990 | | | | 17.0 | |
Financials | | | 9,062,189 | | | | 17.0 | |
Health Care | | | 7,833,015 | | | | 14.7 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 6,788,155 | | | | 12.7 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 3,898,069 | | | | 7.3 | |
Materials | | | 1,899,756 | | | | 3.5 | |
Communication Services | | | 1,812,290 | | | | 3.4 | |
Utilities | | | 1,579,452 | | | | 2.9 | |
Energy | | | 539,200 | | | | 1.0 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 1,160,549 | | | | 2.2 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 53,431,978 | | | | 100.0 | % |
2 | | The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). |
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 & 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 Portfolio’s prospectus.
2
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
COUNTRY BREAKDOWN1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
COUNTRY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Germany | | $ | 6,517,963 | | | | 12.2 | % |
United Kingdom | | | 5,576,841 | | | | 10.4 | |
France | | | 4,860,207 | | | | 9.1 | |
Japan | | | 4,533,573 | | | | 8.5 | |
India | | | 4,411,443 | | | | 8.2 | |
Switzerland | | | 4,376,829 | | | | 8.2 | |
China | | | 4,297,641 | | | | 8.0 | |
United States | | | 3,507,356 | | | | 6.6 | |
Ireland | | | 3,465,471 | | | | 6.5 | |
Netherlands | | | 3,377,356 | | | | 6.3 | |
Denmark | | | 1,716,285 | | | | 3.2 | |
Hong Kong | | | 1,585,279 | | | | 3.0 | |
Sweden | | | 1,551,005 | | | | 2.9 | |
Other | | | 2,494,180 | | | | 4.7 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 1,160,549 | | | | 2.2 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 53,431,978 | | | | 100.0 | % |
1 | | All data are as of June 30, 2019. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represent 2.1% or less in the following countries: Brazil, Finland, Norway and Taiwan. |
3
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–97.9% | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–18.3% | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–3.4% | | | | | | | | |
Halma PLC | | | 8,195 | | | $ | 210,469 | |
Horiba Ltd. | | | 15,600 | | | | 809,363 | |
Keyence Corp. | | | 1,300 | | | | 801,739 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,821,571 | |
| | | | | | | | |
IT SERVICES–3.7% | | | | | | | | |
Pagseguro Digital Ltd.(a) | | | 14,110 | | | | 549,867 | |
Visa, Inc.–Class A | | | 3,398 | | | | 589,723 | |
Wirecard AG | | | 4,780 | | | | 806,942 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,946,532 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–7.0% | | | | | | | | |
ASML Holding NV | | | 4,801 | | | | 999,039 | |
Infineon Technologies AG | | | 60,322 | | | | 1,071,903 | |
STMicroelectronics NV | | | 30,090 | | | | 533,678 | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.(a) | | | 150,000 | | | | 1,147,257 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,751,877 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SOFTWARE–4.2% | | | | | | | | |
AVEVA Group PLC | | | 8,403 | | | | 431,208 | |
Dassault Systemes SE | | | 8,060 | | | | 1,285,613 | |
SAP SE | | | 3,950 | | | | 541,512 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,258,333 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,778,313 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–17.0% | | | | | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–3.0% | | | | | | | | |
Kingspan Group PLC | | | 29,035 | | | | 1,576,830 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–1.6% | | | | | | | | |
China Everbright International Ltd. | | | 926,148 | | | | 855,431 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–4.9% | | | | | | | | |
Schneider Electric SE | | | 15,278 | | | | 1,382,398 | |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S | | | 14,460 | | | | 1,252,723 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,635,121 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.8% | | | | | | | | |
Siemens AG | | | 12,624 | | | | 1,502,954 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MACHINERY–2.8% | | | | | | | | |
SMC Corp./Japan | | | 2,500 | | | | 937,187 | |
Xylem, Inc./NY | | | 6,683 | | | | 558,966 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,496,153 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–1.9% | | | | | | | | |
Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 30,300 | | | | 1,014,501 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,080,990 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–17.0% | | | | | | | | |
BANKS–3.3% | | | | | | | | |
HDFC Bank Ltd. | | | 34,307 | | | $ | 1,214,555 | |
Svenska Handelsbanken AB–Class A | | | 53,500 | | | | 527,975 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,742,530 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–5.5% | | | | | | | | |
London Stock Exchange Group PLC | | | 20,360 | | | | 1,418,774 | |
Partners Group Holding AG | | | 1,939 | | | | 1,524,867 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,943,641 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd.(a) | | | 47,244 | | | | 613,637 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–4.7% | | | | | | | | |
AIA Group Ltd. | | | 146,800 | | | | 1,585,279 | |
Prudential PLC | | | 43,517 | | | | 950,018 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,535,297 | |
| | | | | | | | |
THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–2.3% | | | | | | | | |
Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd. | | | 38,604 | | | | 1,227,084 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,062,189 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–14.7% | | | | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
Abcam PLC | | | 24,510 | | | | 458,804 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.8% | | | | | | | | |
Koninklijke Philips NV | | | 21,670 | | | | 942,123 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. | | | 68,552 | | | | 1,356,167 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–8.0% | | | | | | | | |
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 1,821 | | | | 569,226 | |
Gerresheimer AG | | | 14,030 | | | | 1,034,088 | |
ICON PLC(a) | | | 4,380 | | | | 674,389 | |
QIAGEN NV(a) | | | 20,540 | | | | 835,809 | |
Tecan Group AG | | | 4,440 | | | | 1,153,097 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,266,609 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Roche Holding AG | | | 1,890 | | | | 531,445 | |
Vectura Group PLC(a) | | | 252,910 | | | | 277,867 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 809,312 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,833,015 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–12.7% | | | | | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–6.5% | | | | | | | | |
Danone SA | | | 9,680 | | | | 819,627 | |
Kerry Group PLC–Class A | | | 10,170 | | | | 1,214,252 | |
Marine Harvest ASA(a) | | | 11,020 | | | | 257,856 | |
Nestle SA | | | 11,277 | | | | 1,167,420 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,459,155 | |
| | | | | | | | |
4
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–3.8% | | | | | | | | |
Essity AB–Class B | | | 17,180 | | | $ | 528,516 | |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | | 6,640 | | | | 524,259 | |
Unicharm Corp.(b) | | | 32,200 | | | | 970,783 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,023,558 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PERSONAL PRODUCTS–2.4% | | | | | | | | |
Unilever PLC | | | 21,030 | | | | 1,305,442 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,788,155 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–7.3% | | | | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–1.8% | | | | | | | | |
Aptiv PLC | | | 11,798 | | | | 953,632 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
Husqvarna AB–Class B | | | 52,807 | | | | 494,514 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INTERNET & DIRECT MARKETING RETAIL–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (Sponsored ADR)(a) | | | 5,330 | | | | 903,169 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–2.9% | | | | | | | | |
Puma SE | | | 8,300 | | | | 553,535 | |
Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. | | | 72,000 | | | | 993,219 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,546,754 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,898,069 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–3.5% | | | | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–3.5% | | | | | | | | |
Chr Hansen Holding A/S | | | 4,926 | | | | 463,562 | |
Koninklijke DSM NV | | | 11,640 | | | | 1,436,194 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,899,756 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.4% | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.9% | | | | | | | | |
Deutsche Telekom AG | | | 58,127 | | | | 1,007,029 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
INTERACTIVE MEDIA & SERVICES–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Tencent Holdings Ltd. | | | 17,800 | | | $ | 805,261 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,812,290 | |
| | | | | | | | |
UTILITIES–3.0% | | | | | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Suez | | | 58,136 | | | | 838,891 | |
| | | | | | | | |
WATER UTILITIES–1.4% | | | | | | | | |
Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.(a) | | | 1,246,000 | | | | 740,561 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,579,452 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–1.0% | | | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–1.0% | | | | | | | | |
Neste Oyj | | | 15,860 | | | | 539,200 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $41,071,220) | | | | | | | 52,271,429 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.2% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–2.2% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(c)(d)(e) (cost $1,160,549) | | | 1,160,549 | | | | 1,160,549 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–100.1% (cost $42,231,769) | | | | | | | 53,431,978 | |
Other assets less liabilities–(0.1)% | | | | | | | (41,684 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | $ | 53,390,294 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Bank of America, NA | | | CAD | | | | 772 | | | | USD | | | | 574 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | $ | (15,663 | ) |
Bank of America, NA | | | GBP | | | | 415 | | | | USD | | | | 523 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (5,120 | ) |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,104 | | | | JPY | | | | 122,336 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 34,135 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | BRL | | | | 3,843 | | | | USD | | | | 1,006 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 4,850 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 1,003 | | | | BRL | | | | 3,843 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (2,024 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | INR | | | | 318,077 | | | | USD | | | | 4,497 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (107,785 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 1,450 | | | | INR | | | | 101,252 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 15,647 | |
5
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | CNY | | | | 1,844 | | | | USD | | | | 272 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | $ | 2,964 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 274 | | | | CNY | | | | 1,844 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (5,001 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 1,003 | | | | BRL | | | | 3,843 | | | | 8/02/19 | | | | (4,833 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | JPY | | | | 56,856 | | | | USD | | | | 529 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 376 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | TWD | | | | 3,258 | | | | USD | | | | 106 | | | | 9/11/19 | | | | 173 | |
Citibank, NA | | | PEN | | | | 1,629 | | | | USD | | | | 486 | | | | 7/12/19 | | | | (8,686 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | CNY | | | | 546 | | | | USD | | | | 80 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (31 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 2,289 | | | | AUD | | | | 3,262 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 4,761 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 955 | | | | GBP | | | | 730 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (25,623 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 2,753 | | | | JPY | | | | 299,717 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 36,534 | |
Citibank, NA | | | KRW | | | | 153,699 | | | | USD | | | | 130 | | | | 8/26/19 | | | | (3,403 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,757 | | | | KRW | | | | 2,060,974 | | | | 8/26/19 | | | | 26,498 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | USD | | | | 274 | | | | INR | | | | 19,375 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 6,121 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | BRL | | | | 1,120 | | | | USD | | | | 290 | | | | 8/02/19 | | | | (580 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 208 | | | | CNY | | | | 1,440 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | 1,523 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | BRL | | | | 1,040 | | | | USD | | | | 268 | | | | 8/02/19 | | | | (2,039 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | EUR | | | | 5,752 | | | | USD | | | | 6,511 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (52,514 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 800 | | | | ZAR | | | | 11,492 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 11,501 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | BRL | | | | 3,437 | | | | USD | | | | 897 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 1,810 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 851 | | | | BRL | | | | 3,437 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 44,374 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 504 | | | | RUB | | | | 33,356 | | | | 8/06/19 | | | | 20,939 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | CHF | | | | 862 | | | | USD | | | | 858 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (28,453 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 129 | | | | TWD | | | | 4,053 | | | | 9/11/19 | | | | 2,454 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | PEN | | | | 2,369 | | | | USD | | | | 713 | | | | 7/12/19 | | | | (6,618 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 1,211 | | | | PEN | | | | 3,998 | | | | 7/12/19 | | | | 2,534 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | INR | | | | 7,102 | | | | USD | | | | 102 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (682 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | EUR | | | | 553 | | | | USD | | | | 622 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (9,076 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | BRL | | | | 406 | | | | USD | | | | 106 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 214 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 106 | | | | BRL | | | | 406 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (280 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | INR | | | | 5,624 | | | | USD | | | | 81 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (586 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | CNY | | | | 1,930 | | | | USD | | | | 287 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | 5,567 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | CNY | | | | 2,400 | | | | USD | | | | 347 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (2,363 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 284 | | | | CNY | | | | 1,930 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (3,018 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 3,583 | | | | CAD | | | | 4,787 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 75,664 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 227 | | | | TWD | | | | 7,117 | | | | 9/11/19 | | | | 3,726 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | AUD | | | | 280 | | | | USD | | | | 195 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (2,009 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | CHF | | | | 283 | | | | USD | | | | 284 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (6,650 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 556 | | | | USD | | | | 635 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 276 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 1,263 | | | | USD | | | | 1,430 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (10,992 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | GBP | | | | 270 | | | | USD | | | | 348 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 4,486 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | GBP | | | | 168 | | | | USD | | | | 213 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (299 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | JPY | | | | 61,666 | | | | USD | | | | 575 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 1,236 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | JPY | | | | 66,088 | | | | USD | | | | 610 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (4,863 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | NOK | | | | 1,552 | | | | USD | | | | 183 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 390 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | SEK | | | | 3,035 | | | | USD | | | | 328 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 325 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | SEK | | | | 1,277 | | | | USD | | | | 138 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (43 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 282 | | | | AUD | | | | 411 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 6,795 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 102 | | | | AUD | | | | 145 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (431 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 493 | | | | CAD | | | | 660 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 11,509 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 668 | | | | CHF | | | | 665 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 15,712 | |
6
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 729 | | | | EUR | | | | 646 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | $ | 8,518 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 169 | | | | EUR | | | | 148 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (155 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 157 | | | | GBP | | | | 123 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 29 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 906 | | | | JPY | | | | 98,576 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 11,029 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 193 | | | | JPY | | | | 20,604 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (772 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 352 | | | | MXN | | | | 6,848 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 2,529 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 178 | | | | NOK | | | | 1,552 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 4,006 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 67 | | | | NZD | | | | 102 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 1,127 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | ZAR | | | | 1,524 | | | | USD | | | | 103 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | (4,990 | ) |
UBS AG | | | EUR | | | | 565 | | | | USD | | | | 646 | | | | 8/15/19 | | | | 1,107 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 55,857 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(c) | | Affiliated investments. |
(d) | | The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
(e) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618. |
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD—Australian Dollar
BRL—Brazilian Real
CAD—Canadian Dollar
CHF—Swiss Franc
CNY—Chinese Yuan Renminbi
EUR—Euro
GBP—Great British Pound
INR—Indian Rupee
JPY—Japanese Yen
KRW—South Korean Won
MXN—Mexican Peso
NOK—Norwegian Krone
NZD—New Zealand Dollar
PEN—Peruvian Sol
RUB—Russian Ruble
SEK—Swedish Krona
TWD—New Taiwan Dollar
USD—United States Dollar
ZAR—South African Rand
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $41,071,220) | | $ | 52,271,429 | (a) |
Affiliated issuers (cost $1,160,549) | | | 1,160,549 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $129,833) | | | 129,973 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions | | | 757,700 | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 371,439 | |
Unaffiliated dividends receivable | | | 195,313 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 4,603 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 1,145 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 54,892,151 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions | | | 1,035,730 | |
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 315,582 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,745 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 27,796 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 13,918 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,505 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 5,605 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 61,918 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,501,857 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 53,390,294 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 2,426 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 38,919,002 | |
Distributable earnings | | | 14,468,866 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 53,390,294 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 23,519,351 | | | | 1,059,288 | | | $ | 22.20 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 29,870,943 | | | | 1,367,010 | | | $ | 21.85 | |
(a) | | Includes securities on loan with a value of $949,679 (see Note E). |
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $76,109) | | $ | 651,797 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 33,107 | |
Securities lending income | | | 888 | |
| | | | |
| | | 685,792 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 194,451 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 36,392 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 966 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 1,236 | |
Custodian | | | 48,153 | |
Administrative | | | 35,517 | |
Audit and tax | | | 29,820 | |
Legal | | | 16,473 | |
Printing | | | 14,673 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,066 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 5,436 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 395,183 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Notes B & E) | | | (14,222 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 380,961 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 304,831 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | 1,280,169 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | (103,295 | ) |
Foreign currency transactions | | | 134,793 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 6,263,797 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | 208,446 | |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 800 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 7,784,710 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 8,089,541 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
9
| | |
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 304,831 | | | $ | 320,481 | |
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 1,311,667 | | | | 1,370,202 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 6,473,043 | | | | (12,501,104 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 8,089,541 | | | | (10,810,421 | ) |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (178,413 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (140,185 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (4,390,526 | ) | | | (10,504,589 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 3,699,015 | | | | (21,633,608 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 49,691,279 | | | | 71,324,887 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 53,390,294 | | | $ | 49,691,279 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
10
| | |
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AB 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 eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the 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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, 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. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Common Stocks: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Information Technology | | $ | 1,139,590 | | | $ | 8,638,723 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 9,778,313 | |
Industrials | | | 2,135,796 | | | | 6,945,194 | | | | –0 | – | | | 9,080,990 | |
Financials | | | 1,214,555 | | | | 7,847,634 | | | | –0 | – | | | 9,062,189 | |
Health Care | | | 1,702,419 | | | | 6,130,596 | | | | –0 | – | | | 7,833,015 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 1,214,252 | | | | 5,573,903 | | | | –0 | – | | | 6,788,155 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 2,410,336 | | | | 1,487,733 | | | | –0 | – | | | 3,898,069 | |
Materials | | | –0 | – | | | 1,899,756 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,899,756 | |
Communication Services | | | –0 | – | | | 1,812,290 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,812,290 | |
Utilities | | | 838,891 | | | | 740,561 | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,579,452 | |
Energy | | | –0 | – | | | 539,200 | | | | –0 | – | | | 539,200 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 1,160,549 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 1,160,549 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 11,816,388 | | | | 41,615,590 | (a) | | | –0 | – | | | 53,431,978 | |
Other Financial Instruments(b): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | 371,439 | | | | –0 | – | | | 371,439 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | (315,582 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (315,582 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 11,816,388 | | | $ | 41,671,447 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 53,487,835 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | A significant portion of the Portfolio’s foreign equity investments are categorized as Level 2 investments since they are valued using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available, see Note A.1. |
(b) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
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| | AB 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 ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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. 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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
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. Effective September 4, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or bear expenses of the Portfolio in order to reduce the Portfolio’s total operating expenses by an amount equal to 0.05% on an annual basis of the average net assets for Class A and Class B. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such reimbursements/waivers amounted to $12,963. This fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement agreement extends through May 1, 2020 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms.
