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Alliancebernstein Variable Products Series Fund Inc – ‘N-CSRS’ for 6/30/14

On:  Thursday, 8/21/14, at 3:26pm ET   ·   Effective:  8/21/14   ·   For:  6/30/14   ·   Accession #:  1193125-14-317026   ·   File #:  811-05398

Previous ‘N-CSRS’:  ‘N-CSRS’ on 8/23/13 for 6/30/13   ·   Next:  ‘N-CSRS’ on 8/21/15 for 6/30/15   ·   Latest:  ‘N-CSRS’ on 8/18/23 for 6/30/23

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  As Of                Filer                Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size              Issuer               Agent

 8/21/14  Alliancebernstein Var Prods … Inc N-CSRS      6/30/14    3:11M                                    RR Donnelley/FAAB Balanced Hedged Allocation Portfolio Class AClass BAB Discovery Value Portfolio Class AClass BAB Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio Class AClass BAB Growth Portfolio Class AClass BAB Intermediate Bond Portfolio Class AClass BAB International Value Portfolio Class AClass BAB Large Cap Growth Portfolio Class AClass BAB Real Estate Investment Portfolio Class AClass BAB Relative Value Portfolio Class AClass BAB Small Cap Growth Portfolio Class AClass BAB Sustainable Global Thematic Portfolio Class AClass BAB Sustainable International Thematic Portfolio Class AClass BAB Value Portfolio Class AClass B

Certified Semi-Annual Shareholder Report of a Management Investment Company   —   Form N-CSR
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: N-CSRS      Alliancebernstein Variable Products Series Fund,    HTML   8.31M 
                          Inc.                                                   
 3: EX-99.906 CERT  Certifications Pursuant to Section 906          HTML      8K 
 2: EX-99.CERT  Certifications Pursuant to Section 302              HTML     17K 


N-CSRS   —   Alliancebernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.


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  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.  

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-05398

 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Joseph J. Mantineo

Alliance Bernstein L.P.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 221-5672

Date of fiscal year end: December 31, 2014

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2014

 

 

 


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,059.60       $   3.57         0.70

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $   1,021.32       $   3.51         0.70
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,057.90       $   4.85         0.95

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $   1,020.08       $   4.76         0.95

 

 

 

*   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


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Federal National Mortgage Association

   $ 26,263,831           6.8

U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes

     15,560,644           4.0   

Google, Inc.

     4,064,170           1.1   

Apple, Inc.

     3,525,764           0.9   

New Zealand Government Bond

     3,362,597           0.9   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     3,271,629           0.8   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold

     3,266,859           0.8   

Visa, Inc.—Class A

     3,107,972           0.8   

Comcast Corp.

     3,090,243           0.8   

Allergan, Inc./United States

     2,873,863           0.7   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   68,387,572           17.6

SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Common Stocks

   $   246,455,599         61.3

Corporates—Investment Grades

     35,935,623         8.9   

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

     25,303,248         6.3   

Governments—Treasuries

     19,578,989         4.9   

Asset-Backed Securities

     18,370,884         4.6   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     12,196,703         3.0   

Agencies

     4,227,442         1.0   

Corporates—Non-Investment Grades

     4,039,501         1.0   

Quasi-Sovereigns

     3,287,745         0.8   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

     2,788,839         0.7   

Inflation-Linked Securities

     2,817,727         0.7   

Preferred Stocks

     731,803         0.2   

Governments—Sovereign Bonds

     554,918         0.1   

Other***

     1,224,555         0.3   

Short-Term Investments

     24,758,785         6.2   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 402,272,361         100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   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).

 

***   “Other” represents less than 0.1% weightings in the following security types: Emerging Markets—Corporate Bonds, Governments—Sovereign Agencies, Local Governments—Municipal Bonds and Warrants.

 

2


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

COMMON STOCKS–63.3%

     
     

FINANCIALS–9.7%

     

CAPITAL MARKETS–0.9%

     

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a)

      2,822      $ 579,639   

BlackRock, Inc.–Class A

      2,170        693,532   

Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.

      64,000        554,513   

Deutsche Bank AG (REG)

      10,881        382,413   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

      825        138,138   

State Street Corp.

      4,100        275,766   

UBS AG (REG)(a)

      41,472        760,368   
     

 

 

 
        3,384,369   
     

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL
BANKS–3.1%

     

Banco do Brasil SA

      9,600        107,970   

Bank Hapoalim BM

      29,100        168,081   

Bank of America Corp.

      135,700        2,085,709   

BNP Paribas SA

      3,170        215,429   

China Construction Bank Corp.–Class H

      144,000        108,900   

Citigroup, Inc.

      35,200        1,657,920   

Comerica, Inc.

      9,600        481,536   

Credit Agricole SA

      8,606        121,507   

Danske Bank A/S

      12,410        350,812   

Fifth Third Bancorp

      13,200        281,820   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

      24,300        1,400,166   

Kasikornbank PCL (NVDR)

      21,800        137,018   

KBC Groep NV(a)

      5,590        304,102   

Lloyds Banking Group PLC(a)

      418,917        532,474   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

      69,100        424,185   

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

      1,900        169,195   

Regions Financial Corp.

      20,700        219,834   

Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.

      2,490        114,879   

Societe Generale SA

      8,172        428,562   

State Bank of India

      2,600        116,032   

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

      7,300        306,285   

UniCredit SpA

      58,530        489,391   

Wells Fargo & Co.

      37,200        1,955,232   
     

 

 

 
        12,177,039   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.7%

     

Capital One Financial Corp.

      14,600        1,205,960   

Discover Financial Services

      13,500        836,730   

Muthoot Finance Ltd.

      39,211        123,450   

Shriram Transport Finance Co., Ltd.

      7,705        115,441   

SLM Corp.

      66,600        553,446   
     

 

 

 
        2,835,027   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.0%

     

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.–Class B(a)

      5,300      $ 670,768   

Cerved Information Solutions SpA(a)

      38,630        261,306   

ING Groep NV(a)

      9,760        136,957   

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

      7,263        1,371,981   

ORIX Corp.

      36,500        605,199   

Voya Financial, Inc.

      17,100        621,414   
     

 

 

 
        3,667,625   
     

 

 

 

INSURANCE–3.2%

     

Admiral Group PLC

      40,337        1,068,796   

AIA Group Ltd.

      224,400        1,128,970   

Allstate Corp. (The)

      10,900        640,048   

American Financial Group, Inc./OH

      11,700        696,852   

American International Group, Inc.

      24,900        1,359,042   

Aon PLC

      9,440        850,450   

Assurant, Inc.

      9,000        589,950   

Aviva PLC

      18,910        164,986   

BB Seguridade Participacoes SA

      7,500        110,115   

Chubb Corp. (The)

      8,100        746,577   

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

      38,660        178,411   

Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A(a)

      35,900        624,660   

Lancashire Holdings Ltd.

      32,020        358,386   

Lincoln National Corp.

      25,600        1,316,864   

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

      1,580        349,888   

PartnerRe Ltd.

      8,500        928,285   

Prudential PLC

      31,700        726,293   

Suncorp Group Ltd.

      13,270        169,456   

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

      3,700        348,059   

Unum Group

      2,300        79,948   

XL Group PLC

      3,000        98,190   
     

 

 

 
        12,534,226   
     

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–0.3%

     

Scentre Group(a)

      231,680        699,079   

Westfield Corp.

      36,900        248,783   
     

 

 

 
        947,862   
     

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.4%

     

Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.

      9,300        1,093,578   

Hang Lung Group Ltd.

      12,000        64,961   

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

      131,000        403,982   

Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Corp.

      13,700        108,135   
     

 

 

 
        1,670,656   
     

 

 

 

 

3


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.1%

     

Housing Development Finance Corp.

      26,340      $ 432,442   
     

 

 

 
        37,649,246   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–9.4%

     

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.9%

     

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B

      3,200        382,087   

Dana Holding Corp.

      24,300        593,406   

GKN PLC

      17,140        106,405   

Lear Corp.

      5,200        464,464   

Magna International, Inc.
(New York)–Class A

      4,600        495,650   

Plastic Omnium SA

      5,610        175,963   

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.(a)

      7,700        689,304   

Valeo SA

      4,480        601,102   
     

 

 

 
        3,508,381   
     

 

 

 

AUTOMOBILES–1.1%

     

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

      1,830        231,732   

Ford Motor Co.

      61,000        1,051,640   

Great Wall Motor Co., Ltd.–Class H

      29,000        107,841   

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

      14,100        492,016   

Mazda Motor Corp.

      25,000        117,323   

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

      38,600        365,521   

Renault SA

      1,550        140,112   

Tata Motors Ltd.

      17,050        122,513   

Tata Motors Ltd.–Class A

      21,190        104,030   

Toyota Motor Corp.

      19,800        1,185,478   

Volkswagen AG (Preference Shares)

      1,170        306,442   
     

 

 

 
        4,224,648   
     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTORS–0.0%

     

Inchcape PLC

      14,370        155,886   
     

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.3%

     

Estacio Participacoes SA

      52,800        698,982   

Kroton Educacional SA

      20,900        586,089   
     

 

 

 
        1,285,071   
     

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.0%

     

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

      11,000        87,634   

Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (ADR)

      10,206        364,456   

Melco International Development Ltd.

      27,000        81,799   

Merlin Entertainments
PLC(a)(b)

      32,929        201,863   

Sodexo

      8,899        957,525   

Starbucks Corp.

      17,880        1,383,554   
    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

      2,400      $ 193,968   

Whitbread PLC

      4,230        319,113   

William Hill PLC

      31,578        177,296   

Yum! Brands, Inc.

      2,150        174,580   
     

 

 

 
        3,941,788   
     

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.1%

     

PulteGroup, Inc.

      27,600        556,416   
     

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG
RETAIL–0.6%

     

Just Eat PLC(a)

      54,105        236,118   

Priceline Group, Inc. (The)(a)

      1,700        2,045,100   
     

 

 

 
        2,281,218   
     

 

 

 

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.3%

     

Polaris Industries, Inc.

      9,210        1,199,510   
     

 

 

 

MEDIA–1.7%

     

Comcast Corp.–Class A

      47,940        2,573,419   

Liberty Global PLC–Series C(a)

      27,700        1,171,987   

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.–Class A

      21,800        766,270   

Walt Disney Co. (The)

      22,128        1,897,255   
     

 

 

 
        6,408,931   
     

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.4%

     

Dollar General Corp.(a)

      10,300        590,808   

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd.(c)

      60,570        177,049   

Macy’s, Inc.

      11,100        644,022   
     

 

 

 
        1,411,879   
     

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.9%

     

Foot Locker, Inc.

      12,900        654,288   

GameStop Corp–Class A

      19,700        797,259   

Gap, Inc. (The)

      10,100        419,857   

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

      20,970        1,697,731   

Kingfisher PLC

      23,360        143,405   

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.(a)

      4,540        683,724   

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

      122,700        698,163   

Shimamura Co., Ltd.

      1,700        167,337   

Sports Direct International PLC(a)

      47,299        571,559   

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

      13,700        728,155   

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.(a)

      4,580        418,658   

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.(c)

      60,900        217,093   
     

 

 

 
        7,197,229   
     

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–1.1%

     

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

      12,170        1,275,285   

Hugo Boss AG

      2,416        360,756   

Li & Fung Ltd.

      462,000        685,506   

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.(a)

      7,440        659,556   

NIKE, Inc–Class B

      13,361        1,036,145   

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

Samsonite International SA

      100,500      $ 331,288   
     

 

 

 
        4,348,536   
     

 

 

 
        36,519,493   
     

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–8.3%

     

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.7%

     

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

      64,600        594,320   

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson–Class B

      15,494        187,179   

F5 Networks, Inc.(a)

      5,980        666,411   

Harris Corp.

      10,200        772,650   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

      12,400        308,140   
     

 

 

 
        2,528,700   
     

 

 

 

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–1.5%

     

Catcher Technology Co., Ltd.

      37,000        345,296   

Asustek Computer, Inc.

      16,000        178,815   

Apple, Inc.

      37,940        3,525,764   

Casetek Holdings Ltd.

      27,000        158,689   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

      50,000        1,684,000   
     

 

 

 
        5,892,564   
     

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.4%

     

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

      13,700        1,319,858   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

      6,200        374,542   
     

 

 

 
        1,694,400   
     

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–1.6%

     

Baidu, Inc. (Sponsored ADR)(a)

      470        87,801   

CoStar Group, Inc.(a)

      1,783        282,017   

Facebook, Inc.–Class A(a)

      18,610        1,252,267   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

      3,350        1,958,645   

Google, Inc.–Class C(a)

      3,660        2,105,525   

Telecity Group PLC

      45,783        590,493   
     

 

 

 
        6,276,748   
     

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–1.7%

     

Amdocs Ltd.

      1,800        83,394   

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

      8,600        182,664   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp–Class A(a)

      24,790        1,212,479   

Fujitsu Ltd.

      34,000        254,757   

HCL Technologies Ltd.

      4,820        120,506   

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

      4,340        174,274   

Visa, Inc.–Class A

      14,750        3,107,972   

Western Union Co. (The)–Class W

      23,600        409,224   

Xerox Corp.

      79,600        990,224   
     

 

 

 
        6,535,494   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.4%

     

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.

      48,000      $ 62,199   

Applied Materials, Inc.

      29,300        660,715   

ASM International NV

      4,020        166,617   

Intel Corp.

      31,800        982,620   

Linear Technology Corp.

      38,340        1,804,664   

Micron Technology, Inc.(a)

      18,800        619,460   

Novatek Microelectronics Corp.

      37,000        181,975   

NVIDIA Corp.

      7,100        131,634   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

      170        222,011   

SK Hynix, Inc.(a)

      2,500        120,045   

Sumco Corp.

      28,800        263,977   

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

      2,600        177,201   
     

 

 

 
        5,393,118   
     

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–1.0%

     

ANSYS, Inc.(a)

      7,905        599,357   

Dassault Systemes

      1,240        159,441   

Electronic Arts, Inc.(a)

      25,200        903,924   

FireEye, Inc.(a)(c)

      7,780        315,479   

Informatica Corp.(a)

      11,902        424,306   

Microsoft Corp.

      10,500        437,850   

NetSuite, Inc.(a)

      7,270        631,618   

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)

      8,522        528,023   
     

 

 

 
        3,999,998   
     

 

 

 
        32,321,022   
     

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–7.4%

     

BIOTECHNOLOGY–2.1%

     

Actelion Ltd. (REG)(a)

      4,180        529,061   

Biogen Idec, Inc.(a)

      8,878        2,799,322   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

      39,460        3,271,629   

Grifols SA (ADR)

      613        27,003   

Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc.(a)

      25,433        1,355,324   

Theravance, Inc.(a)(c)

      4,300        128,054   
     

 

 

 
        8,110,393   
     

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.7%

     

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

      2,920        1,202,456   

Medtronic, Inc.

      20,800        1,326,208   
     

 

 

 
        2,528,664   
     

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.8%

     

Aetna, Inc.

      11,500        932,420   

McKesson Corp.

      5,130        955,257   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

      13,011        1,063,649   

WellPoint, Inc.

      2,500        269,025   
     

 

 

 
        3,220,351   
     

 

 

 

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–0.5%

     

Eurofins Scientific SE(c)

      4,519        1,390,002   

 

5


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)

      2,369      $ 599,784   
     

 

 

 
        1,989,786   
     

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–3.3%

     

Allergan, Inc./United States

      16,983        2,873,863   

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

      28,000        368,216   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

      27,950        744,174   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC (Sponsored ADR)

      14,500        775,460   

Johnson & Johnson

      21,100        2,207,482   

Merck & Co., Inc.

      18,700        1,081,795   

Novartis AG

      6,994        633,365   

Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B

      5,660        261,226   

Pfizer, Inc.

      89,000        2,641,520   

Richter Gedeon Nyrt

      6,470        124,097   

Roche Holding AG

      2,750        819,381   

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

      11,420        130,602   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

      2,770        145,516   
     

 

 

 
        12,806,697   
     

 

 

 
        28,655,891   
     

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–6.5%

     

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.2%

     

Airbus Group NV

      11,230        752,949   

Boeing Co. (The)

      13,130        1,670,530   

MTU Aero Engines AG

      1,693        155,481   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

      4,100        490,483   

Precision Castparts Corp.

      3,414        861,694   

Safran SA

      6,050        396,062   

Thales SA

      2,020        122,138   

Zodiac Aerospace

      2,150        72,793   
     

 

 

 
        4,522,130   
     

 

 

 

AIRLINES–0.5%

     

Copa Holdings SA–Class A

      9,150        1,304,516   

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

      10,700        414,304   

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

      2,000        110,579   

Qantas Airways Ltd.(a)

      146,540        174,318   

Turk Hava Yollari(a)

      49,857        152,878   
     

 

 

 
        2,156,595   
     

 

 

 

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.0%

     

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.(c)

      20,000        117,914   
     

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.3%

     

Babcock International Group PLC

      41,965        834,134   

Edenred

      14,870        450,917   
     

 

 

 
        1,285,051   
     

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.1%

     

URS Corp.

      4,600        210,910   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.4%

     

AMETEK, Inc.

      23,582      $ 1,232,867   

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

      29,200        411,062   
     

 

 

 
        1,643,929   
     

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.8%

     

Bidvest Group Ltd.

      4,750        126,238   

Danaher Corp.

      22,129        1,742,216   

General Electric Co.

      41,700        1,095,876   

Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.

      18,000        245,946   
     

 

 

 
        3,210,276   
     

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION–0.7%

     

Global Logistic Properties Ltd.

      439,000        951,418   

Granite Real Estate Investment Trust

      9,830        365,774   

Hansteen Holdings PLC

      68,120        119,845   

Japan Logistics Fund, Inc.

      57        135,255   

Mapletree Industrial Trust

      159,000        182,470   

Mapletree Logistics Trust

      231,389        216,319   

Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc.

      55        128,267   

ProLogis, Inc.

      2,553        104,903   

STAG Industrial, Inc.

      17,110        410,811   
     

 

 

 
        2,615,062   
     

 

 

 

MACHINERY–0.9%

     

Caterpillar, Inc.

      5,900        641,153   

Dover Corp.

      7,000        636,650   

ITT Corp.

      10,845        521,645   

JTEKT Corp.

      13,200        222,722   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

      7,110        893,940   

Wabtec Corp./DE

      5,270        435,249   
     

 

 

 
        3,351,359   
     

 

 

 

MARINE–0.2%

     

AP Moeller–Maersk A/S–Class B

      182        452,504   

Nippon Yusen KK

      97,000        279,804   
     

 

 

 
        732,308   
     

 

 

 

MIXED OFFICE INDUSTRIAL–0.1%

     

Goodman Group(c)

      56,240        267,758   
     

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–1.1%

     

Applus Services SA(a)

      19,095        394,816   

Bureau Veritas SA

      37,429        1,039,533   

Capita PLC

      58,971        1,155,317   

Intertek Group PLC

      23,452        1,102,654   

Nielsen NV

      8,329        403,207   

SGS SA

      87        208,184   

Teleperformance

      1,290        79,028   
     

 

 

 
        4,382,739   
     

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL–0.1%

     

Central Japan Railway Co.

      2,200        314,046   

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

East Japan Railway Co.

      2,500      $ 196,980   
     

 

 

 
        511,026   
     

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES &

DISTRIBUTORS–0.1%

     

Mitsubishi Corp.

      12,300        256,017   

Rexel SA

      6,240        145,939   
     

 

 

 
        401,956   
     

 

 

 
        25,409,013   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–4.8%

     

BEVERAGES–0.7%

     

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

      4,100        128,752   

Carlsberg A/S–Class B

      2,260        243,411   

Diageo PLC

      23,690        754,504   

Monster Beverage Corp.(a)

      20,771        1,475,364   

SABMiller PLC (London)

      1,410        81,717   
     

 

 

 
        2,683,748   
     

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.5%

     

Costco Wholesale Corp.

      7,610        876,368   

CVS Caremark Corp.

      37,350        2,815,069   

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

      20,048        329,620   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

      20,285        380,366   

Kroger Co. (The)

      15,600        771,108   

Lenta Ltd. (GDR)(a)(b)

      6,510        83,979   

Olam International Ltd.

      179,412        371,293   

Sugi Holdings Co., Ltd.

      2,100        95,822   

Tsuruha Holdings, Inc.

      1,800        99,330   
     

 

 

 
        5,822,955   
     

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.7%

     

Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

      11,000        172,406   

Danone SA

      1,723        128,120   

Hershey Co. (The)

      6,680        650,432   

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.

      4,830        601,866   

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.–Class A

      12,870        1,199,098   
     

 

 

 
        2,751,922   
     

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–0.4%

     

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

      5,849        588,209   

LG Household & Health Care Ltd.

      570        256,588   

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

      5,000        392,950   

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

      2,780        242,402   
     

 

 

 
        1,480,149   
     

 

 

 

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.3%

     

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The)–Class A

      13,890        1,031,471   
     

 

 

 

TOBACCO–1.2%

     

British American Tobacco PLC

      19,989        1,189,390   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

      8,140        366,203   

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

      36,000        1,312,636   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

      23,675        1,996,039   
     

 

 

 
        4,864,268   
     

 

 

 
        18,634,513   
     

 

 

 
     

ENERGY–3.8%

     

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.0%

     

Aker Solutions ASA

      12,760      $ 221,463   

Halliburton Co.

      12,500        887,625   

Nabors Industries Ltd.

      20,600        605,022   

Oceaneering International, Inc.

      3,959        309,317   

Schlumberger Ltd.

      14,324        1,689,516   

Seadrill Ltd.(c)

      4,160        164,863   
     

 

 

 
        3,877,806   
     

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–2.8%

     

BG Group PLC

      23,580        497,570   

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

      7,200        223,776   

Chevron Corp.

      10,700        1,396,885   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.–Class H

      102,000        97,107   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

      24,000        2,416,320   

Hess Corp.

      15,000        1,483,350   

JX Holdings, Inc.

      86,100        460,740   

Murphy Oil Corp.

      9,700        644,856   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

      15,000        1,539,450   

Phillips 66

      5,300        426,279   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A

      10,055        415,172   

Total SA

      4,280        309,657   

Valero Energy Corp.

      21,300        1,067,130   
     

 

 

 
        10,978,292   
     

 

 

 
        14,856,098   
     

 

 

 

EQUITY: OTHER–3.6%

     

DIVERSIFIED/SPECIALTY–3.1%

     

Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc.

      15,792        152,867   

British Land Co. PLC

      49,193        591,085   

Buzzi Unicem SpA

      9,410        158,232   

CA Immobilien Anlagen AG(a)

      17,060        323,550   

Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd.

      21,000        372,304   

Cofinimmo

      2,140        266,687   

Country Garden Holdings Co., Ltd.

      986,000        389,137   

CSR Ltd.

      57,960        190,799   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.(c)

      3,830        223,366   

Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust

      7,896        216,741   

Fibra Uno Administracion SA de CV

      111,230        390,014   

Frasers Centrepoint Ltd.

      75,000        111,560   

Gramercy Property Trust, Inc.

      79,000        477,950   

Hemfosa Fastigheter AB(a)

      11,100        186,480   

Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.

      21,340        125,032   

ICADE

      1,759        188,552   

Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate PLC(a)

      20,500        385,921   

 

7


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

      14,900      $ 399,618   

Klovern AB

      23,937        121,797   

Lend Lease Group

      43,190        533,934   

Merlin Properties Socimi SA(a)

      42,500        561,584   

Mitchells & Butlers PLC(a)

      28,570        190,446   

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

      26,000        642,344   

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

      21,100        712,109   

New World Development Co., Ltd.

      129,893        147,870   

New York REIT, Inc.(c)

      33,250        367,745   

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc.

      104        127,122   

Orix JREIT, Inc.

      147        206,191   

Pruksa Real Estate PCL

      139,700        125,904   

Regal Entertainment Group–Class A

      18,080        381,488   

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

      12,361        140,421   

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.

      12,000        515,478   

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

      34,708        476,711   

Supalai PCL

      195,400        131,852   

Swire Properties Ltd.

      101,000        295,167   

Top REIT, Inc.

      26        116,296   

UOL Group Ltd.

      52,140        272,923   

Vornado Realty Trust

      1,690        180,374   

Wharf Holdings Ltd.

      85,000        614,263   
     

 

 

 
        12,011,914   
     

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–0.5%

     

Chartwell Retirement Residences

      20,060        203,786   

HCP, Inc.

      6,510        269,384   

LTC Properties, Inc.

      8,320        324,813   

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

      26,315        348,411   

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

      11,730        432,368   

Ventas, Inc.

      3,980        255,118   
     

 

 

 
        1,833,880   
     

 

 

 
        13,845,794   
     

 

 

 

RETAIL–1.9%

     

REGIONAL MALL–0.7%

     

CFS Retail Property Trust Group(c)

      78,160        150,304   

General Growth Properties, Inc.

      8,270        194,841   

Glimcher Realty Trust

      18,500        200,355   

Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust

      17,680        332,738   

Simon Property Group, Inc.

      9,096        1,512,483   

Washington Prime Group, Inc.(a)

      25,218        472,585   
     

 

 

 
        2,863,306   
     

 

 

 

SHOPPING CENTER/OTHER RETAIL–1.2%

     

Aeon Mall Co., Ltd.

      13,100        345,406   
    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

DDR Corp.

      19,380      $ 341,669   

Federal Realty Investment Trust

      640        77,389   

Federation Centres Ltd.

      127,660        299,592   

Fukuoka REIT Corp.

      55        96,686   

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.

      93        209,224   

Kimco Realty Corp.

      4,870        111,913   

Kite Realty Group Trust

      33,176        203,701   

Klepierre

      8,553        435,805   

Link REIT (The)

      19,268        103,734   

Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust

      24,570        408,353   

Regency Centers Corp.

      3,050        169,824   

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

      27,590        433,991   

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (Toronto)

      4,973        127,279   

Unibail-Rodamco SE

      2,669        776,706   

Vastned Retail NV

      5,794        295,152   

Weingarten Realty Investors

      6,040        198,354   
     

 

 

 
        4,634,778   
     

 

 

 
        7,498,084   
     

 

 

 

MATERIALS–1.7%

     

CHEMICALS–1.4%

     

Arkema SA

      3,113        302,479   

BASF SE

      1,060        123,303   

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

      425        102,225   

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

      3,770        158,766   

Denki Kagaku Kogyo KK

      45,000        172,898   

Eastman Chemical Co.

      6,400        559,040   

Essentra PLC

      68,184        890,313   

IMCD Group NV(a)

      2,498        77,646   

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

      73,261        200,292   

JSR Corp.

      20,000        343,360   

Koninklijke DSM NV

      4,698        341,885   

LyondellBasell Industries NV–Class A

      8,300        810,495   

Monsanto Co.

      11,259        1,404,448   

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc.(c)

      4,390        166,644   
     

 

 

 
        5,653,794   
     

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.0%

     

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

      23,000        92,737   
     

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–0.2%

     

Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd.

      12,000        113,177   

MMC Norilsk Nickel OJSC (ADR)

      8,390        166,206   

Rio Tinto PLC

      8,210        443,292   
     

 

 

 
        722,675   
     

 

 

 

PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.1%

     

Mondi PLC

      12,100        219,674   
     

 

 

 
        6,688,880   
     

 

 

 

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

RESIDENTIAL–1.6%

     

MULTI-FAMILY–1.4%

     

Associated Estates Realty Corp.

      34,370      $ 619,347   

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc.(a)

      9,881        205,031   

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

      102,000        247,406   

China Vanke Co., Ltd.–Class H(a)

      159,460        280,224   

CIFI Holdings Group Co., Ltd.

      640,000        118,079   

Comforia Residential REIT, Inc.

      20        151,635   

Equity Residential

      3,070        193,410   

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

      2,555        472,445   

GAGFAH SA(a)

      28,863        524,980   

Irish Residential Properties REIT PLC(a)

      81,000        112,023   

Japan Rental Housing Investments, Inc.

      173        116,518   

Kenedix Residential Investment Corp.

      52        120,798   

KWG Property Holding Ltd.

      298,500        171,377   

LEG Immobilien AG(a)

      5,129        345,044   

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

      6,780        495,279   

Rossi Residencial SA(a)

      145,840        114,190   

Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.

      8,000        92,749   

Stockland(c)

      157,305        575,337   

Taylor Wimpey PLC

      189,620        369,578   

UDR, Inc.

      2,454        70,258   

Wing Tai Holdings Ltd.

      125,000        197,595   
     

 

 

 
        5,593,303   
     

 

 

 

SELF STORAGE–0.2%

     

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

      3,580        190,635   

Public Storage

      2,590        443,797   

Safestore Holdings PLC

      53,910        201,130   
     

 

 

 
        835,562   
     

 

 

 
        6,428,865   
     

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.2%

     

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.8%

     

AT&T, Inc.

      45,400        1,605,344   

Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp., Ltd.

      63,518        118,880   

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA(a)

      6,960        102,797   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

      6,000        373,967   

Orange SA

      33,650        532,421   

Telenor ASA

      6,620        150,727   

Vivendi SA(a)

      11,484        281,031   

Ziggo NV

      3,940        182,211   
     

 

 

 
        3,347,378   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
Company
      Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.4%

     

China Mobile Ltd.

      17,000      $ 165,117   

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

      11,400        194,607   

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS(a)

      21,330        133,506   

Vodafone Group PLC

      190,523        636,781   

Vodafone Group PLC (Sponsored ADR)

      11,672        389,728   
     

 

 

 
        1,519,739   
     

 

 

 
        4,867,117   
     

 

 

 

OFFICE–1.2%

     

OFFICE–1.2%

     

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

      7,776        257,609   

Boston Properties, Inc.

      1,774        209,651   

Columbia Property Trust, Inc.

      13,220        343,852   

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust

      15,513        274,045   

Cousins Properties, Inc.

      37,522        467,149   

Fabege AB

      15,130        214,071   

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

      41,000        273,621   

Investa Office Fund

      82,940        266,004   

Japan Excellent, Inc.

      142        188,734   

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

      57        332,009   

Kenedix Office Investment Corp.–Class A

      35        190,532   

Kilroy Realty Corp.

      2,780        173,139   

NTT Urban Development Corp.

      11,000        123,879   

Parkway Properties, Inc./MD

      20,458        422,458   

SL Green Realty Corp.

      6,118        669,370   

Workspace Group PLC

      22,440        218,902   
     

 

 

 
        4,625,025   
     

 

 

 

UTILITIES–1.2%

     

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.4%

     

Edison International

      18,900        1,098,279   

EDP–Energias de Portugal SA

      44,900        225,291   

Electricite de France SA

      3,930        123,747   

Enel SpA

      40,691        236,685   
     

 

 

 
        1,684,002   
     

 

 

 

GAS UTILITIES–0.4%

     

Atmos Energy Corp.

      13,100        699,540   

UGI Corp.

      13,800        696,900   
     

 

 

 
        1,396,440   
     

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.3%

     

APR Energy PLC

      29,787        330,608   

Calpine Corp.(a)

      28,800        685,728   
     

 

 

 
        1,016,336   
     

 

 

 

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.1%

     

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

      19,800        505,692   
     

 

 

 
        4,602,470   
     

 

 

 

 

9


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
        Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

LODGING–0.8%

     

LODGING–0.8%

     

Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc.

      21,864      $ 375,186   

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

      35,531        410,028   

Chatham Lodging Trust

      16,959        371,402   

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

      36,350        466,007   

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

      29,690        312,042   

Hersha Hospitality Trust

      64,400        432,124   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

      17,560        386,495   

Intrawest Resorts Holdings, Inc.(a)

      3,943        45,187   

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp.(c)

      433        227,992   

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

      5,110        188,866   
     

 

 

 
        3,215,329   
     

 

 

 

FUNDS AND INVESTMENT TRUSTS–0.1%

   

   

FUNDS AND INVESTMENT TRUSTS–0.1%

   

   

B&M European Value Retail SA(a)

      73,667        346,703   
     

 

 

 

MORTGAGE–0.1%

     

MORTGAGE–0.1%

     

Altisource Residential Corp.

      11,220        292,056   
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $191,821,331)

        246,455,599   
     

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–9.2%

   

   

INDUSTRIAL–5.4%

     

BASIC–0.8%

     

Barrick Gold Corp.
4.10%, 5/01/23

    U.S.$        45        44,813   

Barrick North America Finance LLC
4.40%, 5/30/21

      150        156,941   

Basell Finance Co. BV
8.10%, 3/15/27(b)

      145        194,796   

Cia Minera Milpo SAA
4.625%, 3/28/23(b)

      240        237,649   

Dow Chemical Co. (The)
4.125%, 11/15/21

      165        177,079   

Gerdau Trade, Inc.
4.75%, 4/15/23(b)

      395        391,074   

Glencore Funding LLC
4.125%, 5/30/23(b)

      164        164,712   

International Paper Co.
3.65%, 6/15/24

      48        48,113   
     

LyondellBasell Industries NV
5.75%, 4/15/24

    U.S.$        435      $ 513,252   

Minsur SA
6.25%, 2/07/24(b)

      333        361,267   

Rio Tinto Finance USA PLC
2.875%, 8/21/22

      257        250,946   

3.50%, 3/22/22

      94        96,457   

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA
3.625%, 4/03/23(b)

      237        220,264   

Vale SA
5.625%, 9/11/42

      37        36,249   

Yamana Gold, Inc.
4.95%, 7/15/24(b)

      236        237,552   
     

 

 

 
        3,131,164   
     

 

 

 

CAPITAL GOODS–0.2%

     

Embraer SA
5.15%, 6/15/22

      130        140,075   

Odebrecht Finance Ltd.
5.25%, 6/27/29(b)

      217        216,023   

Owens Corning
6.50%, 12/01/16(d)

      178        198,515   

Republic Services, Inc.
3.80%, 5/15/18

      17        18,213   
     

 

 

 
        572,826   
     

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS–MEDIA–0.7%

   

   

21st Century Fox America, Inc.
3.00%, 9/15/22

      400        393,804   

6.15%, 2/15/41

      130        157,555   

CBS Corp.
5.75%, 4/15/20

      250        289,765   

Comcast Corp.
5.15%, 3/01/20

      451        516,824   

NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc.
5.25%, 3/19/21(b)(e)

      233        243,485   

Reed Elsevier Capital, Inc.
8.625%, 1/15/19

      435        550,512   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.
4.125%, 2/15/21

      165        178,159   

WPP Finance 2010
4.75%, 11/21/21

      77        84,493   

WPP Finance UK
8.00%, 9/15/14

      350        355,216   
     

 

 

 
        2,769,813   
     

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.5%

   

 

American Tower Corp. 5.05%, 9/01/20

      380        423,421   

AT&T, Inc.
4.30%, 12/15/42

      23        21,772   

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV
4.875%, 3/06/42(b)

    U.S.$        490      $ 512,539   

DirecTV Holdings LLC/DirecTV Financing Co., Inc.
3.80%, 3/15/22

      75        77,446   

4.45%, 4/01/24

      107        113,455   

5.20%, 3/15/20

      30        33,795   

Globo Comunicacao e Participacoes SA
5.307%, 5/11/22(b)(f)

      221        234,260   

Rogers Communications, Inc.
4.00%, 6/06/22

    CAD        46        44,859   

Telefonica Emisiones SAU
5.462%, 2/16/21

    U.S.$        185        210,062   

Verizon Communications, Inc.
6.55%, 9/15/43

      297        373,757   
     

 

 

 
        2,045,366   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.4%

   

   

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC
5.875%, 8/02/21

      915        1,074,267   

Harley-Davidson Funding Corp.
5.75%, 12/15/14(b)

      341        349,001   
     

 

 

 
        1,423,268   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–ENTERTAINMENT–0.1%

   

   

Time Warner, Inc.
4.70%, 1/15/21

      123        136,198   

7.625%, 4/15/31

      110        151,141   

Viacom, Inc.
3.875%, 4/01/24

      110        111,781   

5.625%, 9/15/19

      83        95,710   
     

 

 

 
        494,830   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–RETAILERS–0.1%

   

   

Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc.
3.875%, 1/15/22

      201        209,810   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.3%

   

   

Actavis Funding SCS
3.85%, 6/15/24(b)

      89        89,966   

Bunge Ltd. Finance Corp.

     

5.10%, 7/15/15

      69        71,869   

8.50%, 6/15/19

      153        192,263   

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV
3.875%, 6/27/24(b)

      339        338,329   

Reynolds American, Inc. 3.25%, 11/01/22

      220        212,247   
     

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
4.15%, 2/01/24

    U.S.$        121      $ 126,536   
     

 

 

 
        1,031,210   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY–1.5%

     

DCP Midstream LLC
5.35%, 3/15/20(b)

      137        151,636   

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.
4.875%, 11/01/43

      111        112,030   

Encana Corp.
3.90%, 11/15/21

      140        147,927   

Energy Transfer Partners LP
7.50%, 7/01/38

      295        383,527   

Enterprise Products Operating LLC
5.20%, 9/01/20

      185        211,210   

Hess Corp.
7.875%, 10/01/29

      39        53,741   

Kinder Morgan Energy Partner LP
2.65%, 2/01/19

      302        305,651   

3.95%, 9/01/22

      424        433,666   

6.85%, 2/15/20

      330        396,000   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.
5.125%, 3/01/21

      163        184,808   

Nabors Industries, Inc.
5.10%, 9/15/23

      180        196,525   

Noble Energy, Inc.
8.25%, 3/01/19

      374        471,489   

Noble Holding International Ltd.
3.95%, 3/15/22

      270        276,550   

4.90%, 8/01/20

      36        39,713   

Reliance Holding USA, Inc.
5.40%, 2/14/22(b)

      315        338,959   

Rio Oil Finance Trust
Series 2014-1
6.25%, 7/06/24(b)

      269        281,777   

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations LP
5.30%, 4/01/44

      295        310,387   

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd.
6.35%, 5/15/67

      120        124,950   

Transocean, Inc.
6.375%, 12/15/21

      2        2,314   

6.50%, 11/15/20

      300        346,968   

Valero Energy Corp.
6.125%, 2/01/20

      175        206,801   

Weatherford International Ltd./Bermuda
9.625%, 3/01/19

      285        374,004   

Williams Partners LP
5.25%, 3/15/20

      298        336,145   
     

 

 

 
        5,686,778   
     

 

 

 

 

11


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

SERVICES–0.0%

  

   

Omnicom Group, Inc.
3.625%, 5/01/22

    U.S.$        165      $ 169,747   
     

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY–0.5%

  

   

Agilent Technologies, Inc.
5.00%, 7/15/20

      71        77,924   

Baidu, Inc.
2.75%, 6/09/19

      377        378,469   

Hewlett-Packard Co.
4.65%, 12/09/21

      114        124,375   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.
3.50%, 3/01/23

      300        290,253   

7.50%, 5/15/25

      35        44,513   

Seagate HDD Cayman
4.75%, 1/01/25(b)

      127        126,048   

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
4.125%, 5/15/22

      447        464,616   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.
3.375%, 5/02/19(b)

      335        342,494   

Total System Services, Inc.
2.375%, 6/01/18

      141        141,079   

3.75%, 6/01/23

      139        135,334   
     

 

 

 
        2,125,105   
     

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION–AIRLINES–0.1%

   

   

Southwest Airlines Co.
5.25%, 10/01/14

      307        310,246   

5.75%, 12/15/16

      155        171,222   
     

 

 

 
        481,468   
     

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION–SERVICES–0.2%

   

   

Asciano Finance Ltd.
3.125%, 9/23/15(b)

      237        241,874   

5.00%, 4/07/18(b)

      230        250,441   

Ryder System, Inc.
5.85%, 11/01/16

      127        139,867   

7.20%, 9/01/15

      127        136,280   
     

 

 

 
        768,462   
     

 

 

 
        20,909,847   
     

 

 

 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–3.5%

   

   

BANKING–2.5%

     

Bank of America Corp.
4.875%, 4/01/44

      306        315,772   

Barclays Bank PLC
6.625%, 3/30/22(b)

    EUR        160        273,014   

6.86%, 6/15/32(b)(e)

    U.S.$        44        49,720   

BNP Paribas SA
5.186%, 6/29/15(b)(e)

      128        130,400   

BPCE SA
5.70%, 10/22/23(b)

      262        288,491   

Citigroup, Inc.
3.375%, 3/01/23

      420        418,393   
     

Compass Bank
5.50%, 4/01/20

    U.S.$        314      $ 341,891   

Countrywide Financial Corp.
6.25%, 5/15/16

      92        100,392   

Credit Suisse AG
6.50%, 8/08/23(b)

      267        302,948   

Danske Bank A/S
5.684%, 2/15/17(e)

    GBP        182        327,827   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
5.75%, 1/24/22

    U.S.$        335        387,657   

Series D
6.00%, 6/15/20

      440        512,866   

ING Bank NV
2.00%, 9/25/15(b)

      480        487,432   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA
5.017%, 6/26/24(b)

      339        343,005   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
3.625%, 5/13/24

      340        341,363   

Macquarie Bank Ltd.
5.00%, 2/22/17(b)

      90        98,082   

Macquarie Group Ltd.
4.875%, 8/10/17(b)

      194        211,639   

Mizuho Financial Group Cayman 3 Ltd.
4.60%, 3/27/24(b)

      392        413,181   

Morgan Stanley
5.625%, 9/23/19

      168        193,235   

Series G
5.50%, 7/24/20

      189        217,308   

Murray Street Investment Trust I
4.647%, 3/09/17

      44        47,554   

National Capital Trust II Delaware
5.486%, 3/23/15(b)(e)

      91        92,820   

Nationwide Building Society
6.25%, 2/25/20(b)

      465        549,046   

PNC Bank NA
3.80%, 7/25/23

      685        709,483   

Rabobank Capital Funding Trust III
5.254%, 10/21/16(b)(e)

      190        199,500   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC (The)
9.50%, 3/16/22(b)

      215        252,088   

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB
5.471%, 3/23/15(b)(e)

      185        187,775   

Standard Chartered PLC
4.00%, 7/12/22(b)

      470        485,947   

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS
4.75%, 10/17/19(b)

      336        340,604   

UBS AG/Stamford CT
7.625%, 8/17/22

      380        457,547   

Unicredit Luxembourg Finance SA
6.00%, 10/31/17(b)

      230        253,498   

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

Wells Fargo Bank NA
Series BKN1
6.18%, 2/15/36

    U.S.$        250      $ 302,573   
     

 

 

 
        9,633,051   
     

 

 

 

BROKERAGE–0.1%

     

Nomura Holdings, Inc.
2.00%, 9/13/16

      468        475,638   
     

 

 

 

INSURANCE–0.6%

     

Allied World Assurance Co., Holdings Ltd.
7.50%, 8/01/16

      160        179,856   

American International Group, Inc.
4.875%, 6/01/22

      155        172,602   

6.40%, 12/15/20

      300        362,174   

Coventry Health Care, Inc.
6.30%, 8/15/14

      275        276,966   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)
4.00%, 3/30/15

      95        97,533   

5.125%, 4/15/22

      180        204,680   

5.50%, 3/30/20

      242        276,926   

Humana, Inc.
6.45%, 6/01/16

      40        44,058   

Lincoln National Corp.
8.75%, 7/01/19

      98        127,062   

MetLife, Inc.
10.75%, 8/01/39

      70        111,212   

Prudential Financial, Inc.
5.625%, 6/15/43

      200        213,936   

XLIT Ltd.
5.25%, 9/15/14

      135        136,332   

6.375%, 11/15/24

      157        189,776   
     

 

 

 
        2,393,113   
     

 

 

 

OTHER FINANCE–0.1%

     

ORIX Corp.
4.71%, 4/27/15

      336        346,419   
     

 

 

 

REITS–0.2%

     

ERP Operating LP
5.25%, 9/15/14

      105        105,983   

Health Care REIT, Inc.
5.25%, 1/15/22

      300        336,481   

Trust F/1401
5.25%, 12/15/24(b)

      270        283,500   
     

 

 

 
        725,964   
     

 

 

 
        13,574,185   
     

 

 

 

UTILITY–0.2%

     

ELECTRIC–0.1%

     

CMS Energy Corp.
5.05%, 3/15/22

      155        176,170   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
5.15%, 12/01/20

      89        100,310   

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
6.05%, 3/01/34

      38        46,995   
     

 

 

 
        323,475   
     

 

 

 
     

NATURAL GAS–0.1%

     

Talent Yield Investments Ltd.
4.50%, 4/25/22(b)

    U.S.$        490      $ 506,739   
     

 

 

 
        830,214   
     

 

 

 

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.1%

   

   

AGENCIES–NOT GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED–0.1%

    

   

CNOOC Finance 2013 Ltd.
3.00%, 5/09/23

      286        270,046   

OCP SA
5.625%, 4/25/24(b)

      335        351,331   
     

 

 

 
        621,377   
     

 

 

 

Total Corporates–Investment Grades
(cost $33,666,955)

        35,935,623   
     

 

 

 

MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS–6.5%

   

   

AGENCY FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–6.2%

   

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold
4.00%, 7/01/44, TBA

      855        905,766   

4.50%, 10/01/39

      1,704        1,845,008   

Series 2005
5.50%, 1/01/35

      416        467,463   

Series 2007
5.50%, 7/01/35

      43        48,622   

Federal National Mortgage Association
3.00%, 11/01/42-8/01/43

      2,776        2,745,419   

3.50%, 7/01/44, TBA

      6,115        6,294,628   

4.00%, 9/01/43

      1,541        1,644,349   

4.00%, 7/01/44, TBA

      4,617        4,899,791   

4.50%, 8/01/40-4/01/44

      1,777        1,928,411   

5.00%, 12/01/39

      278        310,991   

5.00%, 7/25/44, TBA

      790        877,270   

Series 2004
5.50%, 2/01/34-11/01/34

      155        174,788   

Series 2007
4.50%, 9/01/35

      101        109,617   

5.50%, 1/01/37-8/01/37

      574        645,169   

Series 2008
5.50%, 8/01/37

      251        281,973   

Series 2012
3.00%, 11/01/42

      648        640,673   

Series 2014
4.50%, 2/01/44

      113        122,163   
     

 

 

 
        23,942,101   
     

 

 

 

 

13


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

AGENCY FIXED RATE 15-YEAR–0.3%

   

   

Federal National Mortgage Association
2.50%, 7/01/29, TBA

    U.S.$        1,340      $ 1,361,147   
     

 

 

 

Total Mortgage Pass-Throughs
(cost $24,783,084)

        25,303,248   
     

 

 

 

GOVERNMENTS– TREASURIES –5.0%

  

   

BRAZIL–0.2%

     

Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional
Series F
10.00%, 1/01/17

    BRL        1,498        655,748   
     

 

 

 

NEW ZEALAND–0.8%

  

   

New Zealand Government Bond
Series 1217
6.00%, 12/15/17

    NZD        3,609        3,362,597   
     

 

 

 

UNITED STATES–4.0%

  

   

U.S. Treasury Bonds
2.75%, 8/15/42

    U.S.$        280        250,425   

3.125%, 2/15/43

      385        370,623   

3.625%, 8/15/43-2/15/44

      1,833        1,935,508   

4.625%, 2/15/40

      3,835        4,769,183   

5.375%, 2/15/31

      5        6,565   

U.S. Treasury Notes
1.25%, 10/31/18

      1,115        1,106,377   

1.50%, 1/31/19

      288        287,820   

1.625%, 3/31/19-11/15/22

      1,232        1,180,350   

2.00%, 11/15/21

      645        636,937   

2.50%, 8/15/23-5/15/24

      2,435        2,434,116   

2.75%, 11/15/23-2/15/24

      2,525        2,582,740   
     

 

 

 
        15,560,644   
     

 

 

 

Total Governments–Treasuries
(cost $18,738,124)

        19,578,989   
     

 

 

 

ASSET–BACKED SECURITIES–4.8%

   

   

AUTOS–FIXED RATE–3.1%

  

   

Ally Master Owner Trust
Series 2013-1, Class A2
1.00%, 2/15/18

      390        391,537   

Series 2014-1, Class A2
1.29%, 1/15/19

      336        336,781   

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2011-3, Class D
4.04%, 7/10/17

      320        331,259   

Series 2012-4, Class A2
0.49%, 4/08/16

      38        37,914   

Series 2013-1, Class A2 0.49%, 6/08/16

      96        95,618   

Series 2013-3, Class A3
0.92%, 4/09/18

      670        670,554   
     

Series 2013-4, Class A3
0.96%, 4/09/18

    U.S.$        275      $ 275,560   

Series 2013-5, Class A2A
0.65%, 3/08/17

      163        163,247   

Series 2014-1, Class A3
0.90%, 2/08/19

      310        310,006   

ARI Fleet Lease Trust
Series 2014-A, Class A2
0.81%, 11/15/22(b)

      149        148,702   

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP LLC
Series 2014-1A, Class A
2.46%, 7/20/20(b)

      705        709,683   

California Republic Auto Receivables Trust 2014-2
Series 2014-2, Class A4
1.57%, 12/16/19

      203        203,255   

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust
Series 2013-3, Class A2
1.04%, 11/21/16

      570        572,762   

Series 2014-1, Class B
2.22%, 1/22/19

      80        80,875   

Carfinance Capital Auto Trust
Series 2013-1A, Class A
1.65%, 7/17/17(b)

      156        156,366   

CPS Auto Receivables Trust 2013-B
Series 2013-B, Class A
1.82%, 9/15/20(b)

      238        239,125   

CPS Auto Receivables Trust 2014-B
Series 2014-B, Class A
1.11%, 11/15/18 (b)

      193        192,521   

Enterprise Fleet Financing LLC
Series 2014-1, Class A2
0.87%, 9/20/19(b)

      215        215,169   

Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2012-2A, Class A
1.30%, 6/15/17(b)

      117        117,438   

Series 2013-1A, Class A
1.29%, 10/16/17(b)

      129        128,871   

Series 2014-1A, Class A
1.29%, 5/15/18(b)

      148        147,927   

Series 2014-2A, Class A
1.06%, 8/15/18(b)

      135        134,776   

Fifth Third Auto Trust
Series 2013-A, Class A3
0.61%, 9/15/17

      386        386,369   

Flagship Credit Auto Trust
Series 2013-1, Class A
1.32%, 4/16/18(b)

      118        118,231   

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

Ford Auto Securitization Trust
Series 2013-R1A, Class A2
1.676%, 9/15/16(b)

    CAD        268      $ 251,362   

Series 2013-R4A, Class A1
1.487%, 8/15/15(b)

      84        78,344   

Series 2014-R2A, Class A1
1.353%, 3/15/16(b)

      200        187,783   

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust
Series 2012-D, Class B
1.01%, 5/15/18

    U.S.$        155        154,519   

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust 2014-B
Series 2014-B, Class A2
0.47%, 3/15/17

      377        376,994   

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust
Series 2012-4, Class A1
0.74%, 9/15/16

      303        303,199   

Series 2013-1, Class A1
0.85%, 1/15/18

      279        280,005   

Series 2014-1, Class A1
1.20%, 2/15/19

      322        322,156   

GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust
Series 2014-1A, Class A2 0.61%, 7/20/16(b)

      270        269,953   

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Trust
Series 2014-1, Class A3
1.10%, 9/15/19

      270        270,437   

Hertz Vehicle Financing LLC
Series 2013-1A, Class A1
1.12%, 8/25/17(b)

      345        345,534   

Huntington Auto Trust
Series 2011-1A, Class A3
1.01%, 1/15/16(b)

      45        44,767   

Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2012-B, Class C
1.95%, 10/15/18

      140        142,975   

M&T Bank Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2013-1A, Class A3
1.06%, 11/15/17, TBA(b)

      416        417,174   

Mercedes-Benz Master Owner Trust
Series 2012-AA, Class A
0.79%, 11/15/17(b)

      714        715,691   

Nissan Auto Lease Trust
Series 2012-B, Class A2A
0.45%, 6/15/15

      18        17,860   

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2013-3, Class C
1.81%, 4/15/19

      489        492,830   

Series 2013-4, Class A
3 1.11%, 12/15/17

      540        542,412   
     

Series 2013-5, Class A2A
0.64%, 4/17/17

    U.S.$        184      $ 183,969   

Series 2014-2, Class A3
0.80%, 4/16/18

      335        335,272   

SMART Trust/Australia
Series 2012-4US, Class A2A
0.67%, 6/14/15

      36        36,162   

Volkswagen Auto Loan Enhanced Trust
Series 2014-1, Class A3
0.91%, 10/22/18

      249        249,132   
     

 

 

 
        12,183,076   
     

 

 

 

CREDIT CARDS–FLOATING RATE–0.5%

     

Barclays Dryrock Issuance Trust
Series 2014-1, Class A
0.512%, 12/16/19(d)

      326        327,260   

Series 2014-2, Class A
0.491%, 3/16/20(d)

      337        337,007   

First National Master Note Trust
Series 2013-2, Class A
0.682%, 10/15/19(d)

      346        347,824   

Gracechurch Card Funding PLC
Series 2012-1A, Class A1
0.852%, 2/15/17(b)(d)

      490        491,644   

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust
Series 2014-A, Class A
0.532%, 12/15/19(d)

      295        295,537   
     

 

 

 
        1,799,272   
     

 

 

 

OTHER ABS–FIXED RATE–0.5%

     

CIT Equipment Collateral
Series 2012-VT1, Class A3
1.10%, 8/22/16(b)

      50        50,184   

Series 2013-VT1, Class A3
1.13%, 7/20/20(b)

      466        468,880   

CNH Capital Canada Receivables Trust
Series 2014-1A, Class A1
1.388%, 3/15/17(b)

    CAD        263        246,135   

CNH Equipment Trust
Series 2012-A, Class A3
0.94%, 5/15/17

    U.S.$        124        123,976   

Series 2013-D, Class A2
0.49%, 3/15/17

      465        465,364   

Series 2014-B, Class A4
1.61%, 5/17/21

      210        210,184   

GE Equipment Midticket LLC
Series 2011-1, Class A3
1.00%, 8/24/15

      12        12,190   

GE Equipment Small Ticket LLC
Series 2014-1A, Class A2
0.59%, 8/24/16(b)

      307        307,221   
     

 

 

 
        1,884,134   
     

 

 

 

 

15


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

CREDIT CARDS–FIXED
RATE–0.3%

     

American Express Credit Account Master Trust
Series 2014-2, Class A
1.26%, 1/15/20

    U.S.$        141      $ 140,997   

Chase Issuance Trust
Series 2014-A1, Class A1
1.15%, 1/15/19

      270        271,029   

Series 2014-A2, Class A2
2.77%, 3/15/23

      270        273,188   

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust
Series 2012-B, Class A
1.76%, 5/17/21

      310        313,196   

Series 2013-A, Class A
1.61%, 12/15/21

      246        245,555   
     

 

 

 
        1,243,965   
     

 

 

 

AUTOS–FLOATING
RATE–0.2%

     

Ally Master Owner Trust
Series 2014-2, Class A
0.522%, 1/16/18(d)

      630        630,908   
     

 

 

 

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING RATE–0.1%

     

GSAA Trust
Series 2006-5, Class 2A3
0.422%, 3/25/36(d)

      396        278,149   

Residential Asset Securities Corp. Trust
Series 2003-KS3, Class A2
0.752%, 5/25/33(d)

      1        871   
     

 

 

 
        279,020   
     

 

 

 

AUTOS-FIXED RATE ABS–0.1%

  

   

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2012-3, Class D
3.64%, 5/15/18

      253        264,194   
     

 

 

 

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.0%

   

   

Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC
Series 2003-CB1, Class AF
3.95%, 1/25/33

      87        86,315   
     

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $18,010,445)

        18,370,884   
     

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–3.1%

   

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–2.6%

   

   

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2007-4, Class A1A
5.774%, 2/10/51

      556        620,663   
     

Series 2007-5, Class AM
5.772%, 2/10/51

    U.S.$        150      $ 162,773   

CGRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2013-VN05, Class A
3.369%, 3/13/23(b)

      495        499,780   

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C4, Class A1A
5.975%, 3/15/49

      263        280,920   

COBALT CMBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2007-C3, Class A4
5.965%, 5/15/46

      283        313,813   

Commercial Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2008-LS1, Class A1A
6.213%, 12/10/49

      1,019        1,147,114   

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
Series 2013-SFS, Class A1
1.873%, 4/12/35(b)

      227        221,049   

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C3, Class AJ
5.982%, 6/15/38

      190        197,064   

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.
Series 2005-C1, Class A4
5.014%, 2/15/38

      214        216,142   

Extended Stay America Trust
Series 2013-ESH7, Class A17
2.295%, 12/05/31(b)

      330        320,892   

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II
Series 2013-KING, Class A
2.706%, 12/10/27(b)

      501        507,826   

GS Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2013-G1, Class A2
3.557%, 4/10/31(b)

      276        269,890   

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2004-LN2, Class A1A
4.838%, 7/15/41(b)

      266        266,766   

Series 2005-CB11, Class A4
5.335%, 8/12/37

      168        171,286   

Series 2007-CB19, Class AM
5.892%, 2/12/49

      175        190,565   

Series 2007-LDPX, Class A1A
5.439%, 1/15/49

      594        653,251   

Series 2008-C2, Class A1A
5.998%, 2/12/51

      272        303,641   

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

Series 2010-C2, Class A1
2.749%, 11/15/43(b)

    U.S.$        311      $ 318,383   

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2007-LD12, Class AM
6.218%, 2/15/51

      280        314,116   

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C1, Class A4
5.156%, 2/15/31

      620        652,183   

LSTAR Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2014-2, Class A2
2.767%, 1/20/41(b)

      188        190,056   

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C2, Class A1A
5.739%, 8/12/43

      320        346,733   

Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-4, Class A1A
5.166%, 12/12/49

      609        657,575   

Motel 6 Trust
Series 2012-MTL6, Class A2
1.948%, 10/05/25(b)

      480        480,545   

UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2012-C3, Class A4
3.091%, 8/10/49

      86        85,846   

Series 2012-C4, Class A5
2.85%, 12/10/45

      168        164,881   

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2013-C14, Class A5
3.337%, 6/15/46

      456        460,362   

Series 2014-C20, Class A2 3.036%, 5/15/47

      206        214,341   
     

 

 

 
        10,228,456   
     

 

 

 

NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE CMBS–0.5%

   

   

Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates
Series 2014-KYO, Class A
1.054%, 6/11/27(b)(d)

      208        208,392   

Extended Stay America Trust Series 2013-ESFL, Class A2FL
0.851%, 12/05/31(b)(d)

