10-Q 1 form10q.htm ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P. 10-Q 6-30-2010 form10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC  20549

FORM 10-Q
 
 
(Mark One)
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
 
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
OR
 
 
 
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from                         to

Commission File No.  000-29961

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
13-4064930
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY  10105
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(212) 969-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x
 
No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes o
 
No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
     
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o
 
No x

The number of units of limited partnership interest outstanding as of June 30, 2010 was 275,609,529.
 


 
 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.

Index to Form 10-Q

 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
Part I
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
Financial Statements
 
 
 
     
 
 
   
1
 
     
 
 
   
2
 
     
 
 
   
3
 
     
 
 
   
4-20
 
     
 
 
   
21
 
     
 
Item 2.
   
22-40
 
     
 
Item 3.
   
40
 
     
 
Item 4.
   
40
 
 
 
 
 
Part II
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
   
41
 
     
 
Item 1A.
   
41
       
 
Item 2.
   
41
 
     
 
Item 3.
   
41
 
     
 
Item 4.
   
41
 
     
 
Item 5.
   
41
 
     
 
Item 6.
   
42
 
 
 
 
 
 
43

 
 

 
Part I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(in thousands, except unit amounts)

 
 
June 30,
2010
 
 
December 31,
2009
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
670,096
   
$
614,216
 
Cash and securities segregated, at fair value (cost: $945,237 and $985,213)
 
 
945,344
     
985,331
 
Receivables, net:
 
 
       
 
 
Brokers and dealers
 
 
172,848
     
170,148
 
Brokerage clients
 
 
691,703
     
582,248
 
Fees, net
 
 
306,792
     
346,482
 
Investments:
 
 
           
Deferred compensation-related
   
331,071
     
400,959
 
Other
   
411,542
     
373,870
 
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net
 
 
326,190
     
359,674
 
Goodwill
 
 
2,893,029
     
2,893,029
 
Intangible assets, net
 
 
213,287
     
223,992
 
Deferred sales commissions, net
 
 
83,045
     
90,187
 
Other assets
 
 
167,766
     
174,804
 
Total assets
 
$
7,212,713
   
$
7,214,940
 
 
 
 
           
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
 
 
           
Liabilities:
 
 
           
Payables:
 
 
           
Brokers and dealers
 
$
118,184
   
$
120,574
 
Securities sold not yet purchased
   
22,181
     
31,806
 
Brokerage clients
 
 
1,643,944
     
1,430,835
 
AllianceBernstein mutual funds
 
 
67,333
     
86,054
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
 
309,875
     
278,398
 
Accrued compensation and benefits
 
 
438,454
     
316,331
 
Debt
 
 
78,996
     
248,987
 
Total liabilities
 
 
2,678,967
     
2,512,985
 
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 8)
 
 
           
 
 
 
           
Capital:
 
 
           
General Partner
 
 
48,047
     
48,671
 
Limited partners: 275,609,529 and 274,745,592 units issued and outstanding
 
 
4,806,180
     
4,862,158
 
Capital contributions receivable from General Partner
 
 
(18,404
)
   
(19,664
)
Holding Units held for deferred compensation plans
 
 
(393,877
)
   
(338,941
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
(51,758
)
   
(21,862
)
Partners’ capital attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
 
 
4,390,188
     
4,530,362
 
Non-controlling interests in consolidated entities
 
 
143,558
     
171,593
 
Total capital
 
 
4,533,746
     
4,701,955
 
Total liabilities and capital
 
$
7,212,713
   
$
7,214,940
 
 
 
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
1


ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
 (in thousands, except per unit amounts)
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Revenues:
                       
Investment advisory and services fees
  $ 512,788     $ 448,110     $ 1,025,040     $ 893,072  
Bernstein research services
    117,158       110,867       227,910       216,509  
Distribution revenues
    83,477       64,582       163,826       122,658  
Dividend and interest income
    4,911       6,577       8,822       14,378  
Investment gains (losses)
    (56,532 )     65,284       (64,552 )     24,047  
Other revenues
    27,735       27,400       54,297       51,472  
Total revenues
    689,537       722,820       1,415,343       1,322,136  
Less: Interest expense
    1,194       1,380       1,914       3,132  
Net revenues
    688,343       721,440       1,413,429       1,319,004  
                                 
Expenses:
                               
Employee compensation and benefits
    313,113       324,961       632,538       638,764  
Promotion and servicing:
                               