During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,517.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
The Portfolio may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. Effective August 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2020. In connection with the investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to $1,180.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | |
Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 2,555 | | | $ | 7,415 | | | $ | 8,809 | | | $ | 1,161 | | | $ | 27 | |
Government Money Market Portfolio* | | | 1,517 | | | | 4,274 | | | | 5,791 | | | | 0 | | | | 6 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 1,161 | | | $ | 33 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Investments of cash collateral for securities lending transactions (see Note E). |
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $13,295, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
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| | AB 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 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 or 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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 11,702,567 | | | $ | 13,950,357 | |
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 | | $ | 12,655,035 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (1,398,969 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 11,256,066 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The principal type of derivative 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 sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the 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.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes.
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Portfolio typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Portfolio’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Portfolio’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty tables below for additional details.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 371,439 | | | Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 315,582 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 371,439 | | | | | $ | 315,582 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Type | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Within Statement of Operations | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | (103,295 | ) | | $ | 208,446 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | (103,295 | ) | | $ | 208,446 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2019:
| | | | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | | | | |
Average principal amount of buy contracts | | $ | 25,084,558 | |
Average principal amount of sale contracts | | $ | 22,263,524 | |
For financial reporting purposes, the Portfolio does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2019. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Received* | | | Security Collateral Received* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |
Bank of America, NA | | $ | 34,135 | | | $ | (20,783 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 13,352 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | 24,010 | | | | (24,010 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Citibank, NA | | | 67,793 | | | | (37,743 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 30,050 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | 6,121 | | | | (580 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 5,541 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | 13,024 | | | | (13,024 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | 69,577 | | | | (28,453 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 41,124 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | 2,534 | | | | (2,534 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | 85,171 | | | | (6,247 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 78,924 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 67,967 | | | | (31,204 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 36,763 | |
UBS AG | | | 1,107 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 1,107 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 371,439 | | | $ | (164,578 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 206,861 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Pledged* | | | Security Collateral Pledged* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |
Bank of America, NA | | $ | 20,783 | | | $ | (20,783 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | 119,643 | | | | (24,010 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 95,633 | |
Citibank, NA | | | 37,743 | | | | (37,743 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | 580 | | | | (580 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | 54,553 | | | | (13,024 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 41,529 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | 28,453 | | | | (28,453 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | 16,376 | | | | (2,534 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 13,842 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | 6,247 | | | | (6,247 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 31,204 | | | | (31,204 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 315,582 | | | $ | (164,578 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 151,004 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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: Securities Lending
The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Portfolio cannot sell or repledge any non-cash collateral, and accordingly will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. If the Portfolio receives non-cash collateral, the Portfolio will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the statement of operations. When the Portfolio earns net securities lending income from Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Government Money Market Portfolio |
Market Value of Securities on Loan* | | Cash Collateral* | | Market Value of Non-Cash Collateral* | | Income from Borrowers | | Income Earned | | Advisory Fee Waived |
$949,679 | | $–0– | | $999,037 | | $888 | | $5,561 | | $79 |
NOTE F: 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, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 15,840 | | | | 74,551 | | | | | | | $ | 326,624 | | | $ | 1,661,704 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | | | –0 | – | | | 8,058 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 178,413 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (90,099 | ) | | | (258,862 | ) | | | | | | | (1,882,686 | ) | | | (5,757,016 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (74,259 | ) | | | (176,253 | ) | | | | | | $ | (1,556,062 | ) | | $ | (3,916,899 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 34,940 | | | | 209,646 | | | | | | | $ | 732,098 | | | $ | 4,614,692 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | | | –0 | – | | | 6,419 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 140,185 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (173,643 | ) | | | (508,518 | ) | | | | | | | (3,566,562 | ) | | | (11,342,567 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (138,703 | ) | | | (292,453 | ) | | | | | | $ | (2,834,464 | ) | | $ | (6,587,690 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2019, certain shareholders of the Portfolio owned 81% in aggregate of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholders, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
18
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid, and because these investments may be subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce its returns.
Capitalization Risk—Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than investments in large-capitalization companies. Investments in small-capitalization companies may have additional risks because these companies have limited product lines, markets or financial resources.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk—When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The Portfolio may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Portfolio, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Portfolio than if the Portfolio were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 318,598 | | | $ | 685,460 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions paid | | $ | 318,598 | | | $ | 685,460 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 210,945 | |
Undistributed capital gains | | | 1,272,102 | |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 4,909,940 | (a) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | 6,392,987 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | 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 recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses realized for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU 2018-13 (“ASU”) apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE K: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $18.99 | | | | $23.15 | | | | $17.34 | | | | $18.62 | | | | $19.04 | | | | $19.27 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .14 | (b) | | | .15 | (b) | | | .06 | (b) | | | .11 | (b)† | | | .15 | | | | .24 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 3.07 | | | | (4.16 | ) | | | 6.00 | | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (.50 | ) | | | (.47 | ) |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 3.21 | | | | (4.01 | ) | | | 6.06 | | | | (1.28 | ) | | | (.35 | ) | | | (.23 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.15 | ) | | | (.25 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (.07 | ) | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $22.20 | | | | $18.99 | | | | $23.15 | | | | $17.34 | | | | $18.62 | | | | $19.04 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d)* | | | 16.90 | % | | | (17.41 | )% | | | 35.02 | % | | | (6.87 | )%† | | | (1.87 | )% | | | (1.19 | )% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $23,519 | | | | $21,528 | | | | $30,318 | | | | $26,045 | | | | $33,090 | | | | $38,924 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.33 | %^ | | | 1.27 | % | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.27 | % | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.07 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.38 | %^ | | | 1.29 | % | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.27 | % | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.07 | % |
Net investment income | | | 1.32 | %(b)^ | | | .69 | %(b) | | | .30 | %(b) | | | .60 | %(b)† | | | .78 | % | | | 1.20 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 23 | % | | | 33 | % | | | 52 | % | | | 52 | % | | | 17 | % | | | 29 | % |
See footnote summary on page 22.
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $18.71 | | | | $22.80 | | | | $17.09 | | | | $18.39 | | | | $18.81 | | | | $19.08 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .11 | (b) | | | .09 | (b) | | | .01 | (b) | | | .07 | (b)† | | | .10 | | | | .20 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 3.03 | | | | (4.09 | ) | | | 5.90 | | | | (1.37 | ) | | | (.51 | ) | | | (.47 | ) |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 3.14 | | | | (4.00 | ) | | | 5.91 | | | | (1.30 | ) | | | (.41 | ) | | | (.27 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.09 | ) | | | (.20 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (.01 | ) | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $21.85 | | | | $18.71 | | | | $22.80 | | | | $17.09 | | | | $18.39 | | | | $18.81 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d)* | | | 16.78 | % | | | (17.60 | )% | | | 34.63 | % | | | (7.07 | )%† | | | (2.17 | )% | | | (1.41 | )% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $29,871 | | | | $28,177 | | | | $41,007 | | | | $32,843 | | | | $40,566 | | | | $47,884 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.58 | %^ | | | 1.52 | % | | | 1.49 | % | | | 1.52 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.63 | %^ | | | 1.54 | % | | | 1.49 | % | | | 1.52 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % |
Net investment income | | | 1.06 | %(b)^ | | | .43 | %(b) | | | .04 | %(b) | | | .37 | %(b)† | | | .52 | % | | | 1.02 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 23 | % | | | 33 | % | | | 52 | % | | | 52 | % | | | 17 | % | | | 29 | % |
(a) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(c) | | Amount is less than $.005. |
(d) | | Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
† | | For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income Per Share | | Net Investment Income Ratio | | Total Return |
$.04 | | .22% | | .23% |
* | | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 by .01% and .09%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held on July 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB International Growth Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held on July 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July 31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within the one-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. 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 Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreement, including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the
23
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds; 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
24
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) provider”) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to any sub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund and sub- advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore or sub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration
25
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the 150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S CURRENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB International Growth Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held on May 7-9, 2019 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services
26
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2017 and 2018 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the underlying fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Fund’s Class B shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2019 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Fund’s underperformance in certain periods, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
27
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INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant. The directors also compared the advisory fee rate for the Fund with that for another fund advised by the Adviser with a similar investment strategy.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. The directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was above the medians. After reviewing and discussing the Adviser’s explanations of the reasons for this, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
28
VPS-IG-0152-0619
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
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INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. 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 table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,088.80 | | | $ | 4.56 | | | | 0.88 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,020.43 | | | $ | 4.41 | | | | 0.88 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,087.90 | | | $ | 5.85 | | | | 1.13 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,019.19 | | | $ | 5.66 | | | | 1.13 | % |
* | | Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect theone-half year period). |
1
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INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC—Class A | | $ | 15,666,479 | | | | 4.2 | % |
Roche Holding AG | | | 12,344,137 | | | | 3.3 | |
Novo Nordisk A/S—Class B | | | 10,577,577 | | | | 2.8 | |
Airbus SE | | | 9,184,750 | | | | 2.4 | |
Enel SpA | | | 8,964,673 | | | | 2.4 | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | | 8,526,811 | | | | 2.3 | |
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC | | | 8,491,950 | | | | 2.2 | |
Repsol SA | | | 8,054,643 | | | | 2.1 | |
ICICI Bank Ltd. | | | 7,958,000 | | | | 2.1 | |
Erste Group Bank AG | | | 7,780,253 | | | | 2.1 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 97,549,273 | | | | 25.9 | % |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN2
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Financials | | $ | 63,128,619 | | | | 16.9 | % |
Industrials | | | 53,299,701 | | | | 14.3 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 42,689,552 | | | | 11.4 | |
Energy | | | 40,881,850 | | | | 10.9 | |
Health Care | | | 38,114,316 | | | | 10.2 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 35,563,472 | | | | 9.5 | |
Materials | | | 31,712,868 | | | | 8.5 | |
Information Technology | | | 20,590,622 | | | | 5.5 | |
Communication Services | | | 18,024,626 | | | | 4.8 | |
Utilities | | | 17,650,062 | | | | 4.7 | |
Real Estate | | | 5,196,464 | | | | 1.4 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 6,942,950 | | | | 1.9 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 373,795,102 | | | | 100.0 | % |
2 | | The Portfolio’s industry breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industrysub-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 Portfolio’s prospectus.
2
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INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
COUNTRY BREAKDOWN1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
COUNTRY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Japan | | $ | 67,425,188 | | | | 18.0 | % |
United Kingdom | | | 63,033,018 | | | | 16.9 | |
Switzerland | | | 27,512,040 | | | | 7.4 | |
Germany | | | 25,194,199 | | | | 6.7 | |
Italy | | | 20,625,420 | | | | 5.5 | |
France | | | 19,027,151 | | | | 5.1 | |
China | | | 14,491,021 | | | | 3.9 | |
Denmark | | | 13,645,663 | | | | 3.6 | |
Ireland | | | 13,633,269 | | | | 3.6 | |
Canada | | | 11,811,411 | | | | 3.2 | |
Norway | | | 9,180,769 | | | | 2.5 | |
Spain | | | 8,054,643 | | | | 2.2 | |
Portugal | | | 8,010,394 | | | | 2.1 | |
Other | | | 65,207,966 | | | | 17.4 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 6,942,950 | | | | 1.9 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 373,795,102 | | | | 100.0 | % |
1 | | All data are as of June 30, 2019. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represent 2.1% or less in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Hong Kong, India, Israel, South Korea, Sweden and Taiwan. |
3
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INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–97.5% | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–16.8% | | | | | | | | |
BANKS–11.5% | | | | | | | | |
Banco Comercial Portugues SA(a) | | | 11,602,413 | | | $ | 3,587,443 | |
Bank of Ireland Group PLC | | | 1,149,113 | | | | 6,011,723 | |
Erste Group Bank AG(b) | | | 209,800 | | | | 7,780,253 | |
ICICI Bank Ltd. | | | 1,258,190 | | | | 7,958,000 | |
KBC Group NV | | | 82,100 | | | | 5,387,837 | |
Mediobanca Banca di Credito Finanziario SpA | | | 555,320 | | | | 5,726,346 | |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | | | 1,404,500 | | | | 6,689,598 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 43,141,200 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
Credit Suisse Group AG(b) | | | 547,127 | | | | 6,548,657 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–3.6% | | | | | | | | |
Allianz SE | | | 31,600 | | | | 7,621,165 | |
Swiss Re AG | | | 57,250 | | | | 5,817,597 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,438,762 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 63,128,619 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–14.2% | | | | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–8.0% | | | | | | | | |
Airbus SE | | | 64,900 | | | | 9,184,750 | |
BAE Systems PLC | | | 811,600 | | | | 5,100,809 | |
Leonardo SpA | | | 457,041 | | | | 5,798,264 | |
MTU Aero Engines AG | | | 20,960 | | | | 4,999,180 | |
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(b) | | | 474,660 | | | | 5,070,760 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 30,153,763 | |
| | | | | | | | |
AIRLINES–3.5% | | | | | | | | |
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. | | | 203,900 | | | | 6,507,614 | |
Qantas Airways Ltd. | | | 989,190 | | | | 3,753,861 | |
Wizz Air Holdings PLC(b)(c) | | | 64,690 | | | | 2,801,649 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,063,124 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.7% | | | | | | | | |
UT Group Co., Ltd.(a) | | | 100,600 | | | | 2,461,268 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–2.0% | | | | | | | | |
AerCap Holdings NV(b) | | | 146,540 | | | | 7,621,546 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 53,299,701 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–11.3% | | | | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–3.8% | | | | | | | | |
Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. | | | 15,610 | | | | 474,526 | |
Magna International, Inc.–Class A (United States) | | | 114,190 | | | | 5,675,243 | |
NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. | | | 248,100 | | | | 4,667,596 | |
Valeo SA | | | 109,980 | | | | 3,580,501 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 14,397,866 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
AUTOMOBILES–3.0% | | | | | | | | |
Peugeot SA | | | 254,420 | | | $ | 6,261,900 | |
Subaru Corp. | | | 210,800 | | | | 5,132,377 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 11,394,277 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
GVC Holdings PLC(a) | | | 774,390 | | | | 6,419,240 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LEISURE PRODUCTS–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
Spin Master Corp.(b)(c) | | | 113,770 | | | | 3,290,039 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–1.9% | | | | | | | | |
HUGO BOSS AG | | | 61,820 | | | | 4,120,044 | |
Pandora A/S | | | 86,250 | | | | 3,068,086 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,188,130 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 42,689,552 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–10.8% | | | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–10.8% | | | | | | | | |
JXTG Holdings, Inc. | | | 1,402,200 | | | | 6,988,425 | |
PetroChina Co., Ltd.–Class H | | | 8,826,000 | | | | 4,866,543 | |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Preference Shares) | | | 743,300 | | | | 5,305,760 | |
Repsol SA | | | 495,746 | | | | 7,779,664 | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A | | | 408,410 | | | | 13,299,146 | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC–Class A | | | 72,534 | | | | 2,367,333 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 40,606,871 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–10.1% | | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.3% | | | | | | | | |
Hoya Corp. | | | 62,900 | | | | 4,834,128 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–8.8% | | | | | | | | |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | | | 385,440 | | | | 7,726,078 | |
Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B | | | 207,090 | | | | 10,577,577 | |
Roche Holding AG | | | 43,900 | | | | 12,344,137 | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored ADR)(b) | | | 285,200 | | | | 2,632,396 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 33,280,188 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 38,114,316 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–9.5% | | | | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–3.2% | | | | | | | | |
Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 136,600 | | | | 3,464,739 | |
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC(b) | | | 150,300 | | | | 8,491,950 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 11,956,689 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–4.0% | | | | | | | | |
Orkla ASA | | | 724,310 | | | | 6,428,196 | |
Salmar ASA | | | 63,230 | | | | 2,752,573 | |
WH Group Ltd.(c) | | | 5,815,500 | | | | 5,899,203 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 15,079,972 | |
| | | | | | | | |
4
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOBACCO–2.3% | | | | | | | | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | | 244,210 | | | $ | 8,526,811 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 35,563,472 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–8.4% | | | | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–4.4% | | | | | | | | |
Air Water, Inc. | | | 217,500 | | | | 3,734,116 | |
Covestro AG(c) | | | 63,983 | | | | 3,257,346 | |
Johnson Matthey PLC | | | 142,650 | | | | 6,030,891 | |
Tosoh Corp. | | | 246,000 | | | | 3,469,814 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,492,167 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Buzzi Unicem SpA(a) | | | 6,705 | | | | 136,137 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–1.1% | | | | | | | | |
BillerudKorsnas AB(a) | | | 307,720 | | | | 4,100,069 | |
| | | | | | | | |
METALS & MINING–2.9% | | | | | | | | |
BlueScope Steel Ltd. | | | 466,825 | | | | 3,969,389 | |
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. | | | 299,610 | | | | 2,846,129 | |
Yamato Kogyo Co., Ltd. | | | 142,500 | | | | 4,168,977 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 10,984,495 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 31,712,868 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–5.5% | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Nokia Oyj | | | 1,118,480 | | | | 5,570,918 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.0% | | | | | | | | |
SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd. | | | 63,500 | | | | 2,643,950 | |
SK Hynix, Inc. | | | 55,780 | | | | 3,355,133 | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.(b) | | | 669,000 | | | | 5,116,764 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 11,115,847 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE & PERIPHERALS–1.0% | | | | | | | | |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | | | 95,870 | | | | 3,903,857 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 20,590,622 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.8% | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.9% | | | | | | | | |
China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd. | | | 4,904,000 | | | | 5,362,040 | |
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | | | 119,800 | | | | 5,581,443 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 10,943,483 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ENTERTAINMENT–1.9% | | | | | | | | |
Nintendo Co., Ltd. | | | 19,300 | | | | 7,081,143 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 18,024,626 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
UTILITIES–4.7% | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–3.6% | | | | | | | | |
EDP–Energias de Portugal SA | | | 1,163,800 | | | $ | 4,422,951 | |
Enel SpA | | | 1,285,120 | | | | 8,964,673 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,387,624 | |
| | | | | | | | |
GAS UTILITIES–1.1% | | | | | | | | |
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. | | | 438,000 | | | | 4,262,438 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 17,650,062 | |
| | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE–1.4% | | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–1.4% | | | | | | | | |
Aroundtown SA | | | 629,860 | | | | 5,196,464 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $368,144,817) | | | | | | | 366,577,173 | |
| | | | | | | | |
RIGHTS–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Repsol SA, expiring 7/09/2019(b) (cost $281,045) | | | 495,746 | | | | 274,979 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.8% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–1.8% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(d)(e)(f) (cost $6,942,950) | | | 6,942,950 | | | | 6,942,950 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITY LENDING COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–99.4% (cost $375,368,812) | | | | | | | 373,795,102 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(d)(e)(f) (cost $6,138,487) | | | 6,138,487 | | | | 6,138,487 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.1% (cost $381,507,299) | | | | | | | 379,933,589 | |