      250        249,872   

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II
Series 2013-KYO, Class A 1.001%, 11/08/29(b)(d)

      505        508,777   

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2014-INN, Class A 1.071%, 6/15/29(b)(d)

      339        339,000   
     

PFP III 2014-1 Ltd.
Series 2014-1, Class A
1.322%, 6/14/31(b)(d)

    U.S.$        470      $ 470,966   
     

 

 

 
        1,777,007   
     

 

 

 

NON-AGENCY ARMS–0.0%

  

   

Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2014-SAVA, Class A
1.00%, 6/15/16

      191        191,240   
     

 

 

 

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $12,247,153)

        12,196,703   
     

 

 

 

AGENCIES–1.1%

     

AGENCY DEBENTURES–1.1%

  

   

Federal National Mortgage Association
6.25%, 5/15/29

      740        993,786   

6.625%, 11/15/30

      2,277        3,233,656   
     

 

 

 

Total Agencies
(cost $3,576,641)

        4,227,442   
     

 

 

 

CORPORATES–NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–1.0%

    

   

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.6%

   

   

BANKING–0.5%

     

ABN AMRO Bank NV
4.31%, 3/10/16(e)

    EUR        90        125,702   

Barclays Bank PLC
7.625%, 11/21/22

    U.S.$        239        272,818   

7.75%, 4/10/23

      305        339,465   

Citigroup, Inc.
5.95%, 1/30/23(e)

      278        280,780   

Credit Agricole SA
7.875%, 1/23/24(b)(e)

      205        224,988   

HBOS Capital Funding LP 4.939%, 5/23/16(e)

    EUR        298        404,787   

LBG Capital No.1 PLC
8.00%, 6/15/20(b)(e)

    U.S.$        94        103,964   

Societe Generale SA
4.196%, 1/26/15(e)

    EUR        102        140,297   

5.922%, 4/05/17(b)(e)

    U.S.$        100        106,750   
     

 

 

 
        1,999,551   
     

 

 

 

FINANCE–0.1%

     

Aviation Capital Group Corp.
7.125%, 10/15/20(b)

    U.S.$        173        199,593   
     

 

 

 
        2,199,144   
     

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL–0.4%

     

BASIC–0.0%

     

NOVA Chemicals Corp.
5.25%, 8/01/23(b)

      125        136,563   
     

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.2%

   

   

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.
4.625%, 5/15/23(b)

      215        205,862   

 

17


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

Sprint Corp.
7.875%, 9/15/23(b)

    U.S.$        205      $ 228,062   

T-Mobile USA, Inc.
6.625%, 4/01/23

      195        211,575   

Telecom Italia Capital SA
6.00%, 9/30/34

      65        65,163   
     

 

 

 
        710,662   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.0%

   

   

Dana Holding Corp.
6.00%, 9/15/23

      76        80,560   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.1%

   

   

MCE Finance Ltd.
5.00%, 2/15/21(b)

      210        212,100   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY–0.0%

     

Cimarex Energy Co.
4.375%, 6/01/24

      97        98,819   

SM Energy Co.
6.50%, 1/01/23

      14        15,155   
     

 

 

 
        113,974   
     

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY–0.1%

     

Numericable Group SA
5.375%, 5/15/22(b)

    EUR        195        283,368   
     

 

 

 
        1,537,227   
     

 

 

 

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.0%

   

   

AGENCIES–GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED–0.0%

   

   

Bank of Ireland
Series MPLE
2.062%, 9/22/15(d)

    CAD        185        166,874   
     

 

 

 

UTILITY–0.0%

     

NATURAL GAS–0.0%

     

Access Midstream Partners LP/ACMP Finance Corp.
4.875%, 3/15/24

    U.S.$        129        136,256   
     

 

 

 

Total Corporates–Non-Investment Grades
(cost $3,670,860)

        4,039,501   
     

 

 

 

QUASI-SOVEREIGNS – 0.9%

  

   

QUASI-SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.9%

   

   

CHILE–0.1%

     

Empresa de Transporte de Pasajeros Metro SA
4.75%, 2/04/24(b)

      340        359,082   
     

 

 

 

CHINA–0.1%

     

Sinopec Group Overseas Development 2013 Ltd.
4.375%, 10/17/23(b)

      480        497,708   
     

 

 

 

INDONESIA–0.1%

     

Perusahaan Listrik Negara PT
5.50%, 11/22/21(b)

      250        262,500   
     

 

 

 
     

KAZAKHSTAN–0.1%

     

KazMunayGas National Co. JSC
7.00%, 5/05/20(b)

    U.S.$        251      $ 285,513   
     

 

 

 

MALAYSIA–0.2%

     

Petronas Capital Ltd.
5.25%, 8/12/19(b)

      460        522,585   
     

 

 

 

MEXICO–0.1%

     

Petroleos Mexicanos
3.50%, 7/18/18-1/30/23

      350        361,518   
     

 

 

 

SOUTH KOREA–0.1%

     

Korea National Oil Corp.
3.125%, 4/03/17(b)

      485        504,777   
     

 

 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES–0.1%

     

IPIC GMTN Ltd.
3.75%, 3/01/17(b)

      465        494,062   
     

 

 

 

Total Quasi-Sovereigns
(cost $3,064,812)

        3,287,745   
     

 

 

 

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS–0.7%

    

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.2%

   

   

Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2006-J1, Class 1A13
5.50%, 2/25/36

      147        133,094   

CHL Mortgage Pass-Through Trust
Series 2006-13, Class 1A18
6.25%, 9/25/36

      204        190,495   

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.
Series 2005-2, Class 1A4
2.53%, 5/25/35

      32        31,706   

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust
Series 2007-HYB2, Class 3A1
2.646%, 2/25/47

      316        263,710   

First Horizon
Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2006-FA3, Class A9
6.00%, 7/25/36

      271        230,040   
     

 

 

 
        849,045   
     

 

 

 

NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.3%

     

Deutsche Alt-A Securities Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2006-AR4, Class A2
0.342%, 12/25/36(d)

      426        263,870   

HomeBanc Mortgage Trust
Series 2005-1, Class A1 0.402%, 3/25/35(d)

      222        190,613   

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

IndyMac Index Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2006-AR15, Class A1
0.272%, 7/25/36(d)

    U.S.$        316      $ 245,995   

Series 2006-AR27, Class 2A2
0.352%, 10/25/36(d)

      332        286,680   
     

 

 

 
        987,158   
     

 

 

 

GSE RISK SHARE FLOATING RATE–0.2%

     

Fannie Mae Connecticut Avenue Securities
Series 2014-C01, Class M2
4.552%, 1/25/24(d)

      163        185,456   

Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes

     

Series 2013-DN2, Class M2

     

4.402%, 11/25/23(d)

      340        377,528   

Series 2014-DN1, Class M3

     

4.652%, 2/25/24(d)

      340        389,652   
     

 

 

 
        952,636   
     

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(cost $3,009,111)

        2,788,839   
     

 

 

 

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–0.7%

     

UNITED STATES–0.7%

     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index
0.125%, 4/15/19 (TIPS)
(cost $2,807,578)

      2,736        2,817,727   
     

 

 

 
    Shares        

PREFERRED STOCKS–0.2%

  

   

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.2%

   

   

BANKING–0.1%

     

Morgan Stanley
7.125%

      15,000        418,050   

State Street Corp.
Series D
5.90%

      3,175        83,185   
     

 

 

 
        501,235   
     

 

 

 

INSURANCE–0.1%

     

Allstate Corp. (The)
5.10%

      9,175        230,568   
     

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks
(cost $699,531)

        731,803   
     

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

GOVERNMENTS–
SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.2%

   

   

QATAR–0.1%

     

Qatar Government International Bond
4.50%, 1/20/22(b)

    U.S.$        270        296,676   
     

 

 

 
     

TURKEY–0.1%

     

Turkey Government International Bond
4.875%, 4/16/43

    U.S.$        275      $ 258,242   
     

 

 

 

Total Governments–Sovereign Bonds
(cost $539,620)

        554,918   
     

 

 

 

EMERGING MARKETS–
CORPORATE BONDS–0.1%

   

   

INDUSTRIAL–0.1%

     

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.1%

   

   

Comcel Trust
6.875%, 2/06/24(b)

      200        216,000   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.0%

   

   

Marfrig Overseas Ltd.
9.50%, 5/04/20(b)

      195        209,625   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY–0.0%

     

Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp.
5.125%, 3/28/23(b)

      100        99,039   
     

 

 

 

Total Emerging Markets–Corporate Bonds
(cost $491,134)

        524,664   
     

 

 

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS– MUNICIPAL
BONDS–0.1%

     

UNITED STATES–0.1%

     

California GO
7.625%, 3/01/40
(cost $350,600)

      345        508,958   
     

 

 

 

GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN
AGENCIES–0.0%

   

   

COLOMBIA–0.0%

     

Ecopetrol SA
5.875%, 5/28/45
(cost $93,376)

      94        97,221   
     

 

 

 
    Shares        

WARRANTS–0.0%

  

   

EQUITY: OTHER–0.0%

  

   

DIVERSIFIED/SPECIALTY–0.0%

  

   

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd., expiring 4/22/16(a)(c)

      2,892        3,776   
     

 

 

 

FINANCIALS–0.0%

     

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.0%

   

   

Emaar Properties PJSC, Merrill Lynch Intl & Co., expiring 10/01/15(a)

      39,276        89,937   
     

 

 

 

Total Warrants
(cost $48,677)

        93,713   
     

 

 

 

 

19


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–6.4%

   

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.9%

     

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/01/14
(cost $11,310,658)

    U.S.$        11,311      $ 11,310,658   
     

 

 

 

AGENCY DISCOUNT NOTE–2.5%

   

   

Federal Home Loan Bank Zero Coupon, 7/16/14
(cost $9,499,763)

      9,500        9,499,763   
     

 

 

 

GOVERNMENTS–
TREASURIES–1.0%

   

   

Japan Treasury Discount Bill Series 448
Zero Coupon, 7/28/14
(cost $3,922,230)

    JPY        400,000        3,948,364   
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $24,732,651)

        24,758,784   
     

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities
Loaned–103.3%
(cost $342,351,682)

        402,272,361   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
     

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES
LOANED–1.1%

     

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–1.1%

     

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(g) (cost $4,201,359)

      4,201,359      $ 4,201,359   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–104.4%
(cost $346,553,041)

        406,473,720   

Other assets less
liabilities–(4.4)%

        (17,247,434
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 389,226,286   
     

 

 

 

FUTURES (see Note D)

 

Type   Number of
Contracts
   

Expiration

Month

   

Original

Value

    Value at
June 30, 2014
   

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)

 

Purchased Contracts

         

U.S. Long Bond (CBT) Futures

    4        September 2014      $   544,693      $   548,750      $   4,057   

U.S. T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures

    47        September 2014          5,604,200          5,614,664          10,464   

Sold Contracts

         

U.S. T-Note 2 Yr (CBT) Futures

    16        September 2014        3,512,024        3,513,500        (1,476

U.S. T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures

    41        September 2014        5,115,761        5,132,047        (16,286
         

 

 

 
          $ (3,241
         

 

 

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Counterparty   

Contracts to

Deliver

(000)

     In Exchange
For
(000)
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Barclays Bank PLC

   JPY 114,528       USD 1,126         8/14/14       $ (4,646

Barclays Bank PLC

   USD 1,084       EUR 795         8/14/14         4,342   

Barclays Bank PLC

   USD 454       JPY  46,258         8/14/14         2,801   

BNP Paribas SA

   CAD 942       USD 860         7/11/14         (22,259

BNP Paribas SA

   AUD 1,112       USD 1,023         8/14/14         (22,414

BNP Paribas SA

   JPY  502,634       USD 4,935         8/14/14         (28,522

BNP Paribas SA

   USD 746       AUD 813         8/14/14         17,830   

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Counterparty   

Contracts to

Deliver

(000)

     In Exchange
For
(000)
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

BNP Paribas SA

   USD 948       SEK 6,228         8/14/14       $     (15,881

Citibank, NA

   USD 389       CHF 345         8/14/14         (107

Citibank, NA

   USD 518       NOK 3,122         8/14/14         (9,945

Citibank, NA

   AUD 611       USD 568         9/17/14         (4,754

Credit Suisse International

   NOK 3,493       USD 568         8/14/14         (724

Credit Suisse International

   RUB 8,763       USD 244         8/14/14         (11,684

Credit Suisse International

   USD 758       NOK 4,458         8/14/14         (32,343

Credit Suisse International

   USD 113       RUB 3,987         8/14/14         2,880   

Credit Suisse International

   GBP 267       USD 447         9/17/14         (9,564

Deutsche Bank AG

   EUR 267       USD 366         8/14/14         558   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   BRL 3,157       USD 1,433         7/02/14         4,541   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   USD 1,418       BRL 3,157         7/02/14         11,106   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   BRL 1,416       USD 634         8/04/14         (583

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   USD 888       EUR 643         8/14/14         (7,121

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   USD 1,147       NZD 1,319         8/14/14         3,354   

HSBC Bank USA

   JPY 400,000       USD 3,920         7/28/14         (29,648

HSBC Bank USA

   GBP 304       USD 509         8/14/14         (11,352

HSBC Bank USA

   HKD 6,426       USD 829         8/14/14         389   

HSBC Bank USA

   USD 808       AUD 869         8/14/14         8,781   

HSBC Bank USA

   USD 892       GBP 525         8/14/14         6,666   

HSBC Bank USA

   AUD 701       USD 642         9/17/14         (14,965

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   USD 773       SEK 5,144         9/17/14         (3,638

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

   JPY 41,648       USD 409         8/14/14         (2,218

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

   USD 1,166       CHF 1,039         8/14/14         6,543   

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

   USD 485       JPY 49,346         9/17/14         2,206   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

   NZD 3,924       USD 3,390         8/07/14         (34,376

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

   USD 1,267       GBP 754         8/14/14         22,667   

Standard Chartered Bank

   CNY 3,911       USD 632         8/14/14         (2,273

Standard Chartered Bank

   HKD 9,784       USD 1,262         8/14/14         572   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 159       BRL 362         7/02/14         4,453   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   CAD 272       USD 250         7/11/14         (4,383

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   EUR 875       USD 1,192         7/11/14         (6,491

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 91       CAD 99         7/11/14         1,559   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 20       EUR 15         7/11/14         93   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 94       NZD 108         8/07/14         46   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   AUD 69       USD 64         8/14/14         (1,320

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   CHF 1557       USD 1,797         8/14/14         18,125   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   CHF 57       USD 64         8/14/14         (365

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   EUR 649       USD 884         8/14/14         (4,588

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   GBP 1,244       USD 2,097         8/14/14         (31,480

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   HKD 2,281       USD 294         8/14/14         109   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   JPY 23,922       USD 232         8/14/14         (4,156

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   NOK 381       USD 64         8/14/14         1,828   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   SEK 423       USD 64         8/14/14         828   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   SGD 80       USD 64         8/14/14         (266

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 673       AUD 726         8/14/14         9,231   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 1,092       CHF 966         8/14/14         (2,616

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 1,786       EUR 1,294         8/14/14         (14,333

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 447       GBP 266         8/14/14         8,180   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 263       NOK 1,562         8/14/14         (9,068

 

21


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Counterparty   

Contracts to

Deliver

(000)

     In Exchange
For
(000)
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 156       SEK 1,050         8/14/14       $ 1,223   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 1,568       SEK 10,201         8/14/14         (42,287

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 411       SGD 513         8/14/14         752   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   GBP 177       USD 301         8/21/14         (2,441

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   CAD 343       USD 315         9/17/14         (5,905

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   EUR 425       USD 576         9/17/14         (6,462

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 189       NZD 224         9/17/14         5,750   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 173       SEK 1,158         9/17/14         573   

UBS AG

   BRL  3,519       USD 1,547         7/02/14         (45,513

UBS AG

   USD 1,598       BRL 3,519         7/02/14         (5,062

UBS AG

   USD 406       JPY 41,037         8/14/14         (546

UBS AG

   USD 1,114       NOK 6,685         9/17/14         (27,440
           

 

 

 
            $   (335,753
           

 

 

 

CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)

 

Clearing Broker/

(Exchange) &

Referenced Obligation

   Fixed
Rate
(Pay)
Receive
     Implied
Credit
Spread at
June 30,
2014
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Market
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts

              

Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC/(INTRCONX):

              

CDX-NAHY Series 21, 5 Year Index, 12/20/18*

     (5.00 )%       2.71    $   2,871       $ (267,715    $ (164,277

CDX-NAIG Series 22, 5 Year Index, 6/20/19*

     (1.00      0.58         4,100         (82,608      (24,957
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $   (350,323    $   (189,234
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Termination date

CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)

 

                   Rate Type         
Clearing Broker/ (Exchange)    Notional
Amount
(000)
    

Termination

Date

     Payments
made by
the Fund
     Payments
received by the
Fund
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC/(CME Group)

   AUD  5,830         5/08/17         3 Month BBSW         3.03    $   26,407   

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)

 

Swap Counterparty & Referenced
Obligation
  Fixed
Rate
(Pay)
Receive
    Implied
Credit
Spread at
June 30,
2014
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Market
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Sale Contracts

           

BNP Paribas SA:

           

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. 5.95%, 9/15/16, 9/20/17*

    1.00     0.20   $   530      $ 13,893      $ (11,566   $ 25,459   

Credit Suisse International:

           

Kohl’s Corp.,
6.25%, 12/15/2017, 6/20/2019*

    1.00        1.14        142        (1,078     (1,907     829   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $   12,815      $   (13,473   $   26,288   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   Termination date

INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)

 

                   Rate Type         
Swap Counterparty    Notional
Amount
(000)
     Termination
Date
     Payments
made by
the Fund
       Payments
received by the
Fund
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   $   1,970         1/30/17         1.059        3 Month LIBOR       $   (19,991

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     2,200         2/07/22         2.043        3 Month LIBOR         20,511   
                

 

 

 
                 $ 520   
                

 

 

 

 

23


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $28,395,240 or 7.3% of net assets.

 

(c)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(d)   Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2014.

 

(e)   Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date.

 

(f)   Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2014.

 

(g)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Currency Abbreviations:

AUD—Australian Dollar

BRL—Brazilian Real

CAD—Canadian Dollar

CHF—Swiss Franc

CNY—Chinese Yuan Renminbi

EUR—Euro

GBP—Great British Pound

HKD—Hong Kong Dollar

JPY—Japanese Yen

NOK—Norwegian Krone

NZD—New Zealand Dollar

RUB—Russian Ruble

SEK—Swedish Krona

SGD—Singapore Dollar

USD—United States Dollar

Glossary:

ABS—Asset-Backed Securities

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

ARMs—Adjustable Rate Mortgages

BBSW—Bank Bill Swap Reference Rate (Australia)

CBT—Chicago Board of Trade

CMBS—Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

CME—Chicago Mercantile Exchange

GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

GO—General Obligation

GSE—Government-Sponsored Enterprise

INTRCONX—Inter-Continental Exchange

JSC—Joint Stock Company

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rates

NVDR—Non Voting Depositary Receipt

OJSC—Open Joint Stock Company

PJSC—Public Joint Stock Company

REG—Registered Shares

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust

TBA—To Be Announced

TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

See notes to financial statements.

 

24


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $342,351,682)

   $ 402,272,361 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $4,201,359—investment of cash collateral for securities loaned)

     4,201,359   

Due from broker

     198,468 (b) 

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $725,719)

     729,757   

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions

     3,954,697   

Interest and dividends receivable

     1,479,772   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     961,850   

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     147,986   

Unrealized appreciation on credit default swaps

     26,288   

Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swaps

     20,511   

Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared credit default swaps

     2,025   

Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared interest rate swaps

     1,140   

Receivable for variation margin on futures

     727   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     413,996,941   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     2,029   

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions

     19,383,057   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     4,201,359   

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     483,739   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     282,041   

Advisory fee payable

     169,934   

Distribution fee payable

     69,441   

Administrative fee payable

     29,630   

Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps

     19,991   

Upfront premium received on credit default swaps

     13,473   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     211   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     115,750   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     24,770,655   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 389,226,286   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 26,933   

Additional paid-in capital

     243,998,743   

Undistributed net investment income

     12,714,132   

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     73,040,424   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     59,446,054   
  

 

 

 
   $ 389,226,286   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $   39,310,518           2,694,619         $   14.59   

B

     $   349,915,768           24,237,902         $   14.44   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $4,040,965 (see Note E).

 

(b)   Represents amount on deposit at the broker as collateral for open derivative contracts.

See notes to financial statements.

 

25


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $154,438)

   $ 3,788,414   

Affiliated issuers

     940   

Interest

     2,402,211   

Securities lending income

     33,805   

Consent fee income

     525   
  

 

 

 
     6,225,895   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,054,868   

Distribution fee—Class B

     430,441   

Transfer agency—Class A

     438   

Transfer agency—Class B

     3,839   

Custodian

     140,178   

Printing

     37,637   

Administrative

     28,194   

Audit

     27,877   

Legal

     21,490   

Directors’ fees

     2,255   

Miscellaneous

     20,088   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,767,305   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     4,458,590   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     20,571,601 (a) 

Futures

     17,566   

Swaps

     (70,239

Foreign currency transactions

     16,356   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (2,482,177 )(b) 

Futures

     (17,903

Swaps

     (105,474

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (617,641
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     17,312,089   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 21,770,679   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Net of foreign capital gains taxes of $134.

 

(b)   Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $8,289.

See notes to financial statements.

 

26


 
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET  ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 4,458,590      $ 8,174,070   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     20,535,284        69,320,025   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (3,223,195     3,853,752   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     21,770,679        81,347,847   

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (1,021,098

Class B

     –0 –      (11,602,037

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (25,121,120     (226,090,311
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (3,350,441     (157,365,599

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     392,576,727        549,942,326   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $12,714,132 and $8,255,542, respectively)

   $ 389,226,286      $ 392,576,727   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

27


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to maximize total return consistent with the Adviser’s determination of reasonable risk. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

28


    AllianceBernstein 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)

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.

Options and warrants 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 or a warrant depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the option or warrant 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 or warrants 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 and warrants are classified within Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy when all of the significant inputs can be corroborated to market evidence. Otherwise such instruments are classified as Level 3.

Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar 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.

 

29


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer.

Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2014:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks:

             

Financials

     $ 25,263,350       $ 12,385,896       $ –0 –     $ 37,649,246   

Consumer Discretionary

       26,372,397         10,147,096         –0 –       36,519,493   

Information Technology

       28,957,547         3,363,475         –0 –       32,321,022   

Health Care

       23,510,251         5,145,640         –0 –       28,655,891   

Industrials

       14,097,328         11,311,685         –0 –       25,409,013   

Consumer Staples

       11,893,744         6,740,769         –0 –       18,634,513   

Energy

       12,689,526         2,166,572         –0 –       14,856,098   

Equity: Other

       6,165,136         7,680,658         –0 –       13,845,794   

Retail

       4,785,475         2,712,609         –0 –       7,498,084   

Materials

       3,286,704         3,402,176         –0 –       6,688,880   

Residential

       3,397,769         3,031,096         –0 –       6,428,865   

Telecommunication Services

       1,995,072         2,872,045         –0 –       4,867,117   

Office

       3,036,175         1,588,850         –0 –       4,625,025   

Utilities

       3,686,139         916,331         –0 –       4,602,470   

Lodging

       2,987,337         227,992         –0 –       3,215,329   

Funds and Investment Trusts

       346,703         –0 –       –0 –       346,703   

Mortgage

       292,056         –0 –       –0 –       292,056   

Corporates—Investment Grades

       –0 –       35,935,623         –0 –       35,935,623   

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

       –0 –       25,303,248         –0 –       25,303,248   

Governments—Treasuries

       –0 –       19,578,989         –0 –       19,578,989   

Asset-Backed Securities

       –0 –       15,399,383         2,971,501         18,370,884   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

       –0 –       9,481,798         2,714,905         12,196,703   

Agencies

       –0 –       4,227,442         –0 –       4,227,442   

Corporates—Non-Investment Grades

       –0 –       4,039,501         –0 –       4,039,501   

Quasi-Sovereigns

       –0 –       3,287,745         –0 –       3,287,745   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

       –0 –       –0 –       2,788,839         2,788,839   

Inflation-Linked Securities

       –0 –       2,817,727         –0 –       2,817,727   

Preferred Stocks

       731,803         –0 –       –0 –       731,803   

Governments—Sovereign Bonds

       –0 –       554,918         –0 –       554,918   

Emerging Markets—Corporate Bonds

       –0 –       524,664         –0 –       524,664   

Local Governments—Municipal Bonds

       –0 –       508,958         –0 –       508,958   

Governments—Sovereign Agencies

       –0 –       97,221         –0 –       97,221   

Warrants

       3,776         89,937         –0 –       93,713   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       24,758,784         –0 –       24,758,784   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       4,201,359         –0 –       –0 –       4,201,359   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       177,699,647         220,298,828         8,475,245         406,473,720   

 

30


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Other Financial Instruments*:

             

Assets:

             

Futures

     $ 14,521       $ –0 –     $ –0 –     $ 14,521

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       147,986         –0 –       147,986   

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps

       –0 –       26,407         –0 –       26,407

Credit Default Swaps

       –0 –       26,288         –0 –       26,288   

Interest Rate Swaps

       –0 –       20,511         –0 –       20,511   

Liabilities:

             

Futures

       (17,762      –0 –       –0 –       (17,762 )# 

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       (483,739      –0 –       (483,739

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps

       –0 –       (189,234      –0 –       (189,234 )# 

Interest Rate Swaps

       –0 –       (19,991      –0 –       (19,991
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total+

     $ 177,696,406       $ 219,827,056       $ 8,475,245       $ 405,998,707   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

#   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of exchange-traded derivatives as reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

+   There were de minimis transfers under 1% of net assets between Level 1 and Level 2 during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value.

 

     Asset-
Backed
Securities
    Commercial
Mortgage-
Backed
Securities
    Collateralized
Mortgage
Obligations
 

Balance as of 12/31/13

   $ 2,233,195      $ 845,923      $ 1,527,063   

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     3,226        (2,008     8,268   

Realized gain (loss)

     6,408        (4,609     4,536   

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     14,576        10,618        151,709   

Purchases

     1,487,878        1,905,506        1,171,775   

Sales

     (773,782     (40,525     (74,512

Transfers in to Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 6/30/14

   $ 2,971,501      $ 2,714,905      $ 2,788,839   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from Investments held as of 6/30/14*

   $ 14,711      $ 10,618      $ 151,741   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Total              

Balance as of 12/31/13

   $ 4,606,181       

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     9,486       

Realized gain (loss)

     6,335       

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     176,903       

Purchases

     4,565,159       

Sales

     (888,819    

Transfers in to Level 3

     –0 –     

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –     
  

 

 

     

Balance as of 6/30/14

   $ 8,475,245       
  

 

 

     

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from Investments held as of 6/30/14*

   $ 177,070       
  

 

 

     

 

*   The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations.

 

31


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The following presents information about significant unobservable inputs related to the Portfolio with material categories of Level 3 investments at June 30, 2014:

 

   

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

    

Fair Value at

6/30/14

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range/

Weighted Average

Asset-Backed Securities

  $2,971,501   Third Party Vendor   Evaluated Quotes   $70.27-$100.67/ $96.83

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

  $2,315,273   Third Party Vendor   Evaluated Quotes   $103.72-$112.61/ $111.08
  $399,632   Qualitative Assessment   Transaction Price   $100.00/$100.00

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

  $2,788,839   Third Party Vendor   Evaluated Quotes   $61.94-$114.60/ $92.80

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

32


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

8. Repurchase Agreements

It is the Portfolio’s policy that its custodian or designated subcustodian take control of securities as collateral under repurchase agreements and to determine on a daily basis that the value of such securities are sufficient to cover the value of the repurchase agreements. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or limited.

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to .75% and 1.00% of daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $28,194.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $134,417, of which $185 and $75, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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.

 

33


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution 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, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 95,271,732       $ 115,545,594   

U.S. government securities

     125,060,965         129,399,756   

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures, swaps and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 62,883,116   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (2,962,437
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 59,920,679   
  

 

 

 

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:

 

   

Futures

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 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.

 

34


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes.

 

   

Swaps

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, including by 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 are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.

Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

At the time the Portfolio enters into a centrally cleared swap, 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 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

 

35


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded swaps is generally less than privately negotiated swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded 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, 2014, the Portfolio held interest rate 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 (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.

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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio held credit default swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Implied credit spreads 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.

 

36


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had Sale Contracts outstanding with a Maximum Payout Amount of $671,784, with net unrealized appreciation of $26,288, and a term of less than 5 years, as reflected in the portfolio of investments.

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 reference obligation with the same counterparty. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio did not have Buy Contracts outstanding with respect to the same referenced obligation and same counterparty for its Sale Contracts outstanding.

The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar master agreements (collectively, “Master Agreements”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to 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 counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s 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.

Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as exchange-traded derivative transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Portfolio and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party. In the event of a default by a Master Agreements 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 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 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. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $343,301. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2014, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $343,301 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2014, 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    $ 14,521   Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures    $ 17,762

Foreign exchange contracts

   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts      147,986      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts      483,739   

Interest rate contracts

   Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swaps      20,511      Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps      19,991   

Interest rate contracts

   Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared interest rate swaps      26,407     

Credit contracts

   Unrealized appreciation on credit default swaps      26,288        

Credit contracts

        Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared credit default swaps      189,234
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

      $ 235,713         $ 710,726   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

*   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of exchange-traded derivatives as reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

37


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   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    $ 14,148      $ (3,241

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures      3,418        (14,662

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities      (28,037     (623,621

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps      (27,909     (54,979

Credit contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps      (42,330     (50,495
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (80,710   $ (746,998
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table represents the volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six month ended June 30, 2014:

 

Futures:

  

Average original value of buy contracts

   $ 2,499,556   

Average original value of sale contracts

   $ 4,132,430 (a) 

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts:

  

Average principal amount of buy contracts

   $ 22,938,732   

Average principal amount of sale contracts

   $ 31,205,462   

Interest Rate Swaps:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 4,170,000   

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 5,461,543 (b) 

Credit Default Swaps:

  

Average notional amount of sale contracts

   $ 570,510   

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps:

  

Average notional amount of buy contracts

   $ 5,810,286   

 

(a)   Positions were open for three months 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.

 

38


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

All derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/ pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2014:

 

Counterparty

   Derivative
Assets Subject
to MA
     Derivative
Available for
Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Received
    Securities
Collateral
Received
    Net Amount of
Derivatives Assets
 

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 7,143       $ (4,646   $         –0 –    $         –0 –    $ 2,497   

BNP Paribas SA

     31,723         (31,723     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Credit Suisse International

     2,880         (2,880     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Deutsche Bank AG

     558           –0 –      –0 –      558   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     19,001         (7,704     –0 –      –0 –      11,297   

HSBC Bank USA

     15,836         (15,836     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     20,511         (20,511     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

     8,749         (2,218     –0 –      –0 –      6,531   

Exchange-Traded Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC*

     3,165           –0 –      –0 –      3,165   

Exchange-Traded New Edge USA, LLC*

     727         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      727   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     22,667         (22,667     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Standard Chartered Bank

     572         (572     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     52,750         (52,750     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 186,282       $ (161,507   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 24,775   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Counterparty

   Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to a MA
     Derivatives
Available for
Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Pledged
    Securities
Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount of
Derivatives Liabilities
 

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 4,646       $ (4,646   $         –0 –    $         –0 –    $ –0 – 

BNP Paribas SA

     89,076         (31,723     –0 –      –0 –      57,353   

Citibank, NA

     14,806         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      14,806   

Credit Suisse International

     55,393         (2,880     –0 –      –0 –      52,513   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     7,704         (7,704     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

HSBC Bank USA

     55,965         (15,836     –0 –      –0 –      40,129   

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     23,629         (20,511     –0 –      –0 –      3,118   

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

     2,218         (2,218     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     34,376         (22,667     –0 –      –0 –      11,709   

Standard Chartered Bank

     2,273         (572     –0 –      –0 –      1,701   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     136,161         (52,750     –0 –      –0 –      83,411   

UBS AG

     78,561         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      78,561   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 504,808       $ (161,507   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 343,301   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   Cash has been posted for initial margin requirements for exchange-traded derivatives outstanding at June 30, 2014.

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. Dollar Rolls

The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The

 

39


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio earned drop income of $257,801 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $4,040,965 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $4,201,359. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $33,805 and $940 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 2,813      $ 24,648      $ 23,260      $ 4,201   

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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    9,542        80,998        $ 134,390      $ 1,056,312   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      79,898          –0 –      1,021,098   

Shares redeemed

    (307,751     (616,652       (4,288,838     (7,969,589
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (298,209     (455,756     $ (4,154,448   $ (5,892,179
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    961,228        4,378,738        $ 13,403,704      $ 56,132,152   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      914,987          –0 –      11,602,037   

Shares redeemed

    (2,469,303     (21,843,744       (34,370,376     (287,932,321
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (1,508,075     (16,550,019     $ (20,966,672   $ (220,198,132
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

40


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may 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 in 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 $140 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, 2014.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

       2013        2012  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 12,623,135         $ 10,577,383   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

     $ 12,623,135         $ 10,577,383   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

41


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 12,697,868   

Undistributed capital gains

     54,486,946   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     –0 –(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     56,245,116 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 123,429,930   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Portfolio utilized $8,325,654 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains.

 

(b)   The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax treatment of swaps, passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) and Treasury inflation-protected securities, and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

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.

 

42


 
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,  2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.77        $12.12        $10.90        $11.48        $10.66        $8.63   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .18        .23        .22        .23        .23        .24   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .64        1.74        1.25        (.53     .88        1.89   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .82        1.97        1.47        (.30     1.11        2.13   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.32     (.25     (.28     (.29     (.10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.59        $13.77        $12.12        $10.90        $11.48        $10.66   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    5.96     16.49     13.63     (2.81 )%*      10.61 %*      24.88 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $39,310        $41,222        $41,801        $55,395        $68,914        $73,120   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .70 %^      .65     .65     .66     .68 %+      .69

Net investment income

    2.55 %^      1.76     1.91     2.03     2.14 %+      2.66

Portfolio turnover rate **

    58     117     90     94     101     85

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 44.

 

43


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended

June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.65        $12.01        $10.80        $11.38        $10.58        $8.58   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .16        .19        .19        .20        .20        .22   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .63        1.74        1.24        (.53     .87        1.86   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .79        1.93        1.43        (.33     1.07        2.08   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.29     (.22     (.25     (.27     (.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.44        $13.65        $12.01        $10.80        $11.38        $10.58   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    5.79     16.27     13.38     (3.06 )%*      10.30 %*      24.45 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $349,916        $351,355        $508,141        $483,047        $518,572        $458,669   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .95 %^      .90     .90     .91     .93 %+      .95

Net investment income

    2.30 %^      1.49     1.67     1.78     1.89 %+      2.36

Portfolio turnover rate **

    58     117     90     94     101     85

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

*   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, 2011December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by 0.02%, 0.03% and 0.06%, respectively.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

**   The Portfolio accounts for dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales.

See notes to financial statements.

 

44


 
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by the August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Management fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Management fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the Assurance of Discontinuance between the NYAG and the Adviser. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Portfolio  

Net Assets

06/30/13

($MM)

   

Advisory Fee Based on % of

Average Daily Net Assets

  Category

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

  $ 554.6     

0.55% on 1st $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

  Balanced

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $45,528 (0.008% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for providing such services.

 

1   The information in the fee evaluation was completed on July 25, 2013 and discussed with the Board of Directors on August 6-8, 2013.

 

2   Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

45


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s current fiscal year. The agreement for such reimbursement is terminable by the Adviser upon at least 60 days’ notice prior to the Portfolio’s prospectus update. All share classes of the Portfolio were operating below their expense caps during the most recently completed fiscal year. Accordingly, the expense limitation was of no effect. Set forth below are the Portfolio’s gross expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio  

Expense Cap Pursuant

to Expense Limitation

Undertaking

  Gross
Expense
Ratio
(12/31/12)
  Fiscal Year End

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

 

Class A    0.75%

Class B    1.00%

 

0.65%

0.90%

  December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 However, the Adviser represented that there is no category in the Form ADV for institutional products that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser manages The AllianceBernstein Portfolios—Balanced Wealth Strategy (“TAP—Balanced Wealth Strategy”), a retail mutual fund which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.5 The Adviser also manages

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   The AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

46


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

AllianceBernstein Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc. (“Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc.”), a retail mutual fund in the Balanced category. The advisory fee schedules of TAP – Balanced Wealth Strategy and Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc. are shown in the table below.6

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
  Fee Schedule

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

  TAP—Balanced Wealth Strategy  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

  Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc.7  

0.60% on first $200 million

0.50% on next $200 million

0.40% on the balance

The AllianceBernstein Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative services, but not for distribution services. The fee schedule of the ITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:

 

Portfolio   ITM Mutual Fund   Fee

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

  Alliance Global Balance Neutral8   0.70%

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.9 Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s contractual management fee10 estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)11.

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

6   There was no change to the advisory fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc. since the retail mutual fund had already lower breakpoints than that of the NYAG related category.

 

7   Prior to October 8, 2012, AllianceBernstein Global Risk Allocation Fund, Inc. was known as AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc. and had a different investment strategy that was similar to the Portfolio. The advisory fee schedule of the retail mutual fund was not affected by the NYAG settlement since the retail mutual fund had lower breakpoints than that of the NYAG related category

 

8   This ITM is privately placed or institutional.

 

9   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

10   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

11   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. In addition, there are limitations in Lipper’s expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

47


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee12
    

Lipper
EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

     0.550         0.550         6/13   

Lipper also compared the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio to the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.13

 

Portfolio   

Total

Expense

Ratio (%)14

    

Lipper
EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

    

Lipper
EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EU

Rank

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

     0.650         0.711         5/13         0.712         12/28   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a total expense ratio basis than on a contractual management fee basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2012, relative to 2011.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter and distributor, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, ABI received $1,266,577 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $2,982,355 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive

 

12   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waivers for expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

13   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

14   Most recently completed fiscal year Class A total expense ratio.

 

48


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of approximately $1,385 from the Portfolio.15

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously, in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli16 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.17 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.18 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

 

15   The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2012.

 

16   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

17   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

18   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

49


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $435 billion as of June 30, 2013, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3 and 5 year net performance returns and rankings19 of the Portfolio relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)20 for the periods ended May 31, 2013.21

 

Portfolio    Portfolio
Return (%)
    

Lipper

PG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

PU

Median (%)

    

Lipper

PG

Rank

    

Lipper

PU

Rank

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

              

1 year

     18.20         18.15         18.29         6/13         15/28   

3 year

     10.18         10.76         11.10         9/11         19/26   

5 year

     3.26         5.08         5.27         8/11         20/24   

Set forth below are the 1, 3 and 5 year and since inception net performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold) versus its benchmark for the periods ended May 31, 2013.22

 

    

Periods Ending May 31, 2013

Annualized Net Performance (%)

 
    

1 Year

(%)

      

3 Year

(%)

      

5 Year

(%)

      

Since
Inception

(%)

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

    18.20           10.18           3.26           5.25   

60% S&P 500 Stock Index / 40% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

    16.12           12.11           5.91           6.42   

S&P 500 Stock Index

    27.28           16.87           5.43           6.38   

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

    0.91           4.59           5.50           5.18   

Inception Date: July 1, 2004

                

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: September 5, 2013

 

19   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by Lipper.

 

20   The Portfolio’s PG/PU is identical to the Portfolio’s EG/EU.

 

21   The current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

22   The performance returns shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The performance returns for the Portfolio and the benchmark were provided by the Adviser.

 

50


 

 

 

VPS-BW-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,042.60       $   4.25         0.84

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,020.63       $ 4.21         0.84
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,041.90       $ 5.52         1.09

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.39       $ 5.46         1.09

 

 

 

 

*   Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes

   $ 92,904,717         21.0

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     34,085,616         7.7   

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

     5,034,546         1.1   

Vanguard REIT ETF

     4,996,393         1.1   

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

     2,744,167         0.6   

Apple, Inc.

     2,106,351         0.5   

Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF

     2,069,605         0.5   

Vanguard Small-Cap ETF

     1,941,850         0.4   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     1,619,639         0.4   

Google, Inc.

     1,205,188         0.3   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $   148,708,072         33.6

PORTFOLIO BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

ASSET CLASSES    CURRENT ALLOCATION  

Equities

    

U.S. Large Cap

     24.9

International Large Cap

     26.3   

U.S. Mid-Cap

     4.5   

U.S. Small-Cap

     4.5   

Emerging Market Equities

     2.4   

Real Estate Equities

     3.0   
    

 

 

 

Sub-total

     65.6   
    

 

 

 

Fixed Income

    

U.S. Bonds

     30.9   
    

 

 

 

Cash

     3.5   
    

 

 

 

Total

     100.0

SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Common Stocks

   $ 126,246,930         29.0

Governments—Treasuries

     92,904,717         21.4   

Investment Companies

     50,872,177         11.7   

Rights

     1,004         0.0   

Warrants

     761         0.0   

Short-Term Investments

     164,673,179         37.9   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   434,698,768         100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   All data are as of June 30, 2014. 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.

 

  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


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–28.5%

   

FINANCIALS–5.9%

   

BANK–2.7%

   

Aozora Bank Ltd.

    6,000      $ 19,727   

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    12,253        385,289   

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    25,822        329,112   

Banco de Sabadell
SA

    15,417        52,622   

Banco Espirito Santo
SA(a)(b)

    10,016        8,241   

Banco Popular Espanol SA

    7,493        50,056   

Banco Santander SA

    54,297        567,363   

Bank Hapoalim BM

    4,812        27,794   

Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM(b)

    6,125        23,873   

Bank of America Corp.

    39,195        602,427   

Bank of East Asia Ltd.

    9,600        39,802   

Bank of Ireland(b)

    104,450        35,247   

Bank of Kyoto Ltd. (The)

    2,000        18,201   

Bank of Yokohama Ltd. (The)

    5,000        28,795   

Bankia SA(b)

    22,531        43,680   

Barclays PLC

    73,537        267,879   

BB&T Corp.

    2,550        100,547   

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd.

    3,446        39,646   

BNP Paribas SA

    4,761        323,552   

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    10,000        28,971   

CaixaBank SA

    7,628        47,057   

Chiba Bank Ltd. (The)

    3,000        21,189   

Citigroup, Inc.

    11,129        524,176   

Comerica, Inc.

    650        32,604   

Commerzbank AG(b)

    4,351        68,194   

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    7,198        548,977   

Credit Agricole SA

    4,188        59,130   

Danske Bank A/S

    2,928        82,770   

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    8,000        107,598   

DnB ASA

    4,364        79,736   

Erste Group Bank AG

    1,151        37,215   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    3,240        69,174   

Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc.

    4,000        19,320   

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

    2,100        34,373   

HSBC Holdings PLC

    84,291        855,138   

Huntington Bancshares,
Inc./OH

    3,015        28,763   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    52,270        161,270   

Joyo Bank Ltd. (The)

    3,000        16,003   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    13,815        796,020   

KBC Groep NV(b)

    1,196        65,064   

KeyCorp

    3,275        46,931   

Lloyds Banking Group PLC(b)

    256,785        326,392   

M&T Bank Corp.

    465        57,683   
   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

    56,900      $ 349,293   

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd.

    973        12,579   

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

    102,500        210,689   

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    10,463        323,398   

Natixis

    9,006        57,800   

Nordea Bank AB

    12,659        178,466   

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., Ltd.

    12,000        92,041   

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

    1,980        176,319   

Raiffeisen Bank International AG

    527        16,801   

Regions Financial Corp.

    5,025        53,366   

Resona Holdings, Inc.

    8,400        48,950   

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC(b)

    9,565        53,757   

Seven Bank Ltd.

    5,324        21,771   

Shinsei Bank Ltd.(a)

    12,000        27,028   

Shizuoka Bank Ltd. (The)

    4,000        43,268   

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB–Class A

    4,967        66,298   

Societe Generale SA

    3,136        164,460   

Standard Chartered PLC

    10,809        220,937   

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

    5,700        239,154   

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

    15,000        68,557   

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

    1,940        77,716   

Suruga Bank Ltd.

    1,000        19,424   

Svenska Handelsbanken
AB–Class A

    2,228        108,948   

Swedbank AB–Class A

    4,044        107,114   

UniCredit SpA

    19,853        165,998   

Unione di Banche Italiane SCpA

    5,202        44,951   

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    6,000        108,496   

US Bancorp/MN

    6,665        288,728   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    17,625        926,370   

Westpac Banking Corp.

    13,859        443,296   

Zions Bancorporation

    630        18,566   
   

 

 

 
      11,812,140   
   

 

 

 

CAPITAL MARKETS–0.6%

   

3i Group PLC

    4,278        29,400   

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

    3,678        28,544   

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(b)

    207        42,518   

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

    745        89,400   

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)

    4,215        157,978   

BlackRock, Inc.–Class A

    477        152,449   

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    4,240        114,183   

Credit Suisse Group AG(b)

    6,750        191,966   

 

3


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.

    7,000      $ 60,650   

Deutsche Bank AG (REG)

    5,812        204,263   

E*Trade Financial Corp.(b)

    1,020        21,685   

Franklin Resources, Inc.

    1,470        85,025   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

    1,538        257,523   

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

    1,481        31,355   

ICAP PLC

    4,211        27,359   

Invesco Ltd.

    1,580        59,645   

Investec PLC

    2,464        22,701   

Julius Baer Group Ltd.(b)

    1,220        50,263   

Legg Mason, Inc.

    360        18,472   

Macquarie Group Ltd.

    1,286        72,342   

Mediobanca SpA(b)

    3,505        34,901   

Morgan Stanley

    5,070        163,913   

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

    16,200        114,750   

Northern Trust Corp.

    810        52,010   

Partners Group Holding AG

    158        43,165   

Schroders PLC

    729        31,239   

State Street Corp.

    1,585        106,607   

T Rowe Price Group, Inc.

    975        82,300   

UBS AG (REG)(b)

    16,277        298,431   
   

 

 

 
      2,645,037   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER
FINANCE–0.2%

   

Acom Co., Ltd.(b)

    6,200        29,529   

AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd.

    800        20,923   

American Express Co.

    3,410        323,507   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    2,113        174,534   

Credit Saison Co., Ltd.

    700        14,574   

Discover Financial Services

    1,760        109,085   

Navient Corp.

    1,600        28,336   
   

 

 

 
      700,488   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.5%

   

ASX Ltd.

    1,453        48,849   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.–Class B(b)

    6,630        839,093   

CME Group, Inc./IL–Class A

    1,150        81,592   

Deutsche Boerse AG

    862        66,835   

Eurazeo SA

    422        35,116   

Exor SpA(a)

    1,279        52,468   

Friends Life Group Ltd.

    6,320        34,079   

Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA

    360        37,416   

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd.

    4,900        91,283   

ING Groep NV(b)

    17,105        240,026   

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    416        78,582   

Investment AB Kinnevik–Class B

    2,015        85,856   

Investor AB–Class B

    1,705        63,888   

Japan Exchange Group, Inc.

    900        22,182   
   

Leucadia National Corp.

    1,105      $ 28,973   

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    969        33,268   

McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.

    1,010        83,860   

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co., Ltd.

    3,500        20,119   

Moody’s Corp.

    695        60,924   

NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (The)

    410        15,834   

ORIX Corp.

    5,580        92,521   

Pargesa Holding SA

    255        22,888   

Singapore Exchange Ltd.

    3,000        16,733   

Wendel SA

    398        57,020   
   

 

 

 
      2,209,405   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–1.1%

   

ACE Ltd.

    1,235        128,070   

Admiral Group PLC

    819        21,701   

Aegon NV

    6,317        55,106   

Aflac, Inc.

    1,705        106,136   

Ageas

    943        37,608   

AIA Group Ltd.

    53,781        270,576   

Allianz SE

    2,036        339,837   

Allstate Corp. (The)

    1,650        96,888   

American International Group, Inc.

    5,402        294,841   

AMP Ltd.

    13,149        65,730   

Aon PLC

    1,115        100,450   

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

    5,214        114,189   

Assurant, Inc.

    260        17,043   

Aviva PLC

    13,159        114,809   

Chubb Corp. (The)

    910        83,875   

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

    510        24,500   

CNP Assurances

    1,570        32,585   

Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (The)

    3,800        56,630   

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

    6,949        32,069   

Genworth Financial, Inc.–
Class A(b)

    1,785        31,059   

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

    1,479        26,523   

Hannover Rueck SE

    377        33,949   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

    1,625        58,191   

Insurance Australia Group Ltd.

    10,333        56,914   

Legal & General Group PLC

    26,411        101,748   

Lincoln National Corp.

    940        48,354   

Loews Corp.

    1,090        47,971   

Mapfre SA(a)

    3,353        13,360   

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    1,990        103,122   

MetLife, Inc.

    4,120        228,907   

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.

    2,300        55,588   

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

    801        177,380   

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

NKSJ Holdings, Inc.

    1,000      $ 26,945   

Old Mutual PLC

    21,822        73,747   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

    990        49,975   

Progressive Corp. (The)

    1,995        50,593   

Prudential Financial, Inc.

    1,715        152,241   

Prudential PLC

    11,428        261,832   

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

    5,358        54,878   

RSA Insurance Group PLC

    4,554        37,005   

Sampo–Class A

    2,010        101,610   

SCOR SE

    935        32,195   

Sony Financial Holdings, Inc.

    875        14,938   

Standard Life PLC

    10,591        67,756   

Suncorp Group Ltd.

    5,745        73,363   

Swiss Life Holding AG(b)

    249        59,023   

Swiss Re AG(b)

    1,573        139,867   

T&D Holdings, Inc.

    2,600        35,364   

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

    3,100        102,033   

Torchmark Corp.

    335        27,443   

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

    1,330        125,113   

Tryg A/S

    42        4,244   

UnipolSai SpA

    4,035        12,962   

Unum Group

    920        31,979   

Vienna Insurance Group AG Wiener Versicherung Gruppe

    190        10,172   

XL Group PLC

    1,010        33,057   

Zurich Insurance Group AG(b)

    662        199,385   
   

 

 

 
      4,753,429   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–0.5%

   

American Tower Corp.

    1,465        131,821   

Apartment Investment & Management Co.–
Class A

    525        16,942   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    445        63,275   

Boston Properties, Inc.

    550        64,999   

British Land Co. PLC

    4,209        50,574   

CapitaMall Trust

    14,000        22,191   

CFS Retail Property Trust Group(a)

    11,279        21,690   

Crown Castle International Corp.

    1,220        90,597   

Dexus Property Group

    23,282        24,367   

Equity Residential

    1,240        78,120   

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

    228        42,159   

Fonciere Des Regions

    329        35,688   

Gecina SA

    253        36,863   

General Growth Properties, Inc.

    1,944        45,801   

Goodman Group(a)

    5,915        28,161   

GPT Group

    6,698        24,257   
   

Hammerson PLC

    3,205      $ 31,802   

HCP, Inc.

    1,630        67,449   

Health Care REIT, Inc.

    1,075        67,370   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    2,750        60,527   

ICADE

    449        48,130   

Intu Properties PLC

    3,529        18,824   

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    4        23,299   

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.

    8        17,998   

Kimco Realty Corp.

    1,480        34,010   

Klepierre

    695        35,413   

Land Securities Group PLC

    3,497        61,965   

Link REIT (The)

    6,000        32,303   

Macerich Co. (The)

    510        34,043   

Mirvac Group

    12,834        21,597   

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.(a)

    6        35,081   

Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc.

    5        11,661   

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.

    630        28,413   

ProLogis, Inc.

    1,820        74,784   

Public Storage

    530        90,815   

Scentre Group(b)

    33,578        101,321   

Segro PLC

    3,337        19,699   

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    1,166        193,882   

Stockland(a)

    6,911        25,277   

Unibail-Rodamco SE

    613        178,389   

United Urban Investment Corp.

    12        19,373   

Ventas, Inc.

    1,091        69,933   

Vornado Realty Trust

    635        67,774   

Westfield Corp.

    9,308        62,755   

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    2,140        70,813   
   

 

 

 
      2,382,205   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.3%

   

Aeon Mall Co., Ltd.

    700        18,457   

CapitaLand Ltd.

    11,000        28,249   

CapitaMalls Asia Ltd.

    21,164        39,887   

CBRE Group, Inc.–
Class A(b)

    1,015        32,521   

Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd.

    6,000        106,372   

City Developments Ltd.

    3,000        24,646   

Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.

    300        35,277   

Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.

    3,000        62,192   

Deutsche Wohnen AG

    1,334        28,735   

Global Logistic Properties Ltd.

    14,661        31,774   

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

    14,000        43,174   

Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.

    4,840        28,358   

Hulic Co., Ltd.

    2,197        28,978   

IMMOFINANZ AG(b)

    4,285        15,138   

Kerry Properties Ltd.

    8,500        29,711   

Lend Lease Group

    3,450        42,650   

 

5


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

    6,000      $ 148,233   

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

    4,000        134,997   

New World Development Co., Ltd.

    22,000        25,045   

Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

    800        15,153   

NTT Urban Development Corp.

    1,600        18,019   

Sino Land Co., Ltd.

    16,000        26,255   

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.

    2,000        85,913   

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    7,000        96,144   

Swire Pacific Ltd.–Class A

    2,000        24,604   

Swire Properties Ltd.

    25,389        74,198   

Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd.

    3,000        27,787   

Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Corp.

    2,000        15,786   

Wharf Holdings Ltd.

    4,000        28,906   

Wheelock & Co., Ltd.

    6,000        25,241   
   

 

 

 
      1,342,400   
   

 

 

 

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.0%

   

Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.

    1,730        17,006   

People’s United Financial, Inc.

    1,165        17,673   
   

 

 

 
      34,679   
   

 

 

 
      25,879,783   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–3.4%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.4%

   

Actelion Ltd. (REG)(b)

    608        76,954   

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)

    730        114,063   

Amgen, Inc.

    2,803        331,791   

Biogen Idec, Inc.(b)

    865        272,743   

Celgene Corp.(b)

    3,080        264,511   

CSL Ltd.

    2,196        137,849   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(b)

    5,630        466,783   

Grifols SA

    757        41,363   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)

    290        81,916   

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)

    857        81,141   
   

 

 

 
      1,869,114   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.4%

   

Abbott Laboratories

    5,665        231,698   

Baxter International, Inc.

    1,980        143,154   

Becton Dickinson and Co.

    730        86,359   

Boston Scientific Corp.(b)

    4,860        62,062   

CareFusion Corp.(b)

    740        32,819   

Coloplast A/S–Class B

    496        44,881   

Covidien PLC

    1,675        151,052   

CR Bard, Inc.

    315        45,048   
   

DENTSPLY International, Inc.

    480      $ 22,728   

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(b)

    395        33,907   

Essilor International SA

    954        101,101   

Getinge AB–Class B

    2,013        52,711   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(b)

    155        63,829   

Medtronic, Inc.

    3,660        233,362   

Olympus Corp.(b)

    900        30,966   

Smith & Nephew PLC

    4,018        71,110   

Sonova Holding AG

    351        53,514   

St Jude Medical, Inc.

    1,065        73,751   

Stryker Corp.

    1,075        90,644   

Sysmex Corp.

    400        15,041   

Terumo Corp.

    1,400        31,364   

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.(b)

    395        32,840   

William Demant Holding
A/S(b)

    158        14,348   

Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

    635        65,951   
   

 

 

 
      1,784,240   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.4%

   

Aetna, Inc.

    1,367        110,836   

AmerisourceBergen Corp.–Class A

    835        60,671   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    1,245        85,357   

CIGNA Corp.

    1,015        93,349   

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc.(b)

    650        47,008   

Express Scripts Holding Co.(b)

    2,939        203,761   

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

    961        64,657   

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    558        83,218   

Humana, Inc.

    565        72,162   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(b)

    325        33,280   

McKesson Corp.

    865        161,072   

Medipal Holdings Corp.

    1,500        21,267   

Patterson Cos., Inc.

    260        10,273   

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

    500        29,345   

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

    1,156        49,651   

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

    1,663        12,449   

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    1,715        28,054   

Suzuken Co., Ltd./Aichi Japan

    600        22,351   

Tenet Healthcare Corp.(b)

    343        16,100   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    3,685        301,249   

WellPoint, Inc.

    1,100        118,371   
   

 

 

 
      1,624,481   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–0.0%

   

Cerner Corp.(b)

    1,080        55,707   

M3, Inc.

    1,200        19,105   
   

 

 

 
      74,812   
   

 

 

 

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–0.1%

   

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    1,195      $ 68,641   

PerkinElmer, Inc.

    405        18,970   

QIAGEN NV(b)

    2,306        55,771   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    1,485        175,230   

Waters Corp.(b)

    295        30,810   
   

 

 

 
      349,422   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–2.1%

   

AbbVie, Inc.

    5,845        329,892   

Actavis PLC(b)

    638        142,306   

Allergan, Inc./United States

    1,100        186,142   

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

    9,500        124,930   

AstraZeneca PLC

    5,591        415,957   

Bayer AG

    3,693        520,983   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    6,065        294,213   

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    1,000        28,197   

Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

    3,000        56,075   

Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.

    1,400        16,112   

Eisai Co., Ltd.

    1,100        46,162   

Eli Lilly & Co.

    3,615        224,745   

Forest Laboratories, Inc.(b)

    865        85,635   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    21,996        585,647   

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.

    300        13,415   

Hospira, Inc.(b)

    580        29,795   

Johnson & Johnson

    10,355        1,083,340   

Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.

    1,000        13,548   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    10,755        622,177   

Merck KGaA

    408        35,380   

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp.

    1,000        14,969   

Mylan, Inc./PA(b)

    1,405        72,442   

Novartis AG

    10,271        930,125   

Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B

    8,890        410,300   

Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    400        35,144   

Orion Oyj–Class B

    465        17,332   

Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.

    1,619        50,205   

Perrigo Co. PLC

    522        76,087   

Pfizer, Inc.

    23,786        705,968   

Roche Holding AG

    3,137        934,690   

Sanofi

    5,321        565,566   

Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    500        28,167   

Shionogi & Co., Ltd.

    1,000        20,887   

Shire PLC

    2,646        207,560   

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd.

    172        12,547   

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    3,500        162,445   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

    3,794        199,310   
   

UCB SA

    579      $ 48,985   

Zoetis, Inc.

    1,796        57,957   
   

 

 

 
      9,405,337   
   

 

 

 
      15,107,406   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–3.4%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.2%

   

Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.