Distribution-related payments
    71,015       55,149       137,764       102,960  
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
    12,147       13,844       24,268       28,741  
Other
    49,816       46,329       92,645       88,251  
General and administrative
    128,795       141,616       266,843       280,814  
Interest on borrowings
    430       675       985       1,639  
Amortization of intangible assets
    5,378       5,554       10,755       10,733  
Total expenses
    580,694       588,128       1,165,798       1,151,902  
                                 
Operating income
    107,649       133,312       247,631       167,102  
                                 
Non-operating income
    2,258       5,951       6,773       12,236  
                                 
Income before income taxes
    109,907       139,263       254,404       179,338  
                                 
Income taxes
    13,127       9,668       26,131       18,232  
                                 
Net income
    96,780       129,595       228,273       161,106  
                                 
Net loss (income) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
    9,339       (1,300 )     26,112       4,040  
                                 
Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
  $ 106,119     $ 128,295     $ 254,385     $ 165,146  
                                 
Net income per AllianceBernstein Unit:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.38     $ 0.48     $ 0.92     $ 0.62  
Diluted
  $ 0.38     $ 0.48     $ 0.91     $ 0.62  
 
 
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
2


ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2010
 
 
2009
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
228,273
 
 
$
161,106
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
   
 
 
   
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
 
 
24,268
 
 
 
28,741
 
Amortization of non-cash deferred compensation
 
 
53,225
 
 
 
36,123
 
Depreciation and other amortization
 
 
41,373
 
 
 
42,285
 
Unrealized losses (gains) on deferred compensation-related investments
   
12,980
     
(82,445
)
Unrealized loss on consolidated venture capital fund
   
28,454
     
8,323
 
Other
 
 
12,752
     
(2,789
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
   
 
 
   
Decrease in segregated cash and securities
 
 
39,987
 
 
 
1,326,483
 
(Increase) decrease in receivables
 
 
(221,589
)
 
 
173,528
 
(Increase) in investments
 
 
(20,676
)
 
 
(50,882
)
(Increase) in deferred sales commissions
 
 
(17,126
)
 
 
(16,934
)
Decrease (increase) in other assets
 
 
4,114
 
 
 
(35,978
)
Increase (decrease) in payables
 
 
326,914
 
 
 
(1,291,150
)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
 
34,993
 
 
 
(17,039
)
Increase in accrued compensation and benefits
 
 
122,853
 
 
 
91,099
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
670,795
 
 
 
370,471
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
   
 
 
   
Purchases of investments
 
 
(73
)
 
 
(10,429
)
Proceeds from sales of investments
 
 
194
 
 
 
2,852
 
Additions to furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net
 
 
(3,685
)
 
 
(36,098
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
 
(3,564
)
 
 
(43,675
)
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
     
 
   
(Repayment) of commercial paper, net
 
 
(170,155
)
 
 
(120,113
)
Proceeds from bank loans, net
   
     
22,000
 
(Decrease) in overdrafts payable
   
(55
)
   
(27,318
)
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders
 
 
(341,862
)
 
 
(136,678
)
(Distributions to) contributions from non-controlling interests in consolidated entities
   
(992
)
   
1,266
 
Capital contributions from General Partner
 
 
1,854
 
 
 
1,854
 
Additional investment by Holding with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy Holding Units
 
 
8,101
 
 
 
 
Purchases of Holding Units to fund deferred compensation plan awards, net
 
 
(85,982
)
 
 
(654
)
Other
   
(25
)
   
157
 
Net cash used in financing activities
 
 
(589,116
)
 
 
(259,486
)
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
 
(22,235
)
 
 
36,387
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
 
55,880
 
 
 
103,697
 
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period
 
 
614,216
 
 
 
552,577
 
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period
 
$
670,096
 
 
$
656,274
 
 
 
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
3


ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2010
(unaudited)

The words “we” and “our” refer collectively to AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“Holding”) and AllianceBernstein L.P. and its subsidiaries (“AllianceBernstein”), or to their officers and employees. Similarly, the word “company” refers to both Holding and AllianceBernstein. Where the context requires distinguishing between Holding and AllianceBernstein, we identify which of them is being discussed. Cross-references are in italics.

These statements should be read in conjunction with AllianceBernstein’s audited consolidated financial statements included in AllianceBernstein’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

1.
Business Description and Organization

We provide research, diversified investment management and related services globally to a broad range of clients. Our principal services include:
 
 
Institutional Services – servicing our institutional clients, including unaffiliated corporate and public employee pension funds, endowment funds, domestic and foreign institutions and governments, and affiliates such as AXA and certain of its insurance company subsidiaries, by means of separately-managed accounts, sub-advisory relationships, structured products, collective investment trusts, mutual funds, hedge funds and other investment vehicles.