Other assets less liabilities–(1.1)% | | | | | | | (3,959,206 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | $ | 375,974,383 | |
| | | | | | | | |
5
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Bank of America, NA | | | EUR | | | | 1,123 | | | | USD | | | | 1,283 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | $ | 4,220 | |
Bank of America, NA | | | EUR | | | | 606 | | | | USD | | | | 688 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (1,327 | ) |
Bank of America, NA | | | GBP | | | | 4,367 | | | | USD | | | | 5,667 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 117,354 | |
Bank of America, NA | | | GBP | | | | 745 | | | | USD | | | | 944 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (2,582 | ) |
Bank of America, NA | | | NOK | | | | 5,022 | | | | USD | | | | 593 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 4,033 | |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 870 | | | | CHF | | | | 881 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 33,374 | |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,042 | | | | HKD | | | | 8,156 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 1,875 | |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 956 | | | | ILS | | | | 3,407 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (181 | ) |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,169 | | | | JPY | | | | 128,266 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 22,262 | |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 584 | | | | CNY | | | | 4,048 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | 5,939 | |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,015 | | | | CNY | | | | 6,828 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (20,204 | ) |
Bank of America, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,223 | | | | ILS | | | | 4,343 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | 1,442 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | BRL | | | | 16,629 | | | | USD | | | | 4,339 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | 8,758 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 4,352 | | | | BRL | | | | 16,629 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (20,987 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | AUD | | | | 2,960 | | | | USD | | | | 2,057 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (21,918 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | EUR | | | | 1,058 | | | | USD | | | | 1,187 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (17,597 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | GBP | | | | 1,721 | | | | USD | | | | 2,253 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 66,558 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | INR | | | | 111,778 | | | | USD | | | | 1,571 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (47,214 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | JPY | | | | 263,720 | | | | USD | | | | 2,436 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (12,771 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 6,989 | | | | CHF | | | | 6,949 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 139,248 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 18,212 | | | | GBP | | | | 13,866 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (590,627 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 1,270 | | | | INR | | | | 88,591 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 12,340 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 2,110 | | | | JPY | | | | 229,681 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 22,372 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 851 | | | | NOK | | | | 7,222 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (4,384 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 477 | | | | CNY | | | | 3,194 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (11,824 | ) |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | BRL | | | | 16,629 | | | | USD | | | | 4,339 | | | | 8/02/19 | | | | 20,913 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | USD | | | | 3,499 | | | | GBP | | | | 2,749 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | 7,671 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | USD | | | | 7,028 | | | | JPY | | | | 766,467 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 88,683 | |
Citibank, NA | | | EUR | | | | 1,632 | | | | USD | | | | 1,869 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 10,666 | |
Citibank, NA | | | EUR | | | | 2,490 | | | | USD | | | | 2,810 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (24,873 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | GBP | | | | 3,842 | | | | USD | | | | 4,918 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 35,490 | |
Citibank, NA | | | INR | | | | 418,145 | | | | USD | | | | 5,906 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (147,571 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | JPY | | | | 408,088 | | | | USD | | | | 3,734 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (54,813 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | MXN | | | | 74,130 | | | | USD | | | | 3,741 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (112,456 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 4,762 | | | | CHF | | | | 4,761 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 121,531 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 687 | | | | EUR | | | | 610 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 7,415 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 2,966 | | | | GBP | | | | 2,250 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (106,349 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 3,190 | | | | HKD | | | | 24,992 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 9,623 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,100 | | | | ILS | | | | 3,982 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 16,513 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 4,562 | | | | JPY | | | | 499,617 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 77,041 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 3,833 | | | | MXN | | | | 74,130 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 20,084 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 758 | | | | NZD | | | | 1,124 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (3,038 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | KRW | | | | 8,749,610 | | | | USD | | | | 7,435 | | | | 8/26/19 | | | | (135,933 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 3,455 | | | | CHF | | | | 3,385 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | 45,483 | |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 3,003 | | | | CHF | | | | 2,892 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | (12,646 | ) |
Citibank, NA | | | USD | | | | 3,760 | | | | PLN | | | | 14,030 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | 6,114 | |
Credit Suisse International | | | AUD | | | | 2,639 | | | | USD | | | | 1,851 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (2,969 | ) |
Credit Suisse International | | | CHF | | | | 5,575 | | | | USD | | | | 5,504 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (214,954 | ) |
Credit Suisse International | | | JPY | | | | 692,459 | | | | USD | | | | 6,428 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (1,985 | ) |
6
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Credit Suisse International | | | USD | | | | 4,056 | | | | CHF | | | | 4,063 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | $ | 111,860 | |
Credit Suisse International | | | USD | | | | 5,299 | | | | NOK | | | | 46,071 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 104,642 | |
Credit Suisse International | | | USD | | | | 3,602 | | | | SGD | | | | 4,867 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | 1,135 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | CAD | | | | 11,398 | | | | USD | | | | 8,540 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (166,919 | ) |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | NOK | | | | 38,484 | | | | USD | | | | 4,531 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 17,246 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | CAD | | | | 892 | | | | USD | | | | 671 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (10,231 | ) |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | EUR | | | | 3,690 | | | | USD | | | | 4,220 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 19,154 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | GBP | | | | 750 | | | | USD | | | | 984 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 30,970 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | ILS | | | | 8,901 | | | | USD | | | | 2,501 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 4,967 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | USD | | | | 405 | | | | KRW | | | | 478,477 | | | | 8/26/19 | | | | 8,729 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | GBP | | | | 588 | | | | USD | | | | 771 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 23,763 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | HKD | | | | 33,218 | | | | USD | | | | 4,243 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (10,103 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | NOK | | | | 32,284 | | | | USD | | | | 3,726 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (59,898 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | SGD | | | | 5,618 | | | | USD | | | | 4,122 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (31,822 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,863 | | | | JPY | | | | 204,215 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 33,303 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | BRL | | | | 2,594 | | | | USD | | | | 669 | | | | 8/02/19 | | | | (5,087 | ) |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | USD | | | | 1,144 | | | | JPY | | | | 121,935 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | (4,492 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | BRL | | | | 16,629 | | | | USD | | | | 4,131 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (199,359 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 4,339 | | | | BRL | | | | 16,629 | | | | 7/02/19 | | | | (8,758 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | EUR | | | | 1,330 | | | | USD | | | | 1,518 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 3,516 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | EUR | | | | 3,672 | | | | USD | | | | 4,138 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (42,934 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | JPY | | | | 214,433 | | | | USD | | | | 1,928 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (62,651 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 1,311 | | | | EUR | | | | 1,157 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 6,424 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 483 | | | | INR | | | | 34,221 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 12,282 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | USD | | | | 6,314 | | | | JPY | | | | 696,841 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 156,688 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | CAD | | | | 1,031 | | | | USD | | | | 784 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | (4,353 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | EUR | | | | 1,213 | | | | USD | | | | 1,386 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | (4,948 | ) |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | ILS | | | | 7,159 | | | | USD | | | | 2,005 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | (13,713 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | CLP | | | | 1,375,811 | | | | USD | | | | 1,986 | | | | 7/12/19 | | | | (44,595 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 1,973 | | | | CLP | | | | 1,375,811 | | | | 7/12/19 | | | | 57,186 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | CHF | | | | 1,218 | | | | USD | | | | 1,220 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (28,865 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | INR | | | | 33,115 | | | | USD | | | | 476 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (3,179 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 924 | | | | AUD | | | | 1,342 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 18,252 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 2,570 | | | | GBP | | | | 1,987 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (45,240 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 570 | | | | JPY | | | | 62,699 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 12,465 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 5,231 | | | | SGD | | | | 7,047 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (21,379 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | CAD | | | | 1,200 | | | | USD | | | | 898 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | (20,275 | ) |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | USD | | | | 2,260 | | | | AUD | | | | 3,220 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | 7,746 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | INR | | | | 53,627 | | | | USD | | | | 759 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (17,753 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 19,322 | | | | AUD | | | | 27,001 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (356,551 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 882 | | | | JPY | | | | 96,266 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 11,894 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | CNY | | | | 114,512 | | | | USD | | | | 17,021 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | 330,289 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | CNY | | | | 20,237 | | | | USD | | | | 2,929 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (20,564 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 3,806 | | | | CNY | | | | 25,704 | | | | 7/25/19 | | | | (59,825 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | TWD | | | | 141,727 | | | | USD | | | | 4,517 | | | | 9/11/19 | | | | (74,197 | ) |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | USD | | | | 2,487 | | | | JPY | | | | 266,165 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | 745 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | CHF | | | | 782 | | | | USD | | | | 785 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (16,943 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 865 | | | | USD | | | | 988 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 3,015 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 9,792 | | | | USD | | | | 11,088 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (59,446 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | GBP | | | | 1,945 | | | | USD | | | | 2,518 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 46,345 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | HKD | | | | 26,676 | | | | USD | | | | 3,408 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (7,051 | ) |
7
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Contracts to Deliver (000) | | | In Exchange For (000) | | | Settlement Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 224 | | | | CHF | | | | 227 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | $ | 8,572 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 5,724 | | | | EUR | | | | 5,059 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 35,246 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 9,266 | | | | EUR | | | | 8,123 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (17,883 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 3,415 | | | | HKD | | | | 26,746 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 9,298 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 420 | | | | ILS | | | | 1,512 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 3,896 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 2,330 | | | | JPY | | | | 257,067 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 56,722 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 459 | | | | NOK | | | | 3,895 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (2,380 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 6,126 | | | | SEK | | | | 56,409 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (44,793 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | CAD | | | | 525 | | | | USD | | | | 393 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | (8,374 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | EUR | | | | 751 | | | | USD | | | | 855 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | (6,199 | ) |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 405 | | | | AUD | | | | 579 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | 2,214 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 1,941 | | | | CHF | | | | 1,894 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | 17,057 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | USD | | | | 57 | | | | JPY | | | | 6,054 | | | | 10/16/19 | | | | (194 | ) |
UBS AG | | | CHF | | | | 6,751 | | | | USD | | | | 6,664 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (260,711 | ) |
UBS AG | | | USD | | | | 928 | | | | EUR | | | | 814 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | (1,116 | ) |
UBS AG | | | USD | | | | 970 | | | | JPY | | | | 106,380 | | | | 7/16/19 | | | | 17,772 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | (1,231,589 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(b) | | Non-income producing security. |
(c) | | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $15,248,237 or 4.1% of net assets. |
(d) | | Affiliated investments. |
(e) | | The rate shown represents the7-day yield as of period end. |
(f) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800)227-4618. |
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD—Australian Dollar
BRL—Brazilian Real
CAD—Canadian Dollar
CHF—Swiss Franc
CLP—Chilean Peso
CNY—Chinese Yuan Renminbi
EUR—Euro
GBP—Great British Pound
HKD—Hong Kong Dollar
ILS—Israeli Shekel
INR—Indian Rupee
JPY—Japanese Yen
KRW—South Korean Won
MXN—Mexican Peso
NOK—Norwegian Krone
NZD—New Zealand Dollar
PLN—Polish Zloty
SEK—Swedish Krona
SGD—Singapore Dollar
TWD—New Taiwan Dollar
USD—United States Dollar
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $368,425,862) | | $ | 366,852,152 | (a) |
Affiliated issuers (cost $13,081,437—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $6,138,487) | | | 13,081,437 | |
Cash collateral due from broker | | | 260,000 | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $2,193,389) | | | 2,190,008 | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 2,080,395 | |
Unaffiliated dividends receivable | | | 1,732,243 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions | | | 1,696,377 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 61,938 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 5,148 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 387,959,698 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 6,138,487 | |
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | | 3,311,984 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions | | | 1,581,819 | |
Cash collateral due to broker | | | 270,000 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 212,724 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 119,627 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 60,808 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,786 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,504 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 248,518 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 11,985,315 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 375,974,383 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 28,088 | |
Additionalpaid-in capital | | | 389,606,785 | |
Accumulated loss | | | (13,660,490 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | 375,974,383 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 53,537,779 | | | | 3,970,387 | | | $ | 13.48 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 322,436,604 | | | | 24,117,618 | | | $ | 13.37 | |
(a) | | Includes securities on loan with a value of $6,184,236 (see Note E). |
See notes to financial statements.
9
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $885,002) | | $ | 7,328,383 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 130,657 | |
| | | | |
| | | 7,459,040 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 1,426,984 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 404,051 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 454 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 2,568 | |
Custodian | | | 86,034 | |
Printing | | | 54,577 | |
Administrative | | | 35,554 | |
Audit and tax | | | 28,931 | |
Legal | | | 22,875 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,066 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 13,078 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 2,087,172 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Notes B & E) | | | (2,915 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 2,084,257 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 5,374,783 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized loss on: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | (12,504,657 | ) |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | (562,848 | ) |
Foreign currency transactions | | | (97,411 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: | | | | |
Investments | | | 39,826,866 | |
Forward currency exchange contracts | | | 92,312 | |
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 2,589 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | 26,756,851 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 32,131,634 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
10
| | |
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | |
Net investment income | | $ | 5,374,783 | | | $ | 6,877,447 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (13,164,916 | ) | | | 6,436,057 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities | | | 39,921,767 | | | | (122,451,058 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 32,131,634 | | | | (109,137,554 | ) |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (1,075,905 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (4,249,239 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | |
Net decrease | | | (22,967,289 | ) | | | (4,626,158 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 9,164,345 | | | | (119,088,856 | ) |
NET ASSETS | |
Beginning of period | | | 366,810,038 | | | | 485,898,894 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 375,974,383 | | | $ | 366,810,038 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
11
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AB 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 anopen-end series investment company. The Fund offers eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded innon-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
12
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Common Stocks: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financials | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 63,128,619 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 63,128,619 | |
Industrials | | | 7,621,546 | | | | 45,678,155 | | | | –0 | – | | | 53,299,701 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 12,507,894 | | | | 30,181,658 | | | | –0 | – | | | 42,689,552 | |
Energy | | | 5,305,760 | | | | 35,301,111 | | | | –0 | – | | | 40,606,871 | |
Health Care | | | 2,632,396 | | | | 35,481,920 | | | | –0 | – | | | 38,114,316 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 8,491,950 | | | | 27,071,522 | | | | –0 | – | | | 35,563,472 | |
Materials | | | 2,846,129 | | | | 28,866,739 | | | | –0 | – | | | 31,712,868 | |
Information Technology | | | –0 | – | | | 20,590,622 | | | | –0 | – | | | 20,590,622 | |
Communication Services | | | –0 | – | | | 18,024,626 | | | | –0 | – | | | 18,024,626 | |
Utilities | | | –0 | – | | | 17,650,062 | | | | –0 | – | | | 17,650,062 | |
Real Estate | | | –0 | – | | | 5,196,464 | | | | –0 | – | | | 5,196,464 | |
Rights | | | 274,979 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 274,979 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 6,942,950 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 6,942,950 | |
Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund | | | 6,138,487 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 6,138,487 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 52,762,091 | | | | 327,171,498 | (a) | | | –0 | – | | | 379,933,589 | |
13
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Other Financial Instruments(b): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 2,080,395 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 2,080,395 | |
Liabilities: | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts | | | –0 | – | | | (3,311,984 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (3,311,984 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 52,762,091 | | | $ | 325,939,909 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 378,702,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | A significant portion of the Portfolio’s foreign equity investments are categorized as Level 2 investments since they are valued using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available, see Note A.1. |
(b) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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. 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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on theex-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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 apro-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 proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
14
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on theex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the 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 (the “Expense Caps”) to 1.20% and 1.45% of daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.
During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,554.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
The Portfolio may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. Effective August 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2020. In connection with the investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market
15
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to $1,465.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | |
Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 4,030 | | | $ | 57,610 | | | $ | 54,697 | | | $ | 6,943 | | | $ | 35 | |
Government Money Market Portfolio* | | | 5,149 | | | | 69,751 | | | | 68,762 | | | | 6,138 | | | | 96 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 13,081 | | | $ | 131 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Investments of cash collateral for securities lending transactions (see Note E). |
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $85,238, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule12b-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 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 or 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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 98,824,968 | | | $ | 119,280,206 | |
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 | | $ | 40,060,569 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (42,865,868 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | $ | (2,805,299 | ) |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
16
| | |
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The principal type of derivative 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 sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and fornon-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.
A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the 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.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging andnon-hedging purposes.
The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Portfolio typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment(close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Portfolio’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.