    900        35,825   

BorgWarner, Inc.

    830        54,108   

Bridgestone Corp.

    2,900        101,568   

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B

    815        97,313   

Continental AG

    499        115,374   

Delphi Automotive PLC

    1,041        71,558   

Denso Corp.

    2,200        105,095   

GKN PLC

    7,308        45,368   

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The)

    860        23,891   

Johnson Controls, Inc.

    2,480        123,827   

NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.

    1,000        28,234   

NOK Corp.

    700        14,075   

Nokian Renkaat Oyj

    503        19,611   

Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.

    500        13,045   

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

    1,200        17,344   

Toyota Industries Corp.

    700        36,169   

Valeo SA

    339        45,485   

Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. (The)

    2,000        17,313   
   

 

 

 
      965,203   
   

 

 

 

AUTOMOBILES– 0.7%

   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    1,478        187,159   

Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

    1,000        17,796   

Daimler AG

    4,296        401,309   

Fiat SpA(b)

    5,440        53,636   

Ford Motor Co.

    14,470        249,463   

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

    3,000        83,186   

General Motors Co.

    4,766        173,006   

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    800        55,880   

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

    7,300        254,732   

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

    5,000        33,110   

Mazda Motor Corp.

    11,000        51,622   

Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

    2,400        26,521   

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    11,100        105,111   

Peugeot SA(b)

    2,295        33,956   

Porsche Automobil Holding SE (Preference Shares)

    684        71,117   

Renault SA

    857        77,468   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    1,600        50,195   

Toyota Motor Corp.

    12,300        736,433   

Volkswagen AG

    140        36,107   

Volkswagen AG (Preference Shares)

    734        192,247   

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

    1,200        20,664   
   

 

 

 
      2,910,718   
   

 

 

 

 

7


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

DISTRIBUTORS–0.0%

   

Genuine Parts Co.

    560      $ 49,168   

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd.

    1,000        35,540   
   

 

 

 
      84,708   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.0%

   

Benesse Holdings, Inc.

    300        13,013   

Graham Holdings Co.–
Class B

    61        43,805   

Gree, Inc.(a)

    682        5,980   

H&R Block, Inc.

    970        32,514   
   

 

 

 
      95,312   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.4%

   

Accor SA

    750        38,982   

Carnival Corp.

    1,585        59,675   

Carnival PLC

    818        30,856   

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.–Class A(b)

    144        85,321   

Compass Group PLC

    8,127        141,300   

Crown Resorts Ltd.

    2,537        36,161   

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

    470        21,747   

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd.(a)

    471        19,737   

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

    8,911        70,991   

Genting Singapore PLC

    22,000        23,489   

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

    1,228        50,804   

Marriott International, Inc./DE–Class A

    795        50,959   

McDonald’s Corp.

    3,680        370,723   

McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan Ltd.(a)

    500        14,044   

Oriental Land Co., Ltd./Japan

    200        34,277   

Sands China Ltd.

    10,875        82,361   

SJM Holdings Ltd.

    13,014        32,535   

Sodexo

    292        31,419   

Starbucks Corp.

    2,760        213,569   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

    695        56,170   

Tatts Group Ltd.

    6,512        20,077   

TUI Travel PLC

    2,386        16,243   

Whitbread PLC

    801        60,428   

William Hill PLC

    3,391        19,039   

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

    450        34,074   

Wynn Macau Ltd.

    10,107        39,716   

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

    310        64,344   

Yum! Brands, Inc.

    1,645        133,574   
   

 

 

 
      1,852,615   
   

 

 

 
   

HOUSEHOLD
DURABLES–0.2%

   

Casio Computer Co., Ltd.(a)

    800      $ 11,620   

DR Horton, Inc.

    1,005        24,703   

Electrolux AB–Class B

    2,430        61,325   

Garmin Ltd.(a)

    420        25,578   

Harman International Industries, Inc.

    240        25,783   

Iida Group Holdings Co., Ltd.

    867        13,177   

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    475        16,283   

Lennar Corp.–Class A

    600        25,188   

Mohawk Industries, Inc.(b)

    250        34,585   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

    1,025        31,765   

Nikon Corp.

    1,500        23,631   

Panasonic Corp.

    9,900        120,008   

Persimmon PLC(b)

    1,354        29,490   

PulteGroup, Inc.

    1,235        24,898   

Rinnai Corp.

    200        19,308   

Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.

    2,000        23,187   

Sekisui House Ltd.

    2,000        27,445   

Sharp Corp./Japan(a)(b)

    9,000        28,897   

Sony Corp.

    4,500        75,197   

Whirlpool Corp.

    300        41,766   
   

 

 

 
      683,834   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–0.2%

   

Amazon.com, Inc.(b)

    1,380        448,196   

ASOS PLC(b)

    244        12,357   

Expedia, Inc.

    382        30,086   

NetFlix, Inc.(b)

    226        99,576   

Priceline Group, Inc. (The)(b)

    197        236,991   

Rakuten, Inc.

    3,245        41,955   

TripAdvisor, Inc.(b)

    412        44,768   
   

 

 

 
      913,929   
   

 

 

 

LEISURE PRODUCTS–0.0%

   

Hasbro, Inc.

    400        21,220   

Mattel, Inc.

    1,235        48,128   

Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.

    900        21,101   

Sankyo Co., Ltd.

    300        11,540   

Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.

    700        13,785   

Shimano, Inc.

    400        44,386   
   

 

 

 
      160,160   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–0.8%

   

Axel Springer SE

    401        24,644   

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC

    4,358        67,423   

Cablevision Systems Corp.–Class A

    780        13,767   

CBS Corp.–Class B

    2,040        126,766   

Comcast Corp.–Class A

    9,570        513,718   

Dentsu, Inc.

    1,000        40,725   

DIRECTV(b)

    1,815        154,293   

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Discovery Communications, Inc.–Class A(b)

    845      $ 62,767   

Eutelsat Communications SA

    1,052        36,557   

Gannett Co., Inc.

    800        25,048   

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)

    1,495        29,167   

ITV PLC

    16,647        50,731   

JCDecaux SA

    1,374        51,317   

Kabel Deutschland Holding AG

    201        29,409   

Lagardere SCA

    177        5,767   

News Corp.–Class A(b)

    1,808        32,435   

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    960        68,371   

Pearson PLC

    3,650        72,086   

ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG(a)

    637        28,352   

Publicis Groupe SA

    807        68,398   

Reed Elsevier NV

    7,163        164,486   

Reed Elsevier PLC

    5,173        83,129   

RTL Group SA

    312        34,713   

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.–Class A

    420        34,079   

SES SA

    971        36,830   

Singapore Press Holdings Ltd.(a)

    6,000        20,064   

Telenet Group Holding NV(b)

    194        11,056   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.–Class A

    1,065        156,874   

Time Warner, Inc.

    3,295        231,474   

Toho Co., Ltd./Tokyo

    1,000        23,453   

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.–Class A

    7,185        252,553   

Viacom, Inc.–Class B

    1,510        130,962   

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    6,014        515,640   

WPP PLC

    5,882        128,180   
   

 

 

 
      3,325,234   
   

 

 

 

MULTILINE
RETAIL–0.1%

   

Dollar General Corp.(b)

    1,070        61,375   

Dollar Tree, Inc.(b)

    750        40,845   

Don Quijote Holdings Co., Ltd.

    500        27,896   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

    355        23,480   

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.

    1,300        16,939   

J Front Retailing Co., Ltd.

    3,000        21,063   

Kohl’s Corp.

    730        38,456   

Macy’s, Inc.

    1,355        78,617   

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

    7,213        52,469   

Next PLC

    713        78,931   

Nordstrom, Inc.

    520        35,324   

Target Corp.

    2,325        134,734   
   

 

 

 
      610,129   
   

 

 

 
   

SPECIALTY RETAIL – 0.4%

   

AutoNation, Inc.(b)

    235      $ 14,025   

AutoZone, Inc.(b)

    125        67,030   

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.(b)

    795        45,617   

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    1,000        31,010   

CarMax, Inc.(b)

    820        42,648   

Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

    200        65,886   

GameStop Corp.–Class A

    415        16,795   

Gap, Inc. (The)

    955        39,699   

Hennes & Mauritz AB–
Class B

    4,231        184,725   

Hikari Tsushin, Inc.(a)

    200        15,104   

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    5,180        419,373   

Inditex SA

    974        149,903   

Kingfisher PLC

    10,966        67,319   

L Brands, Inc.

    885        51,914   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    3,840        184,282   

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.

    400        21,885   

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.(b)

    390        58,734   

PetSmart, Inc.

    380        22,724   

Ross Stores, Inc.

    800        52,904   

Sanrio Co., Ltd.(a)

    500        14,529   

Shimamura Co., Ltd.

    200        19,687   

Sports Direct International PLC(b)

    1,618        19,552   

Staples, Inc.

    2,415        26,179   

Tiffany & Co.

    405        40,601   

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

    2,620        139,253   

Tractor Supply Co.

    515        31,106   

Urban Outfitters, Inc.(b)

    385        13,036   

USS Co., Ltd.

    1,310        22,359   

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.(a)

    2,700        9,625   
   

 

 

 
      1,887,504   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.4%

   

Adidas AG

    932        94,240   

Asics Corp.

    1,000        23,352   

Burberry Group PLC

    1,975        50,128   

Christian Dior SA

    166        33,050   

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

    2,331        244,264   

Coach, Inc.

    1,030        35,216   

Fossil Group, Inc.(b)

    169        17,664   

Hugo Boss AG

    198        29,565   

Kering

    338        74,147   

Li & Fung Ltd.

    48,000        71,221   

Luxottica Group SpA

    759        43,950   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA

    1,256        242,369   

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.(b)

    659        58,420   

NIKE, Inc.–Class B

    2,760        214,038   

Pandora A/S

    468        35,916   

PVH Corp.

    295        34,397   

Ralph Lauren Corp.

    240        38,566   

Swatch Group AG (The)

    137        82,607   

 

9


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Swatch Group AG (The) (REG)

    522      $ 57,911   

Under Armour, Inc.–
Class A(b)

    597        35,516   

VF Corp.

    1,310        82,530   
   

 

 

 
      1,599,067   
   

 

 

 
      15,088,413   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–3.4%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.3%

   

Alcatel-Lucent(b)

    12,407        44,604   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    19,640        488,054   

F5 Networks, Inc.(b)

    280        31,203   

Harris Corp.

    395        29,921   

Juniper Networks, Inc.(b)

    1,840        45,154   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    845        56,252   

Nokia Oyj

    16,723        126,539   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    6,220        492,624   

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson–Class B

    13,589        164,165   
   

 

 

 
      1,478,516   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.2%

   

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

    575        55,396   

Corning, Inc.

    5,305        116,445   

FLIR Systems, Inc.

    510        17,712   

Fujifilm Holdings Corp.

    2,100        58,612   

Hamamatsu Photonics KK

    600        29,447   

Hexagon AB–Class B

    938        30,221   

Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.

    100        14,866   

Hitachi High-Technologies Corp.

    600        14,286   

Hitachi Ltd.

    22,000        161,239   

Hoya Corp.

    1,900        63,171   

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

    675        14,108   

Keyence Corp.

    200        87,458   

Kyocera Corp.

    1,400        66,477   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    900        84,403   

Omron Corp.

    900        37,953   

TDK Corp.

    900        42,256   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    1,510        93,378   

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

    1,100        13,932   
   

 

 

 
      1,001,360   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–0.5%

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(b)

    655        39,994   

Dena Co., Ltd.(a)

    529        7,158   

eBay, Inc.(b)

    4,285        214,507   

Facebook, Inc.–Class A(b)

    6,050        407,105   

Google, Inc.–Class A(b)

    1,039        607,472   

Google, Inc.–Class C(b)

    1,039        597,716   
   

Kakaku.com, Inc.

    961      $ 16,852   

United Internet AG

    1,223        53,729   

VeriSign, Inc.(b)

    475        23,185   

Yahoo Japan Corp.

    6,408        29,592   

Yahoo!, Inc.(b)

    3,465        121,725   
   

 

 

 
      2,119,035   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–0.6%

   

Accenture PLC–Class A

    2,335        188,761   

Alliance Data Systems Corp.(b)

    180        50,625   

Amadeus IT Holding SA–Class A

    1,699        70,038   

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    1,770        140,326   

Cap Gemini SA

    854        60,945   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.–
Class A(b)

    2,230        109,069   

Computer Sciences Corp.

    540        34,128   

Computershare Ltd.

    1,449        17,055   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    1,070        58,572   

Fiserv, Inc.(b)

    950        57,304   

Fujitsu Ltd.

    8,000        59,943   

International Business Machines Corp.

    3,626        657,285   

MasterCard, Inc.–Class A

    3,810        279,921   

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    600        18,903   

NTT Data Corp.

    500        19,228   

Otsuka Corp.

    600        29,097   

Paychex, Inc.

    1,195        49,664   

Teradata Corp.(b)

    595        23,919   

Total System Services, Inc.

    610        19,160   

Visa, Inc.–Class A

    1,875        395,081   

Western Union Co. (The)–Class W

    2,030        35,200   

Xerox Corp.

    4,245        52,808   
   

 

 

 
      2,427,032   
   

 

 

 

OFFICE
ELECTRONICS–0.1%

   

Brother Industries Ltd.

    800        13,870   

Canon, Inc.(a)

    5,100        166,678   

Konica Minolta, Inc.

    2,000        19,768   

Ricoh Co., Ltd.

    3,000        35,756   
   

 

 

 
      236,072   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR
EQUIPMENT–0.4%

   

Altera Corp.

    1,160        40,322   

Analog Devices, Inc.

    1,130        61,099   

Applied Materials, Inc.

    4,385        98,882   

ARM Holdings PLC

    6,241        93,845   

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd.

    900        9,830   

ASML Holding NV

    1,801        167,964   

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Avago Technologies Ltd.

    876      $ 63,133   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A

    1,970        73,126   

Infineon Technologies AG

    4,860        60,668   

Intel Corp.

    18,240        563,616   

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    610        44,310   

Lam Research Corp.

    579        39,129   

Linear Technology Corp.

    840        39,539   

Microchip Technology, Inc.

    695        33,923   

Micron Technology, Inc.(b)

    3,820        125,869   

NVIDIA Corp.

    2,085        38,656   

Rohm Co., Ltd.

    400        22,942   

STMicroelectronics NV

    4,174        37,395   

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    4,025        192,355   

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    800        54,523   

Xilinx, Inc.

    985        46,600   
   

 

 

 
      1,907,726   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–0.6%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(b)

    1,710        123,736   

Autodesk, Inc.(b)

    825        46,514   

CA, Inc.

    1,185        34,057   

Citrix Systems, Inc.(b)

    680        42,534   

Dassault Systemes

    243        31,245   

Electronic Arts, Inc.(b)

    1,135        40,712   

Gemalto NV(a)

    323        33,529   

GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc.(a)

    4,000        25,847   

Intuit, Inc.

    1,050        84,556   

Microsoft Corp.

    27,920        1,164,264   

Nexon Co., Ltd.

    2,595        24,802   

NICE Systems Ltd.

    208        8,512   

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

    500        60,044   

Oracle Corp.

    12,900        522,837   

Oracle Corp. Japan

    500        21,871   

Red Hat, Inc.(b)

    690        38,136   

Sage Group PLC (The)

    4,400        28,899   

Salesforce.com, Inc.(b)

    2,034        118,135   

SAP AG

    4,114        317,003   

Symantec Corp.

    2,555        58,510   

Trend Micro, Inc./Japan

    500        16,476   

Xero Ltd.(a)(b).

    231        5,251   
   

 

 

 
      2,847,470   
   

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE &
PERIPHERALS–0.7%

   

Apple, Inc.

    22,666        2,106,351   

EMC Corp./MA

    7,555        198,999   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

    7,060        237,781   

NEC Corp.

    9,000        28,724   

NetApp, Inc.

    1,240        45,285   

SanDisk Corp.

    820        85,633   

Seagate Technology PLC

    1,200        68,184   

Seiko Epson Corp.

    600        25,526   

Western Digital Corp.

    780        71,994   
   

 

 

 
      2,868,477   
   

 

 

 
      14,885,688   
   

 

 

 
   

INDUSTRIALS–3.3%

   

AEROSPACE &
DEFENSE–0.5%

   

Airbus Group NV

    2,598      $ 174,191   

BAE Systems PLC

    14,460        107,101   

Boeing Co. (The)

    2,560        325,709   

Cobham PLC

    7,675        41,005   

General Dynamics Corp.

    1,260        146,853   

Honeywell International, Inc.

    2,905        270,020   

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

    325        39,244   

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    1,000        160,730   

Meggitt PLC

    2,537        21,965   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    840        100,489   

Precision Castparts Corp.

    540        136,296   

Raytheon Co.

    1,200        110,700   

Rockwell Collins, Inc.

    500        39,070   

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(b)

    8,396        153,401   

Safran SA

    1,117        73,124   

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.

    19,000        57,962   

Textron, Inc.

    1,005        38,481   

Thales SA

    694        41,962   

United Technologies Corp.

    3,125        360,781   

Zodiac Aerospace

    1,135        38,428   
   

 

 

 
      2,437,512   
   

 

 

 

AIR FREIGHT &
LOGISTICS–0.2%

   

CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

    565        36,041   

Deutsche Post AG

    4,049        146,148   

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

    720        31,795   

FedEx Corp.

    1,115        168,789   

Kuehne & Nagel International AG

    432        57,443   

Royal Mail PLC(b)

    2,926        24,970   

United Parcel Service, Inc.–Class B

    2,655        272,562   

Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd.

    1,600        33,167   
   

 

 

 
      770,915   
   

 

 

 

AIRLINES–0.1%

   

ANA Holdings, Inc.(a)

    8,000        18,880   

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.

    20,000        37,376   

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

    3,102        120,109   

Deutsche Lufthansa AG (REG)

    1,092        23,442   

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA(b)

    4,346        27,578   

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

    472        26,097   

Singapore Airlines Ltd.

    3,000        24,938   

Southwest Airlines Co.

    2,555        68,627   
   

 

 

 
      347,047   
   

 

 

 

BUILDING
PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Allegion PLC

    335        18,988   

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.(a)

    4,000        23,583   

 

11


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Assa Abloy AB–Class B

    1,164      $ 59,208   

Cie de St-Gobain

    1,779        100,375   

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    1,000        63,113   

Geberit AG

    168        58,933   

LIXIL Group Corp.

    1,200        32,479   

Masco Corp.

    1,305        28,971   

TOTO Ltd.

    2,000        26,972   
   

 

 

 
      412,622   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES &
SUPPLIES–0.1%

   

ADT Corp. (The)

    647        22,606   

Aggreko PLC

    1,141        32,214   

Babcock International Group PLC

    2,255        44,822   

Brambles Ltd.

    6,954        60,249   

Cintas Corp.

    385        24,463   

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.

    2,000        20,896   

Edenred

    818        24,805   

G4S PLC

    6,839        29,858   

Iron Mountain, Inc.

    614        21,766   

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

    705        19,472   

Republic Services, Inc.–Class A

    950        36,072   

Secom Co., Ltd.

    900        54,941   

Societe BIC SA

    221        30,241   

Stericycle, Inc.(b)

    310        36,710   

Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.

    2,000        15,465   

Tyco International Ltd.

    1,695        77,292   

Waste Management, Inc.

    1,595        71,344   
   

 

 

 
      623,216   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.2%

   

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA

    667        30,529   

Bouygues SA

    1,739        72,360   

Chiyoda Corp.

    1,000        12,120   

Ferrovial SA(a)

    1,957        43,604   

Fluor Corp.

    615        47,293   

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.(b)

    465        24,775   

JGC Corp.

    1,000        30,419   

Kajima Corp.

    7,000        30,963   

Leighton Holdings Ltd.(a)

    1,344        24,955   

Obayashi Corp.

    3,000        21,426   

OCI(b)

    320        12,489   

Quanta Services, Inc.(b)

    765        26,454   

Shimizu Corp.

    4,000        28,346   

Skanska AB–Class B

    3,301        75,356   

Taisei Corp.

    5,000        27,711   

Vinci SA

    2,135        159,610   
   

 

 

 
      668,410   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.3%

   

ABB Ltd. (REG)(b)

    9,800        225,501   

Alstom SA

    1,012        36,753   
   

AMETEK, Inc.

    899      $ 47,000   

Eaton Corp. PLC

    1,744        134,602   

Emerson Electric Co.

    2,600        172,536   

First Solar, Inc.(b)

    270        19,186   

Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.

    4,000        18,980   

Legrand SA

    1,194        73,121   

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    9,000        111,175   

Nidec Corp.

    1,000        61,500   

Osram Licht AG(b)

    292        14,705   

Prysmian SpA

    1,074        24,254   

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    530        66,335   

Schneider Electric SE (Paris)

    2,438        229,887   

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    3,400        47,864   

Vestas Wind Systems A/S(b)

    1,008        50,862   
   

 

 

 
      1,334,261   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.5%

   

3M Co.

    2,355        337,330   

Danaher Corp.

    2,190        172,419   

General Electric Co.

    37,170        976,827   

Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.

    10,000        136,636   

Keppel Corp., Ltd.

    4,000        34,626   

Koninklijke Philips NV

    3,341        106,038   

Roper Industries, Inc.

    375        54,754   

Siemens AG

    3,541        467,533   

Smiths Group PLC

    2,461        54,535   

Toshiba Corp.

    18,000        84,140   
   

 

 

 
      2,424,838   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–0.6%

   

Alfa Laval AB

    3,611        92,983   

Amada Co., Ltd.

    3,000        30,558   

Andritz AG

    375        21,668   

Atlas Copco AB–Class A

    1,805        52,112   

Atlas Copco AB–Class B

    1,715        45,765   

Caterpillar, Inc.

    2,335        253,744   

CNH Industrial NV

    2,876        29,510   

Cummins, Inc.

    650        100,288   

Deere & Co.

    1,385        125,412   

Dover Corp.

    635        57,753   

FANUC Corp.

    900        155,419   

Flowserve Corp.

    510        37,918   

GEA Group AG

    896        42,358   

Hino Motors Ltd.

    2,000        27,593   

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.

    700        13,972   

IHI Corp.

    6,000        27,969   

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    1,525        133,529   

IMI PLC

    1,025        26,063   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

    955        59,697   

Joy Global, Inc.

    385        23,708   

JTEKT Corp.

    1,400        23,622   

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.

    5,000        19,061   

Komatsu Ltd.

    4,200        97,496   

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Kone Oyj–Class B

    1,392      $ 58,041   

Kubota Corp.

    5,000        70,951   

Makita Corp.

    400        24,722   

MAN SE

    407        50,300   

Melrose Industries PLC

    4,948        22,018   

Metso Oyj

    571        21,617   

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

    14,000        87,443   

NGK Insulators Ltd.

    1,000        22,701   

NSK Ltd.

    2,000        26,027   

PACCAR, Inc.

    1,310        82,307   

Pall Corp.

    395        33,729   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    545        68,523   

Pentair PLC

    710        51,205   

Sandvik AB

    2,698        36,847   

Schindler Holding AG

    137        20,810   

Schindler Holding AG (REG)

    271        40,834   

SembCorp Marine Ltd.(a)

    7,000        23,032   

SKF AB–Class B

    1,658        42,275   

SMC Corp./Japan

    200        53,592   

Snap-On, Inc.

    220        26,074   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

    565        49,618   

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

    6,000        28,560   

Vallourec SA

    641        28,734   

Volvo AB–Class B

    6,759        93,049   

Wartsila Oyj Abp

    793        39,303   

Weir Group PLC (The)

    950        42,567   

Xylem, Inc./NY

    635        24,816   

Zardoya Otis SA(a)

    1,239        22,061   
   

 

 

 
      2,689,954   
   

 

 

 

MARINE–0.0%

   

AP Moeller–Maersk A/S–Class A

    15        35,304   

AP Moeller–Maersk A/S–Class B

    30        74,588   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

    4,000        14,902   

Nippon Yusen KK

    5,000        14,423   
   

 

 

 
      139,217   
   

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.1%

   

Adecco SA(b)

    590        48,553   

Bureau Veritas SA

    1,236        34,328   

Capita PLC

    2,937        57,540   

Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (The)

    165        18,183   

Equifax, Inc.

    455        33,006   

Experian PLC

    4,508        76,163   

Intertek Group PLC

    720        33,853   

Nielsen NV

    916        44,344   

Randstad Holding NV

    1,613        87,439   

Robert Half International, Inc.

    485        23,154   

SGS SA

    24        57,430   
   

 

 

 
      513,993   
   

 

 

 
   

ROAD & RAIL–0.3%

   

Asciano Ltd.

    8,374      $ 44,495   

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

    6,403        30,067   

Central Japan Railway Co.

    644        91,930   

CSX Corp.

    3,710        114,305   

DSV A/S

    511        16,663   

East Japan Railway Co.

    1,500        118,188   

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc.

    5,000        28,548   

Kansas City Southern

    420        45,154   

Keikyu Corp.

    2,000        17,978   

Keio Corp.

    3,000        23,590   

Keisei Electric Railway Co., Ltd.

    2,000        19,932   

Kintetsu Corp.

    8,000        29,151   

MTR Corp., Ltd.

    7,000        27,003   

Nippon Express Co., Ltd.

    3,000        14,551   

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    1,140        117,454   

Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.

    2,000        19,260   

Ryder System, Inc.

    215        18,939   

Tobu Railway Co., Ltd.

    3,000        15,711   

Tokyu Corp.

    5,000        35,465   

Union Pacific Corp.

    3,450        344,138   

West Japan Railway Co.

    751        33,082   
   

 

 

 
      1,205,604   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.2%

   

Brenntag AG

    189        33,766   

Bunzl PLC

    1,482        41,142   

Fastenal Co.

    980        48,500   

ITOCHU Corp.

    7,000        89,864   

Marubeni Corp.

    7,000        51,233   

Mitsubishi Corp.

    6,300        131,131   

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

    7,800        125,047   

Sumitomo Corp.

    5,000        67,466   

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

    700        20,144   

Travis Perkins PLC

    1,092        30,582   

Wolseley PLC

    1,423        77,953   

WW Grainger, Inc.

    230        58,482   
   

 

 

 
      775,310   
   

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE–0.1%

   

Abertis Infraestructuras SA

    1,637        37,661   

Aeroports de Paris

    305        40,210   

Atlantia SpA

    2,911        82,928   

Auckland International Airport Ltd.

    3,663        12,507   

Hutchison Port Holdings Trust–Class U

    43,553        31,366   

Mitsubishi Logistics Corp.

    1,000        14,987   

Sydney Airport

    15,829        62,981   

Transurban Group

    7,856        54,744   
   

 

 

 
      337,384   
   

 

 

 
      14,680,283   
   

 

 

 

 

13


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

CONSUMER
STAPLES–2.9%

   

BEVERAGES–0.6%

   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV

    3,588      $ 412,262   

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    1,700        53,385   

Brown-Forman Corp.–
Class B

    602        56,690   

Carlsberg A/S–Class B

    478        51,482   

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd.

    3,316        29,608   

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    13,930        590,075   

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

    850        40,613   

Coca-Cola HBC AG(b)

    892        20,477   

Constellation Brands, Inc.–Class A(b)

    620        54,641   

Diageo PLC

    11,209        356,996   

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

    720        42,178   

Heineken NV

    1,245        89,365   

Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.(a)

    4,000        57,755   

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

    550        40,788   

Monster Beverage Corp.(b)

    510        36,225   

PepsiCo, Inc.

    5,625        502,538   

Pernod Ricard SA

    946        113,634   

Remy Cointreau SA

    195        17,941   

SABMiller PLC (London)

    4,293        248,801   

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

    848        33,239   

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.

    5,315        25,100   
   

 

 

 
      2,873,793   
   

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–0.6%

   

Aeon Co., Ltd.

    2,700        33,226   

Carrefour SA

    2,692        99,265   

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA

    482        63,904   

Colruyt SA

    393        19,961   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    1,615        185,983   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    4,380        330,121   

Delhaize Group SA

    404        27,338   

Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentacion SA

    2,417        22,247   

FamilyMart Co., Ltd.

    400        17,245   

J Sainsbury PLC

    5,506        29,721   

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

    1,190        19,565   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

    5,462        102,418   

Kroger Co. (The)

    1,865        92,187   

Lawson, Inc.

    200        15,012   

Metro AG(b)

    1,551        67,497   

Safeway, Inc.

    895        30,734   

Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.

    3,400        143,309   

Sysco Corp.

    2,105        78,832   

Tesco PLC

    36,078        175,346   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    5,963        447,642   

Walgreen Co.

    3,195        236,845   

Wesfarmers Ltd.

    5,147        203,108   
   

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

    1,370      $ 52,923   

WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC

    9,857        30,914   

Woolworths Ltd.

    5,562        184,695   
   

 

 

 
      2,710,038   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.8%

   

Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

    3,000        47,020   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    2,415        106,526   

Aryzta AG(b)

    470        44,511   

Associated British Foods PLC

    1,705        88,920   

Campbell Soup Co.

    625        28,631   

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

    1,535        45,559   

Danone SA

    2,621        194,893   

General Mills, Inc.

    2,335        122,681   

Golden Agri-Resources Ltd.

    48,000        21,407   

Hershey Co. (The)

    550        53,554   

Hormel Foods Corp.

    475        23,441   

JM Smucker Co. (The)

    395        42,095   

Kellogg Co.

    915        60,116   

Kerry Group PLC–Class A

    781        58,658   

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.

    478        59,564   

Kraft Foods Group, Inc.

    2,178        130,571   

Lindt & Spruengli AG (REG)

    1        61,773   

McCormick & Co., Inc./MD

    475        34,005   

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.–Class A

    760        70,809   

MEIJI Holdings Co., Ltd.

    300        19,889   

Mondelez International, Inc.–Class A

    6,435        242,020   

Nestle SA

    14,400        1,115,811   

NH Foods Ltd.

    1,000        19,524   

Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.

    400        20,565   

Orkla ASA

    2,074        18,456   

Tate & Lyle PLC

    2,078        24,313   

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

    1,000        30,825   

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

    975        36,602   

Unilever NV

    7,274        318,405   

Unilever PLC

    5,731        259,783   

Wilmar International Ltd.

    9,000        23,039   

Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.

    400        20,259   
   

 

 

 
      3,444,225   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD
PRODUCTS–0.4%

   

Clorox Co. (The)

    470        42,958   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    3,200        218,176   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    579        58,227   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Preference Shares)

    796        91,964   

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    1,415        157,376   

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    10,015        787,079   

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    2,888      $ 251,820   

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA–Class B

    2,115        55,083   

Unicharm Corp.

    500        29,811   
   

 

 

 
      1,692,494   
   

 

 

 

PERSONAL
PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Avon Products, Inc.

    1,555        22,719   

Beiersdorf AG

    310        29,960   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The)–Class A

    940        69,804   

Kao Corp.

    2,300        90,583   

L’Oreal SA

    1,080        185,953   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

    1,600        29,182   
   

 

 

 
      428,201   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–0.4%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

    7,310        306,582   

British American Tobacco PLC

    8,566        509,696   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

    4,350        195,698   

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    4,912        179,102   

Lorillard, Inc.

    1,340        81,700   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    5,900        497,429   

Reynolds American, Inc.

    1,135        68,497   

Swedish Match AB

    831        28,854   
   

 

 

 
      1,867,558   
   

 

 

 
      13,016,309   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–2.6%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.4%

   

Aker Solutions ASA

    1,244        21,591   

AMEC PLC

    1,606        33,348   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

    1,610        119,865   

Cameron International Corp.(b)

    870        58,908   

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.(a)

    240        11,911   

Ensco PLC–Class A

    850        47,235   

FMC Technologies, Inc.(b)

    860        52,520   

Fugro NV

    538        30,765   

Halliburton Co.

    3,090        219,421   

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    385        44,702   

Nabors Industries Ltd.

    915        26,874   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    1,555        128,054   

Noble Corp. PLC

    925        31,043   

Petrofac Ltd.

    1,166        23,984   

Rowan Cos. PLC–Class A

    455        14,528   

Saipem SpA(b)

    1,479        39,878   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    4,835        570,288   

Seadrill Ltd.(a)

    1,676        66,421   

Subsea 7 SA

    1,066        19,870   

Technip SA

    267        29,173   

Tenaris SA

    1,269        29,900   
   

Transocean Ltd.

    1,200      $ 54,036   

Transocean Ltd. (Zurich)

    1,255        56,385   
   

 

 

 
      1,730,700   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE
FUELS–2.2%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    1,845        201,972   

Apache Corp.

    1,445        145,396   

BG Group PLC

    15,199        320,719   

BP PLC

    84,788        746,636   

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

    1,540        52,576   

Caltex Australia Ltd.

    1,410        28,690   

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

    1,845        57,343   

Chevron Corp.

    7,080        924,294   

Cimarex Energy Co.

    327        46,911   

ConocoPhillips

    4,520        387,500   

CONSOL Energy, Inc.

    840        38,699   

Delek Group Ltd.

    11        4,550   

Denbury Resources, Inc.

    1,310        24,183   

Devon Energy Corp.

    1,420        112,748   

ENI SpA

    11,360        310,692   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    2,010        234,889   

EQT Corp.

    540        57,726   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    16,087        1,619,639   

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    1,550        28,411   

Hess Corp.

    1,040        102,846   

Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.

    1,200        26,058   

Inpex Corp.

    4,000        60,849   

JX Holdings, Inc.

    10,000        53,512   

Kinder Morgan, Inc./DE

    2,475        89,743   

Koninklijke Vopak NV(a)

    502        24,510   

Lundin Petroleum AB(b)

    856        17,302   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    2,555        101,996   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    1,112        86,814   

Murphy Oil Corp.

    655        43,544   

Neste Oil Oyj

    572        11,161   

Newfield Exploration Co.(b)

    470        20,774   

Noble Energy, Inc.

    1,300        100,698   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    2,950        302,758   

OMV AG

    658        29,725   

ONEOK, Inc.

    770        52,422   

Origin Energy Ltd.

    4,903        67,581   

Peabody Energy Corp.

    945        15,451   

Phillips 66

    2,210        177,750   

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    515        118,352   

QEP Resources, Inc.

    625        21,562   

Range Resources Corp.

    600        52,170   

Repsol SA

    3,820        100,721   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC–Class A

    17,357        717,239   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC–
Class B

    11,041        479,843   

Santos Ltd.

    4,317        58,075   

Southwestern Energy Co.(b)

    1,245        56,635   

Spectra Energy Corp.

    2,435        103,439   

 

15


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Statoil ASA

    4,983      $ 153,172   

Tesoro Corp.

    475        27,868   

TonenGeneral Sekiyu KK(a)

    2,000        18,995   

Total SA

    9,552        691,084   

Tullow Oil PLC

    4,387        64,001   

Valero Energy Corp.

    1,975        98,947   

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

    2,505        145,816   

Woodside Petroleum Ltd.

    2,943        114,104   
   

 

 

 
      9,751,091   
   

 

 

 
      11,481,791   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–1.6%

   

CHEMICALS–0.8%

   

Air Liquide SA

    1,531        206,882   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    770        99,037   

Air Water, Inc.

    1,000        16,007   

Airgas, Inc.

    240        26,138   

Akzo Nobel NV

    704        52,785   

Arkema SA

    450        43,725   

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    6,000        45,933   

BASF SE

    4,101        477,043   

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    240        57,727   

Croda International PLC

    549        20,676   

Dow Chemical Co. (The)

    4,425        227,710   

Eastman Chemical Co.

    580        50,663   

Ecolab, Inc.

    990        110,227   

EI du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    3,395        222,169   

EMS-Chemie Holding AG (REG)(b)

    109        43,496   

FMC Corp.

    480        34,171   

Givaudan SA(b)

    37        61,639   

Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.

    900        14,901   

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

    7,611        20,808   

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

    300        31,284   

Israel Chemicals Ltd.

    1,432        12,269   

Israel Corp., Ltd. (The)(b)

    16        9,105   

Johnson Matthey PLC

    915        48,518   

JSR Corp.

    800        13,734   

K&S AG

    1,472        48,338   

Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.

    1,000        16,714   

Kuraray Co., Ltd.

    1,000        12,683   

Lanxess AG

    509        34,332   

Linde AG

    827        175,734   

LyondellBasell Industries NV–Class A

    1,599        156,142   

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

    6,000        26,610   

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.

    2,000        12,807   

Monsanto Co.

    1,940        241,996   

Mosaic Co. (The)

    1,230        60,824   

Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.

    1,000        21,173   

Nitto Denko Corp.

    600        28,105   

Novozymes A/S–Class B

    1,129        56,627   
   

Orica Ltd.

    2,259      $ 41,490   

PPG Industries, Inc.

    550        115,583   

Praxair, Inc.

    1,090        144,796   

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    315        65,177   

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

    1,800        109,455   

Sigma-Aldrich Corp.

    455        46,173   

Sika AG

    6        24,514   

Solvay SA

    236        40,618   

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

    7,000        26,461   

Syngenta AG

    416        153,691   

Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp.

    2,000        17,718   

Teijin Ltd.

    5,000        12,549   

Toray Industries, Inc.

    7,000        46,060   

Umicore SA

    509        23,685   

Yara International ASA

    541        27,104   
   

 

 

 
      3,733,806   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS–0.1%

   

CRH PLC

    3,257        83,436   

Fletcher Building Ltd.

    3,064        23,620   

HeidelbergCement AG

    440        37,492   

Holcim Ltd.(b)

    816        71,675   

James Hardie Industries PLC

    3,449        44,995   

Lafarge SA(a)

    832        72,350   

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

    5,000        20,160   

Vulcan Materials Co.

    465        29,644   
   

 

 

 
      383,372   
   

 

 

 

CONTAINERS &
PACKAGING–0.1%

   

Amcor Ltd./Australia

    5,378        52,896   

Avery Dennison Corp.

    335        17,169   

Ball Corp.

    510        31,967   

Bemis Co., Inc.

    330        13,418   

MeadWestvaco Corp.

    620        27,441   

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(b)

    560        19,398   

Rexam PLC

    3,136        28,703   

Sealed Air Corp.

    690        23,577   

Toyo Seikan Group Holdings Ltd.

    1,700        26,134   
   

 

 

 
      240,703   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–0.6%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

    3,920        58,369   

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.

    385        17,364   

Anglo American PLC

    6,223        152,515   

Antofagasta PLC

    1,773        23,162   

ArcelorMittal (Euronext Amsterdam)

    8,908        132,802   

BHP Billiton Ltd.

    14,341        489,094   

BHP Billiton PLC

    9,431        306,592   

Boliden AB

    1,652        23,967   

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

    6,938        28,655   

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

    3,775      $ 137,788   

Fresnillo PLC(a)

    1,459        21,925   

Glencore PLC

    47,381        264,041   

Hitachi Metals Ltd.

    1,000        15,247   

Iluka Resources Ltd.

    2,008        15,429   

JFE Holdings, Inc.

    2,200        45,505   

Kobe Steel Ltd.

    12,000        18,047   

Mitsubishi Materials Corp.

    7,000        24,558   

Newcrest Mining Ltd.(b)

    2,055        20,640   

Newmont Mining Corp.

    1,795        45,665   

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp.

    34,000        108,919   

Norsk Hydro ASA

    6,514        34,880   

Nucor Corp.

    1,160        57,130   

Randgold Resources Ltd.

    390        32,841   

Rio Tinto Ltd.

    1,946        109,170   

Rio Tinto PLC

    5,676        306,471   

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.

    2,000        32,644   

ThyssenKrupp AG(b)

    2,036        59,241   

United States Steel Corp.(a)

    530        13,801   

Voestalpine AG(a)

    442        21,072   
   

 

 

 
      2,617,534   
   

 

 

 

PAPER & FOREST
PRODUCTS–0.0%

   

International Paper Co.

    1,615        81,509   

OJI Holdings Corp.

    4,000        16,460   

Stora Enso Oyj–Class R

    2,457        23,887   

UPM-Kymmene Oyj

    2,358        40,279   
   

 

 

 
      162,135   
   

 

 

 
      7,137,550   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.0%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.8%

   

AT&T, Inc.

    19,348        684,145   

Belgacom SA

    795        26,391   

Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp., Ltd.

    7,158        13,397   

BT Group PLC

    35,190        231,236   

CenturyLink, Inc.

    2,160        78,192   

Deutsche Telekom AG

    14,013        245,774   

Elisa Oyj

    635        19,425   

Frontier Communications Corp.

    3,660        21,374   

HKT Trust and HKT Ltd.

    18,882        22,152   

Iliad SA

    163        49,271   

Inmarsat PLC

    1,541        19,696   

Koninklijke KPN NV(b)

    2,757        10,052   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    1,900        118,423   

Orange SA

    8,280        131,009   

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

    36,000        111,208   
   

Swisscom AG

    104      $ 60,411   

TDC A/S

    3,390        35,068   

Telecom Corp. of
New Zealand Ltd.

    9,734        22,841   

Telecom Italia SpA (ordinary shares)(b)

    64,157        81,204   

Telecom Italia SpA (savings shares)

    16,898        16,715   

Telefonica SA

    18,290        314,000   

Telekom Austria AG

    1,044        10,212   

Telenor ASA

    3,853        87,727   

TeliaSonera AB

    10,613        77,496   

Telstra Corp., Ltd.

    20,376        100,102   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    15,195        743,491   

Vivendi SA(b)

    5,418        132,587   

Windstream Holdings, Inc.(a)

    2,175        21,663   

Ziggo NV

    1,595        73,763   
   

 

 

 
      3,559,025   
   

 

 

 

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.2%

   

KDDI Corp.

    2,622        159,978   

Millicom International Cellular SA

    641        58,676   

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

    6,800        116,081   

SoftBank Corp.

    4,300        320,449   

StarHub Ltd.

    4,000        13,388   

Vodafone Group PLC

    118,560        396,260   
   

 

 

 
      1,064,832   
   

 

 

 
      4,623,857   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES–1.0%

   

ELECTRIC
UTILITIES–0.5%

   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    1,775        98,992   

Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.

    7,000        48,538   

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.(b)

    2,900        36,017   

Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (The)

    1,300        17,714   

CLP Holdings Ltd.

    8,500        69,607   

Contact Energy Ltd.

    2,149        9,981   

Duke Energy Corp.

    2,582        191,559   

Edison International

    1,165        67,698   

EDP–Energias de Portugal SA

    10,415        52,258   

Electricite de France SA

    1,042        32,810   

Enel SpA(a)

    29,393        170,969   

Entergy Corp.

    625        51,306   

Exelon Corp.

    3,147        114,803   

FirstEnergy Corp.

    1,535        53,295   

Fortum Oyj

    1,983        53,248   

Hokuriku Electric Power Co.

    1,600        21,211   

 

17


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Iberdrola SA

    22,931      $ 175,412   

Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (The)(b)

    3,100        29,221   

Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.(b)

    1,900        21,390   

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    1,595        163,456   

Northeast Utilities

    1,160        54,833   

Pepco Holdings, Inc.

    890        24,457   

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    385        22,268   

Power Assets Holdings Ltd.

    3,500        30,703   

PPL Corp.

    2,295        81,541   

Red Electrica Corp. SA(a)

    483        44,152   

Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc.(b)

    700        9,761   

Southern Co. (The)

    3,210        145,670   

SP AusNet

    12,753        15,942   

SSE PLC

    4,306        115,354   

Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.

    1,400        16,384   

Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.(b)

    5,500        22,861   

Xcel Energy, Inc.

    1,820        58,659   
   

 

 

 
      2,122,070   
   

 

 

 

GAS UTILITIES–0.1%

   

AGL Resources, Inc.

    398        21,902   

APA Group

    2,828        18,393   

Enagas SA(a)

    853        27,457   

Gas Natural SDG SA(a)

    1,571        49,633   

Hong Kong & China Gas Co., Ltd.

    32,340        70,852   

Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.

    8,000        33,614   

Snam SpA

    6,059        36,493   

Toho Gas Co., Ltd.

    2,000        10,985   

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.

    11,000        64,254   
   

 

 

 
      333,583   
   

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY
TRADERS–0.0%

   

AES Corp./VA

    2,385        37,087   

Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.

    500        16,225   

Enel Green Power SpA

    25,579        72,395   

NRG Energy, Inc.

    1,140        42,408   
   

 

 

 
      168,115   
   

 

 

 

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.4%

   

AGL Energy Ltd.

    3,037        44,361   

Ameren Corp.

    860        35,157   

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    1,545        39,459   

Centrica PLC

    23,112        123,502   

CMS Energy Corp.

    970        30,216   

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

    1,080        62,359   

Dominion Resources, Inc./VA

    2,135        152,695   

DTE Energy Co.

    670        52,173   

E.ON SE

    8,042        165,790   
   

GDF Suez

    5,926      $ 163,271   

Integrys Energy Group, Inc.

    300        21,339   

National Grid PLC

    16,377        235,776   

NiSource, Inc.

    1,105        43,471   

PG&E Corp.

    1,625        78,033   

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    1,855        75,665   

RWE AG

    2,185        93,710   

SCANA Corp.

    495        26,636   

Sempra Energy

    860        90,051   

Suez Environnement Co.

    1,324        25,328   

TECO Energy, Inc.

    725        13,398   

United Utilities Group PLC

    2,853        43,052   

Veolia Environnement SA

    1,552        29,567   

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

    800        37,536   
   

 

 

 
      1,682,545   
   

 

 

 

WATER UTILITIES–0.0%

   

Severn Trent PLC

    1,196        39,537   
   

 

 

 
      4,345,850   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $96,659,602)

   

 

126,246,930

  

   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

GOVERNMENTS–
TREASURIES–21.0%

   

UNITED STATES–21.0%

   

U.S. Treasury Bonds

   

2.75%, 8/15/42

  $      775        693,141   

2.875%, 5/15/43

    155        141,631   

3.125%, 11/15/41-2/15/43

    2,825        2,727,161   

3.50%, 2/15/39

    358        373,551   

3.625%, 8/15/43

    1,735        1,832,594   

3.75%, 8/15/41

    220        238,975   

3.875%, 8/15/40

    280        310,625   

4.25%, 5/15/39

    240        281,813   

4.375%, 11/15/39-5/15/41

    1,258        1,507,754   

4.50%, 8/15/39

    220        268,159   

4.75%, 2/15/37-2/15/41

    401        508,011   

5.375%, 2/15/31

    650        853,430   

6.00%, 2/15/26

    762        1,018,460   

6.25%, 8/15/23-5/15/30

    724        1,016,314   

6.875%, 8/15/25

    325        460,434   

7.25%, 5/15/16-8/15/22

    4,093        4,804,908   

7.50%, 11/15/16

    92        106,950   

7.625%, 2/15/25

    55        81,228   

8.00%, 11/15/21

    123        172,267   

U.S. Treasury Notes

   

0.375%, 1/31/16

    2,397        2,400,464   

0.50%, 7/31/17

    1,540        1,519,667   

0.75%, 2/28/18-3/31/18

    5,625        5,531,415   

0.875%, 11/30/16-4/30/17

    2,315        2,324,650   

1.00%, 9/30/16-5/31/18

    5,855        5,851,112   

1.25%, 8/31/15-4/30/19

    7,249        7,183,501   

1.375%, 11/30/15-2/28/19

    15,232        15,369,159   

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
   

1.625%, 8/15/22-11/15/22

  $     2,090      $ 1,979,188   

1.75%, 7/31/15-5/15/23

    6,700        6,693,746   

1.875%, 10/31/17

    1,100        1,130,507   

2.00%, 4/30/16-2/15/23

    3,760        3,711,050   

2.125%, 12/31/15-8/15/21

    825        836,319   

2.25%, 11/30/17

    584        606,949   

2.375%, 7/31/17

    416        433,952   

2.50%, 8/15/23-5/15/24

    1,924        1,932,348   

2.625%, 1/31/18-11/15/20

    2,010        2,099,972   

2.75%, 5/31/17-11/15/23

    2,875        3,029,087   

3.00%, 2/28/17

    889        942,063   

3.125%, 10/31/16-5/15/21

    1,111        1,180,543   

3.25%, 7/31/16

    1,147        1,212,684   

3.375%, 11/15/19

    1,055        1,146,323   

3.625%, 2/15/20-2/15/21

    1,425        1,567,596   

3.75%, 11/15/18

    6,205        6,825,016   
   

 

 

 

Total Governments–Treasuries
(cost $93,406,444)

      92,904,717   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–11.5%

   

FUNDS AND INVESTMENT
TRUSTS–11.5%

   

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    97,380        5,034,546   

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

    40,137        2,744,167   

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

    174,155        34,085,616   

Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF

    17,440        2,069,605   

Vanguard REIT ETF

    66,761        4,996,393   

Vanguard Small-Cap ETF

    16,580        1,941,850   
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies
(cost $47,453,766)

      50,872,177   
   

 

 

 

RIGHTS–0.0%

   

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.0%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.0%

   

HKT Trust and HKT Ltd., expiring 7/15/14(b)
(cost $0)

    3,399        1,004   
   

 

 

 
   

WARRANTS–0.0%

   

FINANCIALS–0.0%

   

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.0%

   

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd., expiring 4/22/16(b)
(cost $0)

    583      $ 761   
   

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–37.2%

   

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–37.2%

   

AllianceBernstein Fixed-Income Shares, Inc.–Government STIF Portfolio, 0.07%(c)(d)
(Cost $164,673,179)

    164,673,179        164,673,179   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities
Loaned–98.2%
(cost $402,192,991)

      434,698,768   
   

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES
LOANED–0.3%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–SEC LENDING–0.3%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(d)
(Cost $1,271,932)

    1,271,932        1,271,932   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.5%
(cost $403,464,923)

      435,970,700   

Other assets less
liabilities–1.5%

      6,587,721   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 442,558,421   
   

 

 

 

FUTURES (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
    

Expiration

Month

  

Original

Value

    

Value at
June 30,

2014

     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Purchased Contracts

              

Euro STOXX 50 Index Futures

     621       September 2014    $   27,736,876       $   27,482,843         $  (254,033

FTSE 100 Index Futures

     83       September 2014      9,523,814         9,532,719         8,905   

MSCI EAFE Mini Futures

     4       September 2014      393,071         393,780         709   

Russell 2000 Mini Futures

     91       September 2014      10,643,529         10,831,730         188,201   

S&P 500 E Mini Futures

     5       September 2014      486,276         488,100         1,824   

 

19


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
    

Expiration

Month

    

Original

Value

    

Value at
June 30,

2014

     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

TOPIX Index Futures

     124         September 2014       $   15,170,903       $   15,453,334       $ 282,431   

U.S. T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures

     143         September 2014         17,873,235         17,899,578         26,343   

U.S. Ultra Bond (CBT) Futures

     44         September 2014         6,483,534         6,597,250         113,716   

Sold Contracts

              

Hang Seng Index Futures

     16         July 2014         2,348,209         2,384,806         (36,597

SPI 200 Futures

     9         September 2014         1,143,795         1,135,924         7,871   
              

 

 

 
               $   339,370   
              

 

 

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Counterparty & Description   

Contract
Amount

(000)

    

U.S. $

Value on
Origination Date

    

U.S. $

Value at
June 30, 2014

     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Barclays Bank PLC Wholesale

   USD   2,073       EUR  1,516         9/17/14       $   3,919   

Barclays Bank PLC Wholesale

   USD 792       SEK 5,306         9/17/14         1,872   

Barclays Bank PLC Wholesale

   CHF 4,057       USD 4,544         9/17/14         (34,243

BNP Paribas SA

   AUD 1,098       USD 1,025         9/17/14         (4,607

BNP Paribas SA

   JPY 449,544       USD 4,414         9/17/14         (26,384

Citibank, NA

   USD 579       AUD 623         9/17/14         4,847   

Credit Suisse International

   USD 6,817       GBP 4,071         9/17/14         145,822   

HSBC Bank USA

   USD 188       CAD 206         9/17/14         4,252   

HSBC Bank USA

   USD 2,295       JPY 234,860         9/17/14         24,569   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

   USD 544       GBP 324         9/17/14         10,052   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

   USD 458       SEK 3,042         9/17/14         (3,368

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   CAD 206       USD 193         9/17/14         105   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 10,091       EUR 7,446         9/17/14         107,404   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   EUR 896       USD 1,219         9/17/14         (8,427

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 466       GBP 276         9/17/14         6,189   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 3,369       CHF 3,027         9/17/14         46,452   
           

 

 

 
            $   278,454   
           

 

 

 

CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS(see Note D)

 

Clearing Broker/
(Exchange) &
Referenced
Obligation
   Fixed
Rate
(Pay)
Receive
     Implied
Credit
Spread at
June 30,
2014
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Market
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts

              

Morgan Stanely & Co., LLC/(INTRCONX):

              

CDX-NAHY Series 22, 5 Year Index, 06/20/19*

     (5.00 )%       3.00    $ 12,474       $ (1,103,048    $ (71,353

ITRAXX-XOVER Series 21, 5 Year Index, 06/20/2019*

     (5.00      2.41       EUR 6,060         (981,005      (6,405

Sale Contracts

              

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc./(INTRCONX):

              

CDX-NAHY Series 22, 5 Year Index, 06/20/19*

     5.00         3.00       $ 12,474             1,103,048         257,358   

ITRAXX-XOVER Series 21, 5 Year Index, 06/20/2019*

     5.00         2.41       EUR 6,060         981,005         125,301   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ –0 –     $   304,901   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Termination date

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

TOTAL RETURN SWAPS (see Note D)

 

Receive/Pay
Total
Return on
Reference
Index
  Index   # of Shares
or Units
    Rate Paid
by the
Fund
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Maturity
Date
    Counterparty   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Receive Total Return on Reference Index

  

       

Receive

  MSCI AC Far East Ex Japan Index     6,741        0.43   $   2,471        10/15/14      Bank of
America,
NA
  $ 24,898   

Receive

  MSCI AC Far East Ex Japan Index     8,220        0.38     3,013        11/17/14      Bank of
America,
NA
    30,411   

Receive

  MSCI AC Far East Ex Japan Index     6,978        0.49     2,557        12/15/14      Bank of
America,
NA
    25,718   

Receive

  Russell 2000 Total Return Index     109        0.00     595        10/15/14      Bank of
America,
NA
    13,843   

Receive

  SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust     24,205        0.42     4,703        6/15/15      Bank of
America,
NA
    33,953   

Receive

  SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust     30,853        0.42     5,994        6/15/15      Bank of
America,
NA
    43,282   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index

    292        0.53     1,182        7/15/14      Deutsche
Bank AG
London
    21,982   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index

    256        0.56     1,036        8/15/14      Deutsche
Bank AG
London
    19,261   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index

    18        0.66     73        10/15/14      Deutsche
Bank AG
London
    1,352   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index

    181        0.66     733        10/15/14      Deutsche
Bank AG
London
    13,594   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed xUS Net Total Return Index

    1,246        0.55     4,514        5/15/15      Deutsche
Bank AG
London
    78,348   

Receive

  Russell 2000 Total Return Index     441        1.00     2,319        8/25/14      Goldman
Sachs
International
    146,177   

Receive

  Standard and Poor’s Midcap 400 Index     1,203        1.00     2,301        8/25/14      Goldman
Sachs
International
    112,374   

Receive

  Standard and Poor’s Midcap 400 Index     426        0.35     840        9/15/14      Goldman
Sachs
International
    14,137   

 

21


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Receive/Pay
Total
Return on
Reference
Index
  Index   # of Shares
or Units
    Rate Paid
by the
Fund
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Maturity
Date
    Counterparty   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Receive Total Return on Reference Index (continued)

  

       

Receive

  Standard and Poor’s Midcap 400 Index     7,247        0.37   $   14,221        3/16/15      Goldman
Sachs
International
  $ 313,302   

Receive

  Russell 2000 Total Return Index     140        1.00     763        9/15/14      UBS AG     19,768   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index

    132        0.65     534        10/15/14      UBS AG     9,916   

Receive

  Russell 2000 Total Return Index     65        0.04     355        10/15/14      UBS AG     8,255   

Receive

  Russell 2000 Total Return Index     487        1.00     2,660        3/16/15      UBS AG     61,923   

Receive

  Russell 2000 Total Return Index     30        1.00     164        4/15/15      UBS AG     3,814   
             

 

 

 
              $ 996,308   
             

 

 

 

 

 

*   Termination date

 

(a)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(b)   Non-income producing security.

 

(c)   To obtain a copy of the fund’s financial statements, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

 

(d)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Currency Abbreviation:

AUD—Australian Dollar

CAD—Canadian Dollar

CHF—Swiss Franc

EUR—Euro

GBP—Great British Pound

JPY—Japanese Yen

SEK—Swedish Krona

USD—United States Dollar

Glossary:

AC—All Country

CBT—Chicago Board of Trade

CDX-NAHY—North American High Yield Credit Default Swap Index

EAFE—Europe, Australia, and Far East

EPRA—European Public Real Estate Association

ETF—Exchange Traded Fund

FTSE—Financial Times Stock Exchange

INTRCONX—Inter-Continental Exchange

MSCI—Morgan Stanley Capital International

NAREIT—National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts

REG—Registered Shares

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust

SPDR—Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipt

SPI—Share Price Index

TOPIX—Tokyo Price Index

See notes to financial statements.

 

22


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $237,519,812)

   $ 270,025,589 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $165,945,111—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned
of $1,271,932)

     165,945,111   

Cash

     65,736   

Due from broker

     5,397,240 (b) 

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $206,119)

     207,192   

Dividends and interest receivable

     1,064,484   

Unrealized appreciation on total return swaps

     996,308   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     941,997   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     575,610   

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     355,483   

Receivable for variation margin on futures

     279,734   

Receivable for terminated centrally cleared interest rate swaps

     30   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     445,854,514   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     1,284,917   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     1,260,754   

Advisory fee payable

     242,695   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     204,769   

Distribution fee payable

     86,610   

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     77,029   

Administrative fee payable

     28,292   

Collateral due to Securities Lending Agent

     11,178   

Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared credit default swaps

     9,789   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     211   

Accrued expenses

     89,849   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,296,093   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 442,558,421   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 36,372   

Additional paid-in capital

     383,701,210   

Undistributed net investment income

     1,944,217   

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     22,448,276   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     34,428,346   
  

 

 

 
   $ 442,558,421   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $ 292,375           23,889         $ 12.24   

B

     $   442,266,046           36,348,380         $   12.17   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $1,216,005 (see Note E).

 

(b)   Represents amount on deposit at the broker as collateral for open derivative contracts.

See notes to financial statements.