 
Retail Services – servicing our retail clients, primarily by means of retail mutual funds sponsored by AllianceBernstein or an affiliated company, sub-advisory relationships with mutual funds sponsored by third parties, separately-managed account programs sponsored by financial intermediaries worldwide and other investment vehicles.

 
Private Client Services – servicing our private clients, including high-net-worth individuals, trusts and estates, charitable foundations, partnerships, private and family corporations, and other entities, by means of separately-managed accounts, hedge funds, mutual funds and other investment vehicles.

 
Bernstein Research Services – servicing institutional investors seeking research, portfolio strategy and brokerage-related services, and issuers of publicly-traded securities seeking equity capital markets services.
 
We also provide distribution, shareholder servicing and administrative services to the mutual funds we sponsor.

We provide a broad range of investment services with expertise in:
 
 
Value equities, generally targeting stocks that are out of favor and considered undervalued;

 
Growth equities, generally targeting stocks with under-appreciated growth potential;

 
Fixed income securities, including taxable and tax-exempt securities;

 
Blend strategies, combining style-pure investment components with systematic rebalancing;

 
Passive management, including index and enhanced index strategies;

 
Alternative investments, such as hedge funds, currency management strategies, venture capital and, beginning in 2010, direct real estate investing; and

 
Asset allocation services, by which we offer blend strategies specifically-tailored for our clients (e.g., customized target-date fund retirement services for defined contribution plan sponsors).

We manage these services using various investment disciplines, including market capitalization (e.g., large-, mid- and small-cap equities), term (e.g., long-, intermediate- and short-duration debt securities), and geographic location (e.g., U.S., international, global and emerging markets), as well as local and regional disciplines in major markets around the world.

During 2009, we were selected by the U.S. Treasury Department as one of only three firms to manage its portfolio of assets issued by banks and other institutions taking part in the Capital Purchase Program of the Troubled Assets Relief Program. In addition, we were selected by the U.S. Treasury Department as one of nine pre-qualified fund managers under the Public-Private Investment Program and, during the fourth quarter of 2009, we were one of five firms that closed an initial Public-Private Investment Fund (“PPIF”) of at least $500 million. In April 2010, we closed our PPIF with over $1.1 billion raised.

 
4


Our research is the foundation of our business.  Our research disciplines include fundamental research, quantitative research, economic research and currency forecasting.  In addition, we have created several specialized research units, including one that examines global strategic changes that can affect multiple industries and geographies, and another dedicated to identifying potentially successful innovation by early-stage companies.

As of June 30, 2010, AXA, a société anonyme organized under the laws of France and the holding company for an international group of insurance and related financial services companies, through certain of its subsidiaries (“AXA and its subsidiaries”) owned approximately 1.4% of the issued and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial ownership of limited partnership interests in Holding (“Holding Units”).

As of June 30, 2010, the ownership structure of AllianceBernstein, expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests, was as follows:

AXA and its subsidiaries
 
 
61.4
%
Holding
 
 
36.7
 
Unaffiliated holders
 
 
1.9
 
 
 
 
100.0
%

AllianceBernstein Corporation (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA, “General Partner”) is the general partner of both Holding and AllianceBernstein. AllianceBernstein Corporation owns 100,000 general partnership units in Holding and a 1% general partnership interest in AllianceBernstein. Including both the general partnership and limited partnership interests in Holding and AllianceBernstein, AXA and its subsidiaries had an approximate 62.5% economic interest in AllianceBernstein as of June 30, 2010.

2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of AllianceBernstein included herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the interim results, have been made. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the interim reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The December 31, 2009 condensed consolidated statement of financial condition was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include AllianceBernstein and its majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances among the consolidated entities have been eliminated.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.  These include: (i) securities sold not yet purchased, previously included in payable to brokers and dealers in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, is currently shown separately, (ii) Holding Units owned by AllianceBernstein not yet awarded under deferred compensation plans, previously included in limited partners’ capital in the condensed consolidated statement of financial position, have been reclassified to Holding Units held for deferred compensation plans, (iii) Bernstein Research Services transaction costs, previously included in general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income, have been reclassified to other promotion and servicing expenses, (iv) certain distribution services expenses, previously included in other promotion and servicing expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income, have been reclassified to distribution-related payments, and (v) unrealized loss on consolidated venture capital fund, previously included in other adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows, is currently shown separately.