The Portfolio’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. If OTC derivatives were held at period end, please refer to netting arrangements by the OTC counterparty tables below for additional details.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Fair Value | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 2,080,395 | | | Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | 3,311,984 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 2,080,395 | | | | | $ | 3,311,984 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Type | | Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Within Statement of Operations | | Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives | | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) | |
Foreign currency contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts | | $ | (562,848 | ) | | $ | 92,312 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | (562,848 | ) | | $ | 92,312 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
17
| | |
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2019:
| | | | |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts: | | | | |
Average principal amount of buy contracts | | $ | 144,565,843 | |
Average principal amount of sale contracts | | $ | 144,764,002 | |
For financial reporting purposes, the Portfolio does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.
All OTC derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2019. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Assets Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Received* | | | Security Collateral Received* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | |
Bank of America, NA | | $ | 190,499 | | | $ | (24,294 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 166,205 | |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | 277,860 | | | | (277,860 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
BNP Paribas SA | | | 88,683 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 88,683 | |
Citibank, NA | | | 349,960 | | | | (349,960 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Credit Suisse International | | | 217,637 | | | | (217,637 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | 17,246 | | | | (17,246 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | 63,820 | | | | (10,231 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 53,589 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | 57,066 | | | | (57,066 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | 178,910 | | | | (178,910 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | 95,649 | | | | (95,649 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | 342,928 | | | | (342,928 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 182,365 | | | | (163,263 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 19,102 | |
UBS AG | | | 17,772 | | | | (17,772 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 2,080,395 | | | $ | (1,752,816 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 327,579 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MA | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Cash Collateral Pledged* | | | Security Collateral Pledged* | | | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | |
Bank of America, NA | | $ | 24,294 | | | $ | (24,294 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – |
Barclays Bank PLC | | | 727,322 | | | | (277,860 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 449,462 | |
Citibank, NA | | | 597,679 | | | | (349,960 | ) | | | (247,719 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
Credit Suisse International | | | 219,908 | | | | (217,637 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 2,271 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | 166,919 | | | | (17,246 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 149,673 | |
Goldman Sachs Bank USA | | | 10,231 | | | | (10,231 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | | | 111,402 | | | | (57,066 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 54,336 | |
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | | | 336,716 | | | | (178,910 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 157,806 | |
Natwest Markets PLC | | | 163,533 | | | | (95,649 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 67,884 | |
Standard Chartered Bank | | | 528,890 | | | | (342,928 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 185,962 | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | 163,263 | | | | (163,263 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
UBS AG | | | 261,827 | | | | (17,772 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 244,055 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 3,311,984 | | | $ | (1,752,816 | ) | | $ | (247,719 | ) | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 1,311,449 | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to over-collateralization. |
^ | | Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty. |
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest innon-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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: Securities Lending
The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/ornon-cash collateral.Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Portfolio cannot sell or repledge anynon-cash collateral, and accordingly will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. If the Portfolio receivesnon-cash collateral, the Portfolio will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the statement of operations. When the Portfolio earns net securities lending income from Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Market Value of Securities on Loan* | | | Cash Collateral* | | | Market Value of Non-Cash Collateral* | | | Income from Borrowers | | | Government Money Market Portfolio | |
| Income Earned | | | Advisory Fee Waived | |
$ | 6,184,236 | | | $ | 6,138,487 | | | $ | 349,151 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 96,265 | | | $ | 1,450 | |
19
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INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE F: 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, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class A | |
Shares sold | | | 167,855 | | | | 1,917,576 | | | | | | | $ | 2,221,753 | | | $ | 30,564,317 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | | | –0 | – | | | 76,053 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,075,905 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (819,208 | ) | | | (624,835 | ) | | | | | | | (10,904,742 | ) | | | (9,705,915 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (651,353 | ) | | | 1,368,794 | | | | | | | $ | (8,682,989 | ) | | $ | 21,934,307 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | |
Shares sold | | | 761,199 | | | | 2,042,981 | | | | | | | $ | 9,868,206 | | | $ | 30,014,125 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | | | –0 | – | | | 304,899 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 4,249,239 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (1,826,028 | ) | | | (3,972,067 | ) | | | | | | | (24,152,506 | ) | | | (60,823,829 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (1,064,829 | ) | | | (1,624,187 | ) | | | | | | $ | (14,284,300 | ) | | $ | (26,560,465 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2019, certain shareholders of the Portfolio owned 51% in aggregate of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholders, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Foreign(Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities ofnon-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid, and because these investments may be subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce its returns.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Leverage Risk—When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The Portfolio may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Portfolio, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Portfolio than if the Portfolio were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility
A number ofopen-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
20
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 5,325,144 | | | $ | 9,283,368 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions paid | | $ | 5,325,144 | | | $ | 9,283,368 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Accumulated capital losses | | $ | 0 | (a) |
Other losses | | | (538,232 | )(b) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (45,253,892 | )(c) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | (47,792,124 | ) |
| | | | |
(a) | | During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $9,408,940 of capital loss carry forwards to offset current year net realized gains. The Portfolio also had $40,760,405 of capital loss carryforwards expire during the fiscal year. |
(b) | | As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio had a qualified late-year ordinary loss deferral of $538,232. |
(c) | | The differences between book-basis andtax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), and the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU2018-13 (“ASU”) apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE K: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
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INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $12.38 | | | | $16.30 | | | | $13.28 | | | | $13.52 | | | | $13.53 | | | | $14.99 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | .20 | (b) | | | .25 | (b) | | | .31 | (b) | | | .30 | (b)† | | | .30 | | | | .48 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | .90 | | | | (3.94 | ) | | | 3.06 | | | | (.37 | ) | | | .05 | | | | (1.40 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 1.10 | | | | (3.69 | ) | | | 3.37 | | | | (.07 | ) | | | .35 | | | | (.92 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.23 | ) | | | (.35 | ) | | | (.17 | ) | | | (.36 | ) | | | (.54 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $13.48 | | | | $12.38 | | | | $16.30 | | | | $13.28 | | | | $13.52 | | | | $13.53 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value(c)* | | | 8.88 | % | | | (22.79 | )% | | | 25.42 | % | | | (.50 | )%† | | | 2.59 | % | | | (6.21 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $53,538 | | | | $57,234 | | | | $53,014 | | | | $47,385 | | | | $48,665 | | | | $50,504 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | | | .88 | %^ | | | .86 | % | | | .85 | % | | | .86 | % | | | .85 | % | | | .85 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | | | .88 | %^ | | | .87 | % | | | .86 | % | | | .86 | % | | | .85 | % | | | .85 | % |
Net investment income | | | 3.00 | %(b)^ | | | 1.65 | %(b) | | | 2.05 | %(b) | | | 2.27 | %(b)† | | | 2.09 | % | | | 3.25 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 26 | % | | | 42 | % | | | 45 | % | | | 64 | % | | | 74 | % | | | 64 | % |
See footnote summary on page 23.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $12.29 | | | | $16.15 | | | | $13.16 | | | | $13.41 | | | | $13.41 | | | | $14.86 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | .18 | (b) | | | .23 | (b) | | | .27 | (b) | | | .27 | (b)† | | | .26 | | | | .45 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions | | | .90 | | | | (3.92 | ) | | | 3.02 | | | | (.38 | ) | | | .06 | | | | (1.40 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 1.08 | | | | (3.69 | ) | | | 3.29 | | | | (.11 | ) | | | .32 | | | | (.95 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.17 | ) | | | (.30 | ) | | | (.14 | ) | | | (.32 | ) | | | (.50 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $13.37 | | | | $12.29 | | | | $16.15 | | | | $13.16 | | | | $13.41 | | | | $13.41 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value(c)* | | | 8.79 | % | | | (22.98 | )% | | | 25.09 | % | | | (.80 | )%† | | | 2.40 | % | | | (6.46 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $322,436 | | | | $309,576 | | | | $432,885 | | | | $460,086 | | | | $550,746 | | | | $615,682 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.13 | %^ | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.10 | % | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.10 | % | | | 1.10 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.13 | %^ | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.10 | % | | | 1.10 | % |
Net investment income | | | 2.79 | %(b)^ | | | 1.50 | %(b) | | | 1.83 | %(b) | | | 2.04 | %(b)† | | | 1.85 | % | | | 3.06 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 26 | % | | | 42 | % | | | 45 | % | | | 64 | % | | | 74 | % | | | 64 | % |
(a) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed 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 deductions of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
† | | For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income Per Share | | Net Investment Income Ratio | | Total Return |
$.002 | | .01% | | .01% |
* | | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 by .01% and .07%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
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CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB International Value Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within theone-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. The Directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-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 Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreement, including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds;12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the
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INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) provider”) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub- advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from
26
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S CURRENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB International Value Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held on May7-9, 2019 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services
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CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2017 and 2018 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the underlying fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients);12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Fund’s Class B shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the1-,3-,5- and10-year periods ended February 28, 2019 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Fund’s underperformance in the periods reviewed, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
28
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant. The directors also compared the advisory fee rate for the Fund with those for two other funds advised by the Adviser with a similar investment strategy.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund (although the directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was currently below the Adviser’s expense cap). The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. The directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was above the peer group median. After reviewing and discussing the Adviser’s explanations of the reasons for this, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
29
VPS-IV-0152-0619
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS
SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. 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 table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | | | Total Expenses Paid During Period+ | | | Total Annualized Expense Ratio+ | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,212.40 | | | $ | 3.68 | | | | 0.67 | % | | $ | 3.73 | | | | 0.68 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,021.47 | | | $ | 3.36 | | | | 0.67 | % | | $ | 3.41 | | | | 0.68 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,211.00 | | | $ | 5.04 | | | | 0.92 | % | | $ | 5.10 | | | | 0.93 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,020.23 | | | $ | 4.61 | | | | 0.92 | % | | $ | 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 theone-half year period). |
+ | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Portfolio’s total expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratio plus the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the weighted average expense ratio of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying portfolios in which it invests, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect theone-half year period). |
1
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Alphabet, Inc.—Class C | | $ | 37,728,082 | | | | 6.8 | % |
Microsoft Corp. | | | 34,172,124 | | | | 6.2 | |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | 28,497,684 | | | | 5.1 | |
Facebook, Inc.—Class A | | | 27,569,278 | | | | 5.0 | |
Visa, Inc.—Class A | | | 27,196,326 | | | | 4.9 | |
Monster Beverage Corp. | | | 20,548,536 | | | | 3.7 | |
Zoetis, Inc. | | | 20,462,020 | | | | 3.7 | |
Home Depot, Inc. (The) | | | 19,728,034 | | | | 3.6 | |
Booking Holdings, Inc. | | | 19,210,153 | | | | 3.5 | |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | | | 16,317,886 | | | | 2.9 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 251,430,123 | | | | 45.4 | % |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN2
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Health Care | | $ | 125,752,292 | | | | 22.8 | % |
Information Technology | | | 125,085,039 | | | | 22.6 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 82,344,261 | | | | 14.9 | |
Communication Services | | | 76,517,373 | | | | 13.9 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 40,435,151 | | | | 7.3 | |
Industrials | | | 38,442,662 | | | | 7.0 | |
Materials | | | 13,652,001 | | | | 2.5 | |
Financials | | | 4,402,347 | | | | 0.8 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 45,503,332 | | | | 8.2 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 552,134,458 | | | | 100.0 | % |
2 | | The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industrysub-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 Portfolio’s prospectus.
2
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–91.4% | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–22.7% | | | | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–5.3% | | | | | | | | |
Biogen, Inc.(a) | | | 15,886 | | | $ | 3,715,259 | |
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 28,983 | | | | 9,071,679 | |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 88,984 | | | | 16,317,886 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 29,104,824 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–7.0% | | | | | | | | |
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a) | | | 75,717 | | | | 13,987,959 | |
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a) | | | 29,422 | | | | 15,433,310 | |
Stryker Corp. | | | 45,954 | | | | 9,447,223 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 38,868,492 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–5.1% | | | | | | | | |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | 116,789 | | | | 28,497,684 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Veeva Systems, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 6,816 | | | | 1,104,942 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–1.4% | | | | | | | | |
Illumina, Inc.(a) | | | 10,470 | | | | 3,854,530 | |
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a) | | | 4,595 | | | | 3,859,800 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,714,330 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–3.7% | | | | | | | | |
Zoetis, Inc. | | | 180,298 | | | | 20,462,020 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 125,752,292 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–22.6% | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
Arista Networks, Inc.(a) | | | 36,149 | | | | 9,385,003 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–1.3% | | | | | | | | |
Amphenol Corp.–Class A | | | 25,176 | | | | 2,415,385 | |
Cognex Corp. | | | 41,722 | | | | 2,001,822 | |
IPG Photonics Corp.(a) | | | 16,566 | | | | 2,555,306 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,972,513 | |
| | | | | | | | |
IT SERVICES–7.5% | | | | | | | | |
PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 127,152 | | | | 14,553,818 | |
Visa, Inc.–Class A(b) | | | 156,706 | | | | 27,196,326 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 41,750,144 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.4% | | | | | | | | |
ASML Holding NV ADR | | | 13,820 | | | | 2,873,593 | |
Texas Instruments, Inc. | | | 15,410 | | | | 1,768,452 | |
Xilinx, Inc. | | | 73,810 | | | | 8,703,675 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,345,720 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
SOFTWARE–8.1% | | | | | | | | |
Adobe, Inc.(a) | | | 27,830 | | | $ | 8,200,110 | |
ANSYS, Inc.(a) | | | 1,159 | | | | 237,386 | |
Aspen Technology, Inc.(a) | | | 2,570 | | | | 319,400 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | 255,092 | | | | 34,172,124 | |
Paycom Software, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 9,309 | | | | 2,110,536 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 45,039,556 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE & PERIPHERALS–1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 43,412 | | | | 8,592,103 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 125,085,039 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–14.8% | | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(a) | | | 9,700 | | | | 1,463,439 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Domino’s Pizza, Inc. | | | 3,580 | | | | 996,243 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INTERNET & DIRECT MARKETING RETAIL–3.5% | | | | | | | | |
Booking Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 10,247 | | | | 19,210,153 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–8.6% | | | | | | | | |
Burlington Stores, Inc.(a) | | | 49,220 | | | | 8,374,783 | |
Five Below, Inc.(a) | | | 3,340 | | | | 400,867 | |
Home Depot, Inc. (The) | | | 94,860 | | | | 19,728,034 | |
TJX Cos., Inc. (The) | | | 166,668 | | | | 8,813,404 | |
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.(a) | | | 29,925 | | | | 10,380,683 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 47,697,771 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–2.3% | | | | | | | | |
NIKE, Inc.–Class B | | | 154,576 | | | | 12,976,655 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 82,344,261 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATION SERVICES–13.8% | | | | | | | | |
ENTERTAINMENT–2.0% | | | | | | | | |
Electronic Arts, Inc.(a) | | | 110,804 | | | | 11,220,013 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INTERACTIVE MEDIA & SERVICES–11.8% | | | | | | | | |
Alphabet, Inc.–Class C(a) | | | 34,904 | | | | 37,728,082 | |
Facebook, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 142,846 | | | | 27,569,278 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 65,297,360 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 76,517,373 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–7.3% | | | | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–4.4% | | | | | | | | |
Constellation Brands, Inc.–Class A | | | 20,220 | | | | 3,982,127 | |
Monster Beverage Corp.(a) | | | 321,926 | | | | 20,548,536 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 24,530,663 | |
| | | | | | | | |
3
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.9% | | | | | | | | |
Costco Wholesale Corp. | | | 60,185 | | | $ | 15,904,488 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 40,435,151 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–6.9% | | | | | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
Allegion PLC | | | 87,179 | | | | 9,637,638 | |
AO Smith Corp. | | | 88,955 | | | | 4,195,118 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,832,756 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Copart, Inc.(a) | | | 114,608 | | | | 8,565,802 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
AMETEK, Inc. | | | 40,520 | | | | 3,680,837 | |
Rockwell Automation, Inc. | | | 3,510 | | | | 575,043 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,255,880 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.1% | | | | | | | | |
Roper Technologies, Inc. | | | 17,504 | | | | 6,411,015 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MACHINERY–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
IDEX Corp. | | | 19,340 | | | | 3,329,188 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Fastenal Co.(b) | | | 62,842 | | | | 2,048,021 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 38,442,662 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
Sherwin-Williams Co. (The) | | | 29,789 | | | | 13,652,001 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. | | | 6,156 | | | | 1,978,661 | |
S&P Global, Inc. | | | 10,640 | | | | 2,423,686 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,402,347 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $325,833,807) | | | | | | | 506,631,126 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–8.2% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–8.2% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(c)(d)(e) (cost $45,503,332) | | | 45,503,332 | | | $ | 45,503,332 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.6% (cost $371,337,139) | | | | | | | 552,134,458 | |
Other assets less liabilities–0.4% | | | | | | | 2,186,255 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | $ | 554,320,713 | |
| | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(c) | | Affiliated investments. |
(d) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800)227-4618. |
(e) | | The rate shown represents the7-day yield as of period end. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
4
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $325,833,807) | | $ | 506,631,126 | (a) |
Affiliated issuers (cost $45,503,332) | | | 45,503,332 | |
Cash | | | 24,717 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 3,665,447 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 155,493 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 75,910 | |
Unaffiliated dividends and interest receivable | | | 68,497 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 556,124,522 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 1,122,694 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 246,928 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 175,940 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 56,820 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,397 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,504 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 160,468 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,803,809 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 554,320,713 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 9,121 | |
Additionalpaid-in capital | | | 281,133,624 | |
Distributable earnings | | | 273,177,968 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 554,320,713 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 251,625,571 | | | | 4,010,396 | | | $ | 62.74 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 302,695,142 | | | | 5,110,662 | | | $ | 59.23 | |
(a) | | Includes securities on loan with a value of $31,354,884 (see Note E). |
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $3,098) | | $ | 1,512,675 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 439,706 | |
Interest | | | 513 | |
Securities lending income | | | 9,095 | |
| | | | |
| | | 1,961,989 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 1,434,594 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 323,037 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 1,810 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 2,125 | |
Custodian | | | 53,331 | |
Administrative | | | 35,132 | |
Printing | | | 30,808 | |
Audit and tax | | | 21,347 | |
Legal | | | 20,583 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,066 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 12,741 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 1,947,574 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) | | | (18,671 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 1,928,903 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 33,086 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | 23,163,393 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 62,658,921 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment transactions | | | 85,822,314 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 85,855,400 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | |
Net investment income (loss) | | $ | 33,086 | | | $ | (406,254 | ) |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | 23,163,393 | | | | 70,143,110 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 62,658,921 | | | | (58,055,525 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase in net assets from operations | | | 85,855,400 | | | | 11,681,331 | |
Distributions to Shareholders | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (23,052,799 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (27,070,582 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 59,538,892 | | | | 18,042,010 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 145,394,292 | | | | (20,400,040 | ) |
NET ASSETS | |
Beginning of period | | | 408,926,421 | | | | 429,326,461 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 554,320,713 | | | $ | 408,926,421 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AB 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 anopen-end series investment company. The Portfolio acquired the assets and liabilities of AB Growth Portfolio (the “Acquired Portfolio”), a reorganization that was effective at the close of business April 26, 2019 (the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization was approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors pursuant to a Plan of Acquisition and Liquidation (the “Reorganization Agreement”) (see Note J for additional information). The Fund offers eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but
8
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 innon-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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | |
Common Stocks(a) | | $ | 506,631,126 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 506,631,126 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 45,503,332 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 45,503,332 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 552,134,458 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 552,134,458 | |
Other Financial Instruments(b) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 552,134,458 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 552,134,458 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications. |
(b) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
9
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB 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 ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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. 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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on theex-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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 apro-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 proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on theex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .60% of the first $2.5 billion, .50% of the next $2.5 billion and .45% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common
10
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,132.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
The Portfolio may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. Effective August 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2020. In connection with the investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to $18,671.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | |
Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 22,378 | | | $ | 59,239 | | | $ | 36,114 | | | $ | 45,503 | | | $ | 440 | |
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $22,970, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant toRule 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 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
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB 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 or 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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 110,820,610 | | | $ | 102,598,762 | |
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 | | $ | 182,494,841 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (1,697,522 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 180,797,319 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest innon-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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: Securities Lending
The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/ornon-cash collateral.Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Portfolio cannot sell or repledge anynon-cash collateral, and accordingly will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. If the Portfolio receivesnon-cash collateral, the Portfolio will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not be able to exercise voting rights with
12
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the statement of operations. When the Portfolio earns net securities lending income from Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Market Value of Securities on Loan* | | | Cash Collateral* | | | Market Value of Non-Cash Collateral* | | | Income from Borrowers | | | Government Money Market Portfolio | |
| Income Earned | | | Advisory Fee Waived | |
$ | 31,354,884 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 31,571,896 | | | $ | 9,095 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
NOTE F: 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, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class A | |
Shares sold | | | 47,444 | | | | 131,142 | | | | | | | $ | 2,861,558 | | | $ | 7,751,764 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 401,687 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 23,052,799 | |
Shares issued in connection with the Reorganization | | | 574,265 | | | | –0 | – | | | | | | | 35,749,507 | | | | –0 | – |
Shares redeemed | | | (300,436 | ) | | | (542,535 | ) | | | | | | | (17,738,630 | ) | | | (31,574,803 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | 321,273 | | | | (9,706 | ) | | | | | | $ | 20,872,435 | | | $ | (770,240 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | |
Shares sold | | | 180,998 | | | | 453,785 | | | | | | | $ | 10,123,229 | | | $ | 25,080,408 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 498,629 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 27,070,582 | |
Share issued in connection with the Reorganization | | | 739,816 | | | | –0 | – | | | | | | | 43,494,004 | | | | –0 | – |
Shares redeemed | | | (268,063 | ) | | | (608,637 | ) | | | | | | | (14,950,776 | ) | | | (33,338,740 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 652,751 | | | | 343,777 | | | | | | | $ | 38,666,457 | | | $ | 18,812,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2019, certain shareholders of the Portfolio owned 61% in aggregate of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholders, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Focused Portfolio Risk—Investments in a limited number of companies may have more risk because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Portfolio’s net asset value, or NAV.