 

23


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $118,589)

   $ 2,748,940   

Affiliated issuers

     56,444   

Interest

     578,909   

Securities lending income

     38,489   
  

 

 

 
     3,422,782   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,424,416   

Distribution fee—Class B

     508,303   

Transfer agency—Class A

     2   

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,590   

Custodian

     148,098   

Audit

     28,245   

Administrative

     27,136   

Legal

     16,795   

Printing

     13,582   

Directors’ fees

     2,299   

Miscellaneous

     44,462   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     2,215,928   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,206,854   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     (946,648

Futures

     6,422,532   

Options written

     58,682   

Swaps

     2,196,481   

Foreign currency transactions

     (305,290

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     9,741,931   

Futures

     (1,855,914

Swaps

     868,438   

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     127,920   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     16,308,132   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 17,514,986   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

24


 
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,206,854      $ 160,080   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     7,425,757        16,052,363   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     8,882,375        17,264,985   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     17,514,986        33,477,428   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (813

Class B

     –0 –      (815,668

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     –0 –      (794

Class B

     –0 –      (1,125,059

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     37,255,538        135,563,246   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase

     54,770,524        167,098,340   

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     387,787,897        220,689,557   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,944,217 and $737,363, respectively)

   $ 442,558,421      $ 387,787,897   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

25


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to maximize total return consistent with the Adviser’s determination of reasonable risk. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Fair Value Measurements

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.

Options and warrants 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 or a warrant depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the option or warrant 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 or warrants 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 and warrants 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, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.

 

27


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein 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, 2014:

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Investments in Securities:

        

Assets:

        

Common Stocks:

        

Financials

   $ 10,570,695      $ 15,269,201      $ 39,887      $ 25,879,783   

Health Care

     8,585,043        6,522,363        –0 –      15,107,406   

Consumer Discretionary

     7,897,251        7,191,162        –0 –      15,088,413   

Information Technology

     12,162,381        2,723,307        –0 –      14,885,688   

Industrials

     6,857,471        7,822,812        –0 –      14,680,283   

Consumer Staples

     6,294,735        6,721,574        –0 –      13,016,309   

Energy

     7,014,007        4,467,784        –0 –      11,481,791   

Materials

     2,291,161        4,846,389        –0 –      7,137,550   

Telecommunication Services

     1,640,402        2,983,455        –0 –      4,623,857   

Utilities

     2,112,222        2,233,628        –0 –      4,345,850   

Governments—Treasuries

     –0 –      92,904,717        –0 –      92,904,717   

Investment Companies

     50,872,177        –0 –      –0 –      50,872,177   

Rights

     –0 –      –0 –      1,004        1,004   

Warrants

     761        –0 –      –0 –      761   

Short-Term Investments

     164,673,179        –0 –      –0 –      164,673,179   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

     1,271,932        –0 –      –0 –      1,271,932   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

     282,243,417        153,686,392        40,891        435,970,700   

Other Financial Instruments* :

        

Assets:

        

Futures

     330,793        299,207        –0 –      630,000

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     –0 –      355,483        –0 –      355,483   

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps

     –0 –      382,659        –0 –      382,659

Total Return Swaps

     –0 –      996,308        –0 –      996,308   

Liabilities:

        

Futures

     –0 –      (290,630     –0 –      (290,630 )# 

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     –0 –      (77,029     –0 –      (77,029

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps

     –0 –      (77,758     –0 –      (77,758 )# 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total+

   $ 282,574,210      $ 155,274,632      $ 40,891      $ 437,889,733   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

#   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of exchange-traded derivatives as reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

+   There were de minimis transfers under 1% of net assets between Level 1 and Level 2 during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value.

 

     Common Stocks     Rights     Total  

Balance as of 12/31/13

   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ –0 – 

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Realized gain (loss)

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     6,901        1,004        7,905   

 

28


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Common Stocks     Rights     Total  

Purchases

   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ –0 – 

Sales

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers in to Level 3

     32,986        –0 –      32,986   

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 6/30/14

   $ 39,887      $ 1,004      $ 40,891   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from Investments held as of 6/30/14 *

   $ 6,901      $ 1,004      $ 7,905   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations.

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

29


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 (all years since inception of the Portfolio) 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 .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 to .85% and 1.10% of daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. This fee waiver and/or reimbursement will remain in effect until May 1, 2015 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, there was no such reimbursement. Under the agreement, fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser were subject to repayment by the Fund until April 1, 2014. No repayment would have been made that would have caused the Portfolio’s total annualized operating expenses to exceed the net fee percentage set forth above or would exceed the amount of offering expenses as recorded by the Portfolio on or before April 1, 2012. No repayments were made under this provision.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $27,136.

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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

The Portfolio may invest in the AllianceBernstein Fixed-Income Shares, Inc.—Government STIF Portfolio (“Government STIF Portfolio”), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. The Government STIF Portfolio is offered as a cash management option to mutual funds and other institutional accounts of the Adviser, and is not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The Government STIF Portfolio pays no investment management fees but does bear its own expenses. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of the Government STIF Portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

   

Dividend

Income

(000)

 
$ 143,078      $ 80,373      $ 58,778      $ 164,673      $ 56   

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $34,621, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

30


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board 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, 2014 were as follows:

 

       Purchases        Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 62,853,577         $ 41,812,923   

U.S. government securities

       17,103,123           15,584,157   

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures, foreign currency and swap transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 34,621,609   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (2,115,832
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 32,505,777   
  

 

 

 

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:

 

   

Futures

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 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

 

31


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014, 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Option Transactions

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 and over-the-counter markets. Among other things, the Portfolio may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.

The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

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

 

32


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio held purchased options for hedging purposes. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio held written options for hedging purposes.

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had the following transactions in written options:

 

     Number of
Contracts
     Premiums
Received
 

Options written outstanding as of 12/31/13

     –0 –     $ –0 – 

Options written

     33,600         364,632   

Options expired

     –0 –       –0 – 

Options bought back

     (33,600      (364,632

Options exercised

     –0 –       –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options written outstanding as of 6/30/14

     –0 –     $ –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   

Swaps

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, including by making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” or in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset described below under “Total Return Swaps”. A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the 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 are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.

Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

At the time the Portfolio enters into a centrally cleared swap, 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

 

33


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

shown as 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 swaps is generally less than privately negotiated swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded 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, 2014, the Portfolio held interest rate swaps for 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.

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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio held credit default swaps for non-hedging purposes.

Implied credit spreads 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

 

34


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had Sale Contracts outstanding with Maximum Payout Amounts aggregating $20,771,960, with net unrealized appreciation of $382,659, and terms of less than 5 years, as reflected in the portfolio of investments.

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 reference obligation with the same counterparty. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio did not have Buy Contracts outstanding with respect to the same referenced obligation and same counterparty for its Sales Contracts outstanding.

Total Return Swaps:

The Portfolio may enter into total return swaps in order 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, 2014, the Portfolio held total return swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar master agreements (collectively, “Master Agreements”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to 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 counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s 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.

Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as exchange-traded derivative transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Portfolio and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party. In the event of a default by a Master Agreements 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 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 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. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $59,443. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2014, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $59,443 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

 

35


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

At June 30, 2014, 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    $ 140,059     

Equity contracts

   Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures      489,941   Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures    $ 290,630

Foreign exchange contracts

   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts      355,483      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts      77,029   

Credit contracts

   Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared credit default swaps      382,659   Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared credit default swaps      77,758

Equity contracts

   Unrealized appreciation on total return swaps      996,308        
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

      $ 2,364,450         $ 445,417   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

*   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of exchange-traded derivatives as reported in the portfolio of investments.

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   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    $ 1,034,798      $ 521,235   

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures      5,387,734        (2,377,149

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities      (375,952     126,329   

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments      (171,126     (103,983

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments      (847,236     –0 – 

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on options written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of options written      58,682        –0 – 

 

36


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps    $ 122,850      $ 137,657   

Credit contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps      (31,069     304,901   

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps      2,104,700        425,880   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ 7,283,381      $ (965,130
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table represents the volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Futures:

  

Average original value of buy contracts

   $ 96,379,063   

Average original value of sale contracts

   $ 1,878,019   
  

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts:

  

Average principal amount of buy contracts

   $ 23,417,650   

Average principal amount of sale contracts

   $ 10,353,288   
  

Purchased Options:

  

Average monthly cost

   $ 467,758 (a) 
  

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 6,250,000 (b) 
  

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps:

  

Average notional amount of buy contracts

   $ 20,771,960 (c) 

Average notional amount of sale contracts

   $ 20,753,324 (d) 
  

Total Return Swaps:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 27,499,601   

 

(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 months during the period.

 

(d)   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.

 

37


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

All derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/ pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2014:

 

Counterparty

   Derivative
Assets

Subject to MA
     Derivative
Available
for Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Received
    Securities
Collateral
Received
    Net Amount  of
Derivatives
Assets
 

Bank of America, NA

   $ 172,105       $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ (172,105   $ –0 – 

Barclays Bank PLC

     5,791         (5,791     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Citibank, NA

     4,847         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      4,847   

Credit Suisse International

     145,822         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      145,822   

Deutsche Bank AG London

     134,537         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      134,537   

Goldman Sachs International

     585,990         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      585,990   

HSBC Bank USA

     28,821         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      28,821   

Exchange-Traded Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC*

     2,098,466         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      2,098,466   

Exchange-Traded Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.*

     279,734         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      279,734   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     10,052         (3,368     –0 –      –0 –      6,684   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     160,150         (8,427     –0 –      –0 –      151,723   

UBS AG

     103,676         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      103,676   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $   3,729,991       $   (17,586   $ –0 –    $   (172,105   $   3,540,300   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Counterparty

   Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to a MA
     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Pledged
    Securities
Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount of
Derivatives
Liabilities
 

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 34,243       $ (5,791   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 28,452   

BNP Paribas SA

     30,991         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      30,991   

Exchange-Traded Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.*

     2,108,255         –0 –      (885,738     –0 –      1,222,517   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     3,368         (3,368     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     8,427         (8,427     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,185,284       $ (17,586   $   (885,738   $ –0 –    $ 1,281,960   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   Cash has been posted for initial margin requirements for exchange-traded derivatives outstanding at June 30, 2014.

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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

 

38


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $1,216,005 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $1,271,932. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $38,489 and $734 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 1,054      $ 49,639      $ 49,421      $ 1,272   

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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    15,224        21,276        $ 179,379      $ 239,297   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      138          –0 –      1,526   

Shares redeemed

    (14,230     (1,016       (171,567     (11,385
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    994        20,398        $ 7,812      $ 229,438   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    5,346,291        15,088,582        $ 62,876,392      $ 168,096,951   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      175,631          –0 –      1,940,727   

Shares redeemed

    (2,177,378     (3,121,224       (25,628,666     (34,703,870
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    3,168,913        12,142,989        $ 37,247,726      $ 135,333,808   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

 

39


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

ETF Risk—ETFs are investment companies. When the Portfolio invests in an ETF, the Portfolio bears its share of the ETFs expenses and runs the risk that the ETF may not achieve its investment objectives.

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 in 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 $140 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, 2014.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

       2013        2012  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 1,548,285         $ 308,471   

Net long-term capital gains

       394,049           –0 – 
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

     $ 1,942,334         $ 308,471   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 10,229,636   

Undistributed net capital gain

     8,039,709   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (21,594 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     23,072,425 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 41,320,176 (c) 
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had cumulative deferred losses on straddles of $21,594.

 

(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 and passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), return of capital distributions received from underlying securities, and the realization for tax purposes of 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 amortization of offering costs and the tax deferral of dividend income from real estate investment trust (REIT) securities.

 

 

40


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

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.

 

41


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     April 1, 2011(a) to
December 31,

2011
 
      2013     2012    

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.74        $10.53        $9.75        $10.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       

Income From Investment Operations

       

Net investment income (loss) (b)

    .05        .03 (c)      (.01) (c)      .03 (c) 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .45        1.26        .81        (.28)   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .50        1.29        .80        (.25)   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       

Less: Dividends and Distributions

       

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.04)        (.01)        –0 – 

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (.04)        (.01)        –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.08)        (.02)        –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $12.24        $11.74        $10.53        $9.75   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

    4.26     12.31     8.22     (2.50)
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $292        $269        $27        $9,742   

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    .84 %^      .85     .85     .85 %^ 

Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements

    .84 %^      .89     1.22     2.53 %^ 

Net investment income (loss)

    .83 %^      .31 %(c)      (.14) %(c)      .36 %(c)^ 

Portfolio turnover rate

    22     52     51     68

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 43.

 

42


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     April 1, 2011(a) to
December 31,

2011
 
      2013     2012    

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.68        $10.49        $9.74        $10.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       

Income From Investment Operations

       

Net investment income (b)

    .03        .01 (c)      .01 (c)      .06 (c) 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .46        1.25        .76        (.32
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .49        1.26        .77        (.26
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       

Less: Dividends and Distributions

       

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.03     (.01     –0 – 

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (.04     (.01     –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.07     (.02     –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $12.17        $11.68        $10.49        $9.74   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

    4.19     12.04     7.90     (2.60 )% 
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $442,266        $387,519        $220,663        $51,687   

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    1.09 %^      1.10     1.10     1.10 %^ 

Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements

    1.09 %^      1.14     1.29     2.45 %^ 

Net investment income

    .59 %^      .05 %(c)      .12 %(c)      1.02 %(c)^ 

Portfolio turnover rate

    22     52     51     68

 

 

 

(a)   Commencement of operations.

 

(b)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c)   Net of fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser.

 

(d)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

^   Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

43


 
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2,3 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by the August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Management fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Management fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the Assurance of Discontinuance between the NYAG and the Adviser. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

06/30/13

($MM)

       Advisory Fee

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

   $ 278.1         0.70% of Average Daily Net Assets

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $49,297 (0.035% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the

 

1   The information in the fee evaluation was completed on July 25, 2013 and discussed with the Board of Directors on August 6-8, 2013.

 

2  

Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3  

The Portfolio commenced operation on April 1, 2011.

 

44


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio’s current fiscal year. The agreement for such reimbursement is terminable by the Adviser upon at least 60 days’ notice prior to the Portfolio’s prospectus update. Set forth below are the Portfolio’s gross expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio   Expense Cap Pursuant
to Expense Limitation
Undertaking
  Gross
Expense
Ratio
(12/31/12)
    Fiscal Year End

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

  Class A     0.85%     1.22%      December 31
  Class B     1.10%     1.29%     

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed by the Portfolio for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on June 30, 2013 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

6/30/13

($MM)

    

AllianceBernstein

Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

  

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

   $ 278.1      

Dynamic Balanced

0.50% on 1st $500 million

0.40% on the balance

Minimum Account Size: $250m

   0.400%    0.700%

  

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

45


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser manages AllianceBernstein Dynamic All Market Fund—(“Dynamic All Market Fund”), a retail mutual fund which has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. The advisory fee schedule of Dynamic All Market Fund is set forth below.

 

Portfolio      AB Fund   Fee Schedule

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

     Dynamic All Market Fund   0.60% (flat fee)

The Adviser manages the Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. Overlay Portfolios (the “Overlay Portfolios”), which utilize the Adviser’s dynamic asset allocation strategy. Unlike the Portfolio, the Overlay Portfolios are not designed as stand-alone investments and are used in conjunction with globally diversified Private Client portfolios.6 The advisory fee schedules of the Overlay Portfolios are set forth below.

 

Portfolio      Overlay Portfolio   Fee7

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

    

Overlay A Portfolio

Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

  0.90% (flat rate)
    

Overlay B Portfolio

Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

Tax-Aware Overlay C Portfolio

Tax-Aware Overlay N Portfolio

  0.65% (flat rate)

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for the sub-advisory relationship that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown is the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to the Portfolio based on June 30, 2013 net assets.

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee

    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

  Client # 1  

0.40% on 1st $250 million

0.35% on next $250 million

0.325% on next $500 million

0.30% on the balance

    0.395%        0.700%   
  Client # 2  

0.40% on first $100 million

0.35% on next $100 million

0.30% on the balance

    0.354%        0.700%   
  Client # 38  

0.35% on first $400 million

0.30% on the balance

    0.350%        0.700%   
  Client # 4  

0.18% on first $500 million

0.15% on next $1 billion

0.12% on the balance

    0.180%        0.700%   

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s length bargaining or negotiations.

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationship is paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such a lower fee due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors

 

6   Overlay A Portfolio and Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio are intended for use in Private Client accounts that have a higher equity weighting. The other Overlay Portfolios are intended for use in Private Client accounts that have a higher fixed income weighting. The Overlay Portfolios will gain exposure to various asset classes through direct investments in equity and debt securities as well as derivatives.

 

7   The advisory fees of each Overlay Portfolio are based on the percentage of each portfolio’s average daily net assets, not an aggregate of the assets in the portfolios shown.

 

8   The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

46


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationship. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management, generally required by a registered investment company.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.9 Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s contractual management fee10 estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”).11

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee12
    

Lipper

EG
Median (%)

    

Lipper
EG

Rank

 

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

     0.700         0.700         4/7   

Lipper also compared the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio to the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.13

 

Portfolio   

Total

Expense

Ratio (%)14

    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper
EG

Rank

    

Lipper

EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EU

Rank

 

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

     0.856         0.730         5/7         0.734         6/9   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a contractual management fee basis than on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior

Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

 

9   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

10   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

11   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. In addition, there are limitations in Lipper’s expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

12   The contractual management fee would not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waivers for expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

13   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

14   Most recently completed fiscal year Class A total expense ratio.

 

47


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio was positive for calendar year 2012.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter and distributor, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, ABI received $347,719 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $901,573 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of approximately $1,385 from the Portfolio.15

The Portfolio did not effect any brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009,

 

15   The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2010.

 

48


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously, in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli16 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.17 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.18 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $435 billion as of June 30, 2013, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1 year net performance ranking and return19 of the Portfolio relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)20 for the periods ended May 31, 2013.21

 

Portfolio   Portfolio
Return (%)
   

PG

Median (%)

   

PU

Median (%)

   

PG

Rank

   

PU

Rank

 

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

         

1 year

    13.82        16.78        16.64        6/7        7/9   

Set forth below are the 1 year and since inception net performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold) versus its benchmark for the periods ended May 31, 2013.22

 

      Periods Ending May 31, 2013
Annualized Net Performance (%)
 
     

1

Year

(%)

      

Since-

Inception

(%)

 

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

     13.82           5.13   

60% MSCI World Index / 40% Barclay’s Capital U.S. Treasury

     15.56           6.48   

MSCI World Index

     27.77           6.87   

Barclay’s Capital U.S. Treasury

     –0.89           4.96   

Inception Date: April 1, 2011

       

 

  

 

16   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

17   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

18   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

19   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The performance return of the Portfolio shown was provided by Lipper.

 

20   The Portfolio’s PG/PU is identical to the Portfolio’s EG/EU.

 

21   The current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

22   The performance returns shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The performance returns for the Portfolio and the benchmark were provided by the Adviser.

 

49


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. However, the Senior Officer recommended that the Directors discuss with the Adviser the proposed advisory fee schedule of the Portfolio, which lack potential for sharing economies of scale through breakpoints, should the Portfolio’s assets, which currently remain low, grow to a substantial level. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: September 5, 2013

 

50


 

 

 

VPS-DAA-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each 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, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,078.60       $   5.05         0.98

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.93       $ 4.91         0.98
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,077.30       $ 6.34         1.23

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,018.70       $ 6.16         1.23

 

 

 

*   Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Schlumberger Ltd.

   $ 3,109,162         2.2

Google, Inc.

     2,877,836         2.1   

Monsanto Co.

     2,594,592         1.9   

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

     2,561,049         1.8   

Visa, Inc.—Class A

     2,509,556         1.8   

Apple, Inc.

     2,485,413         1.8   

Noble Energy, Inc.

     2,381,895         1.7   

AIA Group Ltd.

     2,364,600         1.7   

Kroton Educacional SA

     2,352,769         1.7   

Roche Holding AG

     2,330,022         1.7   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $   25,566,894         18.4

SECTOR BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $ 34,066,169         24.6

Consumer Discretionary

     32,575,995         23.5   

Health Care

     21,460,746         15.5   

Consumer Staples

     14,180,206         10.2   

Financials

     13,485,540         9.7   

Energy

     12,941,968         9.3   

Industrials

     2,663,173         1.9   

Materials

     2,594,592         1.9   

Telecommunication Services

     1,669,314         1.2   

Short-Term Investments

     3,005,633         2.2   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   138,643,336         100.0

 

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector 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).

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


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY BREAKDOWN*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S.$ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $ 66,312,608           47.8

Switzerland

     8,301,430           6.0   

Hong Kong

     7,109,258           5.1   

Japan

     6,870,762           5.0   

United Kingdom

     5,628,882           4.1   

India

     4,608,087           3.3   

Netherlands

     3,613,569           2.6   

Brazil

     3,506,333           2.5   

France

     3,357,967           2.4   

Singapore

     3,183,757           2.3   

Russia

     2,579,028           1.9   

Italy

     2,488,231           1.8   

Austria

     2,386,173           1.7   

Other

     15,691,618           11.3   

Short-Term Investments

     3,005,633           2.2   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   138,643,336           100.0

 

 

 

*   All data are as of June 30, 2014. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represent 1.7% or less in the following countries: Belgium, China, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Sweden and Taiwan.

 

3


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–97.5%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–24.5%

   

COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT–2.3%

   

CalAmp Corp.(a)

    56,340      $ 1,220,324   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    24,200        1,916,640   
   

 

 

 
      3,136,964   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT,
INSTRUMENTS &
COMPONENTS–1.2%

    

 

InvenSense, Inc.(a)(b)

    75,705        1,717,747   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–6.3%

   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

    2,481        1,450,566   

Google, Inc.–Class C(a)

    2,481        1,427,270   

LinkedIn Corp.–Class A(a)

    9,657        1,655,886   

Tencent Holdings Ltd

    83,800        1,278,088   

Yandex NV–Class A(a)

    39,770        1,417,403   

Yelp, Inc.(a)

    20,476        1,570,099   
   

 

 

 
      8,799,312   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–2.7%

   

QIWI PLC (Sponsored ADR)

    28,803        1,161,625   

Visa, Inc.–Class A

    11,910        2,509,556   
   

 

 

 
      3,671,181   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–5.7%

   

ams AG

    7,390        1,226,638   

Avago Technologies Ltd.

    20,600        1,484,642   

MediaTek, Inc.

    117,000        1,979,088   

NVIDIA Corp.

    69,018        1,279,594   

NXP Semiconductor NV(a)

    29,970        1,983,415   
   

 

 

 
      7,953,377   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–3.8%

   

NetSuite, Inc.(a)

    16,469        1,430,827   

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

    23,342        1,355,703   

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)

    25,240        1,563,870   

Splunk, Inc.(a)

    17,778        983,657   
   

 

 

 
      5,334,057   
   

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE & PERIPHERALS–2.5%

   

Apple, Inc.

    26,745        2,485,413   

Silicon Graphics International Corp.(a)

    100,636        968,118   
   

 

 

 
      3,453,531   
   

 

 

 
      34,066,169   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–23.4%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–1.3%

  

 

Delphi Automotive PLC

    26,230        1,803,050   
   

 

 

 
   

AUTOMOBILES–4.2%

   

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    25,560      $ 1,785,366   

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    111,400        1,054,897   

Tata Motors Ltd.–Class A

    300,384        1,474,702   

Volkswagen AG (Preference Shares)

    6,106        1,599,263   
   

 

 

 
      5,914,228   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER
SERVICES–1.7%

   

Kroton Educacional SA

    83,900        2,352,769   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS &
LEISURE–2.9%

   

Alsea SAB de CV(a)

    105,585        379,662   

Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (ADR)

    56,630        2,022,257   

Yum! Brands, Inc.

    19,550        1,587,460   
   

 

 

 
      3,989,379   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG
RETAIL–3.7%

   

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    6,733        2,186,744   

JD.com, Inc. (ADR)(a)

    35,180        1,002,982   

Priceline Group, Inc. (The)(a)

    1,660        1,996,980   
   

 

 

 
      5,186,706   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–1.1%

   

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    17,740        1,521,028   
   

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL–1.6%

   

Lojas Renner SA

    36,000        1,153,564   

Matahari Department Store Tbk PT

    919,000        1,070,165   
   

 

 

 
      2,223,729   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.8%

   

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd.

    817,400        1,251,548   

Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

    3,900        1,284,775   
   

 

 

 
      2,536,323   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–5.1%

   

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

    24,440        2,561,049   

NIKE, Inc.–Class B

    26,330        2,041,891   

Prada SpA(b)

    137,200        974,990   

Samsonite International SA

    446,200        1,470,853   
   

 

 

 
      7,048,783   
   

 

 

 
      32,575,995   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–15.4%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–2.5%

   

Cepheid(a)

    38,507        1,846,026   

Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc.(a)

    32,118        1,711,568   
   

 

 

 
      3,557,594   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.9%

   

Elekta AB–Class B(b)

    73,740        936,564   

Essilor International SA

    15,680        1,661,703   
   

 

 

 
      2,598,267   
   

 

 

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.6%

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    26,590      $ 2,173,733   
   

 

 

 

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–1.4%

   

Illumina, Inc.(a)

    11,321        2,021,251   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–8.0%

   

Allergan, Inc./United States

    8,090        1,368,990   

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.

    52,210        1,468,044   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    34,830        1,689,603   

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

    9,368,000        1,311,401   

Perrigo Co. PLC

    9,830        1,432,821   

Roche Holding AG

    7,820        2,330,022   

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

    131,950        1,509,020   
   

 

 

 
      11,109,901   
   

 

 

 
      21,460,746   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–10.2%

   

BEVERAGES–3.0%

   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV

    17,500        2,010,755   

Diageo PLC

    65,590        2,088,980   
   

 

 

 
      4,099,735   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–4.8%

   

Danone SA

    22,812        1,696,264   

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.–Class A

    20,830        1,940,731   

Nestle SA

    21,360        1,655,120   

Universal Robina Corp.

    384,941        1,360,541   
   

 

 

 
      6,652,656   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.3%

   

Unicharm Corp.

    31,200        1,860,186   
   

 

 

 

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–1.1%

   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The)–Class A

    21,110        1,567,629   
   

 

 

 
      14,180,206   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIALS–9.7%

   

BANKS–2.0%

   

Credicorp Ltd.

    8,330        1,295,065   

UniCredit SpA

    180,980        1,513,241   
   

 

 

 
      2,808,306   
   

 

 

 

CAPITAL MARKETS–1.3%

   

UBS AG(a)

    95,810        1,755,239   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–2.3%

   

ING Groep NV(a)

    116,170        1,630,154   

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    8,490        1,603,761   
   

 

 

 
      3,233,915   
   

 

 

 
   

INSURANCE–1.7%

   

AIA Group Ltd.

    470,000      $ 2,364,600   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–1.2%

   

Global Logistic Properties Ltd.

    784,000        1,699,115   
   

 

 

 

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.2%

   

Housing Development Finance Corp.

    98,940        1,624,365   
   

 

 

 
      13,485,540   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–9.3%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–4.7%

   

CAT Oil AG

    45,240        1,159,535   

Oceaneering International, Inc.

    28,610        2,235,299   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    26,360        3,109,162   
   

 

 

 
      6,503,996   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–4.6%

   

BG Group PLC

    82,310        1,736,852   

Concho Resources, Inc.(a)

    16,050        2,319,225   

Noble Energy, Inc.

    30,750        2,381,895   
   

 

 

 
      6,437,972   
   

 

 

 
      12,941,968   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–1.9%

   

MACHINERY–1.9%

   

FANUC Corp.

    5,800        1,001,590   

Proto Labs, Inc.(a)

    20,283        1,661,583   
   

 

 

 
      2,663,173   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–1.9%

   

CHEMICALS–1.9%

   

Monsanto Co.

    20,800        2,594,592   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.2%

   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.2%

   

SoftBank Corp.

    22,400        1,669,314   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $108,475,654)

      135,637,703   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.1%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.1%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/01/14
(cost $3,005,633)

  $ 3,006        3,005,633   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–99.6%
(cost $111,481,287)

      138,643,336   
   

 

 

 

 

5


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES
LOANED–2.3%

   

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–2.3%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(c)
(cost $3,144,277)

    3,144,277      $ 3,144,277   
   

 

 

 
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value  
   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.9%
(cost $114,625,564)

    $ 141,787,613   

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.9)%

      (2,659,176
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 139,128,437   
   

 

 

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Counterparty    Contracts to
Deliver
(000)
     In Exchange
For
(000)
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

BNP Paribas SA

     AUD         532         USD         498         9/17/14       $ (800

BNP Paribas SA

     JPY         249,006         USD         2,457         9/17/14         (2,370

Citibank, NA

     USD         4,022         AUD         4,325         9/17/14         33,651   

Credit Suisse International

     CAD         1,022         USD         954         9/17/14         (1,515

Credit Suisse International

     RUB         22,654         USD         636         9/17/14         (19,812

Credit Suisse International

     USD         2,902         GBP         1,733         9/17/14         62,076   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     BRL         5,969         USD         2,710         7/02/14         8,586   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     USD         2,698         BRL         5,969         7/02/14         3,053   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     BRL         5,969         USD         2,674         8/04/14         (2,458

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     USD         777         BRL         1,726         8/04/14         (3,450

HSBC Bank USA

     BRL         5,969         USD         2,663         7/02/14         (38,924

HSBC Bank USA

     USD         2,710         BRL         5,969         7/02/14         (8,586

HSBC Bank USA

     HKD         43,636         USD         5,630         9/17/14         1,809   

HSBC Bank USA

     USD         5,133         CAD         5,611         9/17/14         115,803   

HSBC Bank USA

     USD         1,218         CHF         1,085         9/17/14         6,534   

HSBC Bank USA

     USD         2,433         JPY         249,006         9/17/14         26,048   

Standard Chartered Bank

     RUB         41,170         USD         1,173         9/17/14         (18,601

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     CHF         3,647         USD         4,061         9/17/14         (54,501

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     EUR         964         USD         1,315         9/17/14         (5,731

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     USD         3,702         EUR         2,733         9/17/14         41,556   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     USD         3,918         GBP         2,304         9/17/14         23,005   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     USD         340         SEK         2,283         9/17/14         1,025   

UBS AG

     USD         390         NOK         2,339         9/17/14         (9,601
                 

 

 

 
                  $     156,797   
                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Currency Abbreviations:

AUD—Australian Dollar

BRL—Brazilian Real

CAD—Canadian Dollar

CHF—Swiss Franc

EUR—Euro

GBP—Great British Pound

HKD—Hong Kong Dollar

JPY—Japanese Yen

NOK—Norwegian Krone

RUB—Russian Ruble

SEK—Swedish Krona

USD—United States Dollar

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $111,481,287)

   $ 138,643,336 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $3,144,277—investment of cash collateral for securities loaned)

     3,144,277   

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $344,175)

     345,050   

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     323,146   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     141,610   

Dividends and interest receivable

     128,908   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     142,726,327   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     3,144,277   

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     166,349   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     91,799   

Advisory fee payable

     81,065   

Administrative fee payable

     28,560   

Distribution fee payable

     20,561   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     211   

Accrued expenses

     65,068   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,597,890   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 139,128,437   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 6,357   

Additional paid-in capital

     162,567,429   

Undistributed net investment income

     59,837   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (50,825,440

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     27,320,254   
  

 

 

 
   $ 139,128,437   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class    Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

   $ 33,136,630           1,480,931         $   22.38   

B

   $   105,991,807           4,876,333         $ 21.74   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $3,098,004 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $63,683)

   $ 824,217   

Affiliated issuers

     912   

Interest

     101   

Securities lending income

     41,162   
  

 

 

 
     866,392   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     494,400   

Distribution fee—Class B

     125,180   

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,224   

Transfer agency—Class B

     3,866   

Custodian

     51,668   

Administrative

     27,041   

Printing

     24,593   

Audit

     18,429   

Legal

     15,587   

Directors’ fees

     2,298   

Miscellaneous

     5,676   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     769,962   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     96,430   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     9,840,541   

Foreign currency transactions

     (119,161

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (36,102

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     158,292   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     9,843,570   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 9,940,000   
  

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


 
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET  ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 96,430      $ 20,715   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     9,721,380        10,129,091   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     122,190        16,927,001   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     9,940,000        27,076,807   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (74,183

Class B

     –0 –      (19,394

Tax return of capital

    

Class A

     –0 –      (6,024

Class B

     –0 –      (1,575

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (4,394,654     (25,487,404
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase

     5,545,346        1,488,227   

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     133,583,091        132,094,864   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $59,837 and distributions in excess of net investment income of $(36,593), respectively)

   $ 139,128,437      $ 133,583,091   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), formerly AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio, is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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.

Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

2. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014:

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Investments in Securities:

        

Assets:

        

Common Stocks:

        

Information Technology

   $ 29,582,355      $ 4,483,814      $             –0 –    $ 34,066,169   

Consumer Discretionary

     19,833,753        12,742,242        –0 –      32,575,995   

Health Care

     12,243,992        9,216,754        –0 –      21,460,746   

Consumer Staples

     3,508,360        10,671,846        –0 –      14,180,206   

Financials

     4,654,065        8,831,475        –0 –      13,485,540   

Energy

     10,045,581        2,896,387        –0 –      12,941,968   

Industrials

     1,661,583        1,001,590        –0 –      2,663,173   

Materials

     2,594,592        –0 –      –0 –      2,594,592   

Telecommunication Services

     –0 –      1,669,314        –0 –      1,669,314   

Short-Term Investments

     –0 –      3,005,633        –0 –      3,005,633   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

     3,144,277        –0 –      –0 –      3,144,277   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

     87,268,558        54,519,055+        –0 –      141,787,613   

Other Financial Instruments*:

        

Assets:

        

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     –0 –      323,146        –0 –      323,146   

Liabilities:

        

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     –0 –      (166,349     –0 –      (166,349
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total^

   $ 87,268,558      $ 54,675,852      $ –0 –    $ 141,944,410   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

+   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.

 

^   There were de minimis transfers under 1% of net assets between Level 1 and Level 2 during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

11


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $27,041.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $60,313, of which $32 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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, 2014 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 38,008,598       $ 44,279,489   

U.S. government securities

       –0 –       –0 – 

 

13


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 28,512,180   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,350,131
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 27,162,049   
  

 

 

 

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 derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:

 

   

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, 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”) or similar master agreements (collectively, “Master Agreements”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to 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 counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s 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.

Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as exchange-traded derivative transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Portfolio and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party. In the event of a default by a Master Agreements 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 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 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. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $31,372. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2014, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $31,372 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

At June 30, 2014, 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 exchange contracts

  Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts    $ 323,146      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts    $ 166,349   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     $ 323,146         $ 166,349   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities    $ (176,695   $ 155,168   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (176,695   $ 155,168   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table represents the volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts:

  

Average principal amount of buy contracts

   $ 27,245,164   

Average principal amount of sale contracts

   $ 19,208,353   

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 derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/ pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2014:

 

Counterparty

   Derivative Assets
Subject to MA
     Derivative
Available
for Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Received
    Securities
Collateral
Received
    Net Amount of
Derivatives Assets
 

Citibank, NA

   $ 33,651       $ –0 –    $             –0 –    $             –0 –    $ 33,651   

Credit Suisse International

     62,076         (21,327     –0 –      –0 –      40,749   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     11,639         (5,908     –0 –      –0 –      5,731   

HSBC Bank USA

     150,194         (47,510     –0 –      –0 –      102,684   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     65,586         (60,232     –0 –      –0 –      5,354   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 323,146       $ (134,977   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 188,169   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Counterparty

   Derivative Liabilities
Subject to a MA
     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Pledged
    Securities
Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount of
Derivatives Liabilities
 

BNP Paribas SA

   $ 3,170       $ –0 –    $             –0 –    $             –0 –    $ 3,170   

Credit Suisse International

     21,327         (21,327     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     5,908         (5,908     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

HSBC Bank USA

     47,510         (47,510     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Standard Chartered Bank

     18,601         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      18,601   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     60,232         (60,232     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

UBS AG

     9,601               9,601   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $166,349       $ (134,977   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 31,372   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

15


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $3,098,004 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $3,144,277. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $41,162 and $912 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 1,350      $ 12,432      $ 10,638      $ 3,144   

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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    85,860        144,991        $ 1,816,012      $ 2,658,807   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      4,357          –0 –      80,207   

Shares redeemed

    (156,625     (980,306       (3,293,545     (18,090,881
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (70,765     (830,958     $ (1,477,533   $ (15,351,867
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    377,637        638,321        $ 7,814,077      $ 11,410,760   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      1,169          –0 –      20,969   

Shares redeemed

    (525,411     (1,208,972       (10,731,198     (21,567,266
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (147,774     (569,482     $ (2,917,121   $ (10,135,537
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may 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 in 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 $140 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, 2014.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

     2013      2012  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 93,577       $          –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

     93,577         –0 – 

Tax return of capital

     7,599         –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 101,176       $ –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (59,972,547 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     26,587,198 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (33,385,349
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $59,936,202. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $7,576,730 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains. At December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a qualified late-year ordinary loss deferral of $36,345 which is deemed to arise on January 1, 2014.

 

(b)   The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

 

17


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $59,936,202 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM
AMOUNT

  

LONG-TERM
AMOUNT

  

EXPIRATION

$28,312,496    n/a    2016
  18,800,560    n/a    2017
  10,133,887    $2,689,259    No expiration

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.

 

18


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six  Months
Ended
June 30,  2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.75        $16.88        $14.87        $19.47        $16.73        $10.90   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .03        .04        .13        .02        .12        .07   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    1.60        3.88        1.88        (4.52     2.98        5.76   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.63        3.92        2.01        (4.50     3.10        5.83   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.05     –0 –      (.10     (.36     –0 – 

Tax return of capital

    –0 –      (.00 )(b)      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.05     –0 –      (.10     (.36     –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $22.38        $20.75        $16.88        $14.87        $19.47        $16.73   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    7.86     23.26 %*      13.52 %*      (23.23 )%*      18.93 %*      53.49 %*† 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $33,136        $32,195        $40,231        $42,094        $66,302        $65,358   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .98 %^      .98     .99     .94     .99 %+      1.00

Net investment income

    .33 %^      .22     .83     .10     .69 %+      .52

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     96     152     163     117     215

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 20.

 

19


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six  Months
Ended
June 30,  2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.18        $16.42        $14.50        $18.99        $16.34        $10.67   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    .01        (.01     .09        (.03     .07        .04   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    1.55        3.77        1.83        (4.40     2.90        5.63   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.56        3.76        1.92        (4.43     2.97        5.67   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.00 )(b)      –0 –      (.06     (.32     –0 – 

Tax return of capital

    –0 –      (.00 )(b)      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.06     (.32     –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $21.74        $20.18        $16.42        $14.50        $18.99        $16.34   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    7.73     22.93 %*      13.24 %*      (23.41 )%*      18.58 %*      53.14 %*† 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $105,992        $101,388        $91,864        $99,084        $141,649        $141,536   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.23 %^      1.23     1.24     1.19     1.24 %+      1.25

Net investment income (loss)

    .09 %^      (.06 )%      .58     (.14 )%      .44 %+      .27

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     96     152     163     117     215

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Amount is less than $.005.

 

(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.

 

*   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, 2013December 31, 2012December 31, 2011December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by 0.05%, 0.07%, 0.04%, 0.04% and 0.15%, respectively.

 

  Includes the impact of reimbursements from the Adviser, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2009 by 0.01%.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

See notes to financial statements.

 

20


 
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio (formerly named AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio) (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-8, 2014.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee, in which the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Portfolio 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, will result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2012 and 2013 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of advisory contracts

 

21


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares; transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser; and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2014 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country (AC) World Index (Net) and the MSCI World Index (Net), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2014, and (in the case of comparisons with the MSCI World Index) the period since inception (January 1996 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3- and 5-year periods, and 3rd out of 3 of the Performance Group and in the 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the indices in the 1-year period and lagged them in all other periods. The directors also noted that at the February 2009 meetings, they had approved modifications to the Portfolio’s investment strategy and policies, including a new benchmark, the MSCI AC World Index, and a name change to AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio from AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio effective May 1, 2009. As a result, the directors gave less weight to the Portfolio’s investment performance prior to May 2009. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s recent performance was acceptable. The directors determined to continue to monitor the Portfolio’s performance closely.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the administrative expense reimbursement was 4.1 basis points in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year and that as a result the rate of compensation received by the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was higher than the Expense Group median.

The directors also considered the advisory fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule and the Portfolio’s fee schedule started at different rates and that the institutional fee schedule had breakpoints at lower asset levels. The application of the institutional fee schedule to the Portfolio’s net assets would result in a fee rate lower than the rate at the same asset level provided in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

same as that for its Corresponding Fund except that the Portfolio’s fee rate is a monthly fee based on average daily net assets whereas the Corresponding Fund’s fee rate is a quarterly fee based on net asset value at the end of each quarter.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The directors noted that because of the small number of funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category, Lipper had expanded the Portfolio’s Expense Group to include peers that had a similar (but not the same) Lipper investment objective/classification. The Portfolio’s Expense Universe had also been expanded by Lipper pursuant to Lipper’s standard guidelines. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s relatively small asset base of approximately $133 million impacted the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein 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 at the May 2014 meetings. 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 Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

23


 
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In Jones, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.

 

Portfolio   Category      Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

03/31/14

($MIL)

Global Thematic

Growth Portfolio

  Specialty     

0.75% on 1st $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

  $132.9

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $54,101 (0.041% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 25, 2014 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2014.

 

2   Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio   Total Expense Ratio   Fiscal Year  

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio

  Class A     0.98%     December 31   
  Class B    1.23%  

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2014 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein
Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio

   $132.9    Global Thematic Research Schedule      0.550      0.750
      0.80% on 1st $25m      
      0.60% on next $25m      
      0.50% on next $50m      
      0.40% on the balance      
      Minimum account size $25m      

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

25


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Fund, Inc. (“Global Thematic Growth Fund, Inc.), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of Global Thematic Growth Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
   Fee Schedule   

ABMF

Effective
Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio7

   Global Thematic
Growth Fund, Inc.
  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

     0.750      0.750

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the fees set forth for Thematic Research Growth Portfolio, a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio.

 

Fund    Fee8  

Thematic Research Growth Portfolio

Class A

     1.70

Class I (Institutional)

     0.90

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.9 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.10,11

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers. Consequently, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have a similar but not the same Lipper classification/objective as the Portfolio. However, because Lipper had expanded the Portfolio’s EG, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also

 

6   The retail mutual fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the retail mutual fund.

 

7   The advisory fees of AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Fund, Inc. are based on the mutual fund’s net assets at the end of each quarter and are paid to the Adviser quarterly, in contrast to the Portfolio, whose advisory fees are based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets and are paid on a monthly basis.

 

8   Class A shares of the fund are charged an “all-in” fee, which includes investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

9   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

10   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

11   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

expanded to include universes of those peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment objective/classification. A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment objective/classification as the subject portfolio.12

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee  (%)13
      

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

      

Lipper

EG

Rank

 

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio14

     0.750           0.754           4/10   

Set forth below is a comparison of the Portfolio’s total expense ratio and the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and EU. The Portfolio’s total expense ratio ranking is also shown in the table below.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)15

    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

    

Lipper

EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper
EU

Rank

 

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio16

     0.977         0.906         7/10         0.891         11/15   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a contractual management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2013, relative to 2012.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, ABI received $235,491 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $547,931 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

 

12   Except for asset size comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

13   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

14   The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, four other variable insurance product (“VIP”) Global Growth funds (“GLGE”) and five VIP Global Core funds (“GLCE”).

 

15   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

16   Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP GLGE and VIP GLCE funds, excluding outliers.

 

27


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2013 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2014 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.17

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.18,19 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.20 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared

 

17   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2013.

 

18   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

19   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

20   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

28


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $454 billion as of March 31, 2014, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio21 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)22 for the periods ended February 28, 2014.23

 

     Portfolio
(%)
    PG
Median (%)
    PU
Median (%)
    PG
Rank
    PU
Rank
 

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio24

         

1 year

    26.45        26.21        22.81        2/5        4/15   

3 year

    2.86        10.36        10.35        5/5        14/14   

5 year

    17.89        20.80        21.55        5/5        13/13   

10 year

    4.21        6.86        7.85        3/3        9/9   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)26 versus its benchmarks.27 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown28

 

     Periods Ending February 28, 2014
Annualized Performance
 
    

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

    10
Year
(%)
    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized     Risk
Period
(Year)
 
            Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
   

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio24

    26.45        2.86        17.89        4.21        5.35        20.62        0.89        5   

MSCI AC World Index

    18.16        8.35        19.58        6.87        N/A        16.36        1.17        5   

MSCI World (Net) Index25

    21.68        9.81        19.98        6.75        6.45        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Inception Date: January 11, 1996

               

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 5, 2014

 

21   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

22   The Portfolio’s PG/PU may not be identical to the Portfolio’s EG/EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PG/PU is somewhat different from that of an EG/EU.

 

23   The current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

24   The Portfolio’s Lipper classification changed in 2009 from VA Science/Technology Funds to VA Global Growth as a result of changes to the Portfolio’s strategy.

 

25   Benchmark since inception date is the nearest month end after the Portfolio’s inception date.

 

26   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

27   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 28, 2014.

 

28  

Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

29


 

 

 

VPS-GTG-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

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GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,042.20       $   5.37         1.06

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.54       $ 5.31         1.06
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,040.90       $ 6.63         1.31

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,018.30       $ 6.56         1.31

 

 

 

*   Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Google, Inc.

   $ 3,883,526         5.3

Apple, Inc.

     3,352,450         4.6   

Visa, Inc.—Class A

     2,800,336         3.8   

Allergan, Inc./United States

     2,551,838         3.5   

Comcast Corp.—Class A

     2,492,362         3.4   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     2,369,568         3.2   

Schlumberger Ltd.

     2,310,051         3.1   

Starbucks Corp.

     1,870,275         2.5   

Priceline Group, Inc. (The)

     1,804,500         2.5   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     1,798,185         2.4   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $   25,233,091         34.3

SECTOR BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $ 18,738,468         25.7

Consumer Discretionary

     16,778,558         23.0   

Health Care

     12,812,234         17.6   

Industrials

     8,491,127         11.6   

Consumer Staples

     7,699,046         10.5   

Energy

     4,063,195         5.6   

Financials

     3,443,775         4.7   

Materials

     934,303         1.3   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   72,960,706         100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   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 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


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–9.3%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–25.5%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.5%

   

F5 Networks, Inc.(a)

    10,230      $ 1,140,031   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.7%

   

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

    5,730        552,028   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–7.4%

   

CoStar Group, Inc.(a)

    2,590        409,661   

Facebook, Inc.–Class A(a)

    16,800        1,130,472   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

    3,472        2,029,974   

Google, Inc.–Class C(a)

    3,222        1,853,552   
   

 

 

 
      5,423,659   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–5.2%

   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.–Class A(a)

    20,980        1,026,132   

Visa, Inc.–Class A

    13,290        2,800,336   
   

 

 

 
      3,826,468   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.8%

   

NXP Semiconductor NV(a)

    8,470        560,545   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–5.3%

   

ANSYS, Inc.(a)

    12,260        929,553   

Aspen Technology, Inc.(a)

    19,180        889,952   

Concur Technologies, Inc.(a)

    5,810        542,305   

Informatica Corp.(a)

    17,730        632,075   

Tableau Software, Inc.–Class A(a)

    4,740        338,104   

Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (The)(a)

    3,990        551,298   
   

 

 

 
      3,883,287   
   

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE &
PERIPHERALS–4.6%

   

Apple, Inc.

    36,075        3,352,450   
   

 

 

 
      18,738,468   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–22.8%

   

AUTOMOBILES–1.1%

   

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    11,670        815,149   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.5%

   

Starbucks Corp.

    24,170        1,870,275   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG
RETAIL–3.9%

   

HSN, Inc.

    8,970        531,383   

Priceline Group, Inc. (The)(a)

    1,500        1,804,500   

TripAdvisor, Inc.(a)

    4,740        515,048   
   

 

 

 
      2,850,931   
   

 

 

 
   

LEISURE PRODUCTS–0.8%

   

Polaris Industries, Inc.

    4,270      $ 556,125   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–6.5%

   

AMC Networks, Inc.–Class A(a)

    7,359        452,505   

Comcast Corp.–Class A

    46,430        2,492,362   

Liberty Media Corp.–Class A(a)

    5,870        802,312   

Viacom, Inc.–Class B

    12,110        1,050,300   
   

 

 

 
      4,797,479   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–4.9%

   

Five Below, Inc.(a)

    7,890        314,890   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    37,470        1,798,185   

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.(a)

    3,430        516,558   

Tractor Supply Co.

    9,020        544,808   

Urban Outfitters, Inc.(a)

    12,640        427,991   
   

 

 

 
      3,602,432   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–3.1%

   

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.(a)

    12,107        1,073,285   

NIKE, Inc.–Class B

    15,640        1,212,882   
   

 

 

 
      2,286,167   
   

 

 

 
      16,778,558   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–17.4%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–7.8%

   

Biogen Idec, Inc.(a)

    4,680        1,475,651   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

    28,580        2,369,568   

Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc.(a)

    26,374        1,405,471   

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    4,730        447,836   
   

 

 

 
      5,698,526   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–2.1%

   

HeartWare International, Inc.(a)

    3,940        348,690   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

    2,990        1,231,282   
   

 

 

 
      1,579,972   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.4%

   

McKesson Corp.

    3,720        692,701   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    13,200        1,079,100   
   

 

 

 
      1,771,801   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.1%

   

Allergan, Inc./United States

    15,080        2,551,838   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    13,730        666,042   

Endo International PLC(a)

    7,770        544,055   
   

 

 

 
      3,761,935   
   

 

 

 
      12,812,234   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–11.6%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.7%

   

Boeing Co. (The)

    9,370        1,192,145   

Precision Castparts Corp.

    3,140        792,536   
   

 

 

 
      1,984,681   
   

 

 

 

AIRLINES–1.3%

   

Copa Holdings SA–Class A

    6,740        960,922   
   

 

 

 

 

3


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.2%

   

AMETEK, Inc.

    15,870      $ 829,684   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.0%

   

Danaher Corp.

    18,730        1,474,613   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–2.2%

   

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

    8,850        618,438   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    8,080        1,015,898   
   

 

 

 
      1,634,336   
   

 

 

 

MARINE–0.7%

   

Kirby Corp.(a)

    4,370        511,902   
   

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–1.5%

   

Nielsen NV

    7,590        367,432   

Robert Half International, Inc.

    15,240        727,557   
   

 

 

 
      1,094,989   
   

 

 

 
      8,491,127   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–10.5%

   

BEVERAGES–1.7%

   

Monster Beverage Corp.(a)

    17,460        1,240,184   
   

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–4.5%

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    11,150        1,284,034   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    19,570        1,474,991   

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.(a)

    17,000        556,240   
   

 

 

 
      3,315,265   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–2.7%

   

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.

    9,150        1,140,181   

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.–Class A

    9,340        870,208   
   

 

 

 
      2,010,389   
   

 

 

 

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–1.6%

   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The)–Class A

    15,260        1,133,208   
   

 

 

 
      7,699,046   
   

 

 

 
   

ENERGY–5.5%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–3.1%

   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    19,585      $ 2,310,051   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–2.4%

   

Antero Resources Corp.(a)

    6,792        445,759   

Noble Energy, Inc.

    5,900        457,014   

Range Resources Corp.

    9,780        850,371   
   

 

 

 
      1,753,144   
   

 

 

 
      4,063,195   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIALS–4.7%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.3%

   

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a)

    4,310        885,274   

BlackRock, Inc.–Class A

    3,760        1,201,696   

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.–Class A

    5,350        334,856   
   

 

 

 
      2,421,826   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.4%

   

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    5,410        1,021,949   
   

 

 

 
      3,443,775   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–1.3%

   

CHEMICALS–1.3%

   

Monsanto Co.

    7,490        934,303   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.3%
(cost $55,680,915)

      72,960,706   

Other assets less
liabilities–0.7%

      532,376   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 73,493,082   
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

See notes to financial statements.

 

4


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $55,680,915)

   $ 72,960,706   

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $15,784)

     16,465   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     1,623,753   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     183,439   

Dividends receivable

     35,136   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     74,819,499   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     239,371   

Payable for investment securities purchased

     922,925   

Advisory fee payable

     43,538   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     31,314   

Administrative fee payable

     28,560   

Distribution fee payable

     9,182   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     211   

Accrued expenses

     51,316   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,326,417   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 73,493,082   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 2,320   

Additional paid-in capital

     46,144,567   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (165,700

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     10,231,423   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     17,280,472   
  

 

 

 
   $ 73,493,082   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $   26,964,175           833,765         $   32.34   

B

     $   46,528,907           1,486,122         $   31.31   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 297,199   

Affiliated issuers

     61   

Interest

     58   

Securities lending income

     651   
  

 

 

 
     297,969   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     284,682   

Distribution fee—Class B

     60,918   

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,136   

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,036   

Custodian

     37,222   

Administrative

     27,041   

Audit

     16,825   

Legal

     14,673   

Printing

     14,166   

Directors’ fees

     2,298   

Miscellaneous

     2,672   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     463,669   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (165,700
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     8,925,231   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (5,873,465

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (77
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     3,051,689   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 2,885,989   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET  ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (165,700   $ (200,002

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     8,925,231        11,070,044   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (5,873,542     11,287,299   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     2,885,989        22,157,341   

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (74,011

Class B

     –0 –      (12,958

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (10,036,163     (13,595,024
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     (7,150,174     8,475,348   

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     80,643,256        72,167,908   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($165,700) and ($0), respectively)

   $ 73,493,082      $ 80,643,256   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

8


    AllianceBernstein 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, 2014:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks*

     $ 72,960,706       $ –0 –     $ –0 –     $ 72,960,706   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       72,960,706         –0 –       –0 –       72,960,706   

Other Financial Instruments**

       –0 –       –0 –       –0 –       –0 – 
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total^

     $ 72,960,706       $             –0 –     $             –0 –     $ 72,960,706   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

^   There were no transfers between any levels during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

 

9


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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. 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.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $27,041.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $22,592, of which $173 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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, 2014 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 27,124,388       $ 35,875,315   

U.S. government securities

       –0 –       –0 – 

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 17,708,297   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (428,506
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 17,279,791   
  

 

 

 

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, 2014.

 

11


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had no securities out on loan. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $651 and $61 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 799      $ 438      $ 1,237      $ 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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    12,474        64,176        $ 387,519      $ 1,713,830   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      2,773          –0 –      74,011   

Shares redeemed

    (101,938     (230,016       (3,152,062     (6,162,190
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (89,464     (163,067     $ (2,764,543   $ (4,374,349
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    18,158        45,133        $ 556,922      $ 1,138,194   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      500          –0 –      12,958   

Shares redeemed

    (260,567     (403,357       (7,828,542     (10,371,827
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (242,409     (357,724     $ (7,271,620   $ (9,220,675
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may 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 in 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 $140 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, 2014.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

       2013        2012  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 84,956         $ 15,259   

Net long-term capital gains

       2,013           –0
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

     $ 86,969         $ 15,259   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed capital gains

   $ 1,398,394   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     –0 –(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     23,061,813 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 24,460,207   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Portfolio utilized $9,116,078 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains.

 

(b)   The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 

13


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

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.

 

14


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
       
      Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $31.03        $23.22        $20.40        $20.15        $17.56        $13.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    (.04     (.03     .06        .03        .03        .04   

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    1.35        7.92        2.77        .22        2.61        4.33   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    1.31        7.89        2.83        .25        2.64        4.37   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.08     (.01     –0 –      (.05     –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $32.34        $31.03        $23.22        $20.40        $20.15        $17.56   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)*

    4.22     34.01     13.89     1.24     15.06     33.13
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $26,964        $28,650        $25,220        $30,833        $37,198        $37,948   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.06 %^      1.06     1.06     1.00     1.00 %+      1.06

Net investment income (loss)

    (.28 )%^      (.10 )%      .27     .17     .15 %+      .28

Portfolio turnover rate

    36     63     83     97     121     197

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $30.08        $22.50        $19.81        $19.62        $17.10        $12.88   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    (.08     (.09     .01        (.02     (.02     .01   

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    1.31        7.68        2.68        .21        2.55        4.21   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    1.23        7.59        2.69        .19        2.53        4.22   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.01     –0 –      –0 –      (.01     –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $31.31        $30.08        $22.50        $19.81        $19.62        $17.10   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)*

    4.09     33.72     13.58     .97     14.80     32.76
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $46,529        $51,993        $46,948        $51,114        $61,325        $63,368   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.31 %^      1.31     1.31     1.25     1.25 %+      1.31

Net investment income (loss)

    (.53 )%^      (.35 )%      .03     (.08 )%      (.10 )%+      .04

Portfolio turnover rate

    36     63     83     97     121     197

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

*   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, 2014 and years ended December 31, 2013December 31, 2012December 31, 2011December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by 0.01%, 0.06%, 0.28%, 0.07%, 0.22% and 0.41%, respectively.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

See notes to financial statements.

 

16


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-8, 2014.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee, in which the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2012 and 2013 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. 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 Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

 

17


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares; transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser; and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2014 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Russell 3000 Growth Index (the Portfolio’s primary benchmark since April 1, 2013) and the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Portfolio’s prior primary benchmark), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2014 and (in the case of comparisons with the indices) the period since inception (September 1994 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1- and 5-year periods, in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, and in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the indices in the 1-year period and the period since inception but lagged them in all other periods. Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to manage the Portfolio’s assets.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points was the same as the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the administrative expense reimbursement was 7.1 basis points in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year, and that as a result the rate of total compensation received by the Adviser from the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was higher than the Expense Group median.

The directors also considered the advisory fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule and the Portfolio’s fee schedule started at different rates and that the institutional fee schedule had breakpoints at lower asset levels. The application of the institutional fee schedule to the Portfolio’s net assets would result in a fee rate lower than the rate at the same asset level provided in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s relatively small asset base of approximately $77 million impacted the expense ratio in absolute terms. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein 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 at the May 2014 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 Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

19


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In Jones, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.

 

Portfolio   Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

Growth Portfolio

  Growth  

0.75% on 1st $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion
0.60% on the balance

  $76.7

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $54,090 (0.071% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 25, 2014 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2014.