 
5


Cash Distributions

AllianceBernstein is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow, as defined in the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AllianceBernstein (“AllianceBernstein Partnership Agreement”), to its unitholders and to the General Partner. Available Cash Flow can be summarized as the cash flow received by AllianceBernstein from operations minus such amounts as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, should be retained by AllianceBernstein for use in its business.
 
The General Partner computes cash flow received from operations by determining the sum of:

 
net cash provided by operating activities of AllianceBernstein,

 
proceeds from borrowings and from sales or other dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of business, and

 
income from investments in marketable securities, liquid investments and other financial instruments that are acquired for investment purposes and that have a value that may be readily established,

and then subtracting from this amount the sum of:

 
payments in respect of the principal of borrowings, and

 
amounts expended for the purchase of assets in the ordinary course of business.

On August 2, 2010, the General Partner declared a distribution of $105.8 million, or $0.38 per AllianceBernstein Unit, representing a distribution of Available Cash Flow for the three months ended June 30, 2010. The General Partner, as a result of its 1% general partnership interest, is entitled to receive 1% of each distribution. The distribution is payable on August 19, 2010 to holders of record on August 12, 2010.

Fees Receivable, Net

Fees receivable are shown net of allowances. An allowance for doubtful accounts related to investment advisory and services fees is determined through an analysis of the aging of receivables, assessments of collectibility based on historical trends and other qualitative and quantitative factors, including the following: our relationship with the client, the financial health (or ability to pay) of the client, current economic conditions and whether the account is closed or active.

Investments

Investments include United States Treasury Bills, unconsolidated mutual funds and limited partnership hedge funds we sponsor and manage, various separately-managed portfolios comprised of equity and fixed income securities, exchanged-traded options and investments owned by a consolidated venture capital fund in which we own a controlling interest as the general partner and in which we hold a 10% limited partnership interest.

Investments in United States Treasury Bills, mutual funds, and equity and fixed income securities are classified as either trading or available-for-sale securities. Trading investments are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in net income. Available-for-sale investments are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in partners’ capital. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are included in income in the current period. Average cost is used to determine the realized gain or loss on investments sold.

We use the equity method of accounting for investments in limited partnership hedge funds. The equity in earnings of our limited partnership hedge fund investments is included in investment gains and losses on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The investments owned by our consolidated venture capital fund are generally illiquid and are initially valued at cost. These investments are adjusted to fair value to reflect the occurrence of “significant developments” (i.e., capital transactions or business, economic or market events). Adjustments to fair value are included in investment gains and losses on the condensed consolidated statements of income. There is one private equity investment which represents an approximate 11% ownership in a company that we own directly, outside of our consolidated venture capital fund.  This investment is accounted for using the cost method.

See Note 7 for a description of how we measure the fair value of our investments.

 
6


Goodwill

In 2000, AllianceBernstein acquired the business and assets of SCB Inc., an investment research and management company formerly known as Sanford C. Bernstein Inc. (“Bernstein”), and assumed the liabilities of Bernstein (“Bernstein Transaction”). The purchase price consisted of a cash payment of approximately $1.5 billion and 40.8 million newly-issued AllianceBernstein Units. The Bernstein Transaction was accounted for under the purchase method and the cost of the acquisition was allocated on the basis of the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed, resulted in the recognition of goodwill of approximately $3.0 billion.

We test our goodwill annually, as of September 30, for impairment. The carrying value of goodwill is also reviewed if facts and circumstances, such as significant declines in assets under management, revenues, earnings or the Holding Unit price, occur, suggesting possible impairment. As of September 30, 2009, the impairment test indicated that goodwill was not impaired.

To the extent that securities valuations are depressed for prolonged periods of time, our assets under management, revenues, profitability and unit price may be adversely affected.  As a result, subsequent impairment tests may be based upon different assumptions and future cash flow projections, which may result in an impairment of this asset. Any impairment could reduce materially the recorded amount of goodwill with a corresponding charge to our earnings.

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets consist primarily of costs assigned to acquired investment management contracts of SCB Inc. based on their estimated fair value at the time of acquisition, less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets are recognized at fair value and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of approximately 20 years. The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization totaled $416.0 million and $202.7 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2010 and $415.9 million and $191.9 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2009. Amortization expense was $5.4 million and $5.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $10.8 million and $10.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Estimated annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is approximately $22 million.

We periodically review intangible assets for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying value exceeds fair value, additional impairment tests are performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any.