13
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Foreign(Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities ofnon-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility
A number ofopen-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 581,143 | | | $ | –0 | – |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 49,542,238 | | | | 25,099,310 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions | | $ | 50,123,381 | | | $ | 25,099,310 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 3,266,247 | |
Undistributed capital gains | | | 66,227,880 | |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 92,106,042 | (a) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | 161,600,169 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | The difference between book-basis andtax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
14
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE J: Merger and Reorganization
At a meeting held on November6-8, 2018, the Board of the Fund approved the acquisition of the assets and assumption of the liabilities of the Acquired Portfolio by the Portfolio, each a series of the Fund. The Reorganization was completed at the close of business April 26, 2019. Pursuant to the Reorganization, the assets and liabilities of the Acquired Portfolio shares were transferred in exchange for the shares of the same class of the Portfolio, in atax-free exchange as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares outstanding before the Reorganization | | | Shares outstanding immediately after the Reorganization | | | Aggregate net assets before the Reorganization | | | Aggregate net assets immediately after the Reorganization | |
The Acquired Portfolio | | | 2,572,557 | | | | –0 | – | | $ | 79,243,511 | + | | $ | –0 | – |
The Portfolio | | | 7,930,514 | | | | 9,244,595 | | | $ | 478,400,346 | ++ | | $ | 557,643,857 | |
+ | | Includes accumulated net investment loss of $277,056, accumulated realized gain on investments of $1,407,147 and unrealized appreciation on investments of $25,722,398, with a fair value of $68,435,317 and identified cost of $42,712,919. |
++ | | Includes accumulated net investment loss of $150,739, accumulated realized gain on investments of $84,360,216 and unrealized appreciation on investments of $159,235,619, with a fair value of $478,656,041 and identified cost of $319,420,422. |
Assuming the acquisition of the Acquired Portfolio had been completed on January 1, 2019, the Portfolio’s pro forma results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2019, are as follows:
| | | | |
Net investment loss | | $ | (243,970 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | | | 115,579,487 | |
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 115,335,517 | |
| | | | |
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Portfolio that have been included in the Portfolio’s Statement of Operations since April 26, 2019.
For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Portfolio were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the Acquired Portfolio was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Portfolio’s realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.
NOTE K: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU2018-13 (“ASU”) apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE L: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
15
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Class A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $51.75 | | | | $56.34 | | | | $45.22 | | | | $49.50 | | | | $48.83 | | | | $42.78 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (a) | | | .04 | (b) | | | .02 | (b) | | | .02 | (b) | | | (.03 | )(b)† | | | .02 | | | | .02 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions | | | 10.95 | | | | 2.09 | | | | 14.10 | | | | 1.44 | | | | 5.33 | | | | 6.03 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase in net asset value from operations | | | 10.99 | | | | 2.11 | | | | 14.12 | | | | 1.41 | | | | 5.35 | | | | 6.05 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (6.70 | ) | | | (3.00 | ) | | | (5.69 | ) | | | (4.68 | ) | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $62.74 | | | | $51.75 | | | | $56.34 | | | | $45.22 | | | | $49.50 | | | | $48.83 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d)* | | | 21.24 | % | | | 2.58 | % | | | 31.98 | % | | | 2.63 | %† | | | 11.11 | % | | | 14.14 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $251,626 | | | | $190,899 | | | | $208,392 | | | | $178,136 | | | | $191,568 | | | | $189,620 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .67 | %^ | | | .68 | % | | | .70 | % | | | .85 | % | | | .82 | % | | | .83 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .68 | %^ | | | .68 | % | | | .70 | % | | | .85 | % | | | .82 | % | | | .83 | % |
Net investment income (loss) | | | .15 | %(b)^ | | | .04 | %(b) | | | .03 | %(b) | | | (.07 | )%(b)† | | | .04 | % | | | .04 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 23 | % | | | 46 | % | | | 48 | % | | | 59 | % | | | 65 | % | | | 65 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying | |
portfolios | | | .01 | %^ | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % |
See footnote summary on page 18.
16
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Class B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $48.91 | | | | $53.70 | | | | $43.32 | | | | $47.77 | | | | $47.38 | | | | $41.62 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss (a) | | | (.03 | )(b) | | | (.12 | )(b) | | | (.11 | )(b) | | | (.14 | )(b)† | | | (.10 | ) | | | (.09 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions | | | 10.35 | | | | 2.03 | | | | 13.49 | | | | 1.38 | | | | 5.17 | | | | 5.85 | |
Contributions from Affiliates | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | .00 | (c) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase in net asset value from operations | | | 10.32 | | | | 1.91 | | | | 13.38 | | | | 1.24 | | | | 5.07 | | | | 5.76 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (6.70 | ) | | | (3.00 | ) | | | (5.69 | ) | | | (4.68 | ) | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $59.23 | | | | $48.91 | | | | $53.70 | | | | $43.32 | | | | $47.77 | | | | $47.38 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (d)* | | | 21.10 | % | | | 2.32 | % | | | 31.67 | % | | | 2.36 | %† | | | 10.86 | % | | | 13.84 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $302,695 | | | | $218,027 | | | | $220,934 | | | | $202,903 | | | | $267,171 | | | | $237,452 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .92 | %^ | | | .93 | % | | | .95 | % | | | 1.10 | % | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.08 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (e)‡ | | | .93 | %^ | | | .93 | % | | | .95 | % | | | 1.10 | % | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.08 | % |
Net investment loss | | | (.10 | )%(b)^ | | | (.21 | )%(b) | | | (.21 | )%(b) | | | (.32 | )%(b)† | | | (.21 | )% | | | (.21 | )% |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 23 | % | | | 46 | % | | | 48 | % | | | 59 | % | | | 65 | % | | | 65 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
‡ Expense ratios exclude the estimated acquired fund fees of the affiliated/unaffiliated underlying | |
portfolios | | | .01 | %^ | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % |
See footnote summary on page 18.
17
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
(a) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser. |
(c) | | Amount is less than $.005. |
(d) | | Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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) | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses, and for the six months ended and the year ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to .01% (annualized). |
† | | For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income Per Share | | Net Investment Income Ratio | | Total Return |
$.005 | | .01% | | .01% |
* | | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 by .02%, .03%, .01%, .09% and .02%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
18
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| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within theone-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. The Directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-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 Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreement, including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the
19
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds;12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
20
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) provider”) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
21
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LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S CURRENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held on May7-9, 2019 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the
22
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| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2017 and 2018 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the underlying fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients);12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Fund’s Class B shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the1-,3-,5- and10-year periods ended February 28, 2019 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
23
| | |
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund 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 compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant. The directors also compared the advisory fee rate for the Fund with those for two other funds advised by the Adviser with a similar investment strategy.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
24
VPS-LCG-0152-0619
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. 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 table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,307.00 | | | $ | 5.15 | | | | 0.90 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,020.33 | | | $ | 4.51 | | | | 0.90 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,305.40 | | | $ | 6.57 | | | | 1.15 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual 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 theone-half year period). |
1
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Strategic Education, Inc. | | $ | 1,450,700 | | | | 1.8 | % |
Tetra Tech, Inc. | | | 1,367,948 | | | | 1.7 | |
Chegg, Inc. | | | 1,360,298 | | | | 1.7 | |
Ingevity Corp. | | | 1,319,252 | | | | 1.7 | |
Trupanion, Inc. | | | 1,287,998 | | | | 1.6 | |
Teladoc Health, Inc. | | | 1,287,026 | | | | 1.6 | |
LHC Group, Inc. | | | 1,286,681 | | | | 1.6 | |
Rapid7, Inc. | | | 1,238,528 | | | | 1.6 | |
Novanta, Inc. | | | 1,210,812 | | | | 1.5 | |
Chart Industries, Inc. | | | 1,199,174 | | | | 1.5 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 13,008,417 | | | | 16.3 | % |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN2
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Health Care | | $ | 19,849,545 | | | | 24.9 | % |
Information Technology | | | 16,666,593 | | | | 20.9 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 15,948,909 | | | | 20.0 | |
Industrials | | | 13,732,951 | | | | 17.2 | |
Financials | | | 6,521,246 | | | | 8.2 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 2,235,501 | | | | 2.8 | |
Materials | | | 1,319,252 | | | | 1.6 | |
Energy | | | 1,000,466 | | | | 1.3 | |
Short-Term | | | 2,493,144 | | | | 3.1 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 79,767,607 | | | | 100.0 | % |
2 | | The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industrysub-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 Portfolio’s prospectus.