 

2   Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio   Total Expense Ratio   Fiscal Year  

Growth Portfolio

  Class A     1.06%     December 31   
  Class B     1.31%  

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2014 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein
Institutional

Fee Schedule

    

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

      

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Growth Portfolio

   $76.7   

U.S. Growth Schedule

0.80% on 1st $25m

0.50% on next $25m

0.40% on next $50m

0.30% on next $100m

0.25% on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

       0.563        0.750

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

 

21


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages The AllianceBernstein Porfolios—Growth Fund (“Growth Fund”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of Growth Fund and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
     Fee Schedule     

ABMF

Effective
Fee

      

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Growth Portfolio

   Growth Fund     

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

       0.750        0.750

The AllianceBernstein Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedule of the ITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:

 

Portfolio   ITM Mutual Fund   Fee

Growth Portfolio

 

AllianceBernstein U.S.

Growth Stock Fund A, B-Hedged/Unhedged

  0.75%

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers7. Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.8,9

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee (%)10
    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

 

Growth Portfolio

     0.750         0.750         5/11   

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”).

 

6   The retail mutual fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the retail mutual fund.

 

7   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

8   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

9   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

10   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.11

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)12

    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

    

Lipper

EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper
EU

Rank

 

Growth Portfolio

     1.064         0.846         11/11         0.788         66/67   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a contractual management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2013, relative to 2012.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, ABI received $122,506 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $271,765 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2013 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2014 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.13

 

11   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

12   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

13   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2013.

 

 

23


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.14,15 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.16 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

 

14   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

15   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

16   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $454 billion as of March 31, 2014, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio17 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)18 for the periods ended February 28, 2014.19

 

     Portfolio (%)     PG
Median (%)
    PU
Median (%)
    PG
Rank
    PU
Rank
 

Growth Portfolio

         

1 year

    30.76        33.38        32.77        11/12        57/89   

3 year

    14.10        14.72        14.66        8/11        50/82   

5 year

    22.36        22.74        22.98        9/11        50/77   

10 year

    6.49        7.68        7.69        7/9        54/64   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)20 versus its benchmarks.21 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.22

 

    

Periods Ending February 28, 2014

Annualized Performance

 
    

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year

(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

    10
Year
(%)
    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized      Risk
Period
(Year)
 
            Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
    

Growth Portfolio

    30.76        14.10        22.36        6.49        8.72        16.43        0.36         10   

Russell 1000 Growth Index

    29.14        15.06        24.02        7.77        8.63        15.03        0.46         10   

Russell 3000 Growth Index

    29.76        15.13        24.33        7.89        8.68        N/A        N/A         N/A   

Inception Date: September 15, 1994

  

            

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 5, 2014

 

17   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

18   The Portfolio’s PG/PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EG/EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PG/PU is somewhat different from that of an EG/EU.

 

19   The current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

20   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

21   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 28, 2014.

 

22   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

25


 

 

 

VPS-GTH-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each classes’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,041.00       $   3.09         0.61

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,021.77       $ 3.06         0.61
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,040.00       $ 4.35         0.86

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,020.53       $ 4.31         0.86

 

 

 

*   Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.—Class B

   $ 41,227,173           4.8

Comcast Corp.—Class A

     30,650,743           3.5   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     27,649,485           3.2   

Pfizer, Inc.

     27,419,868           3.2   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     27,331,809           3.2   

Wells Fargo & Co.

     26,608,500           3.1   

Apple, Inc.

     26,557,071           3.1   

Copa Holdings SA—Class A

     25,115,131           2.9   

CVS Caremark Corp.

     25,076,127           2.9   

Merck & Co., Inc.

     24,546,854           2.8   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   282,182,761           32.7

SECTOR BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 176,280,824           20.1

Health Care

     128,607,921           14.7   

Industrials

     110,401,103           12.6   

Information Technology

     100,688,686           11.5   

Consumer Discretionary

     99,661,325           11.4   

Energy

     99,290,621           11.3   

Telecommunication Services

     27,331,809           3.1   

Consumer Staples

     25,076,127           2.8   

Utilities

     16,073,263           1.8   

Materials

     14,590,010           1.7   

Short-Term Investments

     78,886,598           9.0   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   876,888,287           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   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


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–92.5%

   

FINANCIALS–20.4%

   

BANKS–5.5%

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    362,720      $ 20,899,927   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    506,250        26,608,500   
   

 

 

 
      47,508,427   
   

 

 

 

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.6%

   

BlackRock, Inc.–Class A

    43,680        13,960,128   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

    62,510        10,466,674   

State Street Corp.

    100,900        6,786,534   
   

 

 

 
      31,213,336   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.6%

   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    68,150        5,629,190   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–4.8%

   

Berkshire Hathaway,
Inc.–Class B(a)

    325,752        41,227,173   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–5.9%

   

ACE Ltd.

    164,870        17,097,019   

Allstate Corp. (The)

    145,410        8,538,475   

Aon PLC

    77,140        6,949,543   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

    224,610        8,043,284   

MetLife, Inc.

    60,972        3,387,605   

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    86,930        3,324,203   

WR Berkley Corp.

    72,610        3,362,569   
   

 

 

 
      50,702,698   
   

 

 

 
      176,280,824   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–14.9%

   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–2.8%

   

Abbott Laboratories

    292,490        11,962,841   

Medtronic, Inc.

    195,780        12,482,933   
   

 

 

 
      24,445,774   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–3.2%

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    338,220        27,649,485   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–8.9%

   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    108,230        5,250,237   

Eli Lilly & Co.

    310,370        19,295,703   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    424,319        24,546,854   

Pfizer, Inc.

    923,850        27,419,868   
   

 

 

 
      76,512,662   
   

 

 

 
      128,607,921   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–12.8%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–4.0%

   

Boeing Co. (The)

    104,310        13,271,361   

Raytheon Co.

    225,750        20,825,438   
   

 

 

 
      34,096,799   
   

 

 

 

AIRLINES–4.2%

   

Copa Holdings SA–Class A

    176,160        25,115,131   

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

    298,540        11,559,469   
   

 

 

 
      36,674,600   
   

 

 

 
   

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.5%

   

General Electric Co.

    804,980      $ 21,154,874   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–1.8%

   

Actuant Corp.–Class A

    261,220        9,030,375   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    52,320        6,578,194   
   

 

 

 
      15,608,569   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.3%

   

WESCO International, Inc.(a)

    33,182        2,866,261   
   

 

 

 
      110,401,103   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–11.7%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.4%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    138,650        3,445,452   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–2.8%

   

Avnet, Inc.

    114,280        5,063,747   

FLIR Systems, Inc.

    97,300        3,379,229   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    245,310        15,169,970   
   

 

 

 
      23,612,946   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–0.8%

   

Amdocs Ltd.

    148,604        6,884,823   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.2%

   

NVIDIA Corp.

    557,640        10,338,646   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–2.8%

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    148,940        3,321,362   

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a)

    104,801        7,024,811   

Microsoft Corp.

    335,250        13,979,925   
   

 

 

 
      24,326,098   
   

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE &
PERIPHERALS–3.7%

   

Apple, Inc.

    285,775        26,557,071   

NetApp, Inc.

    151,250        5,523,650   
   

 

 

 
      32,080,721   
   

 

 

 
      100,688,686   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–11.5%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.3%

   

Gentex Corp./MI

    99,010        2,880,201   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–1.6%

   

Liberty Interactive Corp.–Class A(a)

    464,158        13,627,679   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–9.0%

   

Comcast Corp.–Class A

    570,990        30,650,743   

 

3


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.–Class A

    99,730      $ 8,092,092   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.–Class A

    149,389        22,005,000   

Time Warner, Inc.

    101,570        7,135,292   

Viacom, Inc.–Class B

    117,860        10,221,998   
   

 

 

 
      78,105,125   
   

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.6%

   

Macy’s, Inc.

    87,010        5,048,320   
   

 

 

 
      99,661,325   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–11.5%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT &
SERVICES–1.8%

   

Cameron International Corp.(a)

    103,600        7,014,756   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    60,617        4,991,810   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    31,440        3,708,348   
   

 

 

 
      15,714,914   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–9.7%

   

Chevron Corp.

    110,160        14,381,388   

ConocoPhillips

    96,750        8,294,377   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    214,420        21,587,806   

HollyFrontier Corp.

    106,830        4,667,403   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    517,750        20,668,580   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    136,180        13,976,153   
   

 

 

 
      83,575,707   
   

 

 

 
      99,290,621   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.2%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.2%

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    558,590        27,331,809   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–2.9%

   

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–2.9%

   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    332,707        25,076,127   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES–1.9%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.3%

   

Great Plains Energy, Inc.

    399,610        10,737,521   
   

 

 

 

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.6%

   

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

    113,720        5,335,742   
   

 

 

 
      16,073,263   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–1.7%

   

CHEMICALS–0.4%

   

Eastman Chemical Co.

    37,640        3,287,854   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–0.4%

   

BHP Billiton Ltd. (Sponsored ADR)(b)

    47,940        3,281,493   
   

 

 

 

PAPER & FOREST
PRODUCTS–0.9%

   

Domtar Corp.

    187,180        8,020,663   
   

 

 

 
      14,590,010   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $606,246,960)

      798,001,689   
   

 

 

 
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–9.2%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–9.2%

   

State Street Time Deposit 0.01%, 7/01/14
(cost $78,886,598)

  $ 78,887      $ 78,886,598   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–101.7% (cost $685,133,558)

      876,888,287   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–0.0%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–0.0%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(c) (cost $102,860)

    102,860        102,860   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.7%
(cost $685,236,418)

      876,991,147   

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.7)%

      (14,577,647
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 862,413,500   
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

4


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $685,133,558)

   $ 876,888,287 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $102,860—investment of cash collateral for securities loaned)

     102,860   

Dividends and interest receivable

     1,062,648   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     351,199   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     878,404,994   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     14,597,790   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     578,087   

Advisory fee payable

     377,749   

Distribution fee payable

     139,209   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     102,860   

Administrative fee payable

     28,560   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     215   

Accrued expenses

     167,024   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     15,991,494   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 862,413,500   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 30,099   

Additional paid-in capital

     702,565,458   

Undistributed net investment income

     15,011,216   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (46,948,002

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     191,754,729   
  

 

 

 
   $ 862,413,500   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class   Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

  $   163,257,248           5,641,287         $ 28.94   

B

  $   699,156,252           24,457,713         $   28.59   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $99,869 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $28,200)

   $ 8,500,723   

Affiliated issuers

     181   

Interest

     2,963   

Securities lending income

     1,751   
  

 

 

 
     8,505,618   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     2,321,997   

Distribution fee—Class B

     856,886   

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,142   

Transfer agency—Class B

     4,930   

Printing

     79,053   

Custodian

     76,077   

Administrative

     27,041   

Legal

     26,424   

Audit

     17,116   

Directors’ fees

     2,255   

Miscellaneous

     10,069   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     3,422,990   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     5,082,628   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     47,015,160   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (19,055,080
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment transactions

     27,960,080   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 33,042,708   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 5,082,628      $ 9,990,731   

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     47,015,160        175,745,634   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (19,055,080     80,022,635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     33,042,708        265,759,000   

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (1,985,126

Class B

     –0 –      (9,529,113

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (44,040,383     (276,433,549
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (10,997,675     (22,188,788

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     873,411,175        895,599,963   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $15,011,216 and $9,928,588, respectively)

   $ 862,413,500      $ 873,411,175   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

2. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014:

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Investments in Securities:

        

Assets:

        

Common Stocks*

   $ 798,001,689      $ –0 –    $             –0 –    $ 798,001,689   

Short-Term Investments

     –0 –      78,886,598        –0 –      78,886,598   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

     102,860        –0 –      –0 –      102,860   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

     798,104,549        78,886,598        –0 –      876,991,147   

Other Financial Instruments**

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total^

   $ 798,104,549      $ 78,886,598      $ –0 –    $ 876,991,147   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

^   There were no transfers between any levels during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

 

9


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $27,041.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $299,750, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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, 2014 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 219,481,520       $ 274,125,326   

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

   $ 193,723,450   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,968,721
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 191,754,729   
  

 

 

 

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, 2014.

 

11


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had no securities out on loan. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $1,751 and $181 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 0      $ 17,622      $ 17,519      $ 103   

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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    305,560        850,754        $ 8,455,522      $ 20,712,220   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      83,584          –0 –      1,985,126   

Shares redeemed

    (569,510     (1,322,227       (15,746,082     (31,796,790
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (263,950     (387,889     $ (7,290,560   $ (9,099,444
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    802,939        2,948,344        $ 22,149,524      $ 71,020,261   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      404,977          –0 –      9,529,113   

Shares redeemed

    (2,143,250     (14,546,299       (58,899,347     (347,883,479
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (1,340,311     (11,192,978     $ (36,749,823   $ (267,334,105
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may 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 in 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 $140 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, 2014.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

       2013        2012  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 11,514,239         $ 12,260,267   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

     $ 11,514,239         $ 12,260,267   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 9,928,588   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (92,638,699 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     209,485,346 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 126,775,235   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $92,638,699. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $123,800,828 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains.

 

(b)   The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 

13


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $92,638,699 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM
AMOUNT

  

LONG-TERM
AMOUNT

  

EXPIRATION

$  92,638,699    n/a    2017

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.

 

14


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six  Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $27.80        $20.88        $18.05        $17.19        $15.20        $13.10   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .19        .33        .29        .27        .20        .21   

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

    .95        6.92        2.86        .83        1.79        2.47   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    1.14        7.25        3.15        1.10        1.99        2.68   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.33     (.32     (.24     –0 –      (.58
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $28.94        $27.80        $20.88        $18.05        $17.19        $15.20   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    4.10     34.96 %*      17.53 %*      6.32 %*      13.09 %*      20.82 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $163,257        $164,154        $131,402        $138,731        $201,521        $215,085   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .61 %^      .60     .60     .60     .63 %+      .63

Net investment income

    1.41 %^      1.35     1.48     1.52     1.30 %+      1.58

Portfolio turnover rate

    28     63     80     76     66     125

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $27.49        $20.66        $17.86        $17.01        $15.08        $12.97   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .16        .27        .24        .23        .16        .18   

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

    .94        6.83        2.83        .81        1.77        2.42   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    1.10        7.10        3.07        1.04        1.93        2.60   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.27     (.27     (.19     –0 –      (.49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $28.59        $27.49        $20.66        $17.86        $17.01        $15.08   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    4.00     34.59 %*      17.24 %*      6.07 %*      12.80 %*      20.35 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $699,157        $709,257        $764,198        $735,514        $805,714        $837,533   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .86 %^      .85     .85     .85     .88 %+      .88

Net investment income

    1.16 %^      1.11     1.23     1.28     1.05 %+      1.33

Portfolio turnover rate.

    28     63     80     76     66     125

 

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

*   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, 2013December 31, 2012December 31, 2011December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by 0.08%,0.19%, 0.13%, 0.27% and 0.54%, respectively.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

See notes to financial statements.

 

16


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-8, 2014.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee, in which the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2012 and 2013 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. 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

 

17


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares; transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser; and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2014 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2014 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the period since inception (January 1991 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, in the 1st quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 1- and 3-year periods, and lagged it in all other periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 55 basis points, plus the 1 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median.

The directors also considered the advisory fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule and the Portfolio’s fee schedule started at different rates and that the institutional fee schedule had breakpoints at lower asset levels. The application of the institutional fee schedule to the Portfolio’s net assets would result in a fee rate lower than the rate at the same asset level provided in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was lower than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein 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 at the May 2014 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 Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

19


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.

 

Portfolio   Category  

Advisory Fee Based on % of

Average Daily Net Assets

 

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

Growth & Income Portfolio

  Value  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

  $860.8

 

1  

The information in the fee summary was completed on April 25, 2014 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2014.

 

2  

Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $54,103 (0.006% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio   Total Expense Ratio   Fiscal Year

Growth & Income Portfolio

 

    Class A     0.60%

    Class B     0.85%

  December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2014 net assets:5

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
3/31/14
($MIL)
     AllianceBernstein
Institutional
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
     Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

Growth & Income Portfolio

     $860.8      

U.S. Growth & Income

0.65% on first $25m

0.50% on next $25m

0.40% on next $50m

0.30% on next $100m

0.25% on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

     0.283%         0.550%   

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

21


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc. (“Growth & Income Fund, Inc.”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of Growth & Income Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
  Fee Schedule   ABMF
Effective
Fee
    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

Growth & Income Portfolio

  Growth & Income Fund, Inc.  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

    0.550%        0.550%   

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.7 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.8,9

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee (%)10
     Lipper
EG
Median (%)
     Lipper
EG
Rank
 

Growth & Income Portfolio

     0.550         0.713         2/11   

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”).

 

6   The retail mutual fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the retail mutual fund.

 

7  

The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

8   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

9  

The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

10   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.11

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)12
    

Lipper

EG
Median (%)

     Lipper
EG
Rank
    

Lipper

EU
Median (%)

     Lipper
EU
Rank
 

Growth & Income Portfolio

     0.603         0.770         2/11         0.796         4/29   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has equally favorable rankings on a contractual management fee basis and on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2013, relative to 2012.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, ABI received $1,799,452 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $4,276,871 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2013 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2014 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

 

11   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

12   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

23


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.13

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.14,15 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.16 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $454 billion as of March 31, 2014, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 

13   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2013.

 

14   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

15   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

16   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio17 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)18 for the periods ended February 28, 2014.19

 

     Portfolio
(%)
    PG
Median (%)
    PU
Median (%)
    PG
Rank
    PU
Rank
 

Growth & Income Portfolio

         

1 year

    26.09        26.85        24.16        8/11        28/74   

3 year

    16.30        14.20        11.67        2/10        7/66   

5 year

    22.01        22.28        22.01        6/10        32/63   

10 year

    6.54        7.55        7.72        7/9        28/30   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)20 versus its benchmarks.21 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.22

 

     Periods Ending February 28, 2014
Annualized Performance
 
    

1
Year
(%)

   

3
Year
(%)

   

5
Year
(%)

   

10
Year
(%)

   

Since
Inception
(%)

    Annualized     

Risk
Period
(Year)

 
            Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
    

Growth & Income Portfolio

    26.10        16.30        22.01        6.54        9.64        15.11        0.39         10   

Russell 1000 Value Index

    23.44        14.05        23.18        7.24        10.99        15.52        0.42         10   

Inception Date: February 25, 1994

                

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 5, 2014

 

17   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

18   The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

19   The current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

20   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

21   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 28, 2014.

 

22   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

25


 

 

 

VPS-GI-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees of other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,046.40       $   4.21         0.83

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,020.68       $ 4.16         0.83
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,045.00       $ 5.48         1.08

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.44       $ 5.41         1.08

 

 

 

*   Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Corporates—Investment Grades

   $ 18,418,386           19.7

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

     18,221,140           19.5   

Asset-Backed Securities

     12,892,195           13.8   

Governments—Treasuries

     9,578,727           10.2   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     6,497,958           7.0   

Agencies

     4,365,026           4.7   

Quasi-Sovereigns

     2,171,773           2.3   

Corporates—Non-Investment Grades

     1,885,008           2.1   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

     1,671,453           1.8   

Inflation-Linked Securities

     1,670,844           1.8   

Governments—Sovereign Bonds

     639,724           0.7   

Preferred Stocks

     547,309           0.6   

Local Governments—Municipal Bonds

     295,048           0.3   

Other**

     343,376           0.3   

Short-Term Investments

     14,234,473           15.2   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   93,432,440           100.0

 

 

 

 

 

*   The Portfolio’s security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivatives transactions, which may be used for hedging purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details).

 

**   “Other” represents less than 0.1% weightings in the following security types: Governments—Sovereign Agencies, Emerging Markets—Corporate Bonds and Warrants.

 

2


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–22.8%

   

   

INDUSTRIAL–13.8%

     

BASIC–2.6%

     

Barrick North America Finance LLC
4.40%, 5/30/21

    U.S.$        93      $ 97,303   

Basell Finance Co. BV
8.10%, 3/15/27(a)

      85        114,191   

Cia Minera Milpo SAA
4.625%, 3/28/23(a)

      260        257,453   

Dow Chemical Co. (The)
8.55%, 5/15/19

      86        110,533   

Gerdau Trade, Inc.
4.75%, 4/15/23(a)

      260        257,415   

Glencore Funding LLC
4.125%, 5/30/23(a)

      76        76,330   

International Paper Co.
3.65%, 6/15/24

      49        49,116   

4.75%, 2/15/22

      65        71,673   

LyondellBasell Industries NV
5.75%, 4/15/24

      200        235,978   

Minsur SA
6.25%, 2/07/24(a)

      210        227,826   

Rio Tinto Finance USA PLC
2.875%, 8/21/22

      117        114,244   

3.50%, 3/22/22

      51        52,333   

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA
3.625%, 4/03/23(a)

      260        241,640   

Vale SA
5.625%, 9/11/42

      23        22,533   

Yamana Gold, Inc.
4.95%, 7/15/24(a)

      142        142,934   
     

 

 

 
        2,071,502   
     

 

 

 

CAPITAL GOODS–0.3%

     

Embraer SA
5.15%, 6/15/22

      82        88,355   

Owens Corning
6.50%, 12/01/16(b)

      160        178,441   
     

 

 

 
        266,796   
     

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–1.1%

     

21st Century Fox America, Inc.
4.00%, 10/01/23

      64        66,707   

4.50%, 2/15/21

      300        329,061   

NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc.
5.25%, 3/19/21(a)(c)

      128        133,760   

TCI Communications, Inc.
7.875%, 2/15/26

      115        160,982   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.
4.125%, 2/15/21

      200        215,950   
     

 

 

 
        906,460   
     

 

 

 
     

COMMUNICATIONS–TELECOMMUNICATIONS–1.9%

     

American Tower Corp.
5.05%, 9/01/20

    U.S.$        260      $ 289,709   

AT&T, Inc.
4.30%, 12/15/42

      31        29,345   

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV
4.875%, 3/06/42(a)

      320        334,719   

DirecTV Holdings LLC/DirecTV Financing Co., Inc.
3.50%, 3/01/16

      95        99,132   

3.80%, 3/15/22

      57        58,859   

4.45%, 4/01/24

      81        85,886   

5.20%, 3/15/20

      24        27,036   

Rogers Communications, Inc.
4.00%, 6/06/22

    CAD        27        26,331   

Telefonica Emisiones SAU
5.462%, 2/16/21

    U.S.$        120        136,256   

Verizon Communications, Inc.
5.15%, 9/15/23

      192        214,866   

6.55%, 9/15/43

      165        207,643   
     

 

 

 
        1,509,782   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.7%

     

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC
5.875%, 8/02/21

      455        534,199   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–ENTERTAINMENT–0.3%

     

Time Warner, Inc.
7.625%, 4/15/31

      105        144,271   

Viacom, Inc.
3.875%, 4/01/24

      68        69,101   

5.625%, 9/15/19

      60        69,188   
     

 

 

 
        282,560   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER NON–CYCLICAL–0.8%

     

Actavis Funding SCS
3.85%, 6/15/24(a)

      54        54,586   

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV
3.875%, 6/27/24(a)

      201        200,602   

Kroger Co. (The)
3.40%, 4/15/22

      194        196,630   

Reynolds American, Inc.
3.25%, 11/01/22

      127        122,525   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
4.15%, 2/01/24

      78        81,568   
     

 

 

 
        655,911   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY–4.2%

     

DCP Midstream LLC
5.35%, 3/15/20(a)

      108        119,538   

 

3


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.
4.875%, 11/01/43

    U.S.$        68      $ 68,631   

Encana Corp.
3.90%, 11/15/21

      45        47,548   

Energy Transfer Partners LP
7.50%, 7/01/38

      336        436,830   

Enterprise Products Operating LLC
5.20%, 9/01/20

      55        62,792   

Hess Corp.
7.875%, 10/01/29

      19        26,182   

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP

     

3.95%, 9/01/22

      321        328,318   

4.15%, 3/01/22

      89        92,454   

Nabors Industries, Inc.
5.10%, 9/15/23

      170        185,607   

Noble Energy, Inc.
8.25%, 3/01/19

      238        300,039   

Noble Holding International Ltd.

     

3.95%, 3/15/22

      125        128,033   

4.90%, 8/01/20

      32        35,300   

Rio Oil Finance Trust
Series 2014-1
6.25%, 7/06/24(a)

      250        261,875   

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations LP
5.30%, 4/01/44

      145        152,563   

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd.
6.35%, 5/15/67

      235        244,694   

Transocean, Inc.

     

6.375%, 12/15/21

      1        1,157   

6.50%, 11/15/20

      185        213,963   

Valero Energy Corp.
6.125%, 2/01/20

      177        209,165   

Weatherford International Ltd./Bermuda
9.625%, 3/01/19

      190        249,336   

Williams Partners LP
5.25%, 3/15/20

      173        195,144   
     

 

 

 
        3,359,169   
     

 

 

 

SERVICES–0.1%

     

Omnicom Group, Inc.
3.625%, 5/01/22

      87        89,503   
     

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY–1.4%

     

Baidu, Inc.
2.75%, 6/09/19

      219        219,853   

Hewlett-Packard Co.
4.65%, 12/09/21

      107        116,738   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     

3.50%, 3/01/23

      165        159,639   

7.50%, 5/15/25

      25        31,795   

Seagate HDD Cayman
4.75%, 1/01/25(a)

      75        74,438   
     

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
4.125%, 5/15/22

    U.S.$        181      $ 188,133   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.
3.375%, 5/02/19 (a)

      205        209,586   

Total System Services, Inc.

     

2.375%, 6/01/18

      74        74,042   

3.75%, 6/01/23

      69        67,180   
     

 

 

 
        1,141,404   
     

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION–AIRLINES–0.1%

   

   

Southwest Airlines Co.
5.75%, 12/15/16

      75        82,849   
     

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION–SERVICES–0.3%

   

   

Ryder System, Inc.

     

5.85%, 11/01/16

      116        127,752   

7.20%, 9/01/15

      108        115,892   
     

 

 

 
        243,644   
     

 

 

 
        11,143,779   
     

 

 

 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–7.6%

   

   

BANKING–5.4%

     

Bank of America Corp.
4.875%, 4/01/44

      129        133,120   

Barclays Bank PLC
6.86%, 6/15/32(a)(c)

      29        32,770   

BNP Paribas SA
5.186%, 6/29/15(a)(c)

      62        63,162   

BPCE SA
5.70%, 10/22/23(a)

      225        247,750   

Compass Bank
5.50%, 4/01/20

      250        272,206   

Credit Suisse AG
6.50%, 8/08/23(a)

      240        272,313   

Danske Bank A/S
5.684%, 2/15/17(c)

    GBP        98        176,522   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

     

4.00%, 3/03/24

    U.S.$        108        109,940   

Series D
6.00%, 6/15/20

      395        460,414   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA
5.017%, 6/26/24(a)

      202        204,387   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
3.625%, 5/13/24

      205        205,822   

Macquarie Group Ltd.
4.875%, 8/10/17(a)

      232        253,095   

Mizuho Financial Group Cayman 3 Ltd.
4.60%, 3/27/24(a)

      207        218,185   

Morgan Stanley
5.625%, 9/23/19

      143        164,480   

Murray Street Investment Trust I
4.647%, 3/09/17

      27        29,181   

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

Nationwide Building Society
6.25%, 2/25/20(a)

    U.S.$        230      $ 271,571   

Rabobank Capital Funding Trust III
5.254%, 10/21/16(a)(c)

      90        94,500   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC (The)
9.50%, 3/16/22(a)

      39        45,727   

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB
5.471%, 3/23/15(a)(c)

      100        101,500   

Standard Chartered PLC
4.00%, 7/12/22(a)

      265        273,991   

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS
4.75%, 10/17/19(a)

      204        206,795   

UBS AG/Stamford CT
7.625%, 8/17/22

      250        301,018   

Unicredit Luxembourg Finance SA
6.00%, 10/31/17(a)

      190        209,411   
     

 

 

 
        4,347,860   
     

 

 

 

INSURANCE–1.5%

     

American International Group, Inc.

     

4.875%, 6/01/22

      75        83,517   

6.40%, 12/15/20

      215        259,558   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)
5.50%, 3/30/20

      200        228,864   

Lincoln National Corp.
8.75%, 7/01/19

      113        146,511   

MetLife, Inc.
10.75%, 8/01/39

      85        135,044   

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.
9.375%, 8/15/39(a)

      100        155,636   

Prudential Financial, Inc.
5.625%, 6/15/43

      185        197,891   
     

 

 

 
        1,207,021   
     

 

 

 

REITS–0.7%

     

HCP, Inc.
5.375%, 2/01/21

      179        203,604   

Health Care REIT, Inc.
5.25%, 1/15/22

      183        205,254   

Trust F/1401
5.25%, 12/15/24(a)

      200        210,000   
     

 

 

 
        618,858   
     

 

 

 
        6,173,739   
     

 

 

 

UTILITY–0.8%

     

ELECTRIC–0.4%

     

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co.
6.125%, 4/01/36

      170        210,772   

CMS Energy Corp.
5.05%, 3/15/22

      37        42,054   
     

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
5.15%, 12/01/20

    U.S.$        64      $ 72,133   
     

 

 

 
        324,959   
     

 

 

 

NATURAL GAS–0.4%

     

Talent Yield Investments Ltd.
4.50%, 4/25/22(a)

      305        315,419   
     

 

 

 
        640,378   
     

 

 

 

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.6%

     

AGENCIES–NOT GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED–0.6%

     

CNOOC Finance 2013 Ltd.
3.00%, 5/09/23

      260        245,496   

OCP SA
5.625%, 4/25/24(a)

      205        214,994   
     

 

 

 

Total Corporates–Investment Grades
(cost $17,066,364)

        460,490   
     

 

 

 
        18,418,386   
     

 

 

 

MORTGAGE PASS–THROUGHS–22.6%

     

AGENCY FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–21.2%

     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold

     

4.00%, 7/01/44, TBA

      340        360,188   

4.50%, 10/01/39

      1,442        1,561,979   

Series 2005
5.50%, 1/01/35

      207        233,017   

Series 2007
5.50%, 7/01/35

      58        65,265   

Federal National Mortgage Association

     

3.00%, 6/01/43-7/01/43

      1,454        1,438,458   

3.50%, 7/01/44, TBA

      4,510        4,642,481   

4.00%, 4/01/44

      868        926,905   

4.00%, 7/01/44, TBA

      4,657        4,942,241   

4.50%, 4/01/44

      935        1,015,425   

5.00%, 7/25/44, TBA

      800        888,375   

Series 2003
5.50%, 4/01/33-7/01/33

      189        212,285   

Series 2004
5.50%, 4/01/34-11/01/34

      171        192,229   

Series 2005
5.50%, 2/01/35

      210        235,956   

Series 2007
4.50%, 9/01/35-8/01/37

      204        221,234   

Series 2014
4.50%, 2/01/44

      157        169,966   

Government National Mortgage Association
Series 1994
9.00%, 9/15/24

      1        1,504   
     

 

 

 
        17,107,508   
     

 

 

 

 

5


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

AGENCY FIXED RATE 15-YEAR–1.4%

     

Federal National Mortgage Association
2.50%, 7/01/29, TBA

  U.S.$          810      $ 822,782   

3.00%, 7/01/29, TBA

      280        290,850   
     

 

 

 
        1,113,632   
     

 

 

 

Total Mortgage Pass-Throughs (cost $17,870,307)

        18,221,140   
     

 

 

 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–16.0%

     

AUTOS–FIXED RATE–9.8%

     

Ally Master Owner Trust

     

Series 2013-1, Class A2
1.00%, 2/15/18

      260        261,025   

Series 2014-1, Class A2
1.29%, 1/15/19

      252        252,586   

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust

     

Series 2011-3, Class D

     

4.04%, 7/10/17

      200        207,037   

Series 2012-3, Class A3
0.96%, 1/09/17

      277        277,468   

Series 2013-1, Class A2
0.49%, 6/08/16

      53        53,121   

Series 2013-3, Class A3
0.92%, 4/09/18

      335        335,277   

Series 2013-4, Class A3
0.96%, 4/09/18

      130        130,265   

Series 2013-5, Class A2A
0.65%, 3/08/17

      75        74,602   

ARI Fleet Lease Trust
Series 2014-A, Class A2

     

0.81%, 11/15/22(a)

      93        93,219   

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP LLC Series 2013-2A, Class A
2.97%, 2/20/20(a)

      288        297,535   

Series 2014-1A, Class A
2.46%, 7/20/20(a)

      149        149,990   

Bank of America Auto Trust
Series 2012-1, Class A4
1.03%, 12/15/16

      245        246,250   

California Republic Auto Receivables Trust 2014-2
Series 2014-2, Class A4
1.57%, 12/16/19

      122        122,153   

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust
Series 2013-1, Class A2
0.62%, 7/20/16

      198        197,968   

Series 2013-3, Class A2
1.04%, 11/21/16

      275        276,332   

Series 2014-1, Class B
2.22%, 1/22/19

      60        60,656   

CarMax Auto Owner Trust
Series 2012-1, Class A3
0.89%, 9/15/16

      84        84,176   
     

CPS Auto Receivables
Series 2013-B, Class A
1.82%, 9/15/20(a)

    U.S.$        201      $ 201,942   

CPS Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2014-B, Class A
1.11%, 11/15/18(a)

      102        101,747   

Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2012-2A, Class A
1.30%, 6/15/17(a)

      69        68,931   

Series 2013-1A, Class A
1.29%, 10/16/17(a)

      65        65,607   

Series 2014-1A, Class A
1.29%, 5/15/18(a)

      90        90,400   

Series 2014-2A, Class A
1.06%, 8/15/18(a)

      80        79,867   

Fifth Third Auto Trust
Series 2013-A, Class A3
0.61%, 9/15/17

      204        204,195   

Flagship Credit Auto Trust
Series 2013-1, Class A

     

1.32%, 4/16/18(a)

      63        63,056   

Ford Auto Securitization Trust

     

Series 2013-R1A, Class A2
1.676%, 9/15/16(a)

    CAD        161        151,112   

Series 2013-R4A, Class A1
1.487%, 8/15/15(a)

      34        31,442   

Series 2014-R2A, Class A1
1.353%, 3/15/16(a)

      96        89,656   

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust
Series 2012-D, Class B

     

1.01%, 5/15/18

    U.S.$        100        99,690   

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust
Series 2012-4, Class A1
0.74%, 9/15/16

      330        330,216   

Series 2013-1, Class A1
0.85%, 1/15/18

      136        136,490   

Series 2014-1, Class A1
1.20%, 2/15/19

      201        201,098   

GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust
Series 2014-1A, Class A2
0.61%, 7/20/16(a)

      160        159,972   

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Trust
Series 2012-1, Class A3

     

0.68%, 4/15/17

      126        126,263   

Hertz Vehicle Financing LLC Series 2013-1A, Class A1
1.12%, 8/25/17(a)

      175        175,271   

Series 2013-1A, Class A2
1.83%, 8/25/19(a)

      485        484,667   

M&T Bank Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2013-1A, Class A3
1.06%, 11/15/17, TBA(a)

      160        160,452   

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust
Series 2013-A, Class A3
0.59%, 2/15/16

    U.S.$        173      $ 173,205   

Series 2014-A, Class A2A
0.48%, 6/15/16

      230        230,005   

Mercedes-Benz Master Owner Trust
Series 2012-AA, Class A
0.79%, 11/15/17(a)

      373        373,884   

Nissan Auto Lease Trust
Series 2012-B, Class A2A
0.45%, 6/15/15

      10        10,321   

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust

     

Series 2013-3, Class C
1.81%, 4/15/19

      249        250,950   

Series 2013-4, Class A3
1.11%, 12/15/17

      270        271,206   

Series 2013-5, Class A2A
0.64%, 4/17/17

      84        84,265   

Series 2014-2, Class A3
0.80%, 4/16/18

      205        205,166   

SMART Trust/Australia
Series 2012-4US,
Class A2A
0.67%, 6/14/15

      21        20,906   

Volkswagen Auto Loan Enhanced Trust
Series 2014-1, Class A3
0.91%, 10/22/18

      152        152,081   
     

 

 

 
        7,913,723   
     

 

 

 

CREDIT CARDS–FIXED RATE–2.1%

     

American Express Credit Account Master Trust
Series 2012-5, Class A
0.59%, 5/15/18

      325        325,429   

Series 2014-2, Class A
1.26%, 1/15/20

      161        160,997   

Cabela’s Master Credit Card Trust
Series 2013-1A, Class A
2.71%, 2/17/26(a)

      255        247,669   

Chase Issuance Trust
Series 2013-A1, Class A1
1.30%, 2/18/20

      220        218,401   

Series 2014-A2, Class A2
2.77%, 3/15/23

      205        207,420   

Discover Card Master Trust
Series 2012-A3, Class A3
0.86%, 11/15/17

      300        301,256   

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust
Series 2012-B, Class A
1.76%, 5/17/21

      190        191,959   
     

 

 

 
        1,653,131   
     

 

 

 
     

CREDIT CARDS–FLOATING RATE–1.5%

     

Barclays Dryrock Issuance Trust
Series 2014-1, Class A
0.512%, 12/16/19(b)

    U.S.$        320      $ 321,237   

Series 2014-2, Class A
0.491%, 3/16/20(b)

      205        205,004   

Cabela’s Master Credit Card Trust
Series 2014-1, Class A
0.502%, 3/16/20(b)

      205        205,113   

Gracechurch Card Funding PLC
Series 2012-1A, Class A1
0.852%, 2/15/17(a)(b)

      320        321,074   

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust
Series 2014-A, Class A
0.532%, 12/15/19(b)

      185        185,337   
     

 

 

 
        1,237,765   
     

 

 

 

OTHER ABS–FIXED
RATE–1.4%

     

CIT Equipment Collateral
Series 2013-VT1, Class A3
1.13%, 7/20/20(a)

      213        214,388   

CNH Capital Canada Receivables Trust
Series 2014-1A, Class A1 1.388%, 3/15/17(a)

    CAD        163        152,930   

CNH Equipment Trust
Series 2012-A, Class A3
0.94%, 5/15/17

    U.S.$        80        79,817   

Series 2013-C, Class A2
0.63%, 1/17/17

      144        144,244   

Series 2013-D, Class A2
0.49%, 3/15/17

      211        210,884   

Series 2014-B, Class A4
1.61%, 5/17/21

      101        100,936   

GE Equipment Midticket LLC
Series 2011-1, Class A3
1.00%, 8/24/15

      10        9,702   

GE Equipment Small Ticket LLC
Series 2014-1A, Class A2
0.59%, 8/24/16(a)

      193        192,591   
     

 

 

 
        1,105,492   
     

 

 

 

AUTOS–FLOATING
RATE–0.6%

     

GE Dealer Floorplan Master Note Trust
Series 2012-3, Class A
0.643%, 6/20/17(b)

      485        486,231   
     

 

 

 

HOME EQUITY LOANS-FLOATING RATE–0.2%

     

Asset Backed Funding Certificates
Series 2003-WF1, Class A2
1.277%, 12/25/32(b)

      53        51,271   

 

7


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

GSAA Trust
Series 2006-5, Class 2A3
0.422%, 3/25/36(b)

    U.S.$        200      $ 140,328   
     

 

 

 
        191,599   
     

 

 

 

AUTOS–FIXED RATE
ABS–0.2%

     

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2012-3, Class D 3.64%, 5/15/18

      150        156,636   
     

 

 

 

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.2%

     

Citifinancial Mortgage Securities, Inc.
Series 2003-1, Class AFPT 3.86%, 1/25/33

      47        48,347   

Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC
Series 2003-CB1, Class AF 3.95%, 1/25/33

      100        99,271   
     

 

 

 
        147,618   
     

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $12,677,842)

        12,892,195   
     

 

 

 

GOVERNMENTS–TREASURIES–11.9%

     

BRAZIL–0.5%

     

Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional
Series F
10.00%, 1/01/17

    BRL        900        393,974   
     

 

 

 

UNITED STATES–11.4%

     

U.S. Treasury Bonds
3.625%, 8/15/43-2/15/44

    U.S.$        786        829,940   

3.75%, 11/15/43

      490        529,200   

4.625%, 2/15/40

      2,560        3,183,601   

U.S. Treasury Notes
0.125%, 4/30/15

      835        835,163   

1.50%, 8/31/18-5/31/19

      354        354,123   

1.625%, 6/30/19

      830        830,000   

2.50%, 8/15/23-5/15/24

      1,115        1,115,012   

2.75%, 11/15/23-2/15/24

      1,473        1,507,714   
     

 

 

 
        9,184,753   
     

 

 

 

Total Governments–Treasuries
(cost $9,017,220)

        9,578,727   
     

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–8.0%

     

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–6.8%

     

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2007-4, Class A1A
5.774%, 2/10/51

      342        381,319   

Series 2007-5, Class AM
5.772%, 2/10/51

      78        84,375   
     

CGRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2013-VN05, Class A
3.369%, 3/13/25 (a)

  U.S.$          260      $ 262,511   

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C4, Class A1A
5.975%, 3/15/49

      130        139,056   

COBALT CMBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2007-C3, Class A4
5.965%, 5/15/46

      173        191,807   

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
Series 2007-GG9, Class A4
5.444%, 3/10/39

      506        552,621   

Series 2013-SFS, Class A1
1.873%, 4/12/35(a)

      118        115,244   

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C3, Class AJ
5.982%, 6/15/38

      105        108,904   

Extended Stay America Trust
Series 2013-ESH7,
Class A17
2.295%, 12/05/31(a)

      180        175,032   

GS Mortgage Securities
Corp. II
Series 2013-KING, Class A
2.706%, 12/10/27(a)

      272        275,677   

GS Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2013-G1, Class A2
3.557%, 4/10/31(a)

      136        133,481   

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2010-C2, Class A1
2.749%, 11/15/43(a)

      202        206,295   

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C2, Class A1A
5.739%, 8/12/43

      158        171,832   

Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-4, Class A1A
5.166%, 12/12/49

      603        651,677   

Series 2007-9, Class A4
5.70%, 9/12/49

      1,105        1,227,550   

Motel 6 Trust
Series 2012-MTL6,
Class A2
1.948%, 10/05/25(a)

      280        280,318   

UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2012-C3, Class A4
3.091%, 8/10/49

      60        59,653   

Series 2012-C4, Class A5
2.85%, 12/10/45

      112        110,068   

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2013-C14, Class A5
3.337%, 6/15/46

  U.S.$          233      $ 235,235   

Series 2014-C20, Class A2
3.036%, 5/15/47

      125        130,173   
     

 

 

 
        5,492,828   
     

 

 

 

Non-Agency Floating Rate
CMBS–1.2%

   

   

Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates
Series 2014-KYO, Class A
1.054%, 6/11/27(a)(b)

      102        101,559   

Extended Stay America Trust
Series 2013-ESFL,
Class A2FL
0.851%, 12/05/31(a)(b)

      140        139,928   

GS Mortgage Securities
Corp. II
Series 2013-KYO, Class A
1.001%, 11/08/29(a)(b)

      275        277,057   

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2014-INN, Class A
1.071%, 6/15/29(a)(b)

      201        201,000   

PFP III 2014-1 Ltd.
Series 2014-1, Class A
1.322%, 6/14/31(a)(b)

      285        285,586   
     

 

 

 
        1,005,130   
     

 

 

 

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $6,421,263)

        6,497,958   
     

 

 

 

AGENCIES–5.4%

  

   

AGENCY
DEBENTURES–5.4%

     

Federal National Mortgage Association
6.25%, 5/15/29

      1,670        2,242,733   

6.625%, 11/15/30

      80        113,611   

Residual Funding Corp. Principal Strip Zero Coupon, 7/15/20

      2,292        2,008,682   
     

 

 

 

Total Agencies
(cost $4,076,733)

        4,365,026   
     

 

 

 

QUASI-SOVEREIGNS–2.7%

  

   
     

QUASI-SOVEREIGN
BONDS–2.7%

   

   

CHILE–0.3%

     

Empresa de Transporte de Pasajeros Metro SA
4.75%, 2/04/24(a)

      210        221,786   
     

 

 

 

CHINA–0.3%

     

Sinopec Group Overseas Development 2013 Ltd.
4.375%, 10/17/23(a)

      225        233,301   
     

 

 

 
     

INDONESIA–0.4%

     

Perusahaan Listrik Negara PT
5.50%, 11/22/21(a)

    U.S.$        360      $ 378,000   
     

 

 

 

KAZAKHSTAN–0.3%

     

KazMunayGas National Co. JSC
7.00%, 5/05/20(a)

      212        241,150   
     

 

 

 

MALAYSIA–0.6%

     

Petronas Capital Ltd.
5.25%, 8/12/19(a)

      420        477,143   
     

 

 

 

MEXICO–0.4%

     

Petroleos Mexicanos
3.50%, 7/18/18-1/30/23

      295        297,752   
     

 

 

 

SOUTH KOREA–0.4%

     

Korea National Oil Corp.
3.125%, 4/03/17(a)

      310        322,641   
     

 

 

 

Total Quasi-Sovereigns
(cost $2,013,185)

        2,171,773   
     

 

 

 

CORPORATES–NON-
INVESTMENT GRADES–2.4%

     

FINANCIAL
INSTITTUTIONS–1.1%

     

BANKING–0.9%

     

ABN AMRO Bank NV
4.31%, 3/10/16(c)

    EUR        60        83,801   

Bank of America Corp.
Series U
5.20%, 6/01/23(c)

    U.S.$        108        103,410   

Barclays Bank PLC
7.75%, 4/10/23

      200        222,600   

Citigroup, Inc.
5.95%, 1/30/23(c)

      161        162,610   

HBOS Capital Funding LP
4.939%, 5/23/16(c)

    EUR        82        111,385   

Societe Generale SA
4.196%, 1/26/15(c)

      48        66,022   
     

 

 

 
        749,828   
     

 

 

 

FINANCE–0.2%

     

Aviation Capital Group Corp.
7.125%, 10/15/20(a)

    U.S.$        155        178,826   
     

 

 

 
        928,654   
     

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL–0.8%

     

BASIC–0.1%

     

NOVA Chemicals Corp.
5.25%, 8/01/23(a)

      74        80,845   
     

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.4%

     

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.
4.625%, 5/15/23(a)

      101        96,707   

Sprint Corp.
7.875%, 9/15/23(a)

      100        111,250   

T-Mobile USA, Inc.
6.625%, 4/01/23

      90        97,650   
     

 

 

 
        305,607   
     

 

 

 

 

9


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.0%

     

Dana Holding Corp.
6.00%, 9/15/23

    U.S.$        37      $ 39,220   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–ENTERTAINMENT–0.0%

     

Greektown Holdings LLC
10.75%, 12/01/13(d)(e)(f)

      55        0   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY–0.1%

     

Cimarex Energy Co.
4.375%, 6/01/24

      60        61,125   

SM Energy Co.
6.50%, 1/01/23

      9        9,743   
     

 

 

 
        70,868   
     

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY–0.2%

     

Numericable Group SA
5.375%, 5/15/22(a)

    EUR        120        174,380   
     

 

 

 
        670,920   
     

 

 

 

UTILITY–0.4%

     

NATURAL GAS–0.4%

     

Access Midstream Partners
LP/ACMP Finance Corp.
4.875%, 3/15/24

    U.S.$        78        82,388   

ONEOK, Inc.
4.25%, 2/01/22

      203        203,046   
     

 

 

 
        285,434   
     

 

 

 

NON CORPORATE
SECTORS–0.1%

     

AGENCIES–GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED–0.1%

     

Bank of Ireland Series MPLE
2.062%, 9/22/15(b)

    CAD        110        99,222   
     

 

 

 

Total Corporates–Non–
Investment Grades
(cost $1,865,280)

        1,984,230   
     

 

 

 

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS–2.0%

     

NON-AGENCY FIXED
RATE–0.9%

   

   

Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2006-J1, Class 1A13 5.50%, 2/25/36

    U.S.$        87        79,290   

CHL Mortgage Pass-Through Trust
Series 2006-13, Class 1A18
6.25%, 9/25/36

      121        112,764   

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.
Series 2005-2, Class 1A4
2.53%, 5/25/35

      115        113,237   

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust
Series 2007-HYB2,
Class 3A1
2.646%, 2/25/47

      159        132,664   
     

First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2006-FA3, Class A9
6.00%, 7/25/36

    U.S.$        137      $ 116,312   

JP Morgan Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2006-A3, Class 2A1
3.013%, 7/25/36

      242        181,675   
     

 

 

 
        735,942   
     

 

 

 

NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.8%

     

Deutsche Alt-A Securities Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2006-AR4, Class A2
0.342%, 12/25/36(b)

      215        132,959   

HomeBanc Mortgage Trust Series 2005-1, Class A1
0.402%, 3/25/35(b)

      112        95,796   

IndyMac Index Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2006-AR15,
Class A1
0.272%, 7/25/36(b)

      160        124,909   

Series 2006-AR27,
Class 2A2
0.352%, 10/25/36(b)

      169        145,615   

Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
Series 2007-OA1,
Class A1A
0.823%, 2/25/47(b)

      213        175,626   
     

 

 

 
        674,905   
     

 

 

 

GSE RISK SHARE FLOATING RATE–0.1%

     

Fannie Mae Connecticut Avenue Securities
Series 2014-C01, Class M2 4.552%, 1/25/24(b)

      101        115,466   
     

 

 

 

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–0.1%

     

Commercial Mortgage Trust
1.00%, 6/15/16

      100        100,000   
     

 

 

 

AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.1%

  

   

Fannie Mae Grantor Trust
Series 2004-T5, Class AB4
0.667%, 5/28/35

      50        45,140   
     

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(cost $1,966,267)

        1,671,453   
     

 

 

 

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–2.1%

     

UNITED STATES–2.1%

     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index
0.125%, 4/15/16-4/15/19
(cost $1,664,830)

      1,623        1,670,844   
     

 

 

 

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

    
Principal
Amount

(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.8%

   

   

QATAR–0.5%

     

Qatar Government International Bond
4.50%, 1/20/22(a)

  U.S.$          360      $ 395,568   
     

 

 

 

TURKEY–0.3%

     

Turkey Government International Bond
4.875%, 4/16/43

      260        244,156   
     

 

 

 

Total Governments–Sovereign Bonds
(cost $614,048)

        639,724   
     

 

 

 
    Shares        

PREFERRED STOCKS–0.7%

  

   

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.7%

  

 

BANKING–0.2%

     

Morgan Stanley
7.125%

      5,000        139,350   

State Street Corp.
Series D
5.90%

      2,050        53,710   
     

 

 

 
        193,060   
     

 

 

 

INSURANCE–0.3%

     

Allstate Corp. (The)
5.10%

      9,175        230,568   
     

 

 

 

REITS–0.2%

     

Sovereign Real Estate Investment Trust
12.00%(a)

      93        123,681   
     

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks
(cost $509,065)

        547,309   
     

 

 

 
    Principal

Amount
(000)
       

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS–MUNICIPAL BONDS–0.4%

   

   

UNITED STATES–0.4%

     

California GO
7.625%, 3/01/40
(cost $203,246)

  U.S.$          200        295,048   
     

 

 

 

GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN
AGENCIES–0.2%

     

COLOMBIA–0.1%

     

Ecopetrol SA
5.875%, 5/28/45

      57        58,953   
     

 

 

 

GERMANY–0.1%

     

Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank
5.125%, 2/01/17

      70        77,701   
     

 

 

 

Total Governments–Sovereign Agencies
(cost $127,394)

        136,654   
     

 

 

 
     

EMERGING MARKETS–CORPORATE
BONDS–0.1%

     

INDUSTRIAL–0.1%

     

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.1%

     

Marfrig Overseas Ltd.
9.50%, 5/04/20(a)
(cost $99,779)

  U.S.$          100      $ 107,500   
     

 

 

 
    Shares        

WARRANTS–0.0%

     

Talon Equity Co. NV, expiring 11/24/15(d)(e)(f)
(cost $0)

      47        0   
     

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–17.6%

   

   

AGENCY DISCOUNT
NOTE–11.0%

     

Federal Home Loan Bank Zero Coupon, 7/16/14
(cost $8,899,778)

    U.S.$        8,900        8,899,778   
     

 

 

 

GOVERNMENTS–
TREASURIES–3.4%

   

   

JAPAN–3.4%

     

Japan Treasury Discount Bill Series 448
Zero Coupon, 7/28/14
(cost $2,745,561)

    JPY        280,000        2,763,855   
     

 

 

 

TIME DEPOSIT–3.2%

     

State Street Time Deposit 0.01%, 7/01/14
(cost $2,570,840)

    U.S.$        2,571        2,570,840   
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $14,216,179)

        14,234,473   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–115.7%

(cost $90,409,002)

        93,432,440   

Other assets less
liabilities–(15.7)%

        (12,697,343
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 80,735,097   
     

 

 

 

 

11


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

FUTURES (see Note D)

 

Type  

Number of

Contracts

   

Expiration

Month

 

Original

Value

   

Value at

June 30, 2014

   

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)

 

Purchased Contracts

         

U.S. T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures

    2      September 2014   $   250,003      $   250,344      $ 341   

Sold Contracts

         

U.S. T-Note 2 Yr (CBT) Futures

    4      September 2014     878,807        878,375        432   

U.S. T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures

    8      September 2014     953,957        955,688              (1,731
         

 

 

 
          $ (958
         

 

 

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Counterparty   

Contracts to
Deliver

(000)

    

In Exchange

For

(000)

    

Settlement

Date

    

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)

 

Barclays Bank PLC

   JPY  125,326       USD  1,235         7/11/14       $ (2,107

Barclays Bank PLC

   USD  412       MYR  1,331         7/25/14         2,278   

BNP Paribas SA

   CAD  1,190       USD  1,087         7/11/14         (28,133

BNP Paribas SA

   GBP  90       USD  152         8/21/14         (1,290

Citibank, NA

   PLN  2,487       USD  812         7/10/14         (6,501

Credit Suisse International

   CAD  647       USD  595         7/11/14         (10,946

Deutsche Bank AG

   EUR  607       USD  828         7/11/14         (3,536

Deutsche Bank AG

   USD  813       NOK  4,862         7/15/14         (20,982

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   BRL  1,898       USD  862         7/02/14         2,730   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   USD  852       BRL  1,898         7/02/14         6,758   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   BRL  836       USD  375         8/04/14         (344

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   USD  202       IDR   2,383,855         8/08/14         (1,555

HSBC Bank USA

   JPY    280,000       USD  2,744         7/28/14         (20,753

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

   USD  814       PLN  2,480         7/10/14         2,053   

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

   USD  600       PEN  1,690         7/16/14         2,625   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

   USD  609       CAD  659         7/11/14         8,936   

Standard Chartered Bank

   USD  411       KRW  421,867         7/11/14         6,207   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD  105       BRL  239         7/02/14         2,949   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   CAD  169       USD  156         7/11/14         (2,723

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   EUR  308       USD  419         7/11/14         (2,282

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD  54       CAD  59         7/11/14         1,212   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD  8       MXN  99         7/24/14         (2

UBS AG

   BRL  2,137       USD  940         7/02/14         (27,644

UBS AG

   USD  970       BRL  2,137         7/02/14         (3,074
           

 

 

 
            $   (96,124
           

 

 

 

CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)

 

Clearing Broker/(Exchange) &
Referenced Obligation
 

Fixed

Rate

(Pay)

Receive

   

Implied

Credit

Spread at

June 30,

2014

   

Notional

Amount

(000)

   

Market

Value

   

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)

 

Buy Contracts

         

Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC/(INTRCONX):

         

CDX-NAHY Series 21, 5 Year Index, 12/20/18*

    (5.00 )%      2.71   $   1,337      $ (124,626   $ (76,474

CDX-NAIG Series 22, 5 Year Index, 06/20/19*

    (1.00     0.59        2,530        (50,975     (15,400
       

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $   (175,601   $   (91,874
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)

 

                 Rate Type        

Clearing Broker/

(Exchange)

  Notional
Amount (000)
    Termination
Date
    

Payments

made by

the Fund

   

Payments

received by
the Fund

    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC/(CME Group)

    AUD  1,890        1/13/17         3 Month BBR        3.170   $     16,332   

Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC/(CME Group)

    NZD  2,370        4/29/17         3 Month BKBM        4.274     (980

Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC/(CME Group)

  $ 380        6/25/21         2.243     3 Month LIBOR        (2,111

Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC/(CME Group)

    530        1/14/24         2.980     3 Month LIBOR        (26,494

Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC/(CME Group)

    460        2/14/24         2.889     3 Month LIBOR        (17,773

Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC/(CME Group)

    650        4/28/24         2.817     3 Month LIBOR        (15,863

Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC/(CME Group)

    450        5/29/24         3 Month LIBOR        2.628     1,890   
          

 

 

 
           $ (44,999
          

 

 

 

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note D)

 

Swap Counterparty &
Referenced Obligation
  

Fixed

Rate

(Pay)

Receive

   

Implied

Credit

Spread at
June 30,

2014

   

Notional

Amount

(000)

    

Market

Value

    

Upfront

Premiums

Paid

(Received)

    

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)

 

Sale Contracts

               

Credit Suisse International:

               

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.,
5.95%, 9/15/16, 9/20/17*

     1.00     0.20     270       $   7,078       $   (6,125    $   13,203   

Kohl’s Corp.,
6.25%, 12/15/2017, 6/20/2019*

     1.00        1.14        92         (698      (1,234      536   

Kohl’s Corp.,
6.25%, 12/15/2017, 6/20/2019*

     1.00        1.14        54         (409      (649      240   

Kohl’s Corp.,
6.25%, 12/15/2017, 6/20/2019*

     1.00        1.14        37         (285      (503      218   

Kohl’s Corp.,
6.25%, 12/15/2017, 6/20/2019*

     1.00        1.14        37         (282      (499      217   
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
          $ 5,404       $ (9,010    $ 14,414   
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Termination date

INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note D)

 

                   Rate Type         
Swap Counterparty    Notional
Amount
(000)
     Termination
Date
     Payments
made by
the Fund
    

Payments
received by

the Fund

     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   $ 1,390         1/30/17         1.059      3 Month LIBOR       $   (14,106

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

       1,520         2/07/22         2.043      3 Month LIBOR         14,172   
              

 

 

 
               $ 66   
              

 

 

 

 

13


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(a)   Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $15,661,968 or 19.4% of net assets.

 

(b)   Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2014.

 

(c)   Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date.

 

(d)   Non-income producing security.

 

(e)   Fair valued by the Adviser.

 

(f)   Illiquid security.