Deferred Sales Commissions, Net

We pay commissions to financial intermediaries in connection with the sale of shares of open-end company-sponsored mutual funds sold without a front-end sales charge (“back-end load shares”). These commissions are capitalized as deferred sales commissions and amortized over periods not exceeding five and one-half years for U.S. fund shares and four years for non-U.S. fund shares, the periods of time during which deferred sales commissions are generally recovered. We recover these commissions from distribution services fees received from those funds and from contingent deferred sales commissions (“CDSC”) received from shareholders of those funds upon the redemption of their shares. CDSC cash recoveries are recorded as reductions of unamortized deferred sales commissions when received. Effective January 31, 2009, back-end load shares are no longer offered to new investors by our U.S. mutual funds.

We periodically review the deferred sales commission asset for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying value exceeds fair value, additional impairment tests are performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any.

Loss Contingencies

With respect to all significant litigation matters, we consider the likelihood of a negative outcome.  If we determine the likelihood of a negative outcome is probable, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record an estimated loss for the expected outcome of the litigation. If the likelihood of a negative outcome is reasonably possible and we are able to determine an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, we disclose that fact together with the estimate of the possible loss or range of loss. However, it is difficult to predict the outcome or estimate a possible loss or range of loss because litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, particularly when plaintiffs allege substantial or indeterminate damages, or when the litigation is highly complex or broad in scope. In such cases, we disclose that we are unable to predict the outcome or estimate a possible loss or range of loss.

 
7


Revenue Recognition

Investment advisory and services fees, generally calculated as a percentage of assets under management (“AUM”), are recorded as revenue as the related services are performed. Certain investment advisory contracts, including those associated with hedge funds, provide for a performance-based fee, in addition to or in lieu of a base fee, which is calculated as either a percentage of absolute investment results or a percentage of investment results in excess of a stated benchmark over a specified period of time. Performance-based fees are recorded as a component of revenue at the end of each contract’s measurement period.

We calculate AUM using established fair valuation methodologies, including market-based valuation methods and fair valuation methods. Market-based valuation methods include:  last sale/settle prices from an exchange for actively-traded listed equities, options and futures; evaluated bid prices from recognized pricing vendors for fixed income, asset-backed or mortgage-backed issues; mid prices from recognized pricing vendors and brokers for credit default swaps; and quoted bids or spreads from pricing vendors and brokers for other derivative products.  Fair valuation methods include discounted cash flow models, evaluation of assets versus liabilities or any other methodology that is validated and approved by our Valuation Committee. Fair valuation methods are used only where AUM cannot be valued using market-based valuation methods, such as in the case of private equity or illiquid securities. Fair valued investments typically make up less than 1% of our total AUM.  Recent market volatility has not had a significant effect on our ability to acquire market data and, accordingly, our ability to use market-based valuation methods.

The Valuation Committee, which is composed of senior officers and employees, is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all investments held in client and AllianceBernstein portfolios.  The Valuation Committee has adopted a Statement of Pricing Policies describing principles and policies that apply to pricing and valuing investments held in client and AllianceBernstein portfolios.  We have also established a Pricing Group, which reports to the Valuation Committee.  The Valuation Committee has delegated to the Pricing Group responsibility for overseeing the pricing process for all investments.

Bernstein Research Services revenue consists primarily of brokerage transaction charges for research and brokerage-related services provided to institutional investors. Brokerage transaction charges earned and related expenses are recorded on a trade-date basis. Bernstein Research Services revenue also consists of underwriting fees, management fees and/or selling concessions from equity capital markets activities, which are recognized as the related services are performed.

Distribution revenues, shareholder servicing fees, and dividend and interest income are accrued as earned.

Deferred Compensation Plans

We maintain several unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plans under which annual awards to employees are generally made in the fourth quarter. For awards made before 2009, participants were permitted to allocate their awards: (i) among notional investments in Holding Units, certain of the investment services we provide to our clients, and a money market fund, (ii) restricted Holding Units or (iii) under certain circumstances, in options to buy Holding Units. Awards in 2009 consisted solely of restricted Holding Units. We typically made investments in our services that were notionally elected by the participants and maintain them in a consolidated rabbi trust or separate custodial account. Awards generally vest over four years but can vest more quickly upon grant depending on the terms of the individual award, the age of the participant, or the terms of an employment, separation or retirement agreement. Upon vesting, awards are distributed to participants unless they have made a voluntary long-term election to defer receipt. Quarterly cash distributions on unvested Holding Units or restricted Holding Units for which a long-term deferral election has not been made are paid currently to participants. For awards made prior to December 2009, quarterly cash distributions on notional investments in Holding Units and income credited on notional investments in our investment services or the money market fund for which a long-term deferral election has been made are reinvested and distributed as elected by participants. For awards made in December 2009, quarterly cash distributions on vested and unvested restricted Holding Units for which a long-term deferral election has been made are paid currently to participants.