2
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–97.1% | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–24.9% | | | | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY–12.5% | | | | | | | | |
Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 16,403 | | | $ | 341,510 | |
Allakos, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 8,628 | | | | 373,851 | |
Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 11,471 | | | | 307,996 | |
Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 8,300 | | | | 486,629 | |
Array BioPharma, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 15,135 | | | | 701,205 | |
Ascendis Pharma A/S (Sponsored ADR)(a)(b) | | | 3,871 | | | | 445,746 | |
BeiGene Ltd. (Sponsored ADR)(a)(b) | | | 2,847 | | | | 352,886 | |
Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Co., Ltd.(a) | | | 10,438 | | | | 457,080 | |
Blueprint Medicines Corp.(a) | | | 8,302 | | | | 783,128 | |
Exact Sciences Corp.(a)(b) | | | 7,535 | | | | 889,431 | |
Gossamer Bio, Inc.(a) | | | 12,405 | | | | 275,143 | |
Invitae Corp.(a)(b) | | | 34,360 | | | | 807,460 | |
Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 16,933 | | | | 415,197 | |
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 2,500 | | | | 262,025 | |
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(a) | | | 7,100 | | | | 599,453 | |
NextCure, Inc.(a) | | | 12,852 | | | | 192,523 | |
NuCana PLC (ADR)(a)(b) | | | 10,566 | | | | 109,675 | |
Rubius Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 19,300 | | | | 303,589 | |
Sage Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 2,136 | | | | 391,080 | |
Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 2,080 | | | | 316,056 | |
Turning Point Therapeutics–Class I(a)(b) | | | 6,861 | | | | 279,243 | |
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 9,113 | | | | 578,676 | |
Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 12,785 | | | | 292,393 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,961,975 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–4.7% | | | | | | | | |
Insulet Corp.(a)(b) | | | 7,170 | | | | 855,955 | |
iRhythm Technologies, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 13,658 | | | | 1,080,075 | |
Penumbra, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 5,613 | | | | 898,080 | |
Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.(a) | | | 16,059 | | | | 914,078 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,748,188 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.4% | | | | | | | | |
Guardant Health, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 7,562 | | | | 652,827 | |
LHC Group, Inc.(a) | | | 10,760 | | | | 1,286,681 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,939,508 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–2.4% | | | | | | | | |
Teladoc Health, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 19,380 | | | | 1,287,026 | |
Vocera Communications, Inc.(a) | | | 20,077 | | | | 640,858 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,927,884 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–1.4% | | | | | | | | |
ICON PLC(a) | | | 6,987 | | | | 1,075,788 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 9,025 | | | $ | 266,689 | |
Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 13,470 | | | | 346,852 | |
GW Pharmaceuticals PLC (Sponsored ADR)(a)(b) | | | 2,178 | | | | 375,465 | |
Revance Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 15,975 | | | | 207,196 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,196,202 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 19,849,545 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–20.9% | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Ciena Corp.(a) | | | 14,085 | | | | 579,316 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
Littelfuse, Inc. | | | 4,190 | | | | 741,253 | |
Novanta, Inc.(a) | | | 12,840 | | | | 1,210,812 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,952,065 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.9% | | | | | | | | |
Cree, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 8,801 | | | | 494,440 | |
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.(b) | | | 5,761 | | | | 782,228 | |
Silicon Laboratories, Inc.(a) | | | 10,884 | | | | 1,125,406 | |
Universal Display Corp.(b) | | | 3,861 | | | | 726,100 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,128,174 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SOFTWARE–13.8% | | | | | | | | |
Altair Engineering, Inc.–Class A(a)(b) | | | 23,732 | | | | 958,535 | |
Anaplan, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 12,579 | | | | 634,862 | |
Aspen Technology, Inc.(a) | | | 9,603 | | | | 1,193,461 | |
Avalara, Inc.(a) | | | 15,390 | | | | 1,111,158 | |
Five9, Inc.(a) | | | 22,172 | | | | 1,137,202 | |
Guidewire Software, Inc.(a) | | | 5,286 | | | | 535,895 | |
HubSpot, Inc.(a) | | | 6,080 | | | | 1,036,761 | |
New Relic, Inc.(a) | | | 8,346 | | | | 722,012 | |
Rapid7, Inc.(a) | | | 21,413 | | | | 1,238,528 | |
RingCentral, Inc–Class A(a) | | | 7,780 | | | | 894,078 | |
Smartsheet, Inc–Class A(a) | | | 14,598 | | | | 706,543 | |
Trade Desk, Inc. (The)– Class A(a)(b) | | | 3,679 | | | | 838,003 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 11,007,038 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,666,593 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–20.0% | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTORS–1.4% | | | | | | | | |
Pool Corp. | | | 5,947 | | | | 1,135,877 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–6.4% | | | | | | | | |
Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(a) | | | 7,845 | | | | 1,183,575 | |
Chegg, Inc.(a) | | | 35,250 | | | | 1,360,298 | |
3
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Grand Canyon Education, Inc.(a) | | | 9,124 | | | $ | 1,067,690 | |
Strategic Education, Inc. | | | 8,150 | | | | 1,450,700 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,062,263 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–4.7% | | | | | | | | |
Hilton Grand Vacations, Inc.(a) | | | 20,328 | | | | 646,837 | |
OneSpaWorld Holdings Ltd.(a)(b) | | | 49,330 | | | | 764,615 | |
Planet Fitness, Inc.(a) | | | 15,786 | | | | 1,143,538 | |
Wingstop, Inc. | | | 12,506 | | | | 1,184,943 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,739,933 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–2.1% | | | | | | | | |
Lovesac Co. (The)(a) | | | 21,109 | | | | 655,856 | |
Skyline Champion Corp. | | | 37,436 | | | | 1,024,998 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,680,854 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INTERNET & DIRECT MARKETING RETAIL–2.1% | | | | | | | | |
Etsy, Inc.(a) | | | 14,276 | | | | 876,118 | |
GrubHub, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 9,770 | | | | 761,962 | |
Realreal, Inc. (The)(a) | | | 1,415 | | | | 40,894 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,678,974 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MULTILINE RETAIL–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 10,742 | | | | 935,736 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–2.1% | | | | | | | | |
Five Below, Inc.(a) | | | 7,982 | | | | 958,000 | |
Sleep Number Corp.(a) | | | 18,749 | | | | 757,272 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,715,272 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 15,948,909 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–17.3% | | | | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–4.0% | | | | | | | | |
Axon Enterprise, Inc.(a) | | | 14,550 | | | | 934,256 | |
Hexcel Corp. | | | 13,334 | | | | 1,078,454 | |
Mercury Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 16,500 | | | | 1,160,775 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,173,485 | |
| | | | | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. | | | 9,861 | | | | 958,489 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
Tetra Tech, Inc. | | | 17,415 | | | | 1,367,948 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.1% | | | | | | | | |
Carlisle Cos., Inc. | | | 6,302 | | | | 884,864 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MACHINERY–5.8% | | | | | | | | |
Chart Industries, Inc.(a) | | | 15,598 | | | | 1,199,174 | |
Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 20,939 | | | | 724,490 | |
IDEX Corp. | | | 5,072 | | | | 873,094 | |
Nordson Corp. | | | 5,930 | | | | 837,968 | |
RBC Bearings, Inc.(a) | | | 5,993 | | | | 999,692 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,634,418 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ROAD & RAIL–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.(b) | | | 18,567 | | | | 609,740 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Saia, Inc.(a) | | | 11,030 | | | $ | 713,310 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,323,050 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.8% | | | | | | | | |
H&E Equipment Services, Inc. | | | 22,276 | | | | 648,009 | |
SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 10,717 | | | | 742,688 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,390,697 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,732,951 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–8.2% | | | | | | | | |
BANKS–2.7% | | | | | | | | |
Cadence BanCorp | | | 30,820 | | | | 641,056 | |
Western Alliance Bancorp(a) | | | 17,562 | | | | 785,373 | |
Wintrust Financial Corp. | | | 9,780 | | | | 715,505 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,141,934 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL MARKETS–3.4% | | | | | | | | |
Hamilton Lane, Inc.–Class A | | | 20,072 | | | | 1,145,309 | |
Houlihan Lokey, Inc. | | | 17,770 | | | | 791,298 | |
Stifel Financial Corp. | | | 13,387 | | | | 790,636 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,727,243 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Ranpak Holdings Corp.(a)(c) | | | 41,138 | | | | 364,071 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Trupanion, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 35,649 | | | | 1,287,998 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,521,246 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–2.8% | | | | | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. (The)(a) | | | 33,221 | | | | 1,165,060 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–1.3% | | | | | | | | |
Freshpet, Inc.(a) | | | 23,521 | | | | 1,070,441 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,235,501 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
Ingevity Corp.(a) | | | 12,544 | | | | 1,319,252 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–1.3% | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Oil States International, Inc.(a) | | | 12,941 | | | | 236,820 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–1.0% | | | | | | | | |
Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp.(a)(b) | | | 25,950 | | | | 300,501 | |
Matador Resources Co.(a)(b) | | | 23,297 | | | | 463,145 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 763,646 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,000,466 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $59,071,503) | | | | | | | 77,274,463 | |
| | | | | | | | |
4
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–3.1% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–3.1% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(d)(e)(f) (cost $2,493,144) | | | 2,493,144 | | | $ | 2,493,144 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITY LENDING COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–100.2% (cost $61,564,647) | | | | | | | 79,767,607 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–5.8% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–5.8% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.– Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(d)(e)(f) (cost $4,636,642) | | | 4,636,642 | | | | 4,636,642 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–106.0% (cost $66,201,289) | | | | | | | 84,404,249 | |
Other assets less liabilities–(6.0)% | | | | | | | (4,773,246 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | $ | 79,631,003 | |
| | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(d) | | Affiliated investments. |
(e) | | The rate shown represents the7-day yield as of period end. |
(f) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800)227-4618. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $59,071,503) | | $ | 77,274,463 | (a) |
Affiliated issuers (cost $7,129,786—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $4,636,642) | | | 7,129,786 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 279,549 | |
Unaffiliated dividends receivable | | | 22,741 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 13,041 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 5,120 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 84,724,700 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 4,636,642 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 316,385 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,744 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 29,173 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 9,335 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 9,129 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,504 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 51,727 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 5,093,697 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 79,631,003 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 3,919 | |
Additionalpaid-in capital | | | 49,428,992 | |
Distributable earnings | | | 30,198,092 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 79,631,003 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 28,817,213 | | | | 1,329,440 | | | $ | 21.68 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 50,813,790 | | | | 2,589,210 | | | $ | 19.63 | |
(a) | | Includes securities on loan with a value of $20,912,887 (see Note E). |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | $ | 116,824 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 53,461 | |
Interest | | | 41 | |
Securities lending income | | | 27,609 | |
| | | | |
| | | 197,935 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 274,927 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 58,302 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 806 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 1,409 | |
Custodian | | | 49,568 | |
Administrative | | | 35,517 | |
Audit and tax | | | 20,590 | |
Legal | | | 13,875 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,066 | |
Printing | | | 10,898 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 2,890 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 480,848 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Notes B & E) | | | (94,075 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 386,773 | |
| | | | |
Net investment loss | | | (188,838 | ) |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | 3,398,670 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 15,661,684 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment transactions | | | 19,060,354 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 18,871,516 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss | | $ | (188,838 | ) | | $ | (539,704 | ) |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | 3,398,670 | | | | 9,717,843 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 15,661,684 | | | | (11,367,796 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 18,871,516 | | | | (2,189,657 | ) |
Distributions to Shareholders | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (1,292,890 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (2,385,487 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (2,060,600 | ) | | | 19,253,347 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase | | | 16,810,916 | | | | 13,385,313 | |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 62,820,087 | | | | 49,434,774 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 79,631,003 | | | $ | 62,820,087 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AB 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 anopen-end series investment company. The Fund offers eleven 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.
Effective February 1, 2013, the Portfolio was closed to new investors except that Contractholders of variable products with investment options that included the Portfolio as of January 31, 2013, may continue to purchase shares of the Portfolio in accordance with the procedures for the purchase of shares in the prospectus of the separate account in which they invest, including through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Effective August 10, 2015, the Portfolio reopened to new investors.
The Portfolio may (i) make additional exceptions that, in the Adviser’s judgment, do not adversely affect the Adviser’s ability to manage the Portfolio; (ii) reject any investment or refuse any exception, including those detailed above, that the Adviser believes will adversely affect its ability to manage the Portfolio; and (iii) close and/or reopen the Portfolio to new or existing Contractholders at any time.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures
9
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded innon-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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks(a) | | $ | 77,274,463 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 77,274,463 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 2,493,144 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 2,493,144 | |
Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund | | | 4,636,642 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 4,636,642 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 84,404,249 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 84,404,249 | |
Other Financial Instruments(b) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 84,404,249 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 84,404,249 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
10
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
(a) | | See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications. |
(b) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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. 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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.
5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on theex-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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 apro-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 proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on theex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the 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. Effective September 4, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses (excluding expenses associated with acquired fund fees and expenses other than the advisory fees of any AB Mutual Funds in which the Portfolio may invest,
11
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
interest expense, taxes, extraordinary expenses, and brokerage commissions and other transaction costs) on an annual basis (the “Expense Caps”) to .90% and 1.15% of daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such reimbursements/waivers amounted to $92,633. This fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement agreement extends through May 1, 2020 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additionalone-year terms.
During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,517.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
The Portfolio may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. Effective August 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2020. In connection with the investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to $1,024.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | |
Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 1,148 | | | $ | 15,623 | | | $ | 14,278 | | | $ | 2,493 | | | $ | 24 | |
Government Money Market Portfolio* | | | 2,447 | | | | 15,016 | | | | 12,826 | | | | 4,637 | | | | 29 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 7,130 | | | $ | 53 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Investments of cash collateral for securities lending transactions (see Note E). |
12
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $19,975, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
NOTE C: Distribution Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule12b-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 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 or 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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 25,423,343 | | | $ | 28,792,524 | |
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 | | $ | 19,605,857 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (1,402,897 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 18,202,960 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest innon-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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).
13
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE E: Securities Lending
The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/ornon-cash collateral.Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Portfolio cannot sell or repledge anynon-cash collateral, and accordingly will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. If the Portfolio receivesnon-cash collateral, the Portfolio will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the statement of operations. When the Portfolio earns net securities lending income from Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Market Value of Securities on Loan* | | | Cash Collateral* | | | Market Value ofNon-Cash Collateral* | | | Income from Borrowers | | | Government Money Market Portfolio | |
| Income Earned | | | Advisory Fee Waived | |
$ | 20,912,887 | | | $ | 4,636,642 | | | $ | 16,343,711 | | | $ | 27,609 | | | $ | 29,442 | | | $ | 418 | |
NOTE F: 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, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class A | |
Shares sold | | | 55,940 | | | | 117,606 | | | | | | | $ | 1,123,485 | | | $ | 2,295,761 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 64,580 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 1,292,890 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (97,423 | ) | | | (296,890 | ) | | | | | | | (1,938,833 | ) | | | (5,668,570 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (41,483 | ) | | | (114,704 | ) | | | | | | $ | (815,348 | ) | | $ | (2,079,919 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | |
Shares sold | | | 420,236 | | | | 1,857,692 | | | | | | | $ | 7,648,968 | | | $ | 32,182,622 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 131,359 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 2,385,487 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (499,431 | ) | | | (782,656 | ) | | | | | | | (8,894,220 | ) | | | (13,234,843 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (79,195 | ) | | | 1,206,395 | | | | | | | $ | (1,245,252 | ) | | $ | 21,333,266 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
14
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
At June 30, 2019, certain shareholders of the Portfolio owned 74% in aggregate of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholders, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Capitalization Risk—Investments in small- andmid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than investments in large-capitalization companies. Investments in small-capitalization companies may have additional risks because these companies have limited product lines, markets or financial resources.
Foreign(Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities ofnon-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility
A number ofopen-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Net long-term capital gains | | $ | 3,678,377 | | | $ | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions | | $ | 3,678,377 | | | $ | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed capital gains | | $ | 9,909,720 | |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 1,416,860 | (a) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | 11,326,580 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | The differences between book-basis andtax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs). |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU2018-13 (“ASU”)
15
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE K: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
16
| | |
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.58 | | | | $17.53 | | | | $13.07 | | | | $17.31 | | | | $20.97 | | | | $23.47 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss (a) | | | (.04 | )(b) | | | (.13 | )(b) | | | (.18 | )(b) | | | (.12 | )(b)† | | | (.19 | ) | | | (.15 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | | 5.14 | | | | .14 | + | | | 4.64 | | | | 1.05 | | | | .18 | | | | (.30 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 5.10 | | | | .01 | | | | 4.46 | | | | .93 | | | | (.01 | ) | | | (.45 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (.96 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (5.17 | ) | | | (3.65 | ) | | | (2.05 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $21.68 | | | | $16.58 | | | | $17.53 | | | | $13.07 | | | | $17.31 | | | | $20.97 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c)* | | | 30.70 | % | | | (.89 | )% | | | 34.12 | % | | | 6.46 | %† | | | (1.25 | )% | | | (1.81 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $28,817 | | | | $22,724 | | | | $26,039 | | | | $22,405 | | | | $25,033 | | | | $28,055 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (d) | | | .90 | %^ | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.48 | % | | | 1.31 | % | | | 1.11 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (d) | | | 1.15 | %^ | | | 1.15 | % | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.49 | % | | | 1.31 | % | | | 1.11 | % |
Net investment loss | | | (.36 | )%(b)^ | | | (.65 | )%(b) | | | (1.19 | )%(b) | | | (.83 | )%(b)† | | | (.92 | )% | | | (.67 | )% |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 36 | % | | | 73 | % | | | 69 | % | | | 60 | % | | | 72 | % | | | 84 | % |
See footnote summary on page 19.
17
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SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $15.03 | | | | $16.00 | | | | $11.96 | | | | $16.30 | | | | $20.00 | | | | $22.54 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss (a) | | | (.05 | )(b) | | | (.16 | )(b) | | | (.20 | )(b) | | | (.15 | )(b)† | | | (.22 | ) | | | (.19 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | | 4.65 | | | | .15 | + | | | 4.24 | | | | .98 | | | | .17 | | | | (.30 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 4.60 | | | | (.01 | ) | | | 4.04 | | | | .83 | | | | (.05 | ) | | | (.49 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (.96 | ) | | | –0 | – | | | (5.17 | ) | | | (3.65 | ) | | | (2.05 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $19.63 | | | | $15.03 | | | | $16.00 | | | | $11.96 | | | | $16.30 | | | | $20.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c)* | | | 30.54 | % | | | (1.11 | )% | | | 33.78 | % | | | 6.22 | %† | | | (1.53 | )% | | | (2.08 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $50,814 | | | | $40,096 | | | | $23,396 | | | | $15,094 | | | | $19,857 | | | | $59,763 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (d) | | | 1.15 | %^ | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.61 | % | | | 1.73 | % | | | 1.48 | % | | | 1.34 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (d) | | | 1.40 | %^ | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.62 | % | | | 1.74 | % | | | 1.48 | % | | | 1.34 | % |
Net investment loss | | | (.61 | )%(b)^ | | | (.88 | )%(b) | | | (1.42 | )%(b) | | | (1.08 | )%(b)† | | | (1.10 | )% | | | (.89 | )% |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 36 | % | | | 73 | % | | | 69 | % | | | 60 | % | | | 72 | % | | | 84 | % |
See footnote summary on page 19.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
(a) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed 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 deductions 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) | | In connection with the Portfolio’s investments in affiliated underlying portfolios, the Portfolio incurs no direct expenses, but bears proportionate shares of the fees and expenses (i.e., operating, administrative and investment advisory fees) of the affiliated underlying portfolios. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of certain acquired fund fees and expenses, and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, such waiver amounted to .01% and .01%, respectively. |
† | | For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income Per Share | | Net Investment Income Ratio | | Total Return |
$.004 | | .03% | | .03% |
+ | | Due to the timing of sales and repurchases of capital shares, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share is not in accordance with the portfolio’s change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions for the period. |
* | | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 by .05%, .03%, .08%, .02% and .01%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
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SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held onJuly 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within theone-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. The Directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-important or controlling, and different Directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Directors determined that the selection of
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
the Adviser to manage the Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreement, including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds;12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
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SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) provider”) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub- advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S CURRENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held on May7-9, 2019 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
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SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that wasall-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2017 and 2018 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the underlying fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients);12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Fund’s Class B shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
24
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the1-,3-,5- and10-year periods ended February 28, 2019 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to anysub-advised funds pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant. The directors also compared the advisory fee rate for the Fund with those for two other funds advised by the Adviser with a similar investment strategy.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore orsub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund andsub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The directors noted that the Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Fund would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. The directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was above the medians. After reviewing and discussing the Adviser’s explanations of the reasons for this, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
25
| | |
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
26
VPS-SCG-0152-0619
JUN 06.30.19
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AB VARIABLE PRODUCTS
SERIES FUND, INC.
+ | | SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO |
Beginning on May 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Portfolio’s shareholder reports from the insurance company that offers your contract unless you specifically request paper copies from the insurance company or from your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the reports, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.
Investment Products Offered
| • | | Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
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 recent12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
| | |
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.
Actual Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. 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 table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019 | | | Ending Account Value June 30, 2019 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* | | | Annualized Expense Ratio* | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,140.00 | | | $ | 4.35 | | | | 0.82 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,020.73 | | | $ | 4.11 | | | | 0.82 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,139.10 | | | $ | 5.68 | | | | 1.07 | % |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000 | | | $ | 1,019.49 | | | $ | 5.36 | | | | 1.07 | % |
* | | 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 HOLDINGS1 | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
COMPANY | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF NET ASSETS | |
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.—Class A | | $ | 11,839,400 | | | | 1.9 | % |
Everest Re Group Ltd. | | | 11,322,327 | | | | 1.8 | |
Camden Property Trust | | | 10,503,409 | | | | 1.7 | |
US Foods Holding Corp. | | | 10,113,285 | | | | 1.6 | |
Alaska Air Group, Inc. | | | 10,090,302 | | | | 1.6 | |
CubeSmart | | | 9,955,890 | | | | 1.6 | |
Zions Bancorp NA | | | 9,934,347 | | | | 1.6 | |
Nomad Foods Ltd. | | | 9,867,209 | | | | 1.6 | |
Sotheby’s | | | 9,742,995 | | | | 1.6 | |
Sun Communities, Inc. | | | 9,736,030 | | | | 1.5 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 103,105,194 | | | | 16.5 | % |
SECTOR BREAKDOWN2
June 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
SECTOR | | U.S. $ VALUE | | | PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS | |
Financials | | $ | 141,197,766 | | | | 22.5 | % |
Industrials | | | 87,825,777 | | | | 14.0 | |
Information Technology | | | 86,093,313 | | | | 13.7 | |
Real Estate | | | 80,208,167 | | | | 12.8 | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 67,658,772 | | | | 10.8 | |
Materials | | | 37,864,631 | | | | 6.0 | |
Utilities | | | 35,573,947 | | | | 5.7 | |
Energy | | | 32,343,038 | | | | 5.1 | |
Consumer Staples | | | 31,158,832 | | | | 5.0 | |
Health Care | | | 17,647,835 | | | | 2.8 | |
Communication Services | | | 6,623,535 | | | | 1.0 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 3,952,393 | | | | 0.6 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 628,148,006 | | | | 100.0 | % |
2 | | The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. |
Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard & 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 Portfolio’s prospectus.