Currency Abbreviations:

AUD—Australian Dollar

BRL—Brazilian Real

CAD—Canadian Dollar

EUR—Euro

GBP—Great British Pound

IDR—Indonesian Rupiah

JPY—Japanese Yen

KRW—South Korean Won

MXN—Mexican Peso

MYR—Malaysian Ringgit

NOK—Norwegian Krone

NZD—New Zealand Dollar

PEN—Peruvian Nuevo Sol

PLN—Polish Zloty

USD—United States Dollar

Glossary:

ABS—Asset-Backed Securities

BBR—Bank of England Base Rate

BKBM—Bank Bill Benchmark (New Zealand)

CBT—Chicago Board of Trade

CDX-NAHY—North American High Yield Credit Default Swap Index

CDX-NAIG—North American Investment Grade Credit Default Swap Index

CMBS—Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

CME—Chicago Mercantile Exchange

GSE—Government-Sponsored Enterprise

INTRCONX—Inter-Continental Exchange

JSC—Joint Stock Company

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rates

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust

TBA—To Be Announced

TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

See notes to financial statements.

 

14


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $90,409,002)

   $ 93,432,440   

Cash

     3,541 (a) 

Due from broker

     89,556   

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $48,419)

     49,291   

Interest and dividends receivable

     464,690   

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions

     151,694   

Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared interest rate swaps

     48,721   

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     35,748   

Unrealized appreciation on credit default swaps

     14,414   

Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swaps

     14,172   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     12,611   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     94,316,878   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     13,225,030   

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     131,872   

Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared credit default swaps

     52,110   

Advisory fee payable

     28,868   

Administrative fee payable

     27,668   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     25,692   

Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps

     14,106   

Upfront premium received on credit default swaps

     9,010   

Distribution fee payable

     4,269   

Payable for variation margin on futures

     531   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     212   

Accrued expenses

     62,413   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     13,581,781   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 80,735,097   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 6,899   

Additional paid-in capital

     71,815,576   

Undistributed net investment income

     3,828,816   

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     2,277,528   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     2,806,278   
  

 

 

 
   $ 80,735,097   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class    Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

   $   59,125,113           5,036,590         $   11.74   

B

   $ 21,609,984           1,861,989         $ 11.61   

 

 

 

(a)   Represents amount on deposit at the broker as collateral for open derivative contracts.

See notes to financial statements.

 

15


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 1,418,554   

Dividends

     17,113   

Consent fee income

     443   
  

 

 

 
     1,436,110   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     183,750   

Distribution fee—Class B

     27,123   

Transfer agency—Class A

     2,115   

Transfer agency—Class B

     766   

Custodian

     67,048   

Administrative

     27,239   

Audit

     24,942   

Legal

     15,193   

Printing

     12,744   

Directors’ fees

     2,299   

Miscellaneous

     3,436   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     366,655   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,069,455   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

   

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     1,188,923   

Futures

     13,981   

Swaps

     (24,716

Foreign currency transactions

     (12,184

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     1,749,010   

Futures

     37,142   

Swaps

     (127,584

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities and other assets

     (180,772
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     2,643,800   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 3,713,255   
  

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

16


 
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET  ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,

2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,069,455      $ 2,576,017   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,166,004        1,409,766   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities and other assets

     1,477,796        (6,216,473
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     3,713,255        (2,230,690

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (2,531,715

Class B

     –0 –      (845,380

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     –0 –      (2,053,818

Class B

     –0 –      (749,834

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (7,275,927     (15,758,067
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (3,562,672     (24,169,504

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     84,297,769        108,467,273   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $3,828,816 and $2,759,361, respectively)

   $ 80,735,097      $ 84,297,769   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to generate income and price appreciation without assuming what the Adviser considers undue risk. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein 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)

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.

Options and warrants 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 or a warrant depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the option or warrant 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 or warrants 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 and warrants are classified within Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy when all of the significant inputs can be corroborated to market evidence. Otherwise such instruments are classified as Level 3.

Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar 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.

 

19


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2014:

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Investments in Securities:

        

Assets:

        

Corporates–Investment Grades

   $ –0 –    $   18,418,386      $ –0 –    $   18,418,386   

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

     –0 –      18,221,140        –0 –      18,221,140   

Asset-Backed Securities

     –0 –      11,286,489          1,605,706        12,892,195   

Governments–Treasuries

     –0 –      9,578,727        –0 –      9,578,727   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     –0 –      6,203,120        294,838        6,497,958   

Agencies

     –0 –      4,365,026        –0 –      4,365,026   

Quasi-Sovereigns

     –0 –      2,171,773        –0 –      2,171,773   

Corporates–Non-Investment Grades

     –0 –      1,885,008        –0 –^      1,885,008   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

     –0 –      45,140        1,626,313        1,671,453   

Inflation-Linked Securities

     –0 –      1,670,844        –0 –      1,670,844   

Governments–Sovereign Bonds

     –0 –      639,724        –0 –      639,724   

Preferred Stocks

       423,628        123,681        –0 –      547,309   

Local Governments–Municipal Bonds

     –0 –      295,048        –0 –      295,048   

Governments–Sovereign Agencies

     –0 –      235,876        –0 –      235,876   

Emerging Markets–Corporate Bonds

     –0 –      107,500        –0 –      107,500   

Warrants

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 –^      –0 – 

Short-Term Investments:

        

Agency Discount Note

     –0 –      8,899,778        –0 –      8,899,778   

Governments–Treasuries

     –0 –      2,763,855        –0 –      2,763,855   

Time Deposit

     –0 –      2,570,840        –0 –      2,570,840   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

     423,628        89,481,955        3,526,857        93,432,440   

Other Financial Instruments*:

        

Assets:

        

Futures

     773        –0 –      –0 –      773

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     –0 –      35,748        –0 –      35,748   

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps

     –0 –      18,222        –0 –      18,222

Credit Default Swaps

     –0 –      14,414        –0 –      14,414   

Interest Rate Swaps

     –0 –      14,172        –0 –      14,172   

Liabilities:

        

Futures

     (1,731     –0 –      –0 –      (1,731 )# 

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     –0 –      (131,872     –0 –      (131,872

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps

     –0 –      (91,874     –0 –      (91,874 )# 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps

     –0 –      (63,221     –0 –      (63,221 )# 

Interest Rate Swaps

     –0 –      (14,106     –0 –      (14,106
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total**

   $ 422,670      $ 89,263,438      $ 3,526,857      $ 93,212,965   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

^   The Portfolio held securities with zero market value at period end.

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

#   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of exchange traded derivatives reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

**   There were no transfers between any levels during the reporting period.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value.

 

     Asset-Backed
Securities
    Commercial
Mortgage-
Backed
Securities
    Corporates  -
Non-Investment
Grades^
 

Balance as of 12/31/13

   $ 1,270,213      $ 186,676      $ –0 – 

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     1,474        (82     –0 – 

Realized gain (loss)

     2,735        –0 –      –0 – 

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     8,480        6,685        –0 – 

Purchases

     609,598        101,559        –0 – 

Sales

     (286,794     –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers in to Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 6/30/14

   $   1,605,706      $   294,838      $             –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
from Investments held as of 6/30/14*

   $ 8,056      $ 6,685      $ –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Collateralized
Mortgage
Obligations
    Common
Stocks
    Warrants^  

Balance as of 12/31/13

   $ 1,240,216      $ 3,690      $ –0 – 

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     4,161        –0 –      –0 – 

Realized gain (loss)

     (7,709     3,742        –0 – 

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     55,235        (3,686     –0 – 

Purchases

     396,615        –0 –      –0 – 

Sales

     (62,205     (3,746     –0 – 

Transfers in to Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 6/30/14

   $ 1,626,313      $ –0 –    $ –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
from Investments held as of 6/30/14*

   $ 55,235      $ –0 –    $ –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Total              

Balance as of 12/31/13

   $ 2,700,795       

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     5,553       

Realized gain (loss)

     (1,232    

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     66,714       

Purchases

     1,107,772       

Sales

     (352,745    

Transfers in to Level 3

     –0 –     

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –     
  

 

 

     

Balance as of 6/30/14

   $ 3,526,857       
  

 

 

     

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
from Investments held as of 6/30/14*

   $ 69,976       
  

 

 

     

 

^   The Portfolio held a security with zero market value at period end.

 

*   The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations.

 

21


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The following presents information about significant unobservable inputs related to the Portfolio with material categories of Level 3 investments at June 30, 2014:

 

     Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
      Fair Value  at
6/30/14
   Valuation Technique    Unobservable Input    Range/Weighted Average
           

Asset-Backed Securities

   $1,605,706    Third Party Vendor    Evaluated Quotes    $70.27-$102.04/$96.80

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

   $193,279    Third Party Vendor    Evaluated Quotes    $103.72-$108.77/$105.72
   $101,559    Qualitative Assessment    Transaction Price    $100.00/N/A

Corporates–Non-Investment Grades

   $0    Qualitative Assessment       $0.00/N/A

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

   $1,526,313    Third Party Vendor    Evaluated Quotes    $61.94-$114.01/$85.08
   $100,000    Qualitative Assessment    Transaction Price    $100.00/N/A

Warrants

   $0    Qualitative Assessment       $0.00/N/A

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 .45% of the first $2.5 billion, .40% of the next $2.5 billion and .35% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $27,239.

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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $166, 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.

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.

 

23


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014 were as follows:

 

       Purchases        Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 12,753,512         $ 14,523,543   

U.S. government securities

       91,941,584           93,358,798   

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures, swaps and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,334,435   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (310,997
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,023,438   
  

 

 

 

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:

 

   

Futures

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 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, 2014, 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

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Swaps

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, including by 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 are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.

Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

At the time the Portfolio enters into a centrally cleared swap, 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 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 swaps is generally less than privately negotiated swaps, since the

 

25


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded 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, 2014, the Portfolio held interest rate 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 (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.

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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio held credit default swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Implied credit spreads 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.

At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had Sale Contracts outstanding with a Maximum Payout Amount of $490,000, with net unrealized appreciation of $14,414, and a term of less than 5 years, as reflected in the portfolio of investments.

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 reference obligation with the same counterparty. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio did not have Buy Contracts outstanding with respect to the same referenced obligation and same counterparty for its Sale Contracts outstanding.

The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar master agreements (collectively, “Master Agreements”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to 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 counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s 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.

Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as exchange-traded derivative transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Portfolio and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party. In the event of a default by a Master Agreements 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 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 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. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $118,301. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2014, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $118,301 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2014, 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   $ 773   Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures   $ 1,731

Foreign exchange contracts

  Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts     35,748      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts     131,872   

Interest rate contracts

  Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swaps     14,172      Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps     14,106   

Interest rate contracts

  Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared interest rate swaps     18,222   Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared interest rate swaps     63,221

Credit contracts

  Unrealized appreciation on credit default swaps     14,414       

Credit contracts

      Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared credit default swaps     91,874
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    $ 83,329        $ 302,804   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

*   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of exchange-traded derivatives as reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

27


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   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    $ 13,981      $ 37,142   

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities      (40,811     (182,345

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps      (3,412     (101,272

Credit contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps      (21,304     (26,312
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (51,546   $ (272,787
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table represents the volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Futures:

  

Average original value of buy contracts

   $ 2,064,665   

Average original value of sale contracts

   $ 1,235,940   

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts:

  

Average principal amount of buy contracts

   $ 2,719,115   

Average principal amount of sale contracts

   $ 7,377,470   

Interest Rate Swaps:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 2,910,000   

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 5,028,279   

Credit Default Swaps:

  

Average notional amount of sale contracts

   $ 325,171   

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps:

  

Average notional amount of buy contracts

   $ 3,147,571   

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.

 

28


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

All derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/ pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2014:

 

Counterparty

   Derivative Assets
Subject to MA
     Derivative
Available
for Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Received
    Securities
Collateral
Received
    Net Amount of
Derivatives Assets
 

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 2,278       $ (2,107   $ –0 –    $             –0 –    $ 171   

Credit Suisse International

     7,078         (7,078     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     9,488         (1,899     –0 –      –0 –      7,589   

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     14,172         (14,106     –0 –      –0 –      66   

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

     4,678         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      4,678   

Exchange-Traded Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC

     48,721         (48,721     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     8,936         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      8,936   

Standard Chartered Bank

     6,207         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      6,207   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     4,161         (4,161     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 105,719       $ (78,072   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 27,647   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Counterparty

   Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to a MA
     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Pledged
    Securities
Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount of
Derivatives
Liabilities
 

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 2,107       $ (2,107   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ –0 – 

BNP Paribas SA

     29,423         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      29,423   

Citibank, NA

     6,501         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      6,501   

Credit Suisse International

     12,620         (7,078     –0 –      –0 –      5,542   

Deutsche Bank AG

     24,518         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      24,518   

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     1,899         (1,899     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

HSBC Bank USA

     20,753         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      20,753   

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     14,106         (14,106     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Exchange-Traded Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC*

     52,110         (48,721     –0 –      –0 –      3,389   

Exchange-Traded New Edge USA, LLC*

     531         –0 –      (531 )**      –0 –      –0 – 

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     5,007         (4,161     –0 –      –0 –      846   

UBS AG

     30,718         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      30,718   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 200,293       $ (78,072   $ (531   $ –0 –    $ 121,690   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   Cash has been posted for initial margin requirements for exchange-traded derivatives outstanding at June 30, 2014.

 

**   The actual collateral received/pledged is more than the amount reported due to overcollateralization.

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. Dollar Rolls

The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often

 

29


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio earned drop income of $203,646 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.

4. Reverse Repurchase Agreements

The Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase transactions (“RVP”) in accordance with the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement (“MRA”), under which the Portfolio sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time the Portfolio enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish a segregated account with the custodian containing liquid assets having a value comparable to the repurchase price. Under the MRA and other Master Agreements, the Portfolio is permitted to offset payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted to the counterparty and create one single net payment due to or from the Portfolio in the event of a default. In the event of a default by a MRA counterparty, the Portfolio may be considered an unsecured creditor with respect to any excess collateral (collateral with a market value in excess of the repurchase price) held by and/or posted to the counterparty, and as such the return of such excess collateral may be delayed or denied. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had no transactions in reverse repurchase agreements.

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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    99,888        74,962        $ 1,142,783      $ 884,617   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      413,111          –0 –      4,585,533   

Shares redeemed

    (575,923     (1,408,318       (6,611,418     (16,566,656
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (476,035     (920,245     $ (5,468,635   $ (11,096,506
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    85,383        92,014        $ 977,531      $ 1,077,143   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      145,019          –0 –      1,595,214   

Shares redeemed

    (244,895     (628,054       (2,784,823     (7,333,918
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (159,512     (391,021     $ (1,807,292   $ (4,661,561
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

Duration Risk—Duration is the 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. For example, a fixed-income security with a duration of three years will decrease in value by approximately 3% if interest rates increase by 1%.

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which

 

30


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

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 and other uncertainties.

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 real value of the Portfolio’s assets can decline as can the real value of the Portfolio’s distributions.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may 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 in the statement of assets and liabilities.

Leverage Risk—When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverages its portfolio, it 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 derivative instruments by the Portfolio, such as forwards, futures, 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 G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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, 2014.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

     2013      2012  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 4,448,851       $ 5,421,309   

Net long-term capital gains

     1,731,896         3,090,029   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

   $ 6,180,747       $ 8,511,338   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

31


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $  2,728,367   

Undistributed net capital gain

     1,075,148   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (8,541 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     1,404,393 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 5,199,367   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had cumulative deferred losses on straddles of $8,541.

 

(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 and Treasury inflation-protected securities, and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

NOTE I: 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.

 

32


 
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.22        $12.30        $12.54        $12.39        $11.98        $10.50   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .15        .32        .33        .42        .48        .52   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .37        (.59     .35     .38        .60        1.37   

Contributions from Adviser

    0        0        .05     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .52        (.27     .73        .80        1.08        1.89   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment
income

    –0 –      (.45     (.58     (.60     (.67     (.41

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (.36     (.39     (.05     –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.81     (.97     (.65     (.67     (.41
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.74        $11.22        $12.30        $12.54        $12.39        $11.98   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    4.64     (2.16 )%      6.05     6.64     9.20     18.51 %** 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $59,125        $61,848        $79,104        $106,028        $119,599        $129,647   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .83 %^      .77     .70     .65     .68 %+      .69

Net investment income

    2.69 %^      2.74     2.67     3.42     3.90 %+      4.69

Portfolio turnover rate**

    128     217     116     108     94     102

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 34.

 

33


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.11        $12.17        $12.41        $12.26        $11.86        $10.40   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .14        .29        .30        .39        .44        .49   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .36        (.58     .35     .37        .60        1.36   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      .05     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .50        (.29     .70        .76        1.04        1.85   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.41     (.55     (.56     (.64     (.39

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (.36     (.39     (.05     –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.77     (.94     (.61     (.64     (.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.61        $11.11        $12.17        $12.41        $12.26        $11.86   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    4.50     (2.34 )%*      5.79 %*      6.38     8.93 %*      18.20 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $21,610        $22,450        $29,363        $33,973        $39,025        $41,341   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.08 %^      1.02     .96     .90     .93 %+      .94

Net investment income

    2.44 %^      2.49     2.43     3.17     3.64 %+      4.44

Portfolio turnover rate**

    128     217     116     108     94     102

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

#   Amount reclassified from realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.

 

*   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, 2013December 31, 2012December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.04% and 0.01%, respectively.

Includes the Adviser’s reimbursement in respect of the Lehman Bankruptcy Claim which contributed to the Portfolio’s performance by 0.38% for the year-ended December 31, 2012.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

**   The Portfolio accounts for dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales.

See notes to financial statements.

 

34


 
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”),2,3 prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund for the Directors of the Fund, as required by the August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what Section 36(b) requires: to face liability under Section 36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In Jones, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of Section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”4

INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.5 Also shown are the Portfolio’s net assets on September 30, 2013.

 

1   The information in the fee evaluation was completed on October 24, 2013 and discussed with the Board of Directors on November 5-7, 2013.

 

2   Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   It should be noted that on April 25, 2008, the Adviser’s variable fixed-income offerings were reorganized and U.S. Government/ High Grade Securities Portfolio acquired the assets of other fixed income series of the Fund, including Americas Government Income Portfolio, Global Bond Portfolio, Global Dollar Government Portfolio and High Yield Portfolio. On April 28, 2008 the investment guidelines of U.S. Government/ High Grade Securities Portfolio were broadened to match those of the Adviser’s U.S. Strategic Core Plus Strategy and the Portfolio’s name was changed to Intermediate Bond Portfolio.

 

4   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

5   Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

 

35


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Portfolio   Category   Advisory Fee
Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  Net Assets
($MM)

Intermediate

Bond Portfolio

  Low Risk Income  

0.45% on 1st $2.5 billion

0.40% on next $2.5 billion

0.35% on the balance

  $90.2

The Portfolio’s Investment Advisory Agreement provides for the Adviser to be reimbursed for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Adviser received $44,915 (0.038% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for providing such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recent semi-annual period:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense
Ratio6
  Fiscal Year

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

   Class A    0.74%
Class B    0.99%
  December 31

(ratio as of June 30, 2013)

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.7 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on September 30, 2013 net assets.8

 

6   Annualized.

 

7   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

8   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

36


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

9/30/13

($MM)

  

AllianceBernstein
Institutional

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)
    

Fund

Advisory

Fee (%)

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

   $90.2   

U.S. Strategic Core Plus

0.50% on the first $30 million

0.20% on the balance

Minimum account size: $25 million

     0.300         0.450   

Certain of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds (“ABMF”), which the Adviser manages, have a similar investment style as the Portfolio and their fee schedules are set forth below. The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints as AllianceBernstein Bond Fund, Inc.–Intermediate Bond Portfolio. Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.–Intermediate Duration Institutional Portfolio, which is managed similarly as the Portfolio, was not affected by the settlement since the fund has lower breakpoints than the NYAG related fee schedule. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the ABMF fee schedules been applicable to the Portfolio based on September 30, 2013 net assets:

 

Portfolio   ABMF Fund   Fee Schedule   ABMF
Effective
Fee (%)
   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee (%)

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  Bond Fund, Inc.–Intermediate Bond Portfolio  

0.45% on first $2.5 billion

0.40% on next $2.5 billion

0.35% on the balance

    0.450        0.450   

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  Intermediate Duration Institutional Portfolio9  

0.50% on first $1 billion

0.45% on the balance

    0.500        0.450   

The Adviser manages Intermediate Duration Portfolio of the Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. (“SCB Fund”), an open-end management investment company which has a similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is Intermediate Duration Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of Intermediate Duration Portfolio been applicable to the Portfolio based on September 30, 2013 net assets:

 

Portfolio   SCB Fund Portfolio    Fee Schedule   

SCB Fund

Effective

Fee (%)

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee (%)

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  Intermediate Duration
Portfolio
  

0.50% on 1st $1 billion

0.45% on next $2 billion

0.40% on next $2 billion

0.35% on next $2 billion

0.30% the balance

     0.500         0.450   

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fee set forth below for the sub-advisory relationship that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the sub-advisory relationship been applicable to the Portfolio based on September 30, 2013 net assets.

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee (%)

    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)
 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  Client # 1  

AB Sub-Advisory Fee Schedule:

    0.29% on first $100 million

    0.20% thereafter

    0.290        0.450   

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that this is the only sub-advisory relationship and it is with an affiliate of the Adviser, the fee schedule may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.

 

9   Intermediate Duration Institutional Portfolio has an expense cap of 0.45%, which effectively reduces the advisory fee of the fund.

 

37


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationship is paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such a lower fee due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationship. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advised relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management service generally required by a registered investment company.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.10 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)11 and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.12

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers. Consequently, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have a similar but not the same Lipper classification/objective as the Portfolio. However, because Lipper had expanded the Portfolio’s EG, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also expanded to include universes of those peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment objective/classification. A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment objective/classification as the subject portfolio.13

 

Portfolio   

Contractual
Management

Fee (%)14

  

Lipper Exp.

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Group

Rank

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

   0.450    0.500      2/12   

Set forth below is a comparison of the Portfolio’s total expense ratio and the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and EU.

 

Portfolio   

Total

Expense

Ratio
(%)15

    

Lipper Exp.

Group
Median (%)

    

Lipper

Group

Rank

    

Lipper Exp.

Universe

Median (%)

    

Lipper
Universe

Rank

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

     0.705         0.652         11/12         0.604         25/28   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has more favorable ranking on a contractual management fee basis than on a total expense basis.

 

10   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

11   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

12   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

13   Except for asset size comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

14   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services.

 

15   Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

38


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE MANAGEMENT FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2012, relative to 2011.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive and the relationship otherwise complies with the 40 Act restrictions. These affiliates provide transfer agent and distribution services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and front-end sales loads.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, ABI received $78,314 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, distribution expenses were incurred by ABI in the amount of $218,349 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Adviser and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, and payments related to providing contract-holder record-keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder record keeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year. With respect to the Fund,16 ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2012 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2013 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), an affiliate of the Adviser. During the most recently completed fiscal year, the Portfolio paid ABIS a fee of approximately $1,385.17

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base

 

16   The fee is inclusive of other Portfolios of the Fund (Equity and Blend), which are not discussed in this summary.

 

17  

The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2012.

 

39


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously, in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli18 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.19 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.20 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND

With assets under management of approximately $445 billion as of September 30, 2013, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings21 of the Portfolio relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)22 for the periods ended July 31, 2013.23

 

     

Fund

Return (%)

      

PG

Median (%)

      

PU

Median (%)

      

PG

Rank

      

PU

Rank

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

                      

1 year

     –0.97           –1.08           –0.43           3/6           9/14   

3 year

     3.75           3.82           3.99           5/6           11/14   

5 year

     6.24           5.96           5.86           2/6           4/14   

10 year

     4.80           4.48           4.71           2/6           6/12   

 

 

 

18   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

19   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

20   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

21   The performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio are for the Portfolio’s Class A shares. The performance returns of the Portfolio were provided by Lipper.

 

22   The Portfolio’s PG/PU is not identical to its respective EG/EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund to/from PG/PU is somewhat different than that of EG/EU.

 

23   The current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if a Portfolio had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

 

40


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)24 versus its benchmarks25. Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.26

 

    

Periods Ending July 31, 2013

Annualized Performance

 
    

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

   

10

Year
(%)

    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized     

Risk

Period

(Year)

 
           

Volatility

(%)

   

Sharpe

(%)

    

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  0.97        3.75        6.24        4.80        5.41        4.39        0.69         10   

Barclays Capital U.S. Government Bond Index

  2.54        2.68        4.26        4.50        5.72        4.01        0.70         10   

Inception Date: September 17, 1992

                

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: December 5, 2013

 

24   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

25   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through July 31, 2013.

 

26   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a fund’s return in excess of the riskless return by the fund’s standard deviation. A fund with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a fund with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky fund. A fund with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a fund with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

41


 

 

 

VPS-IB-0512-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,055.50       $   5.10         1.00

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.84       $ 5.01         1.00
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,054.00       $ 6.62         1.30

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,018.35       $ 6.51         1.30

 

 

 

*   Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Roche Holding AG

   $ 3,405,646           3.5

Prudential PLC

     2,615,342           2.7   

Nestle SA

     2,480,511           2.5   

British American Tobacco PLC

     2,409,663           2.5   

AIA Group Ltd.

     2,348,500           2.4   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV

     2,341,897           2.4   

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

     2,297,189           2.4   

Schlumberger Ltd.

     2,263,461           2.3   

MediaTek, Inc.

     2,012,919           2.1   

UBS AG (REG)

     1,983,243           2.0   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   24,158,371           24.8

SECTOR BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR

   U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 23,403,779           24.1

Consumer Discretionary

     16,042,849           16.5   

Consumer Staples

     14,396,148           14.9   

Health Care

     12,563,033           13.0   

Industrials

     11,910,675           12.3   

Information Technology

     10,671,232           11.0   

Energy

     4,073,535           4.2   

Materials

     2,968,223           3.1   

Short-Term Investments

     865,125           0.9   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   96,894,599           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector 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).

Please note: The sector breakdown is classified in the above chart and throughout this report according to the Russell sector classification scheme. The Russell sector scheme was developed by Russell Investments. Russell classifies index members into industries that most closely describe the nature of its business and its primary economic orientation. Multiple resources are used to obtain overall information about the company. Additional Russell sector scheme information can be found within Russell Index methodology documents available on www.russell.com. 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 BREAKDOWN*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United Kingdom

   $ 21,529,795           22.2

Switzerland

     12,024,315           12.4   

Japan

     10,333,536           10.7   

India

     4,978,706           5.1   

France

     4,649,929           4.8   

Germany

     4,222,149           4.4   

Italy

     4,055,311           4.2   

Hong Kong

     3,959,149           4.1   

China

     3,919,817           4.0   

Taiwan

     3,637,832           3.8   

Russia

     3,575,798           3.7   

South Africa

     2,819,609           2.9   

Belgium

     2,341,897           2.4   

Other

     13,981,631           14.4   

Short-Term Investments

     865,125           0.9   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   96,894,599           100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

*   All data are as of June 30, 2014. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represent 2.3% or less in the following countries: Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Indonesia, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand and United States.

 

3


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.5%

   
   

FINANCIALS–24.0%

   

BANKS–6.1%

   

Credicorp Ltd.

    8,840      $ 1,374,355   

Kasikornbank PCL (NVDR)

    123,900        778,740   

Sberbank of Russia
(Sponsored ADR)

    77,835        791,582   

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial
Group, Inc.

    31,300        1,313,250   

UniCredit SpA

    206,410        1,725,871   
   

 

 

 
      5,983,798   
   

 

 

 

CAPITAL MARKETS–6.8%

   

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

    223,230        1,732,444   

Azimut Holding SpA

    41,715        1,073,792   

Partners Group Holding AG

    6,800        1,857,726   

UBS AG (REG)(a)

    108,170        1,983,243   
   

 

 

 
      6,647,205   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–2.8%

   

IG Group Holdings PLC

    116,468        1,170,064   

ING Groep NV(a)

    110,860        1,555,641   
   

 

 

 
      2,725,705   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–5.1%

   

AIA Group Ltd.

    466,800        2,348,500   

Prudential PLC

    114,150        2,615,342   
   

 

 

 
      4,963,842   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–1.2%

   

Global Logistic Properties Ltd.

    518,000        1,122,630   
   

 

 

 

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–2.0%

   

Housing Development
Finance Corp.

    119,420        1,960,599   
   

 

 

 
      23,403,779   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–16.5%

   

AUTOMOBILES–4.2%

   

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    160,800        1,522,688   

Tata Motors Ltd.–Class A

    247,420        1,214,681   

Volkswagen AG
(Preference Shares)

    5,056        1,324,250   
   

 

 

 
      4,061,619   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.8%

   

Kroton Educacional SA

    28,000        785,191   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.8%

   

Alsea SAB de CV

    72,601        261,058   

Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd.
(ADR)

    40,430        1,443,755   
   

 

 

 
      1,704,813   
   

 

 

 
   

HOUSEHOLD
DURABLES–1.2%

   

Panasonic Corp.

    95,100      $ 1,152,807   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG
RETAIL–0.7%

   

JD.com, Inc. (ADR)(a)

    25,416        724,610   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–1.4%

   

Naspers Ltd.–Class N

    11,490        1,352,866   
   

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.8%

   

Matahari Department Store
Tbk PT

    706,500        822,711   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.9%

   

Card Factory PLC(a)

    123,026        433,726   

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery
Group Ltd.

    109,000        166,894   

Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

    3,900        1,284,775   
   

 

 

 
      1,885,395   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–3.7%

   

Brunello Cucinelli SpA(b)

    22,787        517,299   

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

    21,922        2,297,189   

Prada SpA(b)

    103,900        738,349   
   

 

 

 
      3,552,837   
   

 

 

 
      16,042,849   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–14.8%

   

BEVERAGES–2.4%

   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV

    20,382        2,341,897   
   

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–1.6%

   

Magnit OJSC (Sponsored GDR)(c)

    14,470        853,730   

Tsuruha Holdings, Inc.

    13,500        744,976   
   

 

 

 
      1,598,706   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–5.3%

   

Danone SA

    23,140        1,720,653   

Nestle SA

    32,012        2,480,511   

Universal Robina Corp.

    270,820        957,190   
   

 

 

 
      5,158,354   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–3.0%

   

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    21,560        1,879,927   

Unicharm Corp.

    16,900        1,007,601   
   

 

 

 
      2,887,528   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–2.5%

   

British American Tobacco PLC

    40,497        2,409,663   
   

 

 

 
      14,396,148   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–12.9%

   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–2.1%

   

Elekta AB–Class B(b)

    51,410        652,953   

Essilor International SA

    9,980        1,057,640   

Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co., Ltd.–Class H

    328,000        320,146   
   

 

 

 
      2,030,739   
   

 

 

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.7%

   

Life Healthcare Group
Holdings Ltd.

    182,640      $ 712,588   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–10.1%

   

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.

    26,821        754,155   

Bayer AG

    8,597        1,212,806   

H Lundbeck A/S

    22,140        544,875   

Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B

    31,855        1,470,202   

Roche Holding AG

    11,430        3,405,646   

Shire PLC

    18,661        1,463,825   

Sun Pharmaceutical
Industries Ltd.

    84,660        968,197   
   

 

 

 
      9,819,706   
   

 

 

 
      12,563,033   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–12.2%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.9%

   

Safran SA

    28,590        1,871,636   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–1.4%

   

Aggreko PLC

    48,816        1,378,228   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.7%

   

Toshiba Corp.

    351,000        1,640,726   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–2.6%

   

Komatsu Ltd.

    71,800        1,666,713   

Melrose Industries PLC

    196,363        873,796   
   

 

 

 
      2,540,509   
   

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES–3.3%

   

Capita PLC

    99,590        1,951,095   

Intertek Group PLC

    26,220        1,232,799   
   

 

 

 
      3,183,894   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.3%

   

Wolseley PLC

    23,652        1,295,682   
   

 

 

 
      11,910,675   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–10.9%

   

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–4.9%

   

Baidu, Inc. (Sponsored ADR)(a)

    7,920        1,479,535   

Mail.ru Group Ltd. (GDR)(a)(c)

    26,770        942,902   

Tencent Holdings Ltd

    91,500        1,395,526   

Yandex NV–Class A(a)

    27,710        987,584   
   

 

 

 
      4,805,547   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–0.8%

   

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    20,800        835,229   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–5.2%

   

ams AG

    8,390        1,392,624   

MediaTek, Inc.

    119,000        2,012,919   
   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    384,000      $ 1,624,913   
   

 

 

 
      5,030,456   
   

 

 

 
      10,671,232   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–4.2%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.3%

   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    19,190        2,263,461   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–1.9%

   

BG Group PLC

    85,780        1,810,074   
   

 

 

 
      4,073,535   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–3.0%

   

CHEMICALS–1.7%

   

Linde AG

    7,930        1,685,093   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–1.3%

   

BHP Billiton PLC

    39,470        1,283,130   
   

 

 

 
      2,968,223   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $67,971,103)

      96,029,474   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS – 0.9%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.9%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/01/14
(cost $865,125)

  $            865        865,125   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–99.4%
(cost $68,836,228)

      96,894,599   
   

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES
LOANED–1.6%

   

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–1.6%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(d)
(cost $1,548,329)

    1,548,329        1,548,329   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–101.0%

(cost $70,384,557)

      98,442,928   

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.0)%

      (1,012,838
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 97,430,090   
   

 

 

 

 

5


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein 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)
 

BNP Paribas SA

   AUD 754       USD 708         8/14/14       $ (1,138

BNP Paribas SA

   JPY   292,847       USD 2,889         8/14/14         (2,725

BNP Paribas SA

   USD 5,273       AUD 5,659         8/14/14         46,377   

BNP Paribas SA

   USD 2,883       JPY   292,847         8/14/14         8,989   

Credit Suisse International

   CAD 2,480       USD 2,318         8/14/14         (3,761

Credit Suisse International

   GBP 5,419       USD 9,185         8/14/14         (86,010

Credit Suisse International

   RUB 75,848       USD 2,135         8/14/14         (77,489

Credit Suisse International

   USD 588       NOK 3,457         8/14/14         (25,081

HSBC Bank USA

   HKD 18,080       USD 2,333         8/14/14         1,093   

HSBC Bank USA

   USD 6,793       CAD 7,404         8/14/14             138,292   

HSBC Bank USA

   USD 3,464       CHF 3,087         8/14/14         18,575   

HSBC Bank USA

   USD 364       GBP 218         8/14/14         8,620   

HSBC Bank USA

   USD 507       HKD 3,930         8/14/14         (125

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   CHF 5,197       USD 5,923         8/14/14         60,924   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   CHF 766       USD 860         8/14/14         (4,466

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   EUR 448       USD 612         8/14/14         (1,278

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   GBP 112       USD 189         8/14/14         (2,668

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 401       CHF 360         8/14/14         4,775   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 4,035       EUR 2,911         8/14/14         (48,375

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 2,129       GBP 1,252         8/14/14         12,510   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

   USD 1,535       SEK 9,985         8/14/14         (41,499
           

 

 

 
            $ 5,540   
           

 

 

 

 

 

(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 liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $1,796,632 or 1.8% of net assets.

 

(d)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Currency Abbreviations:

AUD—Australian Dollar

CAD—Canadian Dollar

CHF—Swiss Franc

EUR—Euro

GBP—Great British Pound

HKD—Hong Kong Dollar

JPY—Japanese Yen

NOK—Norwegian Krone

RUB—Russian Ruble

SEK—Swedish Krona

USD—United States Dollar

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

NVDR—Non Voting Depositary Receipt

OJSC—Open Joint Stock Company

REG—Registered Shares

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $68,836,228)

   $ 96,894,599 (a) 
  

Affiliated issuers (cost $1,548,329—investment of cash collateral for securities loaned)

     1,548,329   

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $265,176)

     266,946   

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions

     1,532,668   

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     300,155   

Dividends and interest receivable

     292,250   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     119,750   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     100,954,697   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     1,548,329   

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions

     1,349,232   

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     294,615   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     134,671   

Advisory fee payable

     57,808   

Administrative fee payable

     28,560   

Distribution fee payable

     10,644   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     212   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     100,536   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,524,607   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 97,430,090   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 4,822   

Additional paid-in capital

     107,570,715   

Undistributed net investment income

     1,865,056   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (40,022,255

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     28,011,752   
  

 

 

 
   $ 97,430,090   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class

    

Net Assets

      

Shares

Outstanding

      

Net Asset

Value

 

A

     $   43,837,390           2,156,062         $   20.33   

B

     $ 53,592,700           2,665,562         $ 20.11   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $1,488,931 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $122,937)

   $ 1,613,856   

Affiliated issuers

     692   

Interest

     334   

Securities lending income

     14,569   
  

 

 

 
     1,629,451   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     410,908   

Distribution fee—Class B

     65,282   

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,457   

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,466   

Custodian

     53,261   

Administrative

     27,041   

Audit

     18,921   

Printing

     18,844   

Legal

     17,584   

Directors’ fees

     2,386   

Miscellaneous

     8,302   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     625,452   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,003,999   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     18,150,442   

Futures

     649,604   

Foreign currency transactions

     (1,279,120

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (16,327,994 )(a) 

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     1,494,851   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     2,687,783   
  

 

 

 

Contributions from Adviser (see Note B)

     5,816   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 3,697,598   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $58,934.

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,003,999      $ 1,661,705   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     17,520,926        529,841   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (14,833,143     17,582,786   

Contributions from Adviser (see Note B)

     5,816        –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     3,697,598        19,774,332   

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (969,189

Class B

     –0 –      (406,590

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (63,377,696     (17,593,374
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     (59,680,098     805,179   

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     157,110,188        156,305,009   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,865,056 and $861,057, respectively)

   $ 97,430,090      $ 157,110,188   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

2. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks:

             

Financials

     $ 2,165,937       $ 21,237,842       $         –0 –     $ 23,403,779   

Consumer Discretionary

       3,648,340         12,394,509         –0 –       16,042,849   

Consumer Staples

       853,730         13,542,418         –0 –       14,396,148   

Health Care

       544,875         12,018,158         –0 –       12,563,033   

Industrials

       –0 –       11,910,675         –0 –       11,910,675   

Information Technology

       2,996,222         7,675,010         –0 –       10,671,232   

Energy

       2,263,461         1,810,074         –0 –       4,073,535   

Materials

       –0 –       2,968,223         –0 –       2,968,223   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       865,125         –0 –       865,125   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       1,548,329         –0 –       –0 –       1,548,329   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       14,020,894         84,422,034 +       –0 –       98,442,928   

Other Financial Instruments*:

             

Assets:

             

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       300,155         –0 –       300,155   

Liabilities:

             

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       (294,615      –0 –       (294,615
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total(a)

     $ 14,020,894       $ 84,427,574       $ –0 –     $ 98,448,468   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

+   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.

 

(a)   An amount of $5,997,430 was transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 due to the above mentioned foreign equity fair valuation using third party vendor modeling tools.

 

11


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund $5,816 for trading losses incurred due to a trade entry error.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $27,041.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $82,619, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 19,686,006      $ 81,802,942   

U.S. government securities

     –0 –      –0 – 

 

13


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 29,125,940   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,067,569
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 28,058,371   
  

 

 

 

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:

 

   

Futures

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 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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Portfolio held futures for 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, 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”) or similar master agreements (collectively, “Master Agreements”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement,

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

the Portfolio typically may offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s 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.

Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as exchange-traded derivative transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Portfolio and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party. In the event of a default by a Master Agreements 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 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 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. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $212,418. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2014, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $212,418 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2014, 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 exchange contracts

   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts    $ 300,155       Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts    $ 294,615   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

      $ 300,155          $ 294,615   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures    $ 649,603      $ –0 – 

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities      (1,142,616     1,493,615   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (493,013   $ 1,493,615   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table represents the volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Futures:

  

Average original value of buy contracts

   $ 42,419,972 (a) 

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts:

  

Average principal amount of buy contracts

   $ 43,683,024   

Average principal amount of sale contracts

   $ 42,067,484   

 

(a)   Positions were open for less than one month during the period.

 

15


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/ pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2014:

 

Counterparty

   Derivative Assets
Subject to MA
     Derivative
Available for
Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Received
    Securities
Collateral
Received
    Net Amount of
Derivatives Assets
 

BNP Paribas SA

   $ 55,366       $ (3,863   $             –0 –    $             –0 –    $ 51,503   

HSBC Bank USA

     166,580         (125     –0 –      –0 –      166,455   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     78,209         (78,209     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 300,155       $ (82,197   $ –0 –    $ –0 –     $ 217,958   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Counterparty

   Derivative Liabilities
Subject to a MA
     Derivatives
Available for
Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Pledged
    Securities
Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount of
Derivatives Liabilities
 

BNP Paribas SA

   $ 3,863       $ (3,863   $ –0 –     $ –0 –     $ –0 –  

Credit Suisse International

     192,341         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      192,341   

HSBC Bank USA

     125         (125     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     98,286         (78,209     –0 –      –0 –      20,077   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 294,615       $ (82,197   $ –0 –     $ –0 –     $ 212,418   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $1,488,931 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $1,548,329. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $14,569 and $692 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 177      $ 16,948      $ 15,577      $ 1,548   

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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    68,688        168,679        $ 1,322,095      $ 3,058,525   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      53,487          –0 –      969,189   

Shares redeemed

    (3,228,994     (604,017       (60,928,364     (10,946,120
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (3,160,306     (381,851     $ (59,606,269   $ (6,918,406
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    143,351        323,357        $ 2,755,818      $ 5,795,702   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      22,639          –0 –      406,590   

Shares redeemed

    (341,258     (943,420       (6,527,245     (16,877,260
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (197,907     (597,424     $ (3,771,427   $ (10,674,968
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

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 and other uncertainties.

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 in 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 $140 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection

 

17


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

       2013        2012  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 1,375,779         $ 2,289,486   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

     $ 1,375,779         $ 2,289,486   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (57,991,255 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     44,154,027 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (13,837,228
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $57,362,032. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $1,061,986 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains. At December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a qualified late-year ordinary loss deferral of $629,223 which is deemed to arise on January 1, 2014.

 

(b)   The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of gain/losses on certain derivative instruments.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $57,362,032 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM

AMOUNT

  

LONG-TERM

AMOUNT

 

EXPIRATION

$    7,176,740    n/a   2016
42,501,075    n/a   2017
7,684,217    –0–   no expiration

NOTEJ: 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.

 

18


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six  Months
Ended
June 30,  2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $19.27        $17.13        $15.08        $18.42        $16.66        $12.52   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .17        .21        .21        .26        .18        .22   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .89        2.11        2.12        (3.08     1.92        4.59   

Contributions from Adviser

    .00 (b)      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.06        2.32        2.33        (2.82     2.10        4.81   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.18     (.28     (.52     (.34     (.67
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $20.33        $19.27        $17.13        $15.08        $18.42        $16.66   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    5.55     13.60     15.54     (15.85 )%      12.89     39.58
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $43,837        $102,467        $97,611        $90,912        $126,339        $124,335   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.00 %^      .94     .97     .94     .93 %+      .99

Net investment income

    1.79 %^      1.15     1.33     1.53     1.08 %+      1.55

Portfolio turnover rate

    18     31     52     66     104     118

 

 

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 20.

 

19


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $19.08        $16.96        $14.93        $18.24        $16.51        $12.41   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .18        .16        .18        .22        .14        .18   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .85        2.09        2.08        (3.06     1.89        4.55   

Contributions from Adviser

    .00 (b)      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.03        2.25        2.26        (2.84     2.03        4.73   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.13     (.23     (.47     (.30     (.63
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $20.11        $19.08        $16.96        $14.93        $18.24        $16.51   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    5.40     13.32     15.23     (16.04 )%      12.61     39.24
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data.

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $53,593        $54,643        $58,694        $58,322        $74,879        $72,604   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.30 %^      1.19     1.22     1.19     1.18 %+      1.24

Net investment income

    1.88 %^      .92     1.11     1.27     .83 %+      1.28

Portfolio turnover rate

    18     31     52     66     104     118

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Amount is less than $.005.

 

(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.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

See notes to financial statements.

 

20


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-8, 2014.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee, in which the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2012 and 2013 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. 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 Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

 

21


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares; transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser; and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2014 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World (ex US) Index (Net) and the MSCI All Country (AC) World (ex US) Index (Net) (the “MSCI AC World Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2014. Effective May 1, 2014 the MSCI AC World Index became the Portfolio’s primary Index. The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio lagged the indices in all periods.

The directors had discussed with the Adviser their concerns about the investment performance of the Portfolio over time as compared to both its benchmark and its peers and the Adviser had reviewed with them various steps that it had taken, including the restructuring of the Adviser’s research and portfolio management teams and related modifications to its investment process, and other changes intended to improve investment performance. The directors continued to be concerned about the Portfolio’s performance over time and the lack of sustained improvement in it. After further discussion with the Adviser and consideration of the Adviser’s response to their concerns, the directors concluded that they continued to have confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio but informed the Adviser that, in light of the Portfolio’s persistent weak relative performance, they would continue to monitor closely the Portfolio and the impact of the steps taken by the Adviser with a view to improving investment performance.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the 3.5 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median.

The directors also considered the advisory fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule and the Portfolio’s fee schedule started at different rates and that the institutional fee schedule had breakpoints at lower asset levels. The application of the institutional fee schedule to the Portfolio’s net assets would result in a fee rate lower than the rate at the same asset level provided in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

same as that for its Corresponding Fund. The directors also considered that a portfolio of a fund advised by the Adviser (the “SCB Portfolio”) pursuing a somewhat similar investment style has higher fee rates at each breakpoint of its fee schedule, and that the Adviser is waiving, effective November 1, 2011 through October 31, 2014, 5 basis points of the advisory fee payable by the SCB Portfolio under its contract.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was the same as the Expense Group median and lower than the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein 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 at the May 2014 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 Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

23


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In Jones, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.

 

Portfolio   Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

 

International Growth Portfolio

  International  

0.75% on 1st $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

  $ 95.6   

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $54,097 (0.035% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 25, 2014 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2014.

 

2   Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio   Total Expense Ratio   Fiscal Year

International Growth Portfolio

 

Class A    0.94%

Class B    1.19%

  December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2014 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

    

AllianceBernstein
Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

International Growth Portfolio

   $ 95.6      

International Research Growth AC Schedule

0.85% on first $25m

0.65% on next $25m

0.55% on next $50m

0.45% on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

     0.655      0.750

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

25


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein International Growth Fund, Inc. (“International Growth Fund, Inc.”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of International Growth Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund

  Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

International Growth Portfolio

  International Growth Fund, Inc.  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

    0.750     0.750

The Adviser manages Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. (“SCB Fund”), an open-end management investment company. The International Portfolio of SCB Fund (“SCB International Portfolio”) has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of SCB International Portfolio and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of SCB International Portfolio been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2014 net assets:

 

Portfolio  

SCB Fund

Portfolio

  Fee Schedule  

SCB Fund

Effective

Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

International Growth Portfolio7

  International Portfolio  

0.925% on 1st $1 billion

0.850% on next $3 billion

0.800% on next $2 billion

0.750% on next $2 billion

0.650% thereafter

The Adviser is waving 5 basis points in advisory fees effective through October 31, 2014.

    0.875%        0.750%   

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.8 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.9,10

 

 

6   The retail mutual fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the retail mutual fund.

 

7   The investment guidelines of the Portfolio are more restrictive than the SCB Fund portfolio. The Portfolio invests primarily in either growth or value equity securities, in contrast to the SCB Fund portfolio, which invests in both growth and value equity securities.

 

8   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

9   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

10   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee (%)11
    

Lipper EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper EG

Rank

 

International Growth Portfolio

     0.750         0.800         4/13   

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.12

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

    

Lipper EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper EG

Rank

    

Lipper EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper EU

Rank

 

International Growth Portfolio

     0.936         0.936         7/13         0.990         15/42   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a contractual management fee basis than they do on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2013, relative to 2012.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, ABI received $141,206 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

 

 

11   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

12   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

13   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

27


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $326,524 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2013 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2014 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.14

The Portfolio did not effect brokerage transactions and pay commissions to the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) nor its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted in the future with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.15,16 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.17 The independent consultant then

 

14   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2013.

 

15   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

16   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

17   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

28


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $454 billion as of March 31, 2014, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended February 28, 2014.20

 

     Portfolio (%)     PG
Median (%)
    PU
Median (%)
    PG
Rank
    PU
Rank
 

International Growth Portfolio

         

1 year

    11.36        16.54        17.40        10/13        46/54   

3 year

    3.50        6.56        7.51        13/13        46/50   

5 year

    16.27        17.47        18.36        11/12        36/45   

10 year

    6.79        7.34        7.33        7/11        20/33   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)21 versus its benchmarks.22 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.23

 

    

Periods Ending February 28, 2014

Annualized Performance

 
   

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

    10
Year
(%)
    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized     Risk
Period
(Year)
 
               Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
   

International Growth Portfolio

    11.36        3.50        16.27        6.79        8.15        20.51        0.35        10   

MSCI World ex US Index (Net)

    17.91        5.72        17.47        6.81        N/A        18.18        0.36        10   

MSCI AC World ex US Index (Net)24

    12.25        3.98        17.25        7.16        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Inception Date: September 23, 1994

               

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 5, 2014

 

18   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

19   The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s respective EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

20   The current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

21   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

22   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 28, 2014.

 

23   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

24   Benchmark since inception date is the nearest month end after the Portfolio’s inception date.

 

29


 

 

 

VPS-IG-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio

 

 

June 30, 2014

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 

 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account  Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June  30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During  Period*
     Annualized
Expense  Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,041.40       $   4.30         0.85

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,020.58       $ 4.26         0.85
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,040.40       $ 5.56         1.10

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.34       $ 5.51         1.10

 

 

 

 

 

*   Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Roche Holding AG

   $ 19,325,478           2.5

Airbus Group NV

     18,074,130           2.4   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

     17,458,397           2.3   

Novartis AG

     15,586,904           2.0   

Vodafone Group PLC

     14,656,539           1.9   

Valeo SA

     14,325,819           1.9   

ORIX Corp.

     13,627,751           1.8   

Orange SA

     13,519,374           1.8   

UniCredit SpA

     13,148,759           1.7   

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

     12,685,169           1.7   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   152,408,320           20.0

SECTOR BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $   169,504,283           22.4

Consumer Discretionary

     113,953,627           15.1   

Industrials

     104,775,195           13.9   

Health Care

     79,117,310           10.5   

Telecommunication Services

     69,136,609           9.1   

Materials

     58,801,421           7.8   

Energy

     52,333,754           6.9   

Information Technology

     50,337,186           6.7   

Consumer Staples

     39,787,422           5.3   

Utilities

     14,389,942           1.9   

Short-Term Investments

     3,364,166           0.4   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 755,500,915           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector 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).

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 VALUE PORTFOLIO  
COUNTRY BREAKDOWN*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Japan

   $ 166,324,950           22.0

United Kingdom

     129,784,666           17.2   

France

     124,533,136           16.5   

Switzerland

     52,623,002           7.0   

Germany

     38,489,965           5.1   

Netherlands

     29,273,505           3.9   

Denmark

     24,981,604           3.3   

Hong Kong

     24,331,235           3.2   

Australia

     20,277,727           2.7   

Taiwan

     20,060,496           2.6   

China

     18,866,854           2.5   

Italy

     18,688,060           2.5   

Norway

     13,679,241           1.8   

Other

     70,222,308           9.3   

Short-Term Investments

     3,364,166           0.4   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   755,500,915           100.0

 

 

 

*   All data are as of June 30, 2014. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represent 1.5% or less in the following countries: Belgium, Brazil, Greece, Hungary, India, Israel, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates.

 

3


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.4%

   

FINANCIALS–22.0%

   

BANKS–12.4%

   

Banco do Brasil SA

    215,400      $ 2,422,580   

Bank Hapoalim BM

    698,875        4,036,689   

BNP Paribas SA

    74,760        5,080,595   

China Construction Bank Corp.–Class H

    3,772,000        2,852,579   

Credit Agricole SA

    204,602        2,888,746   

Danske Bank A/S

    305,290        8,630,088   

Kasikornbank PCL (NVDR)

    526,700        3,310,431   

KBC Groep NV(a)

    136,120        7,405,079   

Lloyds Banking Group PLC(a)

    9,979,898        12,685,169   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

    1,585,600        9,733,545   

Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.

    62,180        2,868,754   

Societe Generale SA

    195,622        10,258,939   

State Bank of India

    61,290        2,735,227   

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

    153,800        6,452,969   

UniCredit SpA

    1,572,560        13,148,759   
   

 

 

 
      94,510,149   
   

 

 

 

CAPITAL MARKETS–1.3%

   

Deutsche Bank AG (REG)

    274,646        9,652,427   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–2.2%

   

ING Groep NV(a)

    230,510        3,234,628   

ORIX Corp.

    821,900        13,627,751   
   

 

 

 
      16,862,379   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–3.6%

   

AIA Group Ltd.

    1,417,400        7,131,028   

Aviva PLC

    425,660        3,713,789   

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

    917,510        4,234,178   

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

    37,520        8,308,740   

Suncorp Group Ltd.

    316,490        4,041,534   
   

 

 

 
      27,429,269   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–0.0%

   

Stockland(b)

    2,612        9,553   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–2.5%

   

Aeon Mall Co., Ltd.

    160,800        4,239,796   

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

    948,000        2,299,419   

Country Garden Holdings Co., Ltd.

    9,470,000        3,737,456   

Lend Lease Group

    515,630        6,374,458   

Wharf Holdings Ltd.

    311,000        2,247,481   
   

 

 

 
      18,898,610   
   

 

 

 
      167,362,387   
   

 

 

 
   

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–14.9%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–4.0%

   

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B

    80,952      $ 9,665,849   

GKN PLC

    407,270        2,528,323   

Plastic Omnium SA

    132,470        4,155,045   

Valeo SA

    106,770        14,325,819   
   

 

 

 
      30,675,036   
   

 

 

 

AUTOMOBILES–4.9%

   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    42,820        5,422,282   

Great Wall Motor Co., Ltd.–Class H

    1,037,500        3,858,095   

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

    334,300        11,665,314   

Mazda Motor Corp.

    595,000        2,792,287   

Renault SA

    35,430        3,202,682   

Tata Motors Ltd.

    428,010        3,075,480   

Volkswagen AG (Preference Shares)

    29,630        7,760,590   
   

 

 

 
      37,776,730   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.7%

   

Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (ADR)

    241,187        8,612,787   

William Hill PLC

    745,704        4,186,790   
   

 

 

 
      12,799,577   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.6%

   

Taylor Wimpey PLC

    2,432,240        4,740,549   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–1.2%

   

Liberty Global PLC–Series C(a)

    220,370        9,323,855   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.8%

   

Kingfisher PLC

    644,960        3,959,344   

Shimamura Co., Ltd.

    45,700        4,498,414   

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.(b)

    1,423,900        5,075,839   
   

 

 

 
      13,533,597   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.7%

   

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

    48,710        5,104,283   
   

 

 

 
      113,953,627   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–13.7%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–4.5%

   

Airbus Group NV

    269,570        18,074,130   

MTU Aero Engines AG

    45,650        4,192,394   

Safran SA

    143,550        9,397,459   

Thales SA

    47,740        2,886,571   
   

 

 

 
      34,550,554   
   

 

 

 

AIRLINES–1.4%

   

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

    47,900        2,648,367   

Qantas Airways Ltd.(a)

    3,952,513        4,701,749   

Turk Hava Yollari(a)

    1,083,248        3,321,596   
   

 

 

 
      10,671,712   
   

 

 

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.4%

   

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.(b)

    460,000      $ 2,712,014   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.3%

   

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    721,900        10,162,519   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.2%

   

Bidvest Group Ltd.

    110,440        2,935,105   

Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.

    464,000        6,339,939   
   

 

 

 
      9,275,044   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–0.4%

   

JTEKT Corp.

    169,900        2,866,700   
   

 

 

 

MARINE–2.2%

   

AP Moeller–Maersk A/S–Class B

    4,302        10,695,992   

Nippon Yusen KK

    2,159,000        6,227,805   
   

 

 

 
      16,923,797   
   

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL–1.0%

   

Central Japan Railway Co.

    54,500        7,779,772   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.3%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

    305,300        6,354,638   

Rexel SA

    148,730        3,478,445   
   

 

 

 
      9,833,083   
   

 

 

 
      104,775,195   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–10.4%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.7%

   

Actelion Ltd. (REG)(a)

    99,600        12,606,337   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–8.7%

   

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

    665,900        8,756,960   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    655,710        17,458,397   

Novartis AG

    172,120        15,586,904   

Richter Gedeon Nyrt

    155,360        2,979,852   

Roche Holding AG

    64,860        19,325,478   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

    45,750        2,403,382   
   

 

 

 
      66,510,973   
   

 

 

 
      79,117,310   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–9.1%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–5.6%

   

Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp., Ltd.

    1,757,973        3,290,201   

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA(a)

    164,210        2,425,328   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    143,600        8,950,276   

Orange SA

    854,450        13,519,374   

Telenor ASA

    168,030        3,825,782   

Vivendi SA(a)

    270,726        6,625,085   

Ziggo NV

    91,630        4,237,566   
   

 

 

 
      42,873,612   
   

 

 

 
   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.5%

   

China Mobile Ltd.

    394,000      $ 3,826,819   

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

    255,300        4,358,174   

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS(a)

    546,640        3,421,465   

Vodafone Group PLC

    4,385,194        14,656,539   
   

 

 

 
      26,262,997   
   

 

 

 
      69,136,609   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–7.7%

   

CHEMICALS–4.7%

   

Arkema SA

    75,666        7,352,189   

BASF SE

    27,110        3,153,532   

Denki Kagaku Kogyo KK

    970,000        3,726,916   

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

    1,883,880        5,150,433   

JSR Corp.

    473,600        8,130,774   

Koninklijke DSM NV

    118,995        8,659,544   
   

 

 

 
      36,173,388   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–2.3%

   

Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd.

    289,000        2,725,676   

MMC Norilsk Nickel OJSC (ADR)

    206,220        4,085,218   

Rio Tinto PLC

    192,460        10,391,731   
   

 

 

 
      17,202,625   
   

 

 

 

PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.7%

   

Mondi PLC

    298,840        5,425,408   
   

 

 

 
      58,801,421   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–6.9%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.3%

   

Aker Solutions ASA

    314,702        5,461,994   

Seadrill Ltd.(b)

    110,810        4,391,465   
   

 

 

 
      9,853,459   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–5.6%

   

BG Group PLC

    532,490        11,236,261   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.–Class H

    2,408,000        2,292,486   

JX Holdings, Inc.