2
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMON STOCKS–99.9% | | | | | | | | |
FINANCIALS–22.6% | | | | | | | | |
BANKS–9.9% | | | | | | | | |
Associated Banc-Corp. | | | 306,390 | | | $ | 6,477,085 | |
Comerica, Inc. | | | 100,050 | | | | 7,267,632 | |
Sterling Bancorp./DE | | | 373,430 | | | | 7,946,590 | |
Synovus Financial Corp. | | | 219,242 | | | | 7,673,470 | |
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.(a) | | | 122,097 | | | | 7,493,093 | |
Umpqua Holdings Corp. | | | 486,633 | | | | 8,073,241 | |
Webster Financial Corp. | | | 147,213 | | | | 7,032,365 | |
Zions Bancorp NA | | | 216,058 | | | | 9,934,347 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 61,897,823 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
OneMain Holdings, Inc. | | | 156,706 | | | | 5,298,230 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INSURANCE–9.4% | | | | | | | | |
American Financial Group, Inc./OH | | | 74,420 | | | | 7,625,818 | |
Everest Re Group Ltd. | | | 45,806 | | | | 11,322,327 | |
First American Financial Corp. | | | 135,960 | | | | 7,301,052 | |
Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (The) | | | 37,760 | | | | 4,844,608 | |
Kemper Corp. | | | 46,831 | | | | 4,041,047 | |
Old Republic International Corp. | | | 261,658 | | | | 5,855,906 | |
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.–Class A | | | 75,879 | | | | 11,839,400 | |
Selective Insurance Group, Inc. | | | 75,855 | | | | 5,680,781 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 58,510,939 | |
| | | | | | | | |
THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
BankUnited, Inc. | | | 253,728 | | | | 8,560,783 | |
Essent Group Ltd.(a) | | | 147,478 | | | | 6,929,991 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 15,490,774 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 141,197,766 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INDUSTRIALS–14.0% | | | | | | | | |
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
AAR Corp. | | | 150,571 | | | | 5,539,507 | |
| | | | | | | | |
AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS–0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 59,656 | | | | 2,663,044 | |
| | | | | | | | |
AIRLINES–3.9% | | | | | | | | |
Alaska Air Group, Inc. | | | 157,883 | | | | 10,090,302 | |
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. | | | 220,076 | | | | 6,036,685 | |
SkyWest, Inc. | | | 139,861 | | | | 8,485,367 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 24,612,354 | |
| | | | | | | | |
BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Masonite International Corp.(a) | | | 56,857 | | | | 2,995,227 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Steelcase, Inc.–Class A | | | 243,845 | | | | 4,169,750 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–2.4% | | | | | | | | |
Granite Construction, Inc. | | | 85,606 | | | | 4,124,497 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Quanta Services, Inc. | | | 190,671 | | | $ | 7,281,725 | |
Tutor Perini Corp.(a) | | | 263,480 | | | | 3,654,468 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 15,060,690 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–2.2% | | | | | | | | |
EnerSys | | | 104,420 | | | | 7,152,770 | |
Regal Beloit Corp. | | | 83,292 | | | | 6,805,789 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,958,559 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MACHINERY–1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Kennametal, Inc. | | | 130,675 | | | | 4,833,668 | |
Terex Corp. | | | 169,600 | | | | 5,325,440 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 10,159,108 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.4% | | | | | | | | |
BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 176,170 | | | | 3,734,804 | |
MRC Global, Inc.(a) | | | 288,127 | | | | 4,932,734 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,667,538 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 87,825,777 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–13.8% | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Finisar Corp.(a) | | | 137,123 | | | | 3,136,003 | |
NetScout Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 250,030 | | | | 6,348,262 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,484,265 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–1.9% | | | | | | | | |
Avnet, Inc. | | | 188,680 | | | | 8,541,543 | |
TTM Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 327,648 | | | | 3,342,010 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 11,883,553 | |
| | | | | | | | |
IT SERVICES–2.8% | | | | | | | | |
Amdocs Ltd. | | | 109,300 | | | | 6,786,437 | |
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. | | | 57,720 | | | | 3,821,641 | |
Genpact Ltd. | | | 175,163 | | | | 6,671,959 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 17,280,037 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.9% | | | | | | | | |
Cypress Semiconductor Corp. | | | 362,425 | | | | 8,060,332 | |
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. | | | 195,718 | | | | 4,413,441 | |
MaxLinear, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 244,379 | | | | 5,728,244 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 18,202,017 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SOFTWARE–3.2% | | | | | | | | |
CommVault Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 114,980 | | | | 5,705,307 | |
Nuance Communications, Inc.(a) | | | 509,844 | | | | 8,142,209 | |
Verint Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 116,585 | | | | 6,269,941 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 20,117,457 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE & PERIPHERALS–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
NCR Corp.(a) | | | 293,440 | | | | 9,125,984 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 86,093,313 | |
| | | | | | | | |
3
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE–12.8% | | | | | | | | |
EQUITY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–12.8% | | | | | | | | |
American Campus Communities, Inc. | | | 182,176 | | | $ | 8,409,244 | |
Americold Realty Trust | | | 116,080 | | | | 3,763,314 | |
Camden Property Trust | | | 100,617 | | | | 10,503,409 | |
Cousins Properties, Inc. | | | 145,175 | | | | 5,250,980 | |
CubeSmart | | | 297,724 | | | | 9,955,890 | |
Easterly Government Properties, Inc. | | | 97,987 | | | | 1,774,545 | |
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.–Class A | | | 496,792 | | | | 7,357,489 | |
MGM Growth Properties LLC–Class A | | | 240,200 | | | | 7,362,130 | |
Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 259,505 | | | | 7,151,958 | |
STAG Industrial, Inc. | | | 295,740 | | | | 8,943,178 | |
Sun Communities, Inc. | | | 75,950 | | | | 9,736,030 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 80,208,167 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–10.8% | | | | | | | | |
AUTO COMPONENTS–2.3% | | | | | | | | |
Cooper-Standard Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 78,368 | | | | 3,590,822 | |
Dana, Inc. | | | 251,286 | | | | 5,010,643 | |
Lear Corp. | | | 41,034 | | | | 5,714,805 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 14,316,270 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–2.0% | | | | | | | | |
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co.(a) | | | 489,525 | | | | 2,819,664 | |
Sotheby’s(a)(b) | | | 167,607 | | | | 9,742,995 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 12,562,659 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.8% | | | | | | | | |
Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. | | | 270,648 | | | | 5,117,954 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–2.4% | | | | | | | | |
Lennar Corp.–Class A | | | 144,593 | | | | 7,006,977 | |
Taylor Morrison Home Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 376,933 | | | | 7,900,515 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 14,907,492 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LEISURE PRODUCTS–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
Callaway Golf Co. | | | 222,081 | | | | 3,810,910 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
Michaels Cos., Inc. (The)(a)(b) | | | 371,610 | | | | 3,233,007 | |
Signet Jewelers Ltd.(b) | | | 149,280 | | | | 2,669,126 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,902,133 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–1.8% | | | | | | | | |
Capri Holdings Ltd.(a) | | | 132,085 | | | | 4,580,708 | |
Skechers U.S.A., Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 205,165 | | | | 6,460,646 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 11,041,354 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 67,658,772 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
MATERIALS–6.1% | | | | | | | | |
CHEMICALS–2.5% | | | | | | | | |
Orion Engineered Carbons SA | | | 222,608 | | | $ | 4,766,037 | |
Trinseo SA | | | 127,440 | | | | 5,395,809 | |
Westlake Chemical Corp.(b) | | | 79,708 | | | | 5,536,518 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 15,698,364 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–2.1% | | | | | | | | |
Graphic Packaging Holding Co.(b) | | | 534,708 | | | | 7,475,218 | |
Sealed Air Corp. | | | 130,524 | | | | 5,583,817 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,059,035 | |
| | | | | | | | |
METALS & MINING–1.5% | | | | | | | | |
Alcoa Corp.(a) | | | 202,129 | | | | 4,731,840 | |
Carpenter Technology Corp. | | | 91,192 | | | | 4,375,392 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,107,232 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 37,864,631 | |
| | | | | | | | |
UTILITIES–5.7% | | | | | | | | |
ELECTRIC UTILITIES–3.7% | | | | | | | | |
Alliant Energy Corp. | | | 196,678 | | | | 9,652,956 | |
PNM Resources, Inc. | | | 120,161 | | | | 6,117,397 | |
Portland General Electric Co. | | | 131,938 | | | | 7,147,081 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 22,917,434 | |
| | | | | | | | |
GAS UTILITIES–1.1% | | | | | | | | |
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. | | | 77,290 | | | | 6,926,730 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MULTI-UTILITIES–0.9% | | | | | | | | |
Black Hills Corp. | | | 73,299 | | | | 5,729,783 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 35,573,947 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ENERGY–5.2% | | | | | | | | |
ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.8% | | | | | | | | |
Dril-Quip, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 111,704 | | | | 5,361,792 | |
Oil States International, Inc.(a) | | | 244,030 | | | | 4,465,749 | |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. | | | 406,604 | | | | 4,680,012 | |
RPC, Inc.(b) | | | 372,210 | | | | 2,683,634 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 17,191,187 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–2.4% | | | | | | | | |
Cimarex Energy Co. | | | 46,403 | | | | 2,753,090 | |
Oasis Petroleum, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 654,630 | | | | 3,718,298 | |
QEP Resources, Inc.(a) | | | 685,808 | | | | 4,958,392 | |
SM Energy Co. | | | 297,290 | | | | 3,722,071 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 15,151,851 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 32,343,038 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONSUMER STAPLES–5.0% | | | | | | | | |
BEVERAGES–1.2% | | | | | | | | |
Cott Corp. | | | 558,159 | | | | 7,451,423 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.6% | | | | | | | | |
US Foods Holding Corp.(a) | | | 282,810 | | | | 10,113,285 | |
| | | | | | | | |
FOOD PRODUCTS–2.2% | | | | | | | | |
Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (The)(a) | | | 1,805 | | | | 39,530 | |
Ingredion, Inc. | | | 44,701 | | | | 3,687,385 | |
4
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
Nomad Foods Ltd.(a) | | | 461,948 | | | $ | 9,867,209 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,594,124 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 31,158,832 | |
| | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE–2.8% | | | | | | | | |
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.7% | | | | | | | | |
Molina Healthcare, Inc.(a) | | | 48,322 | | | | 6,916,811 | |
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.(a) | | | 13,313 | | | | 3,795,137 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 10,711,948 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–1.1% | | | | | | | | |
ICON PLC(a) | | | 45,047 | | | | 6,935,887 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 17,647,835 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.1% | | | | | | | | |
MEDIA–1.1% | | | | | | | | |
Criteo SA (Sponsored ADR)(a) | | | 269,609 | | | | 4,639,971 | |
Scholastic Corp. | | | 59,674 | | | | 1,983,564 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,623,535 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $572,401,872) | | | | | | | 624,195,613 | |
| | | | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–0.6% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(c)(d)(e) (cost $3,952,393) | | | 3,952,393 | | | | 3,952,393 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITY LENDING COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–100.5% (cost $576,354,265) | | | | | | | 628,148,006 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Company | | Shares | | | U.S. $ Value | |
| | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–2.1% | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT COMPANIES–2.1% | | | | | | | | |
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc.–Government Money Market Portfolio–Class AB, 2.33%(c)(d)(e) (cost $12,817,236) | | | 12,817,236 | | | $ | 12,817,236 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–102.6% (cost $589,171,501) | | | | | | | 640,965,242 | |
Other assets less liabilities–(2.6)% | | | | | | | (15,959,822 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS–100.0% | | | | | | $ | 625,005,420 | |
| | | | | | | | |
(a) | | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | | Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information. |
(c) | | Affiliated investments. |
(d) | | The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
(e) | | To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618. |
Glossary:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
5
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
ASSETS | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $572,401,872) | | $ | 624,195,613 | (a) |
Affiliated issuers (cost $16,769,629—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $12,817,236) | | | 16,769,629 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | 1,456,571 | |
Unaffiliated dividends and interest receivable | | | 1,067,796 | |
Receivable for capital stock sold | | | 26,881 | |
Affiliated dividends receivable | | | 14,831 | |
| | | | |
Total assets | | | 643,531,321 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 12,809,143 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 2,649,975 | |
Payable for capital stock redeemed | | | 2,461,155 | |
Advisory fee payable | | | 354,807 | |
Distribution fee payable | | | 79,166 | |
Administrative fee payable | | | 34,786 | |
Collateral due to Securities Lending Agent | | | 8,093 | |
Directors’ fees payable | | | 6,504 | |
Transfer Agent fee payable | | | 58 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 122,214 | |
| | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 18,525,901 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 625,005,420 | |
| | | | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS | | | | |
Capital stock, at par | | $ | 32,637 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 476,487,474 | |
Distributable earnings | | | 148,485,309 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 625,005,420 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Net Assets | | | Shares Outstanding | | | Net Asset Value | |
| | | |
A | | $ | 208,134,023 | | | | 10,785,103 | | | $ | 19.30 | |
| | | |
B | | $ | 416,871,397 | | | | 21,851,930 | | | $ | 19.08 | |
(a) | | Includes securities on loan with a value of $31,422,602 (see Note E). |
See notes to financial statements.
6
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | | |
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | |
Dividends | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $20,760) | | $ | 5,712,235 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 120,843 | |
Interest | | | 23 | |
| | | | |
| | | 5,833,101 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | |
Advisory fee (see Note B) | | | 2,332,511 | |
Distribution fee—Class B | | | 518,900 | |
Transfer agency—Class A | | | 1,080 | |
Transfer agency—Class B | | | 2,166 | |
Custodian | | | 62,378 | |
Printing | | | 46,910 | |
Administrative | | | 35,554 | |
Legal | | | 26,908 | |
Audit and tax | | | 22,867 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 12,066 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 12,087 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 3,073,427 | |
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Notes B & E) | | | (5,325 | ) |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 3,068,102 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 2,764,999 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | 23,846,821 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 52,231,263 | |
| | | | |
Net gain on investment transactions | | | 76,078,084 | |
| | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 78,843,083 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
7
| | |
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 2,764,999 | | | $ | 3,007,885 | |
Net realized gain on investment transactions | | | 23,846,821 | | | | 67,778,832 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | | | 52,231,263 | | | | (170,330,626 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations | | | 78,843,083 | | | | (99,543,909 | ) |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | –0 | – | | | (18,827,338 | ) |
Class B | | | –0 | – | | | (36,997,043 | ) |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (16,830,327 | ) | | | 15,207,829 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) | | | 62,012,756 | | | | (140,160,461 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 562,992,664 | | | | 703,153,125 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 625,005,420 | | | $ | 562,992,664 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
8
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
The AB Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AB 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 eleven 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolio is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the 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 (the “Board”).
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the 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
9
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
| • | | Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | | Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks(a) | | $ | 624,195,613 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 624,195,613 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 3,952,393 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 3,952,393 | |
Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund | | | 12,817,236 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 12,817,236 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 640,965,242 | | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | 640,965,242 | |
Other Financial Instruments(b) | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – | | | –0 | – |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 640,965,242 | | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | –0 | – | | $ | 640,965,242 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications. |
(b) | | Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value. |
3. Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
10
| | |
| |
| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
4. 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. 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 U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or 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 proportionately to each portfolio or based on other appropriate methods. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.
7. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
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 (the “Expense Caps”) to 1.20% and 1.45% of daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.
During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. (“AXA”) completed the sale of a minority stake in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable”), through an initial public offering. AXA Equitable is the holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies, including an approximately 63.7% economic interest in the Adviser and a 100% interest in AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser. Since the initial sale, AXA has completed additional offerings, most recently during the second quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned 40.1% of the outstanding common stock of AXA Equitable as of June 30, 2019. As part of the latest offering, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option resulting in AXA owning 38.9% of EQH as of July 8, 2019. AXA has announced its intention to sell its entire remaining interest in AXA Equitable over time, subject to market conditions and other factors (the “Plan”). AXA is under no
11
| | |
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of AXA Equitable common stock.
It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Plan may ultimately result in the indirect transfer of a “controlling block” of voting securities of the Adviser (a “Change of Control Event”) and therefore may be deemed an “assignment” causing a termination of the Portfolio’s current investment advisory agreement. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory services could continue uninterrupted, at meetings held in late July through early August 2018, the Boards of Directors/Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) approved new investment advisory agreements with the Adviser, in connection with the Plan. The Boards also agreed to call and hold a joint meeting of shareholders on October 11, 2018, for shareholders of the Portfolio to (1) approve the new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser that would be effective after the first Change of Control Event and (2) approve any future advisory agreement approved by the Board and that has terms not materially different from the current agreement, in the event there are subsequent Change of Control Events arising from completion of the Plan that terminate the advisory agreement after the first Change of Control Event. Approval of a future advisory agreement means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Adviser even upon a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains “control” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of AXA Equitable.
At the October 11, 2018 meeting, shareholders approved the new and future investment advisory agreements.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $35,554.
The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $673 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
The Portfolio may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. Effective August 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2020. In connection with the investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, such waiver amounted to $4,770.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Market Value 12/31/18 (000) | | | Purchases at Cost (000) | | | Sales Proceeds (000) | | | Market Value 6/30/19 (000) | | | Dividend Income (000) | |
Government Money Market Portfolio | | $ | 4,557 | | | $ | 58,039 | | | $ | 58,643 | | | $ | 3,953 | | | $ | 113 | |
Government Money Market Portfolio* | | | 2,473 | | | | 36,184 | | | | 25,840 | | | | 12,817 | | | | 8 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 16,770 | | | $ | 121 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | Investments of cash collateral for securities lending transactions (see Note E). |
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $140,321, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.