    2,035,400        10,891,880   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A

    251,719        10,393,499   

Total SA

    105,960        7,666,169   
   

 

 

 
      42,480,295   
   

 

 

 
      52,333,754   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–6.6%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.4%

   

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson–Class B

    267,065        3,226,344   
   

 

 

 

 

5


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–2.0%

   

Asustek Computer, Inc.

    394,000      $ 4,403,317   

Casetek Holdings Ltd.

    507,000        2,979,835   

Catcher Technology Co., Ltd.

    826,000        7,708,493   
   

 

 

 
      15,091,645   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–0.7%

   

Fujitsu Ltd.

    761,000        5,702,052   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.5%

   

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.

    597,000        773,594   

ASM International NV

    94,630        3,922,140   

Novatek Microelectronics Corp.

    853,000        4,195,257   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    4,170        5,445,806   

SK Hynix, Inc.(a)

    57,600        2,765,829   

Sumco Corp.

    503,400        4,614,103   

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    67,500        4,600,416   
   

 

 

 
      26,317,145   
   

 

 

 
      50,337,186   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–5.2%

   

BEVERAGES–1.1%

   

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    92,600        2,907,910   

Carlsberg A/S–Class B

    52,510        5,655,524   
   

 

 

 
      8,563,434   
   

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.2%

   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

    491,685        9,219,627   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.0%

   

Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

    263,000        4,122,083   

Danone SA

    40,768        3,031,444   
   

 

 

 
      7,153,527   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–0.8%

   

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    71,240        6,211,783   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–1.1%

   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

    192,030        8,639,051   
   

 

 

 
      39,787,422   
   

 

 

 
   

UTILITIES–1.9%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.9%

   

EDP–Energias de Portugal SA

    1,181,050      $ 5,926,046   

Electricite de France SA

    92,880        2,924,595   

Enel SpA(b)

    952,320        5,539,301   
   

 

 

 
      14,389,942   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $637,671,852)

      749,994,853   
   

 

 

 

WARRANTS–0.3%

   

FINANCIALS–0.3%

   

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.3%

   

Emaar Properties PJSC, Merrill Lynch Intl & Co.,
expiring 10/01/15(a)
(cost $1,275,590)

    935,380        2,141,896   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.4%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.4%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/01/14
(cost $3,364,166)

  $     3,364        3,364,166   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–99.1%
(cost $642,311,608)

      755,500,915   
   

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED–2.3%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–2.3%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(c)
(cost $17,543,386)

    17,543,386        17,543,386   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.4%
(cost $659,854,994)

      773,044,301   

Other assets less liabilities–(1.4)%

      (10,728,664
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 762,315,637   
   

 

 

 

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

FUTURES (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Month
     Original
Value
     Value at
June 30, 2014
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Purchased Contracts

              

Euro STOXX 50 Index Futures

     63         September 2014       $   2,820,146       $   2,788,115         $  (32,031)   

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         18,683         NOK         112,140         7/15/14       $ (409,270

Barclays Bank PLC

     CHF         8,827         USD         9,988         7/15/14         33,178   

Barclays Bank PLC

     USD         4,534         EUR         3,324         7/15/14         18,040   

Barclays Bank PLC

     USD         15,698         JPY         1,599,941         7/15/14         96,597   

Barclays Bank PLC

     USD         22,885         EUR         16,773         10/15/14         90,996   

BNP Paribas SA

     AUD         25,734         USD         23,722         7/15/14         (520,979

BNP Paribas SA

     USD         26,767         AUD         29,025         7/15/14         576,913   

BNP Paribas SA

     USD         15,223         JPY         1,555,147         7/15/14         129,576   

BNP Paribas SA

     JPY         9,551,693         USD         93,954         10/15/14         (405,607

Citibank, NA

     CAD         3,353         USD         3,086         7/15/14         (55,713

Citibank, NA

     USD         3,019         AUD         3,275         7/15/14         66,718   

Citibank, NA

     USD         3,130         EUR         2,274         7/15/14         (16,420

Citibank, NA

     USD         10,605         NOK         63,831         7/15/14         (203,978

Credit Suisse International

     CHF         29,314         USD         33,183         7/15/14         123,187   

Credit Suisse International

     CNY         35,613         USD         5,750         7/15/14         (6,380

Credit Suisse International

     GBP         8,721         USD         14,365         7/15/14         (558,909

Credit Suisse International

     NOK         83,697         USD         13,621         7/15/14         (17,529

Credit Suisse International

     RUB         146,222         USD         4,025         7/15/14         (266,374

Credit Suisse International

     USD         1,927         RUB         66,440         7/15/14         23,113   

Deutsche Bank AG

     USD         3,765         EUR         2,734         7/15/14         (21,439

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     USD         27,955         NZD         32,340         10/15/14         81,012   

HSBC Bank USA

     USD         19,584         GBP         11,539         10/15/14         145,724   

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     USD         3,036         CAD         3,353         7/15/14         105,537   

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     USD         8,373         EUR         6,041         7/15/14         (100,551

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     USD         3,446         SEK         22,534         7/15/14         (74,305

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

     CNY         61,885         USD         10,004         7/15/14         1,835   

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

     JPY         2,636,273         USD         25,741         7/15/14         (284,412

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

     USD         30,479         CHF         27,178         7/15/14         171,408   

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

     USD         34,075         SEK         221,645         7/15/14         (907,082

Northern Trust Co.

     EUR         14,373         USD         19,570         7/15/14         (112,113

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     JPY         1,978,123         USD         19,191         7/15/14         (337,049

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     USD         36,688         GBP         21,823         7/15/14         656,358   

Standard Chartered Bank

     HKD         162,386         USD         20,945         7/15/14         (3,050

Standard Chartered Bank

     CNY         12,771         USD         2,063         10/15/14         (4,279

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     HKD         14,709         USD         1,898         10/15/14         543   

UBS AG

     USD         9,878         GBP         5,880         7/15/14         184,494   
                 

 

 

 
                  $   (1,800,210
                 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

 

7


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Currency Abbreviations:

AUD—Australian Dollar

CAD—Canadian Dollar

CHF—Swiss Franc

CNY—Chinese Yuan Renminbi

EUR—Euro

GBP—Great British Pound

HKD—Hong Kong Dollar

JPY—Japanese Yen

NOK—Norwegian Krone

NZD—New Zealand Dollar

RUB—Russian Ruble

SEK—Swedish Krona

USD—United States Dollar

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

NVDR—Non Voting Depositary Receipt

OJSC—Open Joint Stock Company

PJSC—Public Joint Stock Company

REG—Registered Shares

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $642,311,608)

   $ 755,500,915 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $17,543,386—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned)

     17,543,386   

Due from broker

     255,977 (b) 

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $4,414,656)

     4,426,691   

Dividends and interest receivable

     4,574,201   

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     2,505,229   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     1,669,933   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     215,911   

Receivable for variation margin on futures

     5,915   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     786,698,158   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     17,543,386   

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     4,305,439   

Payable for investment securities purchased

     845,653   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     784,715   

Advisory fee payable

     460,694   

Distribution fee payable

     142,155   

Administrative fee payable

     29,593   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     302   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     270,584   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     24,382,521   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 762,315,637   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 49,274   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,672,913,608   

Undistributed net investment income

     22,286,092   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (1,044,394,363

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     111,461,026   
  

 

 

 
   $ 762,315,637   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class    Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

   $ 57,367,466           3,674,066         $   15.61   

B

   $   704,948,171           45,599,657         $ 15.46   

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $16,775,264 (see Note E).

 

(b)   Represents amount on deposit at the broker as collateral for open derivatives.

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $1,516,002)

   $ 24,529,050   

Affiliated issuers

     6,779   

Interest

     117   

Securities lending income

     392,494   
  

 

 

 
     24,928,440   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     2,885,723   

Distribution fee—Class B

     891,581   

Transfer agency—Class A

     266   

Transfer agency—Class B

     3,374   

Printing

     146,872   

Custodian

     124,801   

Legal

     30,455   

Administrative

     28,157   

Audit

     18,965   

Directors’ fees

     2,255   

Miscellaneous

     18,771   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     4,151,220   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     20,777,220   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     52,624,039   

Futures

     321,018   

Foreign currency transactions

     2,758,021   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (41,675,593 )(a) 

Futures

     (155,005

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (4,123,805
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     9,748,675   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 30,525,895   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Net of decrease in accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $33,891.

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June  30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 20,777,220      $ 20,322,182   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     55,703,078        104,857,249   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (45,954,403     67,180,778   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     30,525,895        192,360,209   

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (3,119,249

Class B

     –0 –      (48,329,623

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (70,449,620     (444,999,837
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (39,923,725     (304,088,500

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     802,239,362        1,106,327,862   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $22,286,092 and $1,508,872, respectively)

   $ 762,315,637      $ 802,239,362   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is 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 thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

2. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks:

             

Financials

     $ 2,422,580       $ 164,939,807       $             –0 –     $ 167,362,387   

Consumer Discretionary

       17,936,642         96,016,985         –0 –       113,953,627   

Industrials

       3,478,445         101,296,750         –0 –       104,775,195   

Health Care

       –0 –       79,117,310         –0 –       79,117,310   

Telecommunication Services

       –0 –       69,136,609         –0 –       69,136,609   

Materials

       4,085,218         54,716,203         –0 –       58,801,421   

Energy

       –0 –       52,333,754         –0 –       52,333,754   

Information Technology

       –0 –       50,337,186         –0 –       50,337,186   

Consumer Staples

       –0 –       39,787,422         –0 –       39,787,422   

Utilities

       –0 –       14,389,942         –0 –       14,389,942   

Warrants

       –0 –       2,141,896         –0 –       2,141,896   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       3,364,166         –0 –       3,364,166   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       17,543,386         –0 –       –0 –       17,543,386   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       45,466,271         727,578,030+         –0 –       773,044,301   

Other Financial Instruments* :

             

Assets:

             

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       2,505,229         –0 –       2,505,229   

Liabilities:

             

Futures

       –0 –       (32,031      –0 –       (32,031 )# 

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       (4,305,439      –0 –       (4,305,439
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total ++

     $ 45,466,271       $ 725,745,789       $ –0 –     $ 771,212,060   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

13


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

+   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.

 

#   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of exchange-traded derivatives as reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

++   There were de minimis transfers under 1% of net assets between Level 1 and Level 2 during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date 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 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, 2014, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $28,157.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $506,950, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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.

 

15


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 236,531,212      $ 284,695,240   

U.S. government securities

     –0 –      –0 – 

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 128,389,704   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (15,200,397
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 113,189,307   
  

 

 

 

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:

 

   

Futures

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 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, 2014, the Portfolio held futures for 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

The Portfolio typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar master agreements (collectively, “Master Agreements”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to 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 counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s 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.

Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as exchange-traded derivative transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Portfolio and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party. In the event of a default by a Master Agreements 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 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 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. As of June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $2,770,103. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2014, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $2,770,103 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2014, 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  

Equity contracts

         Receivable/Payable for
variation margin on futures
   $ 32,031

Foreign exchange contracts

   Unrealized appreciation on
forward currency
exchange contracts
   $ 2,505,229       Unrealized depreciation on
forward currency
exchange contracts
     4,305,439   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

      $ 2,505,229          $ 4,337,470   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

*   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of exchange-traded derivatives as reported in the portfolio of investments.

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
     Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures    $ 321,018       $ (155,005

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities      2,426,844         (4,136,040
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 2,747,862       $ (4,291,045
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

17


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The following table represents the volume of the Portfolio’s derivative transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

Futures:

  

Average original value of buy contracts

   $ 2,603,245   

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts:

  

Average principal amount of buy contracts

   $ 216,932,946   

Average principal amount of sale contracts

   $ 216,738,581   

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 derivatives held at period end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under Master Agreements (“MA”) and net of the related collateral received/ pledged by the Portfolio as of June 30, 2014:

 

Counterparty

   Derivative
Assets Subject
to MA
     Derivative
Available for
Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Received
    Securities
Collateral
Received
    Net Amount of
Derivatives
Assets
 

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 238,811       $ –0 –    $   –0 –    $   –0 –    $ 238,811   

BNP Paribas SA

     706,489         (706,489     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Citibank, NA

     66,718         (66,718     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Credit Suisse International

     146,300         (146,300     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

     81,012         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      81,012   

Exchange-Traded Goldman Sachs & Co.*

     5,915         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      5,915   

HSBC Bank USA

     145,724         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      145,724   

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     105,537         (105,537     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

     173,243         (173,243     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     656,358         (337,049     –0 –      –0 –      319,309   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     543         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      543   

UBS AG

     184,494         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      184,494   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,511,144       $ (1,535,336   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 975,808   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Counterparty

   Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to a MA
     Derivatives
Available for
Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Pledged
    Securities
Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount of
Derivatives
Liabilities
 

Bank of America, NA

   $ 409,270       $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 409,270   

BNP Paribas SA

     926,586         (706,489     –0 –      –0 –      220,097   

Citibank, NA

     276,111         (66,718     –0 –      –0 –      209,393   

Credit Suisse International

     849,192         (146,300     –0 –      –0 –      702,892   

Deutsche Bank AG

     21,439         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      21,439   

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     174,856         (105,537     –0 –      –0 –      69,319   

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

     1,191,494         (173,243     –0 –      –0 –      1,018,251   

Northern Trust Co.

     112,113         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      112,113   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     337,049         (337,049     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Standard Chartered Bank

     7,329         –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      7,329   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,305,439       $ (1,535,336   $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 2,770,103   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   Cash has been posted for initial margin requirements for exchange-traded derivatives outstanding at June 30, 2014.

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $16,775,264 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $17,543,386. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $392,494 and $6,779 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 9,971      $ 223,109      $ 215,537      $ 17,543   

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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    195,604        704,487        $ 2,960,389      $ 10,092,196   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      219,705          –0 –      3,119,249   

Shares redeemed

    (440,236     (711,972       (6,593,855     (9,889,977
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (244,632     212,220        $ (3,633,466   $ 3,321,468   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    386,154        1,604,342        $ 5,761,095      $ 21,719,600   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      3,444,995          –0 –      48,329,623   

Shares redeemed

    (4,837,941     (37,407,549       (72,577,249     (518,370,528
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (4,451,787     (32,358,212     $ (66,816,154   $ (448,321,305
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

19


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may 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 in 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 $140 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, 2014.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

     2013      2012  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 51,448,872       $ 15,027,826   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 51,448,872       $ 15,027,826   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 9,570,737   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (1,098,653,494 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     147,909,617 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (941,173,140
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $1,098,653,494. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $55,640,708 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains.

 

(b)   The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, and the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs).

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $1,098,653,494 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM

AMOUNT

  

LONG-TERM

AMOUNT

  

EXPIRATION

$   41,335,504    n/a    2016
917,130,062    n/a    2017
50,169,345    n/a    2018
25,870,806    $64,147,777    no expiration

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.

 

21


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.99        $12.96        $11.50        $14.90        $14.70        $11.05   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .42        .33        .36        .36        .27        .29   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .20        2.59        1.31        (3.19     .39 †      3.54   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .62        2.92        1.67        (2.83     .66        3.83   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.89     (.21     (.56     (.46     (.18

Tax return of capital

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.01     –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.89     (.21     (.57     (.46     (.18
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.61        $14.99        $12.96        $11.50        $14.90        $14.70   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    4.14     23.00     14.53     (19.25 )%      4.59     34.68
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $57,367        $58,723        $48,029        $62,003        $104,274        $179,342   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .85 %^      .82     .81     .82     .85 %+      .83

Net investment income

    5.58 %^      2.33     2.97     2.55     1.94 %+      2.40

Portfolio turnover rate

    31     59     41     62     52     52

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 23.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six  Months
Ended
June 30,  2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.86        $12.84        $11.40        $14.77        $14.54        $10.93   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .40        .30        .32        .31        .24        .28   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .20        2.56        1.29        (3.14     .38 †      3.47   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .60        2.86        1.61        (2.83     .62        3.75   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.84     (.17     (.53     (.39     (.14

Tax return of capital

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.01     –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.84     (.17     (.54     (.39     (.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.46        $14.86        $12.84        $11.40        $14.77        $14.54   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    4.04     22.73     14.19     (19.44 )%      4.30     34.36
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000,000’s omitted)

    $705        $744        $1,058        $1,033        $1,326        $1,708   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.10 %^      1.07     1.06     1.07     1.10 %+      1.08

Net investment income

    5.39 %^      2.20     2.70     2.23     1.73 %+      2.38

Portfolio turnover rate

    31     59     41     62     52     52

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

  Due to timing of sales and repurchase of capital shares, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share is not in accord with the Portfolio’s change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions for the period.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

See notes to financial statements.

 

23


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-8, 2014.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee, in which the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2012 and 2013 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. 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

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares; transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser; and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2014 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index (Net) (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2014 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the period since inception (May 2001 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, 4th out of 4 of the Performance Group and in the 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and was the only fund of the Performance Group and in the 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 1-year period and the period since inception, and lagged it in all other periods.

The directors had discussed with the Adviser their concerns about the investment performance of the Portfolio over time as compared to both its benchmark and its peers and the Adviser had reviewed with them various steps that it had taken, including the restructuring of the Adviser’s research and portfolio management teams and related modifications to its investment process, and other changes intended to improve investment performance. They further noted the Adviser’s longstanding view that its high conviction style of value investing was out of favor but would over time result in outperformance by the Portfolio. The directors continued to be concerned about the Portfolio’s performance over time and the lack of sustained improvement in it. After further discussion with the Adviser and consideration of the Adviser’s response to their concerns, the directors concluded that they continued to have confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio but informed the Adviser that, in light of the Portfolio’s persistent weak relative performance, they would continue to monitor closely the Portfolio and the impact of the steps taken by the Adviser with a view to improving investment performance.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the 1 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median.

The directors also considered the advisory fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule and the Portfolio’s fee schedule started at different rates and that the institutional fee schedule had breakpoints at lower asset levels. The application of the institutional

 

25


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

fee schedule to the Portfolio’s net assets would result in a fee rate lower than the rate at the same asset level provided in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio’s fee rate is higher than the sub-advisory fee rate earned by the Adviser for sub-advising certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The directors noted that because of the small number of funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category, Lipper had expanded the Expense Group of the Fund to include peers that had a similar (but not the same) Lipper investment objective/classification. The Expense Universe for the Portfolio had also been expanded by Lipper pursuant to Lipper’s standard guidelines. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap), was lower than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein 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 at the May 2014 meetings. 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 Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

26


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.

 

Portfolio   Category  

Advisory Fee Based on % of

Average Daily Net Assets

 

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

International Value Portfolio

  International  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

  $776.9

 

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 25, 2014 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2014.

 

2   Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

27


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $55,155 (0.006% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser upon at least 60 days’ notice prior to the Portfolio’s prospectus update. The Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio   Expense Cap Pursuant
to Expense Limitation
Undertaking
  Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Fiscal Year End

International Value Portfolio

  Class A    1.20%     0.82%      December 31
  Class B    1.45%     1.07%     

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

28


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2014 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein

Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

  

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

International Value Portfolio

   $776.9   

International Value Schedule

0.80% on first $25m

0.60% on the next $25m

0.50% on the next $50m

0.40% on the balance Minimum account size $25m

   0.426%      0.750

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Trust, Inc.—International Value Fund (“International Value Fund”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of International Value Fund and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund

  Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

International Value Portfolio

  International Value Fund  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

    0.750%        0.750%   

The Adviser manages Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. (“SCB Fund”), an open-end management investment company. The International Portfolio of SCB Fund (“SCB International Portfolio”) has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of SCB International Portfolio and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of SCB International Portfolio been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2014 net assets:

 

Portfolio    SCB Fund
Portfolio
   Fee Schedule    SCB Fund
Effective
Fee
     Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

International Value Portfolio7

   International
Portfolio
  

0.925% on 1st $1 billion

0.850% on next $3 billion

0.800% on next $2 billion

0.750% on next $2 billion

0.650% thereafter

The Adviser is waving 5 basis points in advisory fees effective through October 31, 2014.

     0.875      0.750

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for the sub-advisory relationship that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the sub-advisory relationship been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2014 net assets.

 

5   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

6   The retail mutual fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the retail mutual fund.

 

7   The investment guidelines of the Portfolio are more restrictive than the SCB Fund portfolio. The Portfolio invests primarily in either growth or value equity securities, in contrast to the SCB Fund portfolio, which invests in both growth and value equity securities.

 

 

29


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee

    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

International Value Portfolio

  Client # 18  

0.60% on first $1 billion

0.55% on next $500 million

0.50% on next $500 million

0.45% on next $500 million

0.40% on the balance

    0.600%        0.750%   

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that the sub-advisory relationship is with an affiliate of the Adviser, the fee schedule may not reflect arm’s length bargaining or negotiations.

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationship is paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such lower fees due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationship. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management, generally required by a registered investment company.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers9. Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.10,11

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers. Consequently, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have a similar but not the same Lipper classification/objective as the Portfolio. However, because Lipper had expanded the Portfolio’s EG, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also expanded to include universes of those peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment objective/classification. A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment objective/classification as the subject portfolio.12

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee13
      

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

      

Lipper
EG

Rank

 

International Value Portfolio

     0.750           0.807           5/11   

 

8   The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

9  

The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

10   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

11   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

12   The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, four other VIP International Value funds (“IFVE”), four VIP International Growth funds (“IFGE”) and two VIP International Core funds (“IFCE”).

 

13   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waiver or expense cap that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

30


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Because Lipper had expanded the EG of the Portfolio, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also expanded to include the universes of those peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.14 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.15

Set forth below is a comparison of the Portfolio’s total expense ratio and the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and EU. The Portfolio’s total expense ratio ranking is also shown in the table below.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)16

    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

    

Lipper

EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EU

Rank

 

International Value Portfolio

     0.823         0.887         3/11         0.897         6/22   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a total expense ratio basis than on a contractual management fee basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2013, relative to 2012.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, ABI received $2,181,857 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $5,353,827 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2013 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2014 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

 

14   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

15   The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP IFVE, IFGE and IFCE funds, excluding outliers.

 

16   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

31


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.17

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.18,19 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.20 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $454 billion as of March 31, 2014, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 

17   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2013.

 

18   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

19   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

20   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

32


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio21 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)22 for the periods ended February 28, 2014.23

 

      Portfolio (%)      PG
Median (%)
     PU
Median (%)
     PG
Rank
     PU
Rank
 

International Value Portfolio

              

1 year

     21.82         21.82         22.06         3/5         13/23   

3 year

     2.61         6.68         6.68         4/5         18/21   

5 year

     15.86         18.59         17.63         4/4         16/19   

10 year

     4.45         4.45         5.68         1/1         9/9   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)24 versus its benchmark.25 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.26

 

    

Periods Ending February 28, 2014

Annualized Performance

 
   

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

   

10

Year

(%)

    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized     Risk
Period
(Year)
 
               Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
   

International Value Portfolio

    21.82        2.62        15.86        4.45        6.22        21.51        0.24        10   

MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

    19.28        6.63        17.60        6.66        5.36        18.18        0.36        10   

Inception Date: May 10, 2001

           

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 5, 2014

  

 

21   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

22   The Portfolio’s PG/PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EG/EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund in/from a PG/PU is somewhat different from that of an EG/EU.

 

23   Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

24   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

25   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 28, 2014.

 

26   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

33


 

 

 

 

VPS-IV-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,045.10       $   4.26         0.84

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $   1,020.63       $   4.21         0.84
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,043.70       $   5.52         1.09

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $   1,019.39       $   5.46         1.09

 

 

 

*   Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Google, Inc.

   $ 22,421,202           5.5

Apple, Inc.

     19,394,956           4.7   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     17,872,080           4.4   

Visa, Inc.—Class A

     16,960,048           4.1   

Allergan, Inc./United States

     15,777,396           3.8   

Biogen Idec, Inc.

     15,315,868           3.7   

Comcast Corp.—Class A

     14,055,035           3.4   

CVS Caremark Corp.

     11,784,853           2.9   

Priceline Group, Inc. (The)

     11,043,540           2.7   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     10,901,367           2.7   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   155,526,345           37.9

SECTOR BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Technology

   $ 89,801,526           21.7

Consumer Discretionary

     84,611,758           20.4   

Health Care

     70,984,925           17.1   

Producer Durables

     45,349,836           10.9   

Consumer Staples

     44,163,436           10.6   

Financial Services

     31,451,537           7.6   

Materials & Processing

     12,509,967           3.0   

Energy

     11,067,597           2.7   

Short-Term Investments

     24,937,277           6.0   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   414,877,859           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   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 breakdown is classified in the above chart and throughout this report according to the Russell sector classification scheme. The Russell sector scheme was developed by Russell Investments. Russell classifies index members into industries that most closely describe the nature of its business and its primary economic orientation. Multiple resources are used to obtain overall information about the company. Additional Russell sector scheme information can be found within Russell Index methodology documents available on www.russell.com. 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


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–95.0%

   

TECHNOLOGY–21.9%

   

COMPUTER SERVICES, SOFTWARE & SYSTEMS–13.0%

   

ANSYS, Inc.(a)

    42,942      $ 3,255,862   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.–Class A(a)

    134,940        6,599,915   

F5 Networks, Inc.(a)

    32,750        3,649,660   

Facebook, Inc.–Class A(a)

    102,100        6,870,309   

FireEye, Inc. (a)(b)

    42,620        1,728,241   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

    18,650        10,904,096   

Google, Inc.–Class C(a)

    20,020        11,517,106   

Informatica Corp.(a)

    64,796        2,309,977   

NetSuite, Inc.(a)

    39,769        3,455,131   

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)

    46,733        2,895,577   
   

 

 

 
      53,185,874   
   

 

 

 

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY–4.7%

   

Apple, Inc.

    208,705        19,394,956   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS–1.8%

   

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

    76,230        7,343,998   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & COMPONENT–2.4%

   

Linear Technology Corp.

    209,830        9,876,698   
   

 

 

 
      89,801,526   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–20.6%

   

CABLE TELEVISION SERVICES–3.4%

   

Comcast Corp.–Class A

    261,830        14,055,035   
   

 

 

 

COSMETICS–1.4%

   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The)–Class A

    76,020        5,645,245   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED MEDIA–0.0%

   

Discovery Communications, Inc.–Class A(a)

    33        2,451   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED RETAIL–1.2%

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    41,590        4,789,504   
   

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT–2.5%

   

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    121,510        10,418,267   
   

 

 

 

LEISURE TIME–2.7%

   

Priceline Group, Inc. (The)(a)

    9,180        11,043,540   
   

 

 

 

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES & BOATS–1.6%

   

Polaris Industries, Inc.

    50,230        6,541,955   
   

 

 

 

RESTAURANTS–1.8%

   

Starbucks Corp.

    97,375        7,534,878   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–3.7%

   

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    114,810        9,295,018   

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.(a)

    24,630        3,709,278   

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.(a)

    25,110        2,295,305   
   

 

 

 
      15,299,601   
   

 

 

 
   

TEXTILES, APPAREL & SHOES–2.3%

   

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.(a)

    40,740      $ 3,611,601   

NIKE, Inc.–Class B

    73,110        5,669,681   
   

 

 

 
      9,281,282   
   

 

 

 
      84,611,758   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–17.3%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–5.5%

   

Biogen Idec, Inc.(a)

    48,574        15,315,868   

Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc.(a)

    139,288        7,422,657   
   

 

 

 
      22,738,525   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES–0.9%

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    43,861        3,585,637   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE SERVICES–1.1%

   

McKesson Corp.

    23,750        4,422,487   
   

 

 

 

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT–1.6%

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

    16,000        6,588,800   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–8.2%

   

Allergan, Inc./United States

    93,236        15,777,396   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

    215,560        17,872,080   
   

 

 

 
      33,649,476   
   

 

 

 
      70,984,925   
   

 

 

 

PRODUCER DURABLES–11.0%

   

AEROSPACE–2.2%

   

Boeing Co. (The)

    71,770        9,131,297   
   

 

 

 

AIR TRANSPORT–1.7%

   

Copa Holdings SA–Class A

    48,840        6,963,119   
   

 

 

 

BACK OFFICE SUPPORT, HR & CONSULTING–0.4%

   

CoStar Group, Inc.(a)

    9,738        1,540,259   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES–0.5%

   

Nielsen NV

    45,645        2,209,674   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS–2.3%

   

Danaher Corp.

    120,912        9,519,402   
   

 

 

 

RAILROAD EQUIPMENT–0.6%

   

Wabtec Corp./DE

    28,860        2,383,547   
   

 

 

 

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS: CONTROL & FILTER–0.9%

   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    28,520        3,585,820   
   

 

 

 

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS: ELECTRICAL–1.6%

   

AMETEK, Inc.

    128,811        6,734,239   
   

 

 

 

 

3


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS: GAUGES & METERS–0.8%

   

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)

    12,965      $ 3,282,479   
   

 

 

 
      45,349,836   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–10.8%

   

BEVERAGE: SOFT DRINKS–2.8%

   

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.

    26,420        3,292,196   

Monster Beverage Corp.(a)

    113,516        8,063,042   
   

 

 

 
      11,355,238   
   

 

 

 

DRUG & GROCERY STORE CHAINS–2.9%

   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    156,360        11,784,853   
   

 

 

 

FOODS–2.5%

   

Hershey Co. (The)

    36,600        3,563,742   

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.–Class A

    70,390        6,558,236   
   

 

 

 
      10,121,978   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–2.6%

   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    129,301        10,901,367   
   

 

 

 
      44,163,436   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIAL SERVICES–7.7%

   

ASSET MANAGEMENT & CUSTODIAN–1.7%

   

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a)

    15,661        3,216,769   

BlackRock, Inc.–Class A

    11,830        3,780,868   
   

 

 

 
      6,997,637   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIAL DATA & SYSTEMS–4.2%

   

Visa, Inc.–Class A

    80,490        16,960,048   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES BROKERAGE & SERVICES–1.8%

   

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    39,671        7,493,852   
   

 

 

 
      31,451,537   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS & PROCESSING–3.0%

   

FERTILIZERS–1.9%

   

Monsanto Co.

    62,313        7,772,924   
   

 

 

 

METAL FABRICATING–1.1%

   

Precision Castparts Corp.

    18,768        4,737,043   
   

 

 

 
      12,509,967   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–2.7%

   

OIL WELL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.7%

   

Oceaneering International, Inc.

    21,570        1,685,264   
   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    79,545      $ 9,382,333   
   

 

 

 
      11,067,597   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $293,223,697)

      389,940,582   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount

(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–6.1%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–6.1%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/01/14
(Cost $24,937,277)

  $   24,937        24,937,277   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITY LENDING COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES
LOANED–101.1%
(cost $318,160,974)

      414,877,859   
   

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES
LOANED–0.4%

   

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–0.4%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(c)
(cost $1,694,145)

    1,694,145        1,694,145   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–101.5%
(cost $319,855,119)

      416,572,004   

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.5)%

      (5,992,713
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 410,579,291   
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

4


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $318,160,974)

   $ 414,877,859 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $1,694,145—investment of cash collateral for securities loaned)

     1,694,145   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     665,417   

Dividends and interest receivable

     288,306   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     265,424   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     417,791,151   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     4,714,771   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     1,694,145   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     349,588   

Advisory fee payable

     243,871   

Distribution fee payable

     44,800   

Administrative fee payable

     28,559   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     212   

Accrued expenses

     135,914   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,211,860   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 410,579,291   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 9,331   

Additional paid-in capital

     307,881,064   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (185,518

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     6,157,529   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     96,716,885   
  

 

 

 
   $ 410,579,291   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $   183,894,752           4,113,036         $   44.71   

B

     $   226,684,539           5,218,067         $   43.44   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $1,728,241 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 1,796,796   

Affiliated issuers

     402   

Interest

     1,254   

Securities lending income

     5,051   
  

 

 

 
     1,803,503   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,524,437   

Distribution fee—Class B

     280,219   

Transfer agency—Class A

     2,777   

Transfer agency—Class B

     3,416   

Custodian

     56,750   

Printing

     52,152   

Administrative

     27,041   

Legal

     18,653   

Audit

     16,825   

Directors’ fees

     2,255   

Miscellaneous

     4,496   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,989,021   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (185,518
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     36,220,089   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (18,526,893
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment transactions

     17,693,196   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 17,507,678   
  

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (185,518   $ (951,019

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     36,220,089        40,515,361   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (18,526,893     81,506,094   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     17,507,678        121,070,436   

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (127,070

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (27,766,879     (51,226,644
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     (10,259,201     69,716,722   

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     420,838,492        351,121,770   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($185,518) and $0, respectively)

   $ 410,579,291      $ 420,838,492   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. 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 thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

8


    AllianceBernstein 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, 2014:

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Investments in Securities:

        

Assets:

        

Common Stocks*

   $ 389,940,582      $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 389,940,582   

Short-Term Investments

     –0 –      24,937,277        –0 –      24,937,277   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

     1,694,145        –0 –      –0 –      1,694,145   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

     391,634,727        24,937,277        –0 –      416,572,004   

Other Financial Instruments**

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total^

   $ 391,634,727      $ 24,937,277      $             –0 –    $ 416,572,004   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

^   There were no transfers between any levels during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair

 

9


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $27,041.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $117,303, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 135,587,036      $ 155,864,786   

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

   $ 97,460,378   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (743,493
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 96,716,885   
  

 

 

 

 

11


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014.

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $1,728,241 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $1,694,145. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $5,051 and $402 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 3,737      $ 12,431      $ 14,474      $ 1,694   

 

12


    AllianceBernstein 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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    32,019        99,625        $ 1,371,196      $ 3,596,763   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      3,499          –0 –      127,070   

Shares redeemed

    (371,528     (791,125       (15,902,890     (28,666,154
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (339,509     (688,001     $ (14,531,694   $ (24,942,321
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    210,487        257,016        $ 8,750,362      $ 9,095,751   

Shares redeemed

    (526,965     (1,007,058       (21,985,547     (35,380,074
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (316,478     (750,042     $ (13,235,185   $ (26,284,323
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

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 NAV.

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 in 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 $140 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, 2014.

 

13


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

       2013        2012  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 127,070         $ 550,503   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

     $ 127,070         $ 550,503   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (29,469,037 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     114,650,255 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 85,181,218   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $29,469,037. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $39,104,906 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains.

 

(b)   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 capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $29,469,037 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM

AMOUNT

  

LONG-TERM

AMOUNT

  

EXPIRATION

$     519,354    n/a    2016
  28,949,683    n/a    2017

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.

 

14


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $42.78        $31.17        $26.86        $27.79        $25.36        $18.47   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    .01        (.04     .05        .09        .07        .10   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    1.92        11.68        4.35        (.93     2.48        6.82   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.93        11.64        4.40        (.84     2.55        6.92   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.03     (.09     (.09     (.12     (.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $44.71        $42.78        $31.17        $26.86        $27.79        $25.36   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    4.51     37.35 %*      16.39 %*      (3.04 )%*      10.10 %*      37.52 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $183,895        $190,488        $160,226        $166,654        $200,977        $211,940   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .84 %^      .85     .86     .84     .85 %+      .88

Net investment income (loss)

    .05 %^      (.11 )%      .18     .33     .29 %+      .47

Portfolio turnover rate

    35     60     94     89     105     97

 

 

See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $41.62        $30.38        $26.17        $27.08        $24.72        $18.03   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    (.04     (.13     (.02     .02        .01        .04   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    1.86        11.37        4.24        (.91     2.42        6.65   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations

    1.82        11.24        4.22        (.89     2.43        6.69   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      –0 –      (.01     (.02     (.07     –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $43.44        $41.62        $30.38        $26.17        $27.08        $24.72   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    4.37     37.00 %*      16.12 %*      (3.27 )%*      9.83 %*      37.10 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $226,684        $230,350        $190,896        $194,729        $223,520        $233,460   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.09 %^      1.10     1.11     1.09     1.10 %+      1.13

Net investment income (loss)

    (.20 )%^      (.36 )%      (.07 )%      .08     .04 %+      .22

Portfolio turnover rate

    35     60     94     89     105     97

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

*   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, 2013December 31, 2012December 31, 2011December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by 0.10%, 0.95%, 0.46%, 0.58% and 1.96%, respectively.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

See notes to financial statements.

 

16


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-8, 2014.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee, in which the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2012 and 2013 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. 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

 

17


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares; transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser; and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2014 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2014 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the period since inception (June 1992 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, and in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 1-year period and the period since inception, and lagged it in all other periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was acceptable.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points was the same as the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the administrative expense reimbursement was 1.4 basis points in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year, and that as a result the rate of the compensation received by the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was higher than the Expense Group median.

The directors also considered the advisory fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule and the Portfolio’s fee schedule started at different rates and that the institutional fee schedule had breakpoints at lower asset levels. The application of the institutional fee schedule to the Portfolio’s net assets would result in a fee rate lower than the rate at the same asset level provided in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio’s fee rate is higher than the sub-advisory fee rate earned by the Adviser for sub-advising a registered investment company with a similar investment style. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was acceptable, although they noted that it was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein 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 at the May 2014 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 Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

19


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.

 

Portfolio   Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

  Growth   0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion
0.60% on the balance

  $407.2

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 25, 2014 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2014.

 

2   Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $54,101 (0.014% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s gross expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio        Fiscal Year  

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    

 

Class A    0.85

Class B    1.10


       December 31   

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2014 net assets:5

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

21


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

      

AllianceBernstein

Institutional

Fee Schedule

    

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

      

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   $ 407.2        

Large Cap Growth Schedule

0.80% on first $25m

0.50% on the next $25m

0.40% on the next $50m

0.30% on the next $100m

0.25% on the balance Minimum account size $25m

       0.330        0.750

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc. (“Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.), retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund

  Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

  Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

    0.750%        0.750%   

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the fees set forth for American Growth Portfolio, a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio.

 

Fund    Fee7  

American Growth Portfolio

  

Class A

     1.50

Class I (Institutional)

     0.70

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for the sub-advisory relationship that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationship been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2014 net assets.

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee(%)

    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee(%)
 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

  Client #1  

0.35% on the first $50 million

0.30% on the next $100 million

0.25% on the balance

    0.275        0.750   

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser.

 

6   The retail mutual fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfo-lio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the retail mutual fund.

 

7   Class A shares of the fund are charged an “all-in” fee, which includes investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationship is paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such a lower fee due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationship. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management, generally required by a registered investment company.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.8 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.9,10

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee (%)11
    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper
EG

Rank

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

     0.750         0.747         8/13   

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.12

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

    

Lipper

EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EU

Rank

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

     0.847         0.797         11/13         0.789         46/66   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a contractual management fee basis than on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

 

8   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

9   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

10  

The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

11  

The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

12   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

13   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

23


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2013, relative to 2012.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, ABI, an affiliate of the Adviser, received $517,869 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $1,194,047 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2013 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2014 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.14

The Portfolio did not effect brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) nor its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted in the future with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management

 

14   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2013.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.15,16 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.17 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $454 billion as of March 31, 2014, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended February 28, 2014.20

 

      Portfolio
(%)
     PG
Median (%)
     PU
Median (%)
     PG
Rank
     PU
Rank
 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

              

1 year

     31.67         31.67         32.77         7/13         52/89   

3 year

     13.79         13.94         14.66         8/13         56/82   

5 year

     21.94         22.11         22.98         9/13         55/77   

10 year

     7.26         7.38         7.69         8/12         42/64   

 

15   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

16  

As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

17   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

18   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

19   The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s respective EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

20   Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

25


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)21 versus its benchmarks.22 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.23

    

Periods Ending February 28, 2014

Annualized Performance

 
   

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

    10
Year
(%)
    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized      Risk
Period
(Year)
 
               Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
    

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    31.67        13.79        21.94        7.26        9.41        16.47        0.41         10   

Russell 1000 Growth Index

    29.14        15.06        24.02        7.77        8.67        15.03        0.46         10   

Inception Date: June 26, 1992

                

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 5, 2014

 

21   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

22   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 28, 2014.

 

23   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

26


 

 

 

VPS-LCG-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each classes’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,144.90       $ 5.64         1.06

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.54       $ 5.31         1.06
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,143.50       $ 6.96         1.31

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $   1,018.30       $   6.56         1.31

 

 

*   Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

   $ 3,520,147           7.0

American Tower Corp.

     1,703,321           3.4   

Public Storage

     1,521,588           3.0   

SL Green Realty Corp.

     1,495,197           3.0   

Boston Properties, Inc.

     1,139,137           2.3   

HCP, Inc.

     1,109,398           2.2   

Associated Estates Realty Corp.

     1,069,992           2.1   

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

     1,034,089           2.1   

Health Care REIT, Inc.

     1,030,357           2.1   

Ventas, Inc.

     1,024,318           2.0   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   14,647,544           29.2

INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

INDUSTRY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Diversified/Specialty

   $ 9,968,685           19.9

Lodging

     6,746,578           13.5   

Health Care

     6,096,110           12.2   

Regional Mall

     5,920,069           11.8   

Office

     5,638,505           11.3   

Multi-Family

     5,195,138           10.4   

Shopping Center/Other Retail

     4,700,655           9.4   

Self Storage

     2,597,752           5.2   

Industrial Warehouse Distribution

     2,272,779           4.5   

Mortgage

     470,779           0.9   

Triple Net

     221,804           0.4   

Student Housing

     168,256           0.3   

Short-Term Investments

     103,501           0.2   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   50,100,611           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s industry breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending) and may vary over time.

Please note: The industry classifications presented herein are based on the industry categorization methodology of the Adviser.

 

2


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.8%

   
   

EQUITY: OTHER–32.5%

   

DIVERSIFIED/SPECIALTY–19.9%

  

 

American Tower Corp.

    18,930      $ 1,703,321   

Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc.

    20,130        194,858   

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

    16,300        355,829   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.(a)

    9,280        541,210   

Gramercy Property Trust, Inc.

    165,402        1,000,682   

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

    28,310        759,274   

Lexington Realty Trust(a)

    61,420        676,234   

New York REIT, Inc.(a)

    64,880        717,573   

Rayonier Advanced Materials(b)

    4,217        163,396   

Rayonier, Inc.

    12,650        449,708   

Regal Entertainment Group–Class A

    35,490        748,839   

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

    91,029        1,034,089   

Vornado Realty Trust

    8,110        865,580   

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    22,910        758,092   
   

 

 

 
      9,968,685   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–12.2%

   

HCP, Inc.

    26,810        1,109,398   

Health Care REIT, Inc.

    16,441        1,030,357   

LTC Properties, Inc.

    21,540        840,922   

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

    66,895        885,690   

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    22,370        824,558   

Senior Housing Properties Trust

    15,680        380,867   

Ventas, Inc.

    15,980        1,024,318   
   

 

 

 
      6,096,110   
   

 

 

 

TRIPLE NET–0.4%

   

EPR Properties

    3,970        221,804   
   

 

 

 
      16,286,599   
   

 

 

 

RETAIL – 21.2%

   

REGIONAL MALL–11.8%

   

General Growth Properties, Inc.

    25,810        608,084   

Glimcher Realty Trust

    35,100        380,133   

Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust

    24,860        467,865   

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    21,170        3,520,147   

Washington Prime Group, Inc.(b)

    50,365        943,840   
   

 

 

 
      5,920,069   
   

 

 

 

SHOPPING CENTER/OTHER RETAIL–9.4%

   

DDR Corp.

    50,123        883,669   

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    2,740        331,321   

Kimco Realty Corp.

    23,780        546,464   

Kite Realty Group Trust

    72,064        442,473   

Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust

    47,481        789,134   

Regency Centers Corp.

    6,630        369,158   

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

    54,030        849,892   

Retail Properties of America, Inc.–Class A

    15,110        232,392   

Weingarten Realty Investors

    7,800        256,152   
   

 

 

 
      4,700,655   
   

 

 

 
      10,620,724   
   

 

 

 
Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

RESIDENTIAL–15.9%

   

MULTI-FAMILY–10.4%

   

Apartment Investment & Management Co. –Class A

    9,960      $ 321,409   

Associated Estates Realty Corp.

    59,378        1,069,992   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    4,020        571,604   

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc.(b)

    12,863        266,907   

Camden Property Trust

    2,010        143,012   

Equity Residential

    14,030        883,890   

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

    5,090        941,192   

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    13,650        997,132   
   

 

 

 
      5,195,138   
   

 

 

 

SELF STORAGE–5.2%

   

CubeSmart

    25,420        465,694   

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

    7,910        421,207   

Public Storage

    8,880        1,521,588   

Sovran Self Storage, Inc.

    2,450        189,263   
   

 

 

 
      2,597,752   
   

 

 

 

STUDENT HOUSING–0.3%

   

American Campus Communities, Inc.

    4,400        168,256   
   

 

 

 
      7,961,146   
   

 

 

 

LODGING–13.5%

   

LODGING–13.5%

   

Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc.

    47,472        814,620   

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

    68,839        794,402   

Chatham Lodging Trust

    33,430        732,117   

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

    72,170        925,219   

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

    37,790        397,173   

Hersha Hospitality Trust

    137,687        923,880   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    46,480        1,023,025   

Intrawest Resorts Holdings, Inc.(b)

    8,897        101,960   

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

    13,520        499,699   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

    4,650        375,813   

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.(b)

    13,550        158,670   
   

 

 

 
      6,746,578   
   

 

 

 

OFFICE–11.3%

   

OFFICE–11.3%

   

Boston Properties, Inc.

    9,639        1,139,137   

Columbia Property Trust, Inc.

    25,880        673,139   

Corporate Office Properties Trust

    6,870        191,055   

Cousins Properties, Inc.

    54,419        677,517   

Franklin Street Properties Corp.

    8,890        111,836   

Government Properties Income Trust

    4,470        113,493   

Kilroy Realty Corp.

    5,850        364,338   

Parkway Properties, Inc./MD

    42,266        872,793   

SL Green Realty Corp.

    13,666        1,495,197   
   

 

 

 
      5,638,505   
   

 

 

 

 

3


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

INDUSTRIALS–4.5%

   

INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE
DISTRIBUTION–4.5%

   

Granite Real Estate Investment Trust

    19,780      $ 736,014   

ProLogis, Inc.

    18,012        740,113   

STAG Industrial, Inc.

    33,180        796,652   
   

 

 

 
      2,272,779   
   

 

 

 

MORTGAGE–0.9%

   

MORTGAGE–0.9%

   

Altisource Residential Corp.
(cost $527,824)

    18,086        470,779   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $41,371,538)

      49,997,110   
   

 

 

 
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.2%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.2%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/01/14
(cost $103,501)

  $ 104      $ 103,501   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–100.0%
(cost $41,475,039)

      50,100,611   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES
LOANED–4.0%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–4.0%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(c)
(cost $2,007,795)

    2,007,795        2,007,795   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–104.0%
(cost $43,482,834)

      52,108,406   

Other assets less
liabilities–(4.0)%

      (1,984,916
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 50,123,490   
   

 

 

 

 

(a)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(b)   Non-income producing security.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust

See notes to financial statements.

 

4


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $41,475,039)

   $ 50,100,611 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $2,007,795—investment of cash collateral for securities loaned)

     2,007,795   

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $9,168)

     9,565   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     266,539   

Dividends and interest receivable

     178,878   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     16,736   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     52,580,124   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     2,007,795   

Payable for investment securities purchased

     213,544   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     127,022   

Administrative fee payable

     29,936   

Advisory fee payable

     21,886   

Distribution fee payable

     2,607   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     211   

Accrued expenses

     53,633   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,456,634   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 50,123,490   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 3,914   

Additional paid-in capital

     26,060,762   

Undistributed net investment income

     2,345,686   

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     13,087,147   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     8,625,981   
  

 

 

 
   $ 50,123,490   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class    Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value
 

A

   $ 37,207,517         2,907,213       $   12.80   

B

   $   12,915,973         1,006,804       $ 12.83   

 

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $1,935,017 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $2,665)

   $ 973,858   

Affiliated issuers

     338   

Interest

     22   

Securities lending income

     3,977   
  

 

 

 
     978,195   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     129,308   

Distribution fee—Class B

     15,948   

Transfer agency—Class A

     2,016   

Transfer agency—Class B

     752   

Custodian

     37,512   

Administrative

     28,136   

Audit

     21,321   

Legal

     14,839   

Printing

     10,517   

Directors’ fees

     2,255   

Miscellaneous

     2,968   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     265,572   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     712,623   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     1,012,071   

Foreign currency transactions

     (243

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     4,642,720   

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     270   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     5,654,818   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 6,367,441   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See   notes to financial statements.

 

6


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 712,623      $ 1,533,058   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,011,828        12,199,590   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     4,642,990        (9,677,724
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     6,367,441        4,054,924   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (1,092,258

Class B

     –0 –      (167,764

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     –0 –      (7,572,992

Class B

     –0 –      (1,408,799

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (213,992     (33,459,009
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     6,153,449        (39,645,898

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     43,970,041        83,615,939   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,345,686 and $1,633,063, respectively)

   $ 50,123,490      $ 43,970,041   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See   notes to financial statements.

 

7


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is total return from long-term growth of capital and income. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

8


    AllianceBernstein 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, 2014:

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Investments in Securities:

        

Assets:

        

Common Stocks*

   $ 49,997,110      $ –0 –    $             –0 –    $ 49,997,110   

Short-Term Investments

     –0 –      103,501        –0 –      103,501   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

     2,007,795        –0 –      –0 –      2,007,795   

Total Investments in Securities

     52,004,905        103,501        –0 –      52,108,406   

Other Financial Instruments**

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total^

   $ 52,004,905      $ 103,501      $ –0 –    $ 52,108,406   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

^   There were no transfers between any levels during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair

 

9


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $28,136.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $52,482, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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, 2014 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 17,067,303       $ 16,378,578   

U.S. government securities

       –0 –       –0 – 

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 9,059,499   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (433,927
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 8,625,572   
  

 

 

 

 

 

11


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014.

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $1,935,017 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $2,007,795. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $3,977 and $338 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 2,192      $ 12,575      $ 12,759      $ 2,008   

 

12


    AllianceBernstein 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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    543,410        524,528        $ 6,458,257      $ 6,706,724   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      793,521          –0 –      8,665,250   

Shares redeemed

    (461,433     (4,211,856       (5,476,398     (48,665,290
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    81,977        (2,893,807     $ 981,859      $ (33,293,316
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    56,801        173,655        $ 686,611      $ 2,176,681   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      143,716          –0 –      1,576,563   

Shares redeemed

    (154,990     (317,045       (1,882,462     (3,918,937
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (98,189     326        $ (1,195,851   $ (165,693
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Concentration of Risk—Although the Portfolio does not invest directly in real estate, it invests primarily in real estate equity securities and has a policy of concentration of its investments in the real estate industry. Therefore, an investment in the Portfolio is subject to certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and with the real estate industry in general. To the extent that assets underlying the Portfolio’s investments are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, the Portfolio may be subject to additional risks.

In addition, investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) also are subject to interest rate risks.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may 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 in 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.

 

13


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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, 2014.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

     2013      2012  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 3,797,777       $ 1,915,205   

Net long-term capital gains

     6,444,036         8,436,027   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

   $ 10,241,813       $ 10,351,232   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 4,095,200   

Undistributed capital gain

     9,784,440   

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     3,811,732 (a) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 17,691,372   
  

 

 

 

 

(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 capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

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.

 

14


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.18        $12.25        $11.58        $12.02        $9.64        $7.86   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .18        .24        .18        .11        .23        .19   

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    1.44        .24        2.21        1.02        2.30        1.98   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    1.62        .48        2.39        1.13        2.53        2.17   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.20     (.15     (.18     (.15     (.23

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (1.35     (1.57     (1.39     –0 –      (.16
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (1.55     (1.72     (1.57     (.15     (.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $12.80        $11.18        $12.25        $11.58        $12.02        $9.64   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    14.49     4.20     21.19     9.03 %*      26.34     29.46
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $37,207        $31,576        $70,048        $63,093        $66,493        $38,317   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.06 %^      .86     .84     .88     .87 %+      1.25

Net investment income

    3.10 %^      1.92     1.49     .91     2.15 %+      2.50

Portfolio turnover rate

    35     98     110     114     132     94

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.22        $12.28        $11.61        $12.05        $9.67        $7.86   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .17        .27        .15        .08        .20        .20   

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    1.44        .18        2.20        1.02        2.31        1.97   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    1.61        .45        2.35        1.10        2.51        2.17   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.16     (.11     (.15     (.13     (.20

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (1.35     (1.57     (1.39     –0 –      (.16
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (1.51     (1.68     (1.54     (.13     (.36
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $12.83        $11.22        $12.28        $11.61        $12.05        $9.67   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    14.35     3.97     20.83     8.75 %*      26.05     29.22
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $12,916        $12,394        $13,568        $13,536        $14,479        $12,517   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.31 %^      1.15     1.10     1.13     1.13 %+      1.53

Net investment income

    2.84 %^      2.13     1.19     .64     1.89 %+      2.67

Portfolio turnover rate

    35     98     110     114     132     94

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

*   Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2011 by 0.06%.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

See notes to financial statements.

 

16


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-8, 2014.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee, in which the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2012 and 2013 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. 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

 

17


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares; transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser; and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. At the May 2014 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) Equity REIT Index (the “FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index”) and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (the “S&P Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2014 and (in the case of comparisons with the indices) the period since inception (January 1997 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, in the 1st quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio lagged the FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index in the 1- and 5-year periods and outperformed it in all other periods. The Portfolio lagged the S&P Index in the 1- and 3-year periods and outperformed it in all other periods. Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance in the one-year period, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 55 basis points, plus the 7 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median.

The directors also considered the advisory fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule and the Portfolio’s fee schedule started at the same rate but the institutional fee schedule had breakpoints at lower asset levels. The application of the institutional fee schedule to the Portfolio’s net assets would result in a fee rate lower than the rate at the same asset level in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was the same as the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein 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 at the May 2014 meetings. 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 Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

19


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.

 

Portfolio   Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

  Value  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

  $46.7

 

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 25, 2014 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2014.

 

2   Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $55,158 (0.070% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year  

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   Class A    0.86%             December 31   
   Class B    1.15%          

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio4. In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2014 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein

Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   $46.7    U.S. REIT Schedule      0.504      0.550
      0.55% on first $25m      
      0.45% on next $25m      
      0.40% the balance      
      Minimum account size $25m      

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

21


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. (“Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.), a retail mutual fund, which has a somewhat investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund

  Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio7

  Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

    0.550%        0.550%   

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for the Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio.8

 

Fund    Fee9

Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio

Class A

Class I (Institutional)

   1.50%

0.70%

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.10 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.11,12

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

 

6   The Portfolio’s investment guidelines are more restrictive than that of the Luxembourg fund. The Portfolio primarily invests in equity securities of U.S. real estate investment trusts (“REITS”) and other U.S. real estate industry companies, in contrast to the Luxembourg fund, which may invest in equities of non-U.S. REITS and other non-U.S. real estate industry companies.

 

7   The retail mutual fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the retail mutual fund.

 

8   The Portfolio’s investment guidelines are more restrictive than that of AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. The Portfolio primarily invests in equity securities of U.S. real estate investment trusts (“REITS”) and other U.S. real estate industry companies, in contrast to the AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc., which may invest in equities of non-U.S. REITS and other non-U.S. real estate industry companies.

 

9   Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which includes investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

10   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

11   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

12   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee (%)13
    

Lipper EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper
EG

Rank

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

     0.550         0.750         3/11   

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU14 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)15

    

Lipper EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper EG

Rank

    

Lipper EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper EU

Rank

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

     0.860         0.860         6/11         0.860         8/15   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a contractual management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2013, relative to 2012.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, ABI received $34,520 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $72,749 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping

 

13   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

14   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

15   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

23


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2013 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2014 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.16

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.17,18 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.19 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

 

16  

The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2013.

 

17   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

18   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

19   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $454 billion as of March 31, 2014, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio20 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)21 for the periods ended February 28, 2014.22

 

      Portfolio (%)     

PG

Median (%)

    

PU

Median (%)

     PG
Rank
     PU
Rank
 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

              

1 year

     5.51         6.79         6.79         10/11         15/17   

3 year

     11.04         9.20         9.39         1/11         1/16   

5 year

     29.18         28.81         29.00         5/11         8/16   

10 year

     9.83         8.97         9.30         2/9         4/13   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)23 versus its benchmarks24. Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.25

 

     

Periods Ending February 28, 2014

Annualized Performance

 
    

1

Year
(%)

    

3

Year
(%)

    

5

Year
(%)

     10
Year
(%)
     Since
Inception
(%)
     Annualized      Risk
Period
(Year)
 
                     Volatility
(%)
     Sharpe
(%)
    

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

     5.51         11.04         29.18         9.83         10.04         24.97         0.44         10   

FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index26

     5.98         9.80         29.24         8.81         9.53         25.79         0.40         10   

S&P 500 Stock Index

     25.37         14.35         23.00         7.16         7.32         N/A         N/A         10   

Inception Date: January 9, 1997

                       

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 5, 2014

 

20   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

21   The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s respective EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

22   Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

23   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

24   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 28, 2014.

 

25   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

26   Benchmark since inception date is the nearest month end after the Portfolio’s inception date.

 

25


 

 

 

VPS-REI-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each classes’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,018.30       $   5.70         1.14

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.14       $ 5.71         1.14
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,016.90       $ 6.95         1.39

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,017.90       $ 6.95         1.39

 

 

 

*   Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

PolyOne Corp.

   $ 1,339,926           2.0

Akorn, Inc.

     1,141,406           1.7   

Kirby Corp.

     1,044,537           1.6   

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.

     1,037,719           1.5   

IDEX Corp.

     1,032,261           1.5   

Carlisle Cos., Inc.

     1,026,447           1.5   

Hexcel Corp.

     1,015,383           1.5   

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc.—Class A

     1,014,510           1.5   

United Rentals, Inc.

     1,007,503           1.5   

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.