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 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.
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| |
| | AB 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 or 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, 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) | | $ | 101,211,659 | | | $ | 108,997,225 | |
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 | | $ | 111,627,098 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (59,833,357 | ) |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 51,793,741 | |
| | | | |
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.
The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
2. Currency Transactions
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated 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 other 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: Securities Lending
The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Portfolio cannot sell or repledge any non-cash collateral, and accordingly will not be reflected in the portfolio of investments. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. If the Portfolio receives non-cash collateral, the Portfolio will receive a fee from the borrower generally equal to a negotiated percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not be able to exercise voting rights with
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
respect to any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent currently invests the cash collateral received in Government Money Market Portfolio, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. The collateral will be adjusted the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The amounts of securities lending income from the borrowers and Government Money Market Portfolio are reflected in the statement of operations. When the Portfolio earns net securities lending income from Government Money Market Portfolio, the income is inclusive of a rebate expense paid to the borrower. In connection with the cash collateral investment by the Portfolio in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of the Portfolio’s share of the advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Portfolio as an acquired fund fee and expense. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities.
A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions surrounding securities lending for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Government Money Market Portfolio | |
Market Value of Securities on Loan* | | | Cash Collateral* | | | Market Value of Non-Cash Collateral* | | | Income from Borrowers | | | Income Earned | | | Advisory Fee Waived | |
$ | 31,422,602 | | | $ | 12,817,236 | | | $ | 19,273,099 | | | $ | –0– | | | $ | 7,730 | | | $ | 555 | |
NOTE F: 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, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 499,946 | | | | 871,353 | | | | | | | $ | 9,401,285 | | | $ | 18,001,497 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 902,990 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 18,827,338 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (823,840 | ) | | | (1,440,937 | ) | | | | | | | (15,621,763 | ) | | | (30,577,505 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (323,894 | ) | | | 333,406 | | | | | | | $ | (6,220,478 | ) | | $ | 6,251,330 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 1,118,750 | | | | 1,658,064 | | | | | | | $ | 20,439,486 | | | $ | 33,516,890 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | 1,790,757 | | | | | | | | –0 | – | | | 36,997,043 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (1,645,159 | ) | | | (2,929,462 | ) | | | | | | | (31,049,335 | ) | | | (61,557,434 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (526,409 | ) | | | 519,359 | | | | | | | $ | (10,609,849 | ) | | $ | 8,956,499 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2019, certain shareholders of the Portfolio owned 71% in aggregate of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by such shareholders, if any, may impact the Portfolio’s performance.
NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
Capitalization Risk—Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than investments in large-capitalization companies. Investments in small-capitalization companies may have additional risks because these companies have limited product lines, markets or financial resources.
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be more difficult to trade or dispose of due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.
Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce its returns.
Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives 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. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $325 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2019 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 2,075,837 | | | $ | 2,130,190 | |
Net long-term capital gains | | | 53,748,544 | | | | 33,585,178 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total taxable distributions | | $ | 55,824,381 | | | $ | 35,715,368 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 7,552,486 | |
Undistributed net capital gain | | | 63,609,090 | |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | (1,519,348 | )(a) |
| | | | |
Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) | | $ | 69,642,228 | |
| | | | |
(a) | | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which removes, modifies and adds disclosures to Topic 820. The amendments in this ASU 2018-13 (“ASU”) apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has evaluated the impact of the amendments and elected
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
to early adopt the ASU. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the disclosure and presentation of the financial statements of the Portfolio.
NOTE K: Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.
16
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS A | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.93 | | | | $21.68 | | | | $20.29 | | | | $17.29 | | | | $21.95 | | | | $22.89 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .10 | (b) | | | .13 | (b) | | | .10 | (b) | | | .10 | (b)† | | | .11 | | | | .17 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | | 2.27 | | | | (3.04 | ) | | | 2.41 | | | | 4.09 | | | | (1.11 | ) | | | 1.82 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 2.37 | | | | (2.91 | ) | | | 2.51 | | | | 4.19 | | | | (1.00 | ) | | | 1.99 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.11 | ) | | | (.09 | ) | | | (.11 | ) | | | (.17 | ) | | | (.17 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (1.73 | ) | | | (1.03 | ) | | | (1.08 | ) | | | (3.49 | ) | | | (2.76 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (1.84 | ) | | | (1.12 | ) | | | (1.19 | ) | | | (3.66 | ) | | | (2.93 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $19.30 | | | | $16.93 | | | | $21.68 | | | | $20.29 | | | | $17.29 | | | | $21.95 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c)* | | | 14.00 | % | | | (15.03 | )% | | | 13.15 | % | | | 25.09 | %† | | | (5.49 | )% | | | 9.20 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $208,134 | | | | $188,052 | | | | $233,652 | | | | $231,197 | | | | $191,388 | | | | $211,680 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | | | .82 | %^ | | | .81 | % | | | .81 | % | | | .82 | % | | | .82 | % | | | .82 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | | | .82 | %^ | | | .81 | % | | | .82 | % | | | .83 | % | | | .82 | % | | | .82 | % |
Net investment income | | | 1.06 | %(b)^ | | | .61 | %(b) | | | .47 | %(b) | | | .53 | %(b)† | | | .56 | % | | | .75 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 17 | % | | | 39 | % | | | 33 | % | | | 57 | % | | | 42 | % | | | 45 | % |
See footnote summary on page 18.
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | CLASS B | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.75 | | | | $21.48 | | | | $20.12 | | | | $17.15 | | | | $21.79 | | | | $22.74 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income From Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (a) | | | .07 | (b) | | | .07 | (b) | | | .05 | (b) | | | .05 | (b)† | | | .06 | | | | .11 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions | | | 2.26 | | | | (3.02 | ) | | | 2.39 | | | | 4.06 | | | | (1.09 | ) | | | 1.81 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations | | | 2.33 | | | | (2.95 | ) | | | 2.44 | | | | 4.11 | | | | (1.03 | ) | | | 1.92 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Dividends and Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | –0 | – | | | (.05 | ) | | | (.05 | ) | | | (.06 | ) | | | (.12 | ) | | | (.11 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions | | | –0 | – | | | (1.73 | ) | | | (1.03 | ) | | | (1.08 | ) | | | (3.49 | ) | | | (2.76 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | –0 | – | | | (1.78 | ) | | | (1.08 | ) | | | (1.14 | ) | | | (3.61 | ) | | | (2.87 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $19.08 | | | | $16.75 | | | | $21.48 | | | | $20.12 | | | | $17.15 | | | | $21.79 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment return based on net asset value (c)* | | | 13.91 | % | | | (15.29 | )% | | | 12.85 | % | | | 24.79 | %† | | | (5.69 | )% | | | 8.95 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | | $416,871 | | | | $374,941 | | | | $469,501 | | | | $455,422 | | | | $386,875 | | | | $447,378 | |
Ratio to average net assets of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.07 | %^ | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.07 | % |
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements | | | 1.07 | %^ | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.08 | % | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.07 | % |
Net investment income | | | .81 | %(b)^ | | | .36 | %(b) | | | .22 | %(b) | | | .28 | %(b)† | | | .31 | % | | | .49 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate. | | | 17 | % | | | 39 | % | | | 33 | % | | | 57 | % | | | 42 | % | | | 45 | % |
(a) | | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | | Net of expenses waived/reimbursed 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 deductions of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
† | | For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount includes a refund for overbilling of prior years’ custody out of pocket fees as follows: |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income Per Share | | Net Investment Income Ratio | | Total Return |
$.001 | | .003% | | .003% |
* | | Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 by .07% and .11%, respectively. |
See notes to financial statements.
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
| |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S PROPOSED NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF POTENTIAL ASSIGNMENTS
As described in more detail in the Proxy Statement for AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated August 20, 2018, the Board of the Company, at a meeting held on July 31-August 2, 2018, approved new advisory agreements with the Adviser (the “Proposed Agreements”) in respect of each fund organized as a series of the Company (the “Funds”), including AB Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Fund”), in connection with the planned disposition by AXA S.A. of its remaining shares of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the indirect holder of a majority of the partnership interests in the Adviser and the indirect parent of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the general partner of the Adviser) in one or more transactions and the related potential for one or more “assignments” (within the meaning of section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act) of the advisory agreements for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
At the same meeting, the Board also considered and approved an interim advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) for the Company in respect of the Funds, including the Fund, to be effective only in the event that stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreements had not been obtained as of the date of one or more transactions resulting in an “assignment” of the Adviser’s advisory agreements, resulting in the automatic termination of such advisory agreements.
The shareholders of the Fund subsequently approved the Proposed Agreements at an annual meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors and voting on the Proposed Agreements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approvals at the meeting held on July 31-August 2, 2018 is set forth below.
At a meeting of the Board held on July 31-August 2, 2018, the Adviser presented its recommendation that the Board consider and approve the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act provides that, after an initial period, a Fund’s Current Agreement will remain in effect only if the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, annually reviews and approves it. The Current Agreement in respect of each Fund had been approved by the Board within the one-year period prior to approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund. In connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement in respect of each Fund, the Board considered its conclusions in connection with its most recent approval of the Current Agreement, in particular in cases where the last approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund was relatively recent, including the Board’s general satisfaction with the nature and quality of services being provided and, as applicable, in the case of certain Funds, actions taken or to be taken in an effort to improve investment performance or reduce expense ratios. The Directors also reviewed updated information provided by the Adviser in respect of each Fund. Also in connection with their approval of the Proposed Agreement, the Board considered a representation made to them at that time by the Adviser that there were no additional developments not already disclosed to the Board since its most recent approval of the Current Agreement in respect of a Fund that would be a material consideration to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Proposed Agreement, except for matters disclosed to the Board by the Adviser. The Directors considered the fact that the Proposed Agreement would have corresponding terms and conditions identical to those of the Current Agreement with the exception of the effective date and initial term under the Proposed Agreement.
The Directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of 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 Funds. The Directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of each Fund.
The Directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the Directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the management fees of the Funds they oversee. 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 Funds, and the overall arrangements between the Funds and the Adviser, as provided in the Proposed Agreement, including the management fees, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed under the
19
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
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(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Current Agreement and to be performed under the Proposed Agreement, expenses incurred and to be incurred and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The Directors considered the scope and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser under the Proposed Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Funds. They also considered the information that had been provided to them by the Adviser concerning the anticipated implementation of the Plan and the Adviser’s representation that it did not anticipate that such implementation would affect the management or structure of the Adviser, have a material adverse effect on the Adviser, or adversely affect the quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews each Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the Directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of each Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The Directors also considered that the Proposed Agreement, similar to the Current Agreement, provides that the Funds will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Funds by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the Directors. The Directors noted that the Adviser did not request any reimbursements from certain Funds in the Fund’s latest fiscal year reviewed. The Directors noted that the methodology to be used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, also was considered. The Directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Funds under the Proposed Agreement.
Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability
The Directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of each Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2016 and 2017, as applicable, that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Funds’ former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The Directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The Directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with a Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund, as applicable. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Proposed Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The Directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with each Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The Directors noted that certain Funds were not profitable to the Adviser in one or more periods reviewed. The Directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the other Funds was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including, but not limited to, as applicable, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients) in the case of certain Funds; 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Class B shares of the Funds; brokerage commissions paid by certain Funds to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower, and that a Fund’s unprofitability to the Adviser would be exacerbated, without these benefits. The Directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Funds.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the Directors in connection with the Board meeting at which the Proposed Agreement was approved, the Directors receive detailed performance information for the Funds at each regular Board meeting during the year.
20
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ underperformance in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated performance information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for changes in performance or continued underperformance. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
Management Fees and Other Expenses
The Directors considered the management fee rate payable by each Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) provider”) concerning management fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The Directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of management fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Directors compared each Fund’s contractual management fee rate with a peer group median, and where applicable, took into account the impact on the management fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The Directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing a similar investment style to each Fund. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Funds’ Senior Analyst and noted the differences between a Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to any sub-advised funds pursuing a similar investment strategy as the Fund, on the other, as applicable. The Directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the Directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The Adviser also informed the Directors that, in the case of certain Funds, there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style. The Directors also discussed these matters with their independent fee consultant.
The Adviser reviewed with the Directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to each Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund and sub- advised fund clients, as applicable. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore or sub-advisory accounts, each Fund, as applicable, (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund stockholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients as compared to the Funds, and the different risk profile, the Directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
The Directors noted that certain of the Funds may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act as these may be varied as a result of exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Directors also noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts. The Directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they are the most cost-effective way to obtain desired exposures, in some cases pending purchases of underlying securities, that each Fund’s management fee would be for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.
With respect to each Fund’s management fee, the Directors considered the total expense ratios of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Directors also considered the Adviser’s expense caps for certain Funds. The Directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to a Fund by others.
The Board’s consideration of the Proposed Agreement was informed by their most recent approval of the Current Agreement, and, in the case of certain Funds, their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for those Funds’ expense ratios in certain periods. The Directors also reviewed updated expense ratio information and, in some cases, discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the expense ratios of certain Funds. On the basis of this review, the Directors concluded that each Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Economies of Scale
The Directors noted that the management fee schedules for certain Funds do not contain breakpoints and that they had discussed their strong preference for breakpoints in advisory contracts with the Adviser. The Directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The Directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Board meeting. The Directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The Directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The Directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to each Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The Directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all.
The Directors informed the Adviser that they would monitor the asset levels of the Funds without breakpoints and their profitability to the Adviser and anticipated revisiting the question of breakpoints in the future if circumstances warrant doing so.
Interim Advisory Agreement
In approving the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Board with the assistance of independent counsel, considered similar factors to those considered in approving the Proposed Agreement. The Interim Advisory Agreement approved by the Board is identical to the Proposed Agreement, as well as the Current Agreement, in all material respects except for its proposed effective and termination dates and provisions intended to comply with the requirements of the relevant SEC rule, such as provisions requiring escrow of advisory fees. Under the Interim Advisory Agreement, the Adviser would continue to manage a Fund pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement until a new advisory agreement was approved by stockholders or until the end of the 150-day period, whichever would occur earlier. All fees earned by the Adviser under the Interim Advisory Agreement would be held in escrow pending stockholder approval of the Proposed Agreement. Upon approval of a new advisory agreement by stockholders, the escrowed management fees would be paid to the Adviser, and the Interim Advisory Agreement would terminate.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FUND’S CURRENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Company’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AB Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Fund”) at a meeting held on May 7-9, 2019 (the “Meeting”).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Analyst for the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.
The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the
22
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| | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
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 Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis and subject to approval by the directors. Reimbursements, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Fund to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2017 and 2018 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s former Senior Officer/Independent Compliance Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the underlying fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby investment advisers receive brokerage and research services from brokers that execute agency transactions for their clients); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Fund’s Class B shares; brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to brokers affiliated with the Adviser; and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Fund against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2019 and (in the case of comparisons with the broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.
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SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO | | |
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE | | |
| |
(continued) | | AB Variable Products Series Fund |
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s contractual effective advisory fee rate with a peer group median and noted that it was above the median. The directors also took into account the impact on the advisory fee rate of the administrative expense reimbursement paid to the Adviser in the latest fiscal year.
The directors also considered the Adviser’s fee schedule for other clients pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and in a report from the Fund’s Senior Analyst and noted the differences between the Fund’s fee schedule, on the one hand, and the Adviser’s institutional fee schedule and the schedule of fees charged by the Adviser to any offshore funds and for services to any sub-advised funds pursuing an investment strategy similar to the Fund’s, on the other. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors previously discussed these matters with an independent fee consultant. The directors also compared the advisory fee rate for the Fund with that for another fund advised by the Adviser with a similar investment strategy.
The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Fund relative to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients. In this regard, the Adviser noted, among other things, that, compared to institutional and offshore or sub-advisory accounts, the Fund (i) demands considerably more portfolio management, research and trading resources due to significantly higher daily cash flows; (ii) has more tax and regulatory restrictions and compliance obligations; (iii) must prepare and file or distribute regulatory and other communications about fund operations; and (iv) must provide shareholder servicing to retail investors. The Adviser also reviewed the greater legal risks presented by the large and changing population of Fund shareholders who may assert claims against the Adviser in individual or class actions, and the greater entrepreneurial risk in offering new fund products, which require substantial investment to launch, may not succeed, and generally must be priced to compete with larger, more established funds resulting in lack of profitability to the Adviser until a new fund achieves scale. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional, offshore fund and sub-advised fund clients as compared to the Fund, and the different risk profile, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.
In connection with their review of the Fund’s advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Fund in comparison to a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The Class A expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year and the directors considered the Adviser’s expense cap for the Fund (although the directors noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was currently below the Adviser’s expense cap). The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AB Funds, and presentations from time to time by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also previously discussed economies of scale with an independent fee consultant. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale in advance of the Meeting. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for setting breakpoints that give effect to the fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Fund, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Fund’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Fund’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.
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VPS-SMCV-0152-0619
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
Please see Schedule of Investments contained in the Report to Shareholders included under Item 1 of this FormN-CSR.
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FORCLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OFCLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BYCLOSED-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 Rule30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective at the reasonable assurance level based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.
(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
The following exhibits are attached to this FormN-CSR:
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EXHIBIT NO. | | DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT |
| |
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 theSarbanes-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): AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
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By: | | /s/ Robert M. Keith |
| | Robert M. Keith |
| | President |
| |
Date: | | August 14, 2019 |
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 14, 2019 |
| |
By: | | /s/ Joseph J. Mantineo |
| | Joseph J. Mantineo |
| | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
| |
Date: | | August 14, 2019 |