     982,660           1.5   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   10,642,352           15.8

SECTOR BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $   18,450,841           27.2

Health Care

     15,081,032           22.2   

Industrials

     13,507,827           19.9   

Consumer Discretionary

     9,288,927           13.7   

Financials

     3,745,126           5.5   

Energy

     3,221,413           4.7   

Materials

     1,339,926           2.0   

Consumer Staples

     1,202,063           1.8   

Telecommunication Services

     608,604           0.9   

Short-Term Investments

     1,392,864           2.1   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 67,838,623           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   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 CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.5%

   
   

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–27.3%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.0%

   

Arista Networks, Inc.(a)(b)

    437      $ 27,265   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.9%

   

Zebra Technologies Corp.–Class A(b)

    7,610        626,455   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–8.5%

   

Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc.(b)

    6,630        305,113   

CoStar Group, Inc.(b)

    6,038        955,031   

Dealertrack Technologies, Inc.(b)

    18,592        842,961   

Demandware, Inc.(b)

    7,734        536,508   

Envestnet, Inc.(b)

    14,170        693,196   

Pandora Media, Inc.(b)

    17,930        528,935   

Shutterstock, Inc.(a)(b)

    7,695        638,531   

Yelp, Inc.(b)

    8,231        631,153   

Zillow, Inc.–Class A(a)(b)

    4,380        626,033   
   

 

 

 
      5,757,461   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–7.8%

   

Cavium, Inc.(b)

    15,350        762,281   

Intersil Corp.–Class A

    65,020        972,049   

Power Integrations, Inc.

    3,622        208,410   

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.(b)

    19,020        936,735   

Spansion, Inc.–Class A(b)

    33,630        708,584   

Synaptics, Inc.(b)

    9,060        821,198   

Teradyne, Inc.

    43,555        853,678   
   

 

 

 
      5,262,935   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–10.1%

   

A10 Networks, Inc.(b)

    23,683        314,984   

Aspen Technology, Inc.(b)

    19,942        925,309   

Fortinet, Inc.(b)

    36,390        914,481   

Guidewire Software, Inc.(b)

    17,029        692,399   

Interactive Intelligence Group, Inc.(b)

    9,810        550,635   

PTC, Inc.(b)

    21,007        815,071   

SolarWinds, Inc.(b)

    17,450        674,617   

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.(b)

    5,659        250,241   

Tableau Software, Inc.–Class A(b)

    9,608        685,339   

Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (The)(b)

    6,902        953,649   
   

 

 

 
      6,776,725   
   

 

 

 
      18,450,841   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–22.3%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–5.1%

   

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)

    9,761        681,513   

Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)

    557        131,803   

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)

    8,571        295,271   
   

Karyopharm Therapeutics,
Inc.(a)(b)

    5,685      $ 264,637   

KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    6,876        263,832   

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)

    19,300        637,865   

Puma Biotechnology, Inc.(b)

    1,773        117,018   

Synageva BioPharma Corp.(b)

    4,026        421,925   

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp.(b)

    10,510        137,260   

TESARO, Inc.(b)

    9,710        302,078   

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(b)

    4,202        188,628   
   

 

 

 
      3,441,830   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–5.9%

   

Align Technology, Inc.(b)

    12,150        680,886   

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.(b)

    12,064        375,914   

HeartWare International, Inc.(b)

    7,719        683,132   

Insulet Corp.(b)

    14,480        574,422   

K2M Group Holdings, Inc.(b)

    20,177        300,234   

LDR Holding Corp.(b)

    18,224        455,782   

Sirona Dental Systems, Inc.(b)

    7,854        647,641   

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.(b)

    15,748        256,062   
   

 

 

 
      3,974,073   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–4.5%

   

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.(b)

    22,807        1,037,719   

Mednax, Inc.(b)

    9,934        577,662   

Premier, Inc.–Class A(b)

    16,993        492,797   

Team Health Holdings, Inc.(b)

    19,609        979,273   
   

 

 

 
      3,087,451   
   

 

 

 

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–1.9%

   

ICON PLC(b)

    11,489        541,247   

PAREXEL International Corp.(b)

    13,810        729,720   
   

 

 

 
      1,270,967   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.9%

   

Akorn, Inc.(b)

    34,328        1,141,406   

Aratana Therapeutics, Inc.(b)

    16,087        251,118   

GW Pharmaceuticals PLC (ADR)(a)(b)

    3,829        410,813   

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(b)

    3,550        521,886   

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc./DE(b)

    8,660        795,508   

Revance Therapeutics, Inc.(b)

    5,470        185,980   
   

 

 

 
      3,306,711   
   

 

 

 
      15,081,032   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–20.0%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.0%

   

Hexcel Corp.(b)

    24,826        1,015,383   

KEYW Holding Corp. (The)(b)

    24,285        305,263   
   

 

 

 
   
      1,320,646   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.2%

   

Interface, Inc.

    6,280        118,315   
   

 

 

 

 

3


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.3%

   

Dycom Industries, Inc.(b)

    28,584      $ 894,965   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.5%

   

Carlisle Cos., Inc.

    11,850        1,026,447   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–8.4%

   

Actuant Corp.–Class A

    18,360        634,705   

Chart Industries, Inc.(b)

    9,515        787,271   

IDEX Corp.

    12,785        1,032,261   

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

    12,320        860,922   

Middleby Corp. (The)(b)

    10,020        828,854   

RBC Bearings, Inc.

    9,529        610,333   

Valmont Industries, Inc.

    5,797        880,854   
   

 

 

 
    5,635,200   
   

 

 

 

MARINE–1.5%

   

Kirby Corp.(b)

    8,917        1,044,537   
   

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES–2.1%

   

TrueBlue, Inc.(b)

    34,549        952,516   

WageWorks, Inc.(b)

    10,230        493,188   
   

 

 

 
    1,445,704   
   

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL–1.5%

   

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc.–Class A(b)

    9,662        1,014,510   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.5%

   

United Rentals, Inc.(b)

    9,620        1,007,503   
   

 

 

 
    13,507,827   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–13.8%

   

DISTRIBUTORS–2.4%

   

LKQ Corp.(b)

    27,795        741,848   

Pool Corp.

    15,410        871,590   
   

 

 

 
    1,613,438   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–2.1%

   

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(b)

    14,310        614,471   

Capella Education Co.

    14,891        809,922   
   

 

 

 
    1,424,393   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.0%

   

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.(b)

    5,930        982,660   

Zoe’s Kitchen, Inc.(a)(b)

    10,405        357,724   
   

 

 

 
    1,340,384   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.5%

   

Tempur Sealy International, Inc.(b)

    6,020        359,394   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG
RETAIL–1.6%

   

HomeAway, Inc.(b)

    15,616        543,749   
   

zulily, Inc.–Class A(a)(b)

    13,710      $ 561,425   
   

 

 

 
    1,105,174   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–1.2%

   

National CineMedia, Inc.

    44,909        786,357   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–4.0%

   

Cabela’s, Inc.(b)

    12,265        765,336   

Container Store Group, Inc.
(The)(a)(b)

    13,442        373,419   

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

    8,950        416,712   

Five Below, Inc.(b)

    24,359        972,167   

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.(b)

    1,740        132,153   
   

 

 

 
    2,659,787   
   

 

 

 
    9,288,927   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIALS–5.6%

   

BANKS–4.5%

   

City National Corp./CA

    6,420        486,379   

Iberiabank Corp.

    9,768        675,848   

Opus Bank(b)

    6,517        189,384   

Signature Bank/New York NY(b)

    6,339        799,855   

SVB Financial Group(b)

    7,601        886,429   
   

 

 

 
    3,037,895   
   

 

 

 

CAPITAL MARKETS–1.1%

   

Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc.–Class A

    590        33,441   

Stifel Financial Corp.(b)

    14,230        673,790   
   

 

 

 
    707,231   
   

 

 

 
    3,745,126   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–4.8%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.3%

   

Dril-Quip, Inc.(b)

    6,880        751,571   

Superior Energy Services, Inc.

    21,486        776,504   
   

 

 

 
    1,528,075   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–2.5%

   

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.(b)

    17,962        556,463   

Matador Resources Co.(b)

    19,396        567,915   

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.(b)

    10,180        568,960   
   

 

 

 
    1,693,338   
   

 

 

 
    3,221,413   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–2.0%

   

CHEMICALS–2.0%

   

PolyOne Corp.

    31,797        1,339,926   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–1.8%

   

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–1.8%

   

Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. (The)(b)

    22,303        440,930   

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.(b)

    23,262        761,133   
   

 

 

 
      1,202,063   
   

 

 

 

 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.9%

   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.9%

   

RingCentral, Inc.–Class A(b)

    40,225      $ 608,604   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $49,488,264)

      66,445,759   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–2.0%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.0%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/01/14
(cost $1,392,864)

  $   1,393        1,392,864   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–100.5%
(cost $50,881,128)

      67,838,623   
   

 

 

 
   

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES
LOANED–4.7%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–4.7%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(c)
(cost $3,180,062)

    3,180,062      $ 3,180,062   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–105.2%

(cost $54,061,190)

      71,018,685   

Other assets less liabilities–(5.2)%

      (3,537,418
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 67,481,267   
   

 

 

 

 

(a)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(b)   Non-income producing security.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $50,881,128)

   $ 67,838,623 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $3,180,062—investment of cash collateral for securities loaned)

     3,180,062   

Cash

     5,158   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     439,064   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     28,744   

Dividends and interest receivable

     22,142   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     71,513,793   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     3,163,392   

Payable for investment securities purchased

     702,275   

Advisory fee payable

     39,042   

Administrative fee payable

     29,936   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     18,625   

Collateral due to Securities Lending Agent

     16,670   

Distribution fee payable

     7,037   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     302   

Accrued expenses

     55,247   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,032,526   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 67,481,267   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 2,888   

Additional paid-in capital

     35,992,870   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (289,632

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     14,817,646   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     16,957,495   
  

 

 

 
   $ 67,481,267   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class    Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

   $   30,937,538           1,294,200         $   23.90   

B

   $ 36,543,729           1,594,020         $ 22.93   

 

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $3,180,850 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 115,026   

Affiliated issuers

     798   

Interest

     70   

Securities lending income

     29,841   
  

 

 

 
     145,735   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     255,792   

Distribution fee—Class B

     45,814   

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,472   

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,710   

Custodian

     53,079   

Administrative

     28,136   

Audit

     16,715   

Legal

     14,419   

Printing

     14,026   

Directors’ fees

     2,255   

Miscellaneous

     1,949   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     435,367   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (289,632
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     6,599,634   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (5,343,144
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment transactions

     1,256,490   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 966,858   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (289,632   $ (683,040

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     6,599,634        9,317,581   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (5,343,144     14,956,858   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     966,858        23,591,399   

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     –0 –      (4,909,967

Class B

     –0 –      (5,425,603

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     (5,123,579     4,452,720   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     (4,156,721     17,708,549   

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     71,637,988        53,929,439   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($289,632) and $0, respectively)

   $ 67,481,267      $ 71,637,988   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers thirteen 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 investments 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.

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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information

 

9


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

2. Fair Value Measurements

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, 2014:

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Investments in Securities:

        

Assets:

        

Common Stocks*

   $ 66,445,759      $ –0 –    $             –0 –    $ 66,445,759   

Short-Term Investments

     –0 –      1,392,864        –0 –      1,392,864   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

     3,180,062        –0 –      –0 –      3,180,062   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

     69,625,821        1,392,864        –0 –      71,018,685   

Other Financial Instruments**

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total^

   $ 69,625,821      $ 1,392,864      $ –0 –    $ 71,018,685   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

^   There were no transfers between any levels during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

11


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $28,136.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $43,474, of which $44 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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, 2014 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 25,514,420       $ 30,922,089   

U.S. government securities

       –0 –       –0 – 

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

   $ 17,925,296   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (967,801
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 16,957,495   
  

 

 

 

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, 2014.

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $3,180,850 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $3,180,062. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $29,841 and $798 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 1,764      $ 14,293      $ 12,877      $ 3,180   

 

13


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein 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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    58,933        175,197        $ 1,420,116      $ 3,755,689   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    –0 –      242,587          –0 –      4,909,967   

Shares redeemed

    (192,415     (439,402       (4,453,554     (9,575,673
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (133,482     (21,618     $ (3,033,438   $ (910,017
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    101,513        425,918        $ 2,300,233      $ 9,109,480   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    –0 –      278,808          –0 –      5,425,603   

Shares redeemed

    (199,178     (453,555       (4,390,374     (9,172,346
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (97,665     251,171        $ (2,090,141   $ 5,362,737   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may 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 in 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 $140 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, 2014.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

       2013        2012  

Distributions paid from:

         

Net long-term capital gains

     $ 10,335,570         $ 2,189,914   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

     $ 10,335,570         $ 2,189,914   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed net capital gain

   $ 8,840,040   

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     21,678,611 (a) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 30,518,651   
  

 

 

 

 

(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 capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

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.

 

15


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $23.47        $18.96        $17.09        $16.36        $11.95        $8.43   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

    (.08     (.21     (.12     (.15     (.13     (.13

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

    .51        8.30        2.69        .88        4.54        3.65   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    .43        8.09        2.57        .73        4.41        3.52   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Distributions

           

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (3.58     (.70     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $23.90        $23.47        $18.96        $17.09        $16.36        $11.95   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    1.83 %*      45.66 %*      15.02     4.46 %*      36.90 %*      41.76 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $30,937        $33,510        $27,479        $29,369        $29,018        $22,876   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.14 %^      1.17     1.18     1.18     1.37 %+      1.62

Net investment loss

    (.72 )%^      (.96 )%      (.64 )%      (.85 )%      (1.00 )%+      (1.33 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    38     81     105     92     95     106

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $22.54        $18.36        $16.61        $15.94        $11.67        $8.26   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

    (.11     (.25     (.16     (.19     (.16     (.15

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

    .50        8.01        2.61        .86        4.43        3.56   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    .39        7.76        2.45        .67        4.27        3.41   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Distributions

           

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (3.58     (.70     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $22.93        $22.54        $18.36        $16.61        $15.94        $11.67   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    1.69 %*      45.33 %*      14.73     4.20 %*      36.59 %*      41.28 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $36,544        $38,128        $26,450        $29,665        $29,128        $14,796   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.39 %^      1.43     1.43     1.43     1.62 %+      1.87

Net investment loss

    (.96 )%^      (1.21 )%      (.89 )%      (1.11 )%      (1.23 )%+      (1.58 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    38     81     105     92     95     106

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

*   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, 2014 and years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2011December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by 0.01%, 0.23%, 0.09%, 0.05% and 0.28%, respectively.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-8, 2014.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee, in which the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2012 and 2013 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. 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 Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares; transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser; and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2014 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with the Russell 2000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2014 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the period since inception (August 1996 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 1st quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Portfolio outperformed the Index in all periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the 9.1 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median.

The directors also considered the advisory fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule and the Portfolio’s fee schedule started at different rates, and that the institutional fee schedule had breakpoints at lower asset levels. Application of the institutional fee schedule to the Portfolio’s net assets would result in a fee rate higher than the rate at the same asset level provided in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement (including the impact of the expense reimbursement to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement). The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio’s fee rate is higher than the sub-advisory fee rate earned by the Adviser for sub-advising certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

The directors noted that the Portfolio may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). 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 ratio of the relevant ETFs. The directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it uses ETFs when they represent the least expense way to obtain desired exposures for a fund or to temporarily “equitize” cash inflows pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Portfolio would be paid for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services to be provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.

 

19


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s very small asset base of approximately $71 million impacted the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein 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 at the May 2014 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 Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

20


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.

 

Portfolio   Category  

Advisory Fee Based on % of

Average Daily Net Assets

 

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

  Growth  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

  $70.6

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 25, 2014 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2014.

 

2   Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

 

21


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $57,354 (0.091% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio   Total Expense Ratio   Fiscal Year  

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

 

Class A    1.17%

Class B    1.43%

    December 31   

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2014 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein

Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   $70.6   

Small Cap Growth Schedule

1.00% on first $50m

0.85% on the next $50m

0.75% on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

     0.956      0.750

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio (“Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
  Fee Schedule   

ABMF

Effective
Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Small-Cap Growth Portfolio7

 

Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap

Growth Portfolio

 

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

     0.750      0.750

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for the sub-advisory relationships that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2014 net assets.

 

Portfolio         Sub-Advised Fund
Fee Schedule
   Effective
Sub-Adv.
Fee
     Portfolio
Adv.
Fee
 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   Client #18,9  

0.60% on first $1 billion

0.55% on next $500 million

0.50% on next $500 million

0.45% on next $500 million

0.40% on the balance

     0.600      0.750
   Client #2   0.55% of average daily net assets      0.550      0.750
   Client #3  

0.65% on 1st $25 million

0.60% on next $75 million

0.55% on the balance

     0.618      0.750
   Client #4   0.45% of average daily net assets      0.450      0.750

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s length bargaining or negotiations.

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationships are paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such lower fees due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationships. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management, generally required by a registered investment company.

 

6   The retail mutual fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the retail mutual fund.

 

7   The advisory fee of AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio is based on the mutual fund’s net assets at the end of each quarter and is paid to the Adviser quarterly, in contrast to the Portfolio, whose advisory fee is based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets and is paid on a monthly basis.

 

8   The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

9   Assets are aggregated with other accounts of the client for purposes of calculating the investment advisory fee.

 

23


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.10 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.11,12

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee (%)13
    

Lipper
EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper
EG

Rank

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

     0.750         0.900         1/13   

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.14

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)15

    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

    

Lipper

EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EU

Rank

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

     1.175         0.990         13/13         0.956         38/38   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on contractual management fee basis than they do on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2013, relative to 2012.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to

 

10   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

11   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

12   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

13   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

14   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

15   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, ABI received $79,463 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $171,169 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2013 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2014 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.16

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

 

16   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2013.

 

25


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Previously in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.17,18 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.19 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $454 billion as of March 31, 2014, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio20 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)21 for the periods ended February 28, 2014.22

 

     Portfolio (%)    

PG

Median (%)

   

PU

Median (%)

   

PG

Rank

   

PU

Rank

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

         

1 year

    47.54        37.40        35.43        2/13        2/43   

3 year

    20.48        16.07        15.71        2/13        2/40   

5 year

    33.21        28.14        27.65        1/13        1/37   

10 year

    11.18        9.83        9.86        1/9        2/30   

 

17   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

18   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

19   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

20   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

21   The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s respective EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

22   The current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)23 versus its benchmark.24 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.25

 

    

Periods Ending February 28, 2014

Annualized Performance

 
    

1

Year

(%)

   

3

Year

(%)

   

5

Year

(%)

    10
Year
(%)
   

Since

Inception

(%)

    Annualized    

Risk

Period

(Year)

 
            Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
   

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

    47.54        20.48        33.21        11.18        7.49        20.76        0.53        10   

Russell 2000 Growth Index

    37.06        15.98        28.05        9.19        7.00        19.31        0.50        10   

Inception Date: August 5, 1996

  

           

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 5, 2014

 

23   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

24   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 28, 2014.

 

25   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

27


 

 

 

 

 

VPS-SCG-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,084.30       $   4.19         0.81

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $ 1,020.78       $   4.06         0.81
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,083.10       $   5.47         1.06

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $   1,019.54       $   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 the one-half year period).

 

1


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Office Depot, Inc.

   $ 10,563,542           1.5

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.

     10,115,034           1.5   

Lam Research Corp.

     9,953,182           1.5   

Tenneco, Inc.

     9,944,352           1.5   

Lear Corp.

     9,908,268           1.4   

Rosetta Resources, Inc.

     9,864,224           1.4   

Dana Holding Corp.

     9,786,803           1.4   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.

     9,786,420           1.4   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

     9,730,973           1.4   

American Financial Group, Inc./OH

     9,571,292           1.4   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   99,224,090           14.4

SECTOR BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $   195,580,432           28.8

Information Technology

     139,673,157           20.6   

Consumer Discretionary

     112,465,026           16.6   

Industrials

     79,012,028           11.7   

Utilities

     42,012,750           6.2   

Materials

     35,470,895           5.2   

Energy

     31,816,413           4.7   

Health Care

     22,889,261           3.4   

Consumer Staples

     9,066,238           1.3   

Short-Term Investments

     9,991,215           1.5   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 677,977,415           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   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, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–97.2%

   

FINANCIALS–28.5%

   

BANKS–8.8%

   

Associated Banc-Corp

    333,080      $ 6,022,086   

Comerica, Inc.

    179,310        8,994,190   

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.

    596,090        5,209,827   

Huntington Bancshares, Inc./OH

    874,310        8,340,917   

PacWest Bancorp

    116,838        5,043,896   

Popular, Inc.(a)

    251,060        8,581,231   

Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.

    417,174        4,405,357   

Webster Financial Corp.

    174,140        5,492,376   

Zions Bancorporation

    284,400        8,381,268   
   

 

 

 
    60,471,148   
   

 

 

 

CAPITAL MARKETS–0.9%

   

E*Trade Financial Corp.(a)

    296,260        6,298,488   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–9.8%

   

American Financial Group, Inc./OH

    160,700        9,571,292   

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.

    222,700        10,115,034   

Assurant, Inc.

    94,480        6,193,164   

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

    415,340        7,393,052   

Genworth Financial,
Inc.–Class A(a)

    533,570        9,284,118   

PartnerRe Ltd.

    75,760        8,273,749   

Unum Group

    216,360        7,520,674   

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    229,212        8,765,067   
   

 

 

 
    67,116,150   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–8.9%

   

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

    236,180        5,155,809   

Camden Property Trust

    76,390        5,435,149   

DDR Corp.

    445,880        7,860,864   

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

    613,310        7,862,634   

LTC Properties, Inc.

    203,440        7,942,298   

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

    603,010        7,983,852   

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    87,670        6,404,294   

Parkway Properties, Inc./MD

    359,830        7,430,489   

STAG Industrial, Inc.

    195,950        4,704,760   
   

 

 

 
    60,780,149   
   

 

 

 

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.1%

   

Essent Group Ltd.(a)

    45,520        914,497   
   

 

 

 
    195,580,432   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–20.3%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.0%

   

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

    582,870        5,362,404   

Harris Corp.

    107,620        8,152,215   
   

 

 

 
    13,514,619   
   

 

 

 
   

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–9.3%

   

Anixter International, Inc.

    59,760      $ 5,980,183   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

    162,000        9,786,420   

Avnet, Inc.

    207,550        9,196,541   

CDW Corp./DE

    288,810        9,207,263   

Insight Enterprises, Inc.(a)

    215,334        6,619,367   

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

    436,850        9,130,165   

TTM Technologies, Inc.(a)

    551,922        4,525,760   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

    628,210        9,730,973   
   

 

 

 
    64,176,672   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–3.3%

   

Amdocs Ltd.

    168,860        7,823,284   

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    189,080        4,016,059   

Convergys Corp.

    202,870        4,349,533   

Genpact Ltd.(a)

    372,190        6,524,491   
   

 

 

 
    22,713,367   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.4%

   

Entegris, Inc.(a)

    482,130        6,626,877   

Lam Research Corp.

    147,280        9,953,182   

Teradyne, Inc.

    364,190        7,138,124   
   

 

 

 
    23,718,183   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–1.4%

   

Electronic Arts, Inc.(a)

    259,810        9,319,385   
   

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE & PERIPHERALS–0.9%

   

NCR Corp.(a)

    177,570        6,230,931   
   

 

 

 
    139,673,157   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–16.4%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–5.7%

   

Dana Holding Corp.

    400,770        9,786,803   

Lear Corp.

    110,930        9,908,268   

Tenneco, Inc.(a)

    151,360        9,944,352   

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.(a)

    102,820        9,204,446   
   

 

 

 
    38,843,869   
   

 

 

 

AUTOMOBILES–0.8%

   

Thor Industries, Inc.

    96,840        5,507,291   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.8%

   

Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.(a)

    292,289        6,556,043   

DineEquity, Inc.

    70,678        5,618,194   
   

 

 

 
    12,174,237   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLE–3.1%

  

 

Helen of Troy Ltd.(a)

    102,720        6,227,914   

Meritage Homes Corp.(a)

    197,400        8,332,254   

PulteGroup, Inc.

    348,140        7,018,502   
   

 

 

 
    21,578,670   
   

 

 

 

 

3


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

MEDIA–1.3%

   

Gannett Co., Inc.

    274,767      $ 8,602,955   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–3.7%

   

Brown Shoe Co., Inc.

    29,539        845,111   

Children’s Place, Inc. (The)

    149,459        7,417,650   

GameStop Corp.–Class A

    171,280        6,931,701   

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

    1,856,510        10,563,542   
   

 

 

 
      25,758,004   
   

 

 

 
      112,465,026   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–11.5%

   

AEROSPACE &
DEFENSE–0.7%

   

Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc.–Class A(a)

    149,590        5,041,183   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–3.6%

   

AECOM Technology Corp.(a)

    195,690        6,301,218   

Granite Construction, Inc.

    126,520        4,552,189   

Tutor Perini Corp.(a)

    248,358        7,882,883   

URS Corp.

    127,340        5,838,539   
   

 

 

 
    24,574,829   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT–1.0%

   

General Cable Corp.

    253,710        6,510,199   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–2.9%

   

ITT Corp.

    139,826        6,725,630   

Kennametal, Inc.

    132,960        6,153,389   

Terex Corp.

    178,650        7,342,515   
   

 

 

 
      20,221,534   
   

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL–2.4%

   

Con-way, Inc.

    156,740        7,901,263   

Ryder System, Inc.

    99,910        8,801,072   
   

 

 

 
      16,702,335   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.9%

   

WESCO International, Inc.(a)

    69,020        5,961,948   
   

 

 

 
      79,012,028   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES–6.1%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–2.6%

   

PNM Resources, Inc.

    304,510        8,931,278   

Westar Energy, Inc.

    235,435        8,991,263   
   

 

 

 
      17,922,541   
   

 

 

 

GAS UTILITIES–3.5%

   

Atmos Energy Corp.

    143,510        7,663,434   

Southwest Gas Corp.

    143,620        7,581,700   

UGI Corp.

    175,150        8,845,075   
   

 

 

 
      24,090,209   
   

 

 

 
      42,012,750   
   

 

 

 
   

MATERIALS–5.2%

   

CHEMICALS–1.4%

   

A Schulman, Inc.

    19,091      $ 738,822   

Huntsman Corp.

    314,850        8,847,285   
   

 

 

 
      9,586,107   
   

 

 

 

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–2.0%

   

Avery Dennison Corp.

    136,930        7,017,662   

Graphic Packaging
Holding Co.(a)

    586,370        6,860,529   
   

 

 

 
      13,878,191   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–1.8%

   

Commercial Metals Co.

    217,610        3,766,829   

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

    459,040        8,239,768   
   

 

 

 
      12,006,597   
   

 

 

 
      35,470,895   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–4.6%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–4.6%

   

Bill Barrett Corp.(a)

    333,560        8,932,737   

Cimarex Energy Co.

    31,540        4,524,728   

Rosetta Resources, Inc.(a)

    179,840        9,864,224   

Stone Energy Corp.(a)

    181,550        8,494,724   
   

 

 

 
      31,816,413   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–3.3%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.4%

   

Theravance, Inc.(a)(b)

    98,480        2,932,735   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.9%

   

Health Net, Inc./CA(a)

    117,710        4,889,673   

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.(a)

    127,145        7,895,705   

Molina Healthcare, Inc.(a)

    160,680        7,171,148   
   

 

 

 
      19,956,526   
   

 

 

 
      22,889,261   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–1.3%

   

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.3%

   

Dean Foods Co.

    515,420        9,066,238   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $514,404,325)

      667,986,200   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.4%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.4%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/01/14
(cost $9,991,215)

  $   9,991        9,991,215   
   

 

 

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–98.6%
(cost $524,395,540)

    $ 677,977,415   
   

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS OF CASH
COLLATERAL
FOR SECURITIES
LOANED–0.5%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–0.5%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(c)
(cost $3,377,580)

    3,377,580        3,377,580   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.1%
(cost $527,773,120)

      681,354,995   

Other assets less
liabilities–0.9%

      5,927,767   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 687,282,762   
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $524,395,540)

   $ 677,977,415 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $3,377,580—investment of cash collateral for securities loaned)

     3,377,580   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     12,792,190   

Dividends and interest receivable

     950,190   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     127,325   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     695,224,700   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     3,622,926   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     3,377,580   

Advisory fee payable

     413,574   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     330,042   

Distribution fee payable

     93,070   

Administrative fee payable

     29,797   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     206   

Accrued expenses

     74,743   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,941,938   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 687,282,762   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 27,837   

Additional paid-in capital

     393,980,235   

Undistributed net investment income

     6,587,022   

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     133,105,793   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     153,581,875   
  

 

 

 
   $ 687,282,762   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class    Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

   $   216,250,126           8,713,337         $   24.82   

B

   $   471,032,636           19,123,575         $   24.63   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $3,271,035 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 6,041,664   

Affiliated issuers

     1,661   

Interest

     310   

Securities lending income

     29,794   
  

 

 

 
     6,073,429   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     2,531,860   

Distribution fee—Class B

     571,735   

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,329   

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,791   

Custodian

     68,248   

Printing

     52,694   

Administrative

     27,998   

Legal

     20,725   

Audit

     16,799   

Directors’ fees

     2,242   

Miscellaneous

     6,802   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     3,303,223   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     2,770,206   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     59,849,724   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (7,977,655
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment transactions

     51,872,069   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 54,642,275   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,770,206      $ 3,572,380   

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     59,849,724        76,474,917   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (7,977,655     108,998,800   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     54,642,275        189,046,097   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (1,173,072

Class B

     –0 –      (1,768,157

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     –0 –      (10,888,972

Class B

     –0 –      (24,158,193

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     (57,182,909     34,149,805   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     (2,540,634     185,207,508   

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     689,823,396        504,615,888   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $6,587,022
and $3,816,816, respectively)

   $ 687,282,762      $ 689,823,396   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is 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 thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

9


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein 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, 2014:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks*

     $ 667,986,200       $ –0 –     $             –0 –     $ 667,986,200   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       9,991,215         –0 –       9,991,215   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       3,377,580         –0 –       –0 –       3,377,580   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       671,363,780         9,991,215         –0 –       681,354,995   

Other Financial Instruments**

       –0 –       –0 –       –0 –       –0 – 
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total^

     $ 671,363,780       $ 9,991,215       $ –0 –     $ 681,354,995   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

^   There were no transfers between any levels during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

11


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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, 2014, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $27,998.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $462,925, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 150,994,708      $ 218,982,694   

U.S. government securities

     –0 –      –0 – 

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

   $  161,802,897   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (8,221,022
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 153,581,875   
  

 

 

 

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, 2014.

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $3,271,035 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $3,377,580. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $29,794 and $1,661 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 9,820      $ 58,522      $ 64,964      $ 3,378   

 

13


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein 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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    669,955        2,218,096        $ 15,415,003      $ 45,752,106   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      588,680          –0 –      12,062,044   

Shares redeemed

    (1,444,233     (2,193,629       (34,527,625     (44,891,426
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (774,278     613,147        $ (19,112,622   $ 12,922,724   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    910,699        4,088,375        $ 20,947,342      $ 85,041,955   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      1,272,146          –0 –      25,926,350   

Shares redeemed

    (2,570,853     (4,364,028       (59,017,629     (89,741,224
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (1,660,154     996,493        $ (38,070,287   $ 21,227,081   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may 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 in 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 $140 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, 2014.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

       2013        2012  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 15,132,800         $ 1,817,886   

Net long-term capital gains

       22,855,594           15,675,383   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

     $ 37,988,394         $ 17,493,269   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 15,162,841   

Undistributed net capital gain

     64,149,087   

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     159,320,488 (a) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 238,632,416   
  

 

 

 

 

(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 return of capital distributions received from underlying securities.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

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.

 

15


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $22.89        $17.67        $15.46        $16.95        $13.41        $9.92   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .12        .16        .13        .09        .08        .08   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    1.81        6.41        2.72        (1.50     3.52        4.01   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.93        6.57        2.85        (1.41     3.60        4.09   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.13     (.10     (.08     (.06     (.12

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (1.22     (.54     –0 –      –0 –      (.48
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (1.35     (.64     (.08     (.06     (.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $24.82        $22.89        $17.67        $15.46        $16.95        $13.41   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net
asset value (b)

    8.43     38.06 %*      18.75     (8.39 )%      26.91     42.86
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $216,250        $217,146        $156,832        $151,754        $174,068        $134,291   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .81 %^      .81     .82     .83     .84 %+      .87

Net investment income

    1.00 %^      .77     .75     .56     .56 %+      .70

Portfolio turnover rate

    22     56     50     70     54     58

 

 

See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,  2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $22.74        $17.58        $15.38        $16.87        $13.36        $9.87   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .08        .11        .08        .05        .05        .05   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    1.81        6.36        2.71        (1.50     3.50        4.01   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.89        6.47        2.79        (1.45     3.55        4.06   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.09     (.05     (.04     (.04     (.09

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (1.22     (.54     –0 –      –0 –      (.48
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (1.31     (.59     (.04     (.04     (.57
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $24.63        $22.74        $17.58        $15.38        $16.87        $13.36   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    8.31     37.63 %*      18.47     (8.62 )%      26.59     42.66
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $471,033        $472,677        $347,784        $324,145        $378,436        $264,635   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.06 %^      1.06     1.07     1.08     1.09 %+      1.12

Net investment income

    .74 %^      .51     .51     .31     .31 %+      .42

Portfolio turnover rate

    22     56     50     70     54     58

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

*   Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from the class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2013 by 0.01%.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-8, 2014.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee, in which the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2012 and 2013 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. 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 Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares; transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser; and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2014 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with the Russell 2500 Value Index and the Russell 2500 Index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2014 and (in the case of comparisons with the indices) the period since inception (May 2001 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, in the 1st quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the Russell 2500 Value Index in all periods except in the 3-year period. It outperformed the Russell 2500 Index in all periods except in the 1- and 3-year periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the 1 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median.

The directors also considered the advisory fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule and the Portfolio’s fee schedule started at different rates and that the institutional fee schedule had breakpoints at lower asset levels. The application of the institutional fee schedule to the Portfolio’s net assets would result in a fee rate lower than the rate at the same asset level provided in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate lower than the rate being paid by the Portfolio. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio’s fee rate is higher than the sub-advisory fee rate earned by the Adviser for sub-advising certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

 

19


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The directors noted that because of the small number of funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category, Lipper had expanded the Expense Group of the Fund to include peers that had a similar (but not the same) Lipper investment objective/classification. The Expense Universe for the Portfolio had also been expanded by Lipper pursuant to Lipper’s standard guidelines. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap), was lower than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein 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 at the May 2014 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 Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

20


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.

 

Portfolio   Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  Specialty   0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

  $691.8

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 25, 2014 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2014.

 

2   Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

21


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $55,161 (0.009% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser upon at least 60 days’ notice prior to the Portfolio’s prospectus update. The Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio  

Expense Cap Pursuant

to Expense Limitation

Undertaking

  Gross
Expense
Ratio
  Fiscal Year End

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  Class A    1.20%   0.81%   December 31
  Class B    1.45%   1.06%  

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2014 net assets:5

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

    

AllianceBernstein

Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   $ 691.8      

Small & Mid Cap Value Schedule

0.95% on first $25m

0.75% on the next $25m

0.65% on the next $50m

0.55% on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

     0.579      0.750

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Trust, Inc.—Discovery Value Fund (“Discovery Value Fund”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of Discovery Value Fund, and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund

  Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  Discovery Value Fund  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

    0.750%        0.750%   

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for the sub-advisory relationships that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2014 net assets.

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee

    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  Client #1  

0.50% on the first $250 million

0.40% on the balance

    0.468%        0.750%   
  Client #2  

0.95% on the first $10 million
0.75% on the next $40 million
0.65% on the next $50 million

0.55% on the balance

    0.575%        0.750%   
  Client #3   0.61% on the first $150 million
0.50% on the balance
    0.524%        0.750%   

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser.

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationships are paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such lower fees due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationships. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different feel level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management generally required by a registered investment company.

 

6  

The retail mutual fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the retail mutual fund.

 

23


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.7 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.8,9

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee (%)10
    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper
EG

Rank

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

     0.750         0.801         4/10   

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.11

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)12

    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

    

Lipper

EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EU

Rank

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

     0.814         0.870         3/10         0.880         5/15   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a total expense ratio basis than on a contractual management fee basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2013, relative to 2012.

 

7   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

8   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

9   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

10   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waiver or expense cap that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

11  

Except for asset size comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund

 

12   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, ABI received $1,036,624 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $2,374,250 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2013 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2014 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.13

The Portfolio did not effect brokerage transactions and pay commissions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) nor its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted in the future with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and the potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser

 

13   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2013.

 

25


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.14,15 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.16 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $454 billion as of March 31, 2014, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio17 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)18 for the periods ended February 28, 2014.19

 

     Portfolio
(%)
    PG
Median (%)
    PU
Median (%)
    PG
Rank
    PU
Rank
 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

         

1 year

    27.86        26.99        26.99        4/10        8/22   

3 year

    12.83        13.31        13.27        6/10        12/21   

5 year

    28.43        25.95        27.30        2/10        6/20   

10 year

    9.62        9.75        9.69        5/7        7/12   

 

14  

The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

15   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

16   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

17   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

18   The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s respective EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

19   Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)20 versus its benchmarks.21 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.22

 

     Periods Ending February 28, 2014
Annualized Performance
 
   

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

   

10

Year
(%)

    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized     Risk
Period
(Year)
 
               Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
   

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

    27.86        12.83        28.43        9.62        11.19        20.09        0.48        10   

Russell 2500 Value Index

    25.52        13.98        26.57        8.95        10.02        18.46        0.47        10   

Russell 2500 Index

    29.97        14.94        27.63        9.53        9.33        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Inception Date: May 2, 2001

  

           

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 5, 2014

 

20   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

21   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 22, 2014.

 

22   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

27


 

 

 

 

VPS-SMCV-0152-0614


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio

 

June 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ř  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ř  

May Lose Value

  Ř  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager 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 recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The 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 Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each classes’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2014
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,071.70       $   3.96         0.77

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)*

   $ 1,000       $ 1,020.98       $ 3.86         0.77
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,070.20       $ 5.24         1.02

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)*

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.74       $ 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).

 

1


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Pfizer, Inc.

   $ 4,781,448           3.8

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     4,480,260           3.5   

Johnson & Johnson

     3,609,390           2.8   

Bank of America Corp.

     3,575,062           2.8   

Wells Fargo & Co.

     3,221,928           2.5   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     3,112,032           2.4   

Hess Corp.

     2,867,810           2.3   

Citigroup, Inc.

     2,811,870           2.2   

AT&T, Inc.

     2,489,344           2.0   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     2,483,646           2.0   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   33,432,790           26.3

SECTOR BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 34,999,892           28.1

Consumer Discretionary

     16,670,001           13.4   

Energy

     16,567,525           13.3   

Health Care

     16,328,020           13.1   

Information Technology

     14,580,197           11.7   

Utilities

     6,770,930           5.5   

Industrials

     6,746,586           5.4   

Telecommunication Services

     3,474,349           2.8   

Consumer Staples

     3,115,997           2.5   

Materials

     2,656,514           2.1   

Short-Term Investments

     2,536,262           2.1   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   124,446,273           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   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


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–95.8%

   
   

FINANCIALS–27.5%

   

BANKS–10.5%

   

Bank of America Corp.

    232,600      $ 3,575,062   

Citigroup, Inc.

    59,700        2,811,870   

Comerica, Inc.

    16,000        802,560   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    19,800        422,730   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    37,200        2,143,464   

Regions Financial Corp.

    36,700        389,754   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    61,300        3,221,928   
   

 

 

 
      13,367,368   
   

 

 

 

CAPITAL MARKETS–0.5%

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

    1,000        167,440   

State Street Corp.

    7,300        490,998   
   

 

 

 
      658,438   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER FINANCE–3.7%

   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    25,700        2,122,820   

Discover Financial Services

    27,300        1,692,054   

SLM Corp.

    111,200        924,072   
   

 

 

 
      4,738,946   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL
SERVICES–1.6%

   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.–
Class B(a)

    8,100        1,025,136   

Voya Financial, Inc.

    28,800        1,046,592   
   

 

 

 
      2,071,728   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–11.2%

   

Allstate Corp. (The)

    18,100        1,062,832   

American Financial Group, Inc./OH

    21,900        1,304,364   

American International Group, Inc.

    44,200        2,412,436   

Aon PLC

    16,000        1,441,440   

Assurant, Inc.

    15,300        1,002,915   

Chubb Corp. (The)

    13,800        1,271,946   

Genworth Financial, Inc.–
Class A(a)

    60,700        1,056,180   

Lincoln National Corp.

    43,600        2,242,784   

PartnerRe Ltd.

    13,900        1,518,019   

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

    7,600        714,932   

Unum Group

    3,900        135,564   
   

 

 

 
      14,163,412   
   

 

 

 
      34,999,892   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–13.1%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–3.5%

   

Dana Holding Corp.

    40,700        993,894   

Lear Corp.

    7,300        652,036   

Magna International, Inc.
(New York)–Class A

    15,700        1,691,675   

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.(a)

    12,500        1,119,000   
   

 

 

 
      4,456,605   
   

 

 

 
   

AUTOMOBILES–1.5%

   

Ford Motor Co.

    107,200      $ 1,848,128   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD
DURABLES–0.7%

   

PulteGroup, Inc.

    46,200        931,392   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–2.3%

   

Gannett Co., Inc.

    9,200        288,052   

Liberty Global PLC–Series C(a)

    31,700        1,341,227   

Time Warner, Inc.

    2,200        154,550   

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc–Class A

    33,700        1,184,555   
   

 

 

 
      2,968,384   
   

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL–1.1%

   

Macy’s, Inc.

    23,800        1,380,876   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–4.0%

   

Foot Locker, Inc.

    20,600        1,044,832   

GameStop Corp.–Class A

    33,500        1,355,745   

Gap, Inc. (The)

    8,500        353,345   

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

    190,100        1,081,669   

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

    23,500        1,249,025   
   

 

 

 
      5,084,616   
   

 

 

 
      16,670,001   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–13.0%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.8%

   

Halliburton Co.

    22,400        1,590,624   

Nabors Industries Ltd.

    25,100        737,187   
   

 

 

 
      2,327,811   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–11.2%

   

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

    8,500        264,180   

Chevron Corp.

    15,700        2,049,635   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    44,500        4,480,260   

Hess Corp.

    29,000        2,867,810   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    24,200        2,483,646   

Phillips 66

    1,495        120,243   

Valero Energy Corp.

    39,400        1,973,940   
   

 

 

 
      14,239,714   
   

 

 

 
      16,567,525   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–12.8%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.2%

   

Theravance, Inc.(a)(b)

    8,400        250,152   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.9%

   

Medtronic, Inc.

    37,100        2,365,496   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.1%

   

Aetna, Inc.

    19,000        1,540,520   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    8,500        694,875   

WellPoint, Inc.

    4,400        473,484   
   

 

 

 
      2,708,879   
   

 

 

 

 

3


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

PHARMACEUTICALS–8.6%

   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC (Sponsored ADR)

    23,000      $ 1,230,040   

Johnson & Johnson

    34,500        3,609,390   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    23,900        1,382,615   

Pfizer, Inc.

    161,100        4,781,448   
   

 

 

 
      11,003,493   
   

 

 

 
      16,328,020   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–11.5%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.3%

   

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

    109,800        1,010,160   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    22,000        546,700   

Harris Corp.

    18,300        1,386,225   
   

 

 

 
      2,943,085   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.7%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

    14,900        900,109   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–2.0%

   

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    14,300        303,732   

Western Union Co. (The)–Class W

    38,200        662,388   

Xerox Corp.

    131,200        1,632,128   
   

 

 

 
      2,598,248   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.2%

   

Applied Materials, Inc.

    47,300        1,066,615   

Intel Corp.

    25,500        787,950   

Micron Technology, Inc.(a)

    28,600        942,370   
   

 

 

 
      2,796,935   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–1.8%

   

Electronic Arts, Inc.(a)

    42,400        1,520,888   

Microsoft Corp.

    17,000        708,900   
   

 

 

 
      2,229,788   
   

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE, STORAGE & PERIPHERALS–2.5%

   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

    92,400        3,112,032   
   

 

 

 
      14,580,197   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES–5.3%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.6%

   

Edison International

    35,600        2,068,716   
   

 

 

 

GAS UTILITIES–2.2%

   

Atmos Energy Corp.

    32,000        1,708,800   

UGI Corp.

    21,100        1,065,550   
   

 

 

 
      2,774,350   
   

 

 

 
   

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.9%

   

Calpine Corp.(a)

    46,000      $ 1,095,260   
   

 

 

 

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.6%

   

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    32,600        832,604   
   

 

 

 
      6,770,930   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–5.3%

   

AEROSPACE &
DEFENSE–0.6%

   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    6,700        801,521   
   

 

 

 

AIRLINES–0.6%

   

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

    19,900        770,528   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.3%

   

URS Corp.

    7,800        357,630   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.4%

   

General Electric Co.

    66,400        1,744,992   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–2.4%

   

Caterpillar, Inc.

    10,000        1,086,700   

Dover Corp.

    11,500        1,045,925   

ITT Corp.

    14,300        687,830   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    2,000        251,460   
   

 

 

 
      3,071,915   
   

 

 

 
      6,746,586   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.7%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.9%

   

AT&T, Inc.

    70,400        2,489,344   
   

 

 

 

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.8%

   

Vodafone Group PLC (Sponsored ADR)

    29,500        985,005   
   

 

 

 
      3,474,349   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–2.5%

   

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.9%

   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    15,100        1,138,087   

Kroger Co. (The)

    26,500        1,309,895   
   

 

 

 
      2,447,982   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD
PRODUCTS–0.6%

   

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    8,500        668,015   
   

 

 

 
      3,115,997   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–2.1%

   

CHEMICALS–2.1%

   

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    725        174,384   

Eastman Chemical Co.

    11,200        978,320   

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

LyondellBasell Industries NV–Class A

    15,400      $ 1,503,810   
   

 

 

 
      2,656,514   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $89,393,798)

      121,910,011   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.0%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.0%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/01/14
(cost $2,536,262)

  $   2,536        2,536,262   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–97.8%
(cost $91,930,060)

      124,446,273   
   

 

 

 
   

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES
LOANED–0.2%

   

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–0.2%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.07%(c)
(cost $258,300)

    258,300      $ 258,300   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–98.0%

(cost $92,188,360)

      124,704,573   

Other assets less
liabilities–2.0%

      2,490,819   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 127,195,392   
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $91,930,060)

   $ 124,446,273 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $258,300—investment of cash collateral for securities loaned)

     258,300   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     4,249,549   

Dividends and interest receivable

     182,973   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     11,020   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     129,148,115   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     1,416,270   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     258,300   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     110,369   

Advisory fee payable

     55,856   

Administrative fee payable

     29,936   

Distribution fee payable

     24,928   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     211   

Accrued expenses

     56,853   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,952,723   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 127,195,392   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 8,426   

Additional paid-in capital

     125,220,745   

Undistributed net investment income

     3,210,076   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (33,760,068

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     32,516,213   
  

 

 

 
   $ 127,195,392   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $ 2,326,196           152,599         $   15.24   

B

     $   124,869,196           8,273,376         $ 15.09   

 

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $250,152 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $6,958)

   $ 1,913,146   

Affiliated issuers

     56   

Interest

     74   

Securities lending income

     1,913   
  

 

 

 
     1,915,189   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     347,446   

Distribution fee—Class B

     155,173   

Transfer agency—Class A

     52   

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,948   

Custodian

     40,015   

Printing

     29,518   

Administrative

     28,136   

Audit

     16,744   

Legal

     15,923   

Directors’ fees

     2,255   

Miscellaneous

     3,071   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     641,281   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,273,908   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     10,825,507   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (3,539,256
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment transactions

     7,286,251   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 8,560,159   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,273,908      $ 1,944,369   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     10,825,507        26,346,896   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (3,539,256     19,276,766   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     8,560,159        47,568,031   

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (44,293

Class B

     –0 –      (2,863,346

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (15,841,127     (69,636,711
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (7,280,968     (24,976,319

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     134,476,360        159,452,679   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $3,210,076 and $1,936,168, respectively)

   $ 127,195,392      $ 134,476,360   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2014 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is 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 thirteen 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 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. 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. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

2. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

9


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2014:

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Investments in Securities:

        

Assets:

        

Common Stocks*

   $ 121,910,011      $ –0 –    $ –0 –    $ 121,910,011   

Short-Term Investments

     –0 –      2,536,262        –0 –      2,536,262   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

     258,300        –0 –      –0 –      258,300   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

     122,168,311        2,536,262        –0 –      124,704,573   

Other Financial Instruments**

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total^

   $ 122,168,311      $ 2,536,262      $             –0 –    $ 124,704,573   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

^   There were no transfers between any levels during the reporting period.

The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) which is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and a third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments and processes at vendors, 2) daily comparison of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of 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.

 

11


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to 1.20% and 1.45% of daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

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, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $28,136.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 amounted to $55,389, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“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 $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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, 2014 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 22,863,017       $ 42,531,367   

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

   $  33,156,511   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (640,298
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 32,516,213   
  

 

 

 

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.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

2. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and 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. 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. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. 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 have the right to vote on 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 will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, 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. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2014, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $250,152 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $258,300. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $1,913 and $56 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will 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 in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2013

(000)

   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

   

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

   

Market Value

June 30, 2014

(000)

 
$ 0      $ 3,433      $ 3,175      $ 258   

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, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    3,259        23,224        $ 46,988      $ 286,557   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      3,455          –0 –      44,293   

Shares redeemed

    (5,726     (15,732       (82,682     (196,764
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (2,467     10,947        $ (35,694   $ 134,086   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

13


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    135,183        405,430        $ 1,925,773      $ 5,020,795   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      225,106          –0 –      2,863,346   

Shares redeemed

    (1,245,355     (6,229,165       (17,731,206     (77,654,938
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (1,110,172     (5,598,629     $ (15,805,433   $ (69,770,797
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may 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 in 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 $140 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, 2014.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

     2013      2012  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 2,907,639       $ 2,821,624   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

   $ 2,907,639       $ 2,821,624   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As of December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 1,936,168   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (44,241,624 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     35,711,518 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (6,593,938
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   On December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $44,241,624. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $26,246,267 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains.

 

(b)   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 capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2013, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $44,241,624 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM
AMOUNT

  

LONG-TERM
AMOUNT

  

EXPIRATION

$  44,241,624    n/a    2017

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.

 

15


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six  Months
Ended
June 30,  2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.22        $10.63        $9.37        $9.84        $8.97        $7.67   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .16        .19        .20        .17        .12        .16   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .86        3.70        1.26        (.50     .93        1.41   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.02        3.89        1.46        (.33     1.05        1.57   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.30     (.20     (.14     (.18     (.27
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.24        $14.22        $10.63        $9.37        $9.84        $8.97   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    7.17 %*      36.85 %*      15.73     (3.50 )%      11.81 %*      21.12 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $2,326        $2,205        $1,533        $1,517        $1,707        $1,594   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .77 %^      .73     .72     .71     .71 %+      .70

Net investment income

    2.25 %^      1.51     1.98     1.78     1.37 %+      2.09

Portfolio turnover rate

    18     44     40     62     73     64

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six  Months
Ended

June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.10        $10.54        $9.28        $9.75        $8.90        $7.59   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .14        .16        .17        .15        .10        .14   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    .85        3.66        1.26        (.50     .91        1.41   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .99        3.82        1.43        (.35     1.01        1.55   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.26     (.17     (.12     (.16     (.24
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.09        $14.10        $10.54        $9.28        $9.75        $8.90   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    7.02 %*      36.49 %*      15.54     (3.78 )%      11.42 %*      21.04 %* 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

    $124,869        $132,271        $157,920        $175,183        $212,522        $213,827   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.02 %^      .98     .97     .96     .96 %+      .95

Net investment income

    2.01 %^      1.28     1.72     1.51     1.12 %+      1.84

Portfolio turnover rate

    18     44     40     62     73     64

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the 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.

 

*   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, 2014 and years ended December 31, 2013December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by 0.01%, 0.07%, 0.01% and 0.02%, respectively.

 

^   Annualized.

 

+   The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 5-8, 2014.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fee, in which the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fee for the Portfolio was reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2012 and 2013 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors 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 Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries that provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. 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 Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares; transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser; and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2014 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared with the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 28, 2014 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the period since inception (July 2002 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 1st quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 1-year period and lagged it in all other periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 55 basis points, plus the 3.6 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median.

The directors also considered the advisory fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant advisory fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule and the Portfolio’s fee schedule started at different rates and that the institutional fee schedule had breakpoints at lower asset levels. The application of the institutional fee schedule to the Portfolio’s net assets would result in a fee rate lower than the rate at the same asset level provided in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio’s fee rate is higher than the sub-advisory fee rate earned by the Adviser for sub-advising certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

 

19


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap), was lower than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein 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 at the May 2014 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 Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

20


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.

 

Portfolio   Category  

Advisory Fee Based on % of

Average Daily Net Assets

 

Net Assets

03/31/14

($MIL)

 

Value Portfolio

  Value  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

  $ 128.2   

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $55,163 (0.036% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 25, 2014 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2014.

 

2   Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

21


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser upon at least 60 days’ notice prior to the Portfolio’s prospectus update. The Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio  

Expense Cap Pursuant

to Expense Limitation

Undertaking

 

Gross

Expense

Ratio

  Fiscal Year End

Value Portfolio

 

Class A    1.20%

Class B    1.45%

 

0.73%

0.98%

  December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. In recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2014 net assets:5

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/14

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein

Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Value Portfolio

   $128.2   

U.S. Diversified Value

0.65% on 1st $25 million

0.50% on next $25 million

0.40% on next $50 million

0.30% on next $100 million

0.25% on the balance

Minimum Account Size: $25 m

     0.446      0.550

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Trust, Inc.—Value Fund (“Value Fund”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of Value Fund and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
   Fee Schedule     

ABMF

Effective
Fee

      

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Value Portfolio

   Value Fund   

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

       0.550        0.550

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for the sub-advisory relationships that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fees and what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2014 net assets.

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee

    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

Value Portfolio

  Client # 17  

0.49% on the first $100 million

0.30% on the next $100 million

0.25% on the balance

    0.448%        0.550%   
 

Client #27

  0.30% of the average daily net assets     0.300%        0.550%   

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s length bargaining or negotiations.

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationships are paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such lower fees due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationship. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management, generally required by a registered investment company.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.8 Lipper’s analysis

 

6   The retail mutual fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the retail mutual fund.

 

7   The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

8   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

23


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.9,10

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee (%)11
    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper
EG

Rank

 

Value Portfolio

     0.550         0.743         1/12   

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU12 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

    

Lipper

EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

    

Lipper

EU

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EU

Rank

 

Value Portfolio

     0.730         0.775         3/12         0.763         14/33   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a contractual management fee basis than on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2013, relative to 2012.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to

 

9   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

10   The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

11   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waiver or expense cap that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

12   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

13   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, ABI received $374,964 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $895,802 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This expense amount incurred by ABI is partially offset by the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $600,000 in 2013 and expects to pay approximately $600,000 in 2014 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.14

The Portfolio did not effect brokerage transactions and pay commissions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) nor its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted in the future with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through pricing to scale, breakpoints, fee reductions/waivers and enhancement to services.

In May 2012, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased due to declines in market value and client withdrawals. When AUM rapidly decreased, some operating expenses categories, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has experienced less significant changes. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

 

14   The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2013.

 

25


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Previously in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.15,16 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors17. The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $454 billion as of March 31, 2014, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended February 28, 2014.20

 

     Portfolio (%)     PG
Median (%)
    PU
Median (%)
    PG
Rank
    PU
Rank
 

Value Portfolio

         

1 year

    27.39        24.40        23.64        3/12        9/50   

3 year

    12.92        12.70        12.91        4/11        22/44   

5 year

    21.89        21.81        21.89        5/10        21/42   

10 year

    4.98        6.78        6.86        8/9          29/30   

 

15   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

16   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

17   The two dimensional analysis showed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

18   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

19   The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s respective EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

20   Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)21 versus its benchmark.22 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown23

 

    

Periods Ending February 28, 2014

Annualized Performance

 
    

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

   

10

Year

(%)

    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized     Risk
Period
(Year)
 
            Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
   

Value Portfolio

    27.39        12.92        21.89        4.98        7.88        16.33        0.28        10   

Russell 1000 Value Index

    23.44        14.05        23.18        7.24        9.70        15.52        0.42        10   

Inception Date: July 22, 2002

  

           

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 5, 2014

 

21   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

22   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 28, 2013.

 

23   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

27


 

 

 

VPS-VAL-0512-0614


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Please see Schedule of Investments contained in the Report to Shareholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board of Directors since the Fund last provided disclosure in response to this item.


ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective at the reasonable assurance level based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:

 

EXHIBIT
NO.

 

DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT

12 (b) (1)   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12 (b) (2)   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12 (c)   Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant): AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

By:  

/s/ Robert M. Keith

  Robert M. Keith
  President

Date: August 12, 2014

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/s/ Robert M. Keith

  Robert M. Keith
  President

Date: August 12, 2014

 

By:  

/s/ Joseph J. Mantineo

  Joseph J. Mantineo
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 12, 2014


Dates Referenced Herein   and   Documents Incorporated by Reference

This ‘N-CSRS’ Filing    Date    Other Filings
5/1/15
12/31/14
10/31/14
Filed on / Effective on:8/21/14
8/12/14
For Period End:6/30/14N-PX,  NSAR-A
6/5/14
5/1/14485BPOS
4/25/14
4/1/14
3/31/14N-Q
2/28/14
2/22/14
1/1/14
12/31/1324F-2NT,  N-CSR,  NSAR-B
12/5/13
10/24/13
9/30/13N-Q
9/5/13
7/31/13
7/25/13
6/30/13N-CSRS,  N-PX,  NSAR-A
5/31/13
4/1/13
2/28/13NSAR-B
2/1/13
1/31/13
12/31/1224F-2NT,  N-CSR,  NSAR-B
10/8/12
4/1/12
12/31/1124F-2NT,  N-CSR,  N-MFP,  NSAR-B
11/1/11
4/1/11
12/31/1024F-2NT,  N-CSR,  NSAR-B
12/22/10
3/30/10
12/31/0924F-2NT,  N-CSR,  NSAR-B
5/1/09485BPOS
4/28/08485BPOS
4/25/0824F-2NT
7/1/04
7/22/02
5/10/01
5/2/01
1/9/97
8/5/96497
1/11/96
9/23/94
9/15/94
2/25/94
9/17/92
6/26/92
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