Compensation expense for awards under the plans, including changes in participant account balances resulting from gains and losses on related investments (other than in Holding Units and options to buy Holding Units), is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods. Mark-to-market gains or losses on investments made to fund deferred compensation obligations (other than in Holding Units and options to buy Holding Units) are recognized currently as investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. In addition, our equity in the earnings of investments in limited partnership hedge funds made to fund deferred compensation obligations is recognized currently as investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

 
8


Compensatory Unit Awards and Option Plans

We recognize compensation expense related to grants of restricted Holding Units and options to buy Holding Units in the financial statements using the fair value method. Under the fair value method, compensatory expense is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award and is recognized over the vesting period. Fair value of restricted Holding Unit awards is the closing price of a Holding Unit on the grant date; fair value of options is determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.

We fund our restricted Holding Unit awards to employees either by purchasing newly-issued Holding Units from Holding or purchasing Holding Units on the open market, all of which are held in a consolidated rabbi trust until they are distributed to employees upon vesting.  In accordance with the AllianceBernstein Partnership Agreement, when Holding issues Holding Units to AllianceBernstein, Holding is required to use the proceeds it receives from AllianceBernstein to purchase the equivalent number of newly-issued AllianceBernstein Units, thus increasing its percentage ownership interest in AllianceBernstein. Holding Units held in the consolidated rabbi trust are corporate assets in the name of the trust and available to the general creditors of AllianceBernstein.

In March 2010, we announced our intention to engage in open-market purchases of up to three million Holding Units, from time to time, to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program. As of June 30, 2010, we purchased three million Holding Units for $86.1 million. During the second half of 2010 and in future periods, we intend to engage in additional open market purchases of Holding Units, from time to time, to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program.

We granted 1.4 million restricted Holding Unit awards to employees during the first six months of 2010. To fund these awards, Holding issued 0.4 million Holding Units and we used 1.0 million Holding Units held in the consolidated rabbi trust. There were 2.5 million unallocated Holding Units remaining in the consolidated rabbi trust as of June 30, 2010.

New Holding Units are also issued by Holding upon exercise of options.  Proceeds received by Holding upon exercise of options are used to acquire newly-issued AllianceBernstein Units, increasing its percentage ownership interest in AllianceBernstein.

On July 26, 2010, the Amended and Restated 1997 Long Term Incentive Plan expired. Effective as of July 1, 2010, we established the 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2010 Plan”), under which restricted Holding Units or phantom restricted Holding Units (a “phantom” award is a contractual right to receive Holding Units at a later date or upon a specified event); options to buy Holding Units; and other Holding Unit-based awards (including, without limitation, Holding Unit appreciation rights and performance awards) may be granted to employees and independent directors of the General Partner. The 2010 Plan will expire on June 30, 2020, and no awards under the 2010 Plan will be made after that date. Under the 2010 Plan, the number of newly-issued Holding Units with respect to which awards may be granted is 30 million. The 2010 Plan also permits us to award an additional 30 million Holding Units if we acquire the Holding Units on the open market or through private purchases.

Variable Interest Entities

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-17, Consolidations (Topic 810) – Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities, effective January 1, 2010.  This standard changed how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting should be consolidated.  The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design, a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and whether a company is obligated to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity.  The standard also requires ongoing assessments of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”).  The provisions of this standard are effective January 1, 2010.  In January 2010, the FASB deferred portions of ASU 2009-17 that relate to asset managers. We determined that all entities for which we are a sponsor and/or investment manager, other than collateralized debt obligations and collateralized loan obligations (collectively “CDOs”), qualify for the scope deferral and will continue to be assessed for consolidation under prior accounting guidance for consolidation of variable interest entities.

As of June 30, 2010, we are the investment manager for ten CDOs that meet the definition of a VIE due primarily to the lack of unilateral decision-making authority of the equity holders.  The CDOs are alternative investment vehicles created for the sole purpose of issuing collateralized debt instruments that offer investors the opportunity for returns that vary with the risk level of their investment.  Our management fee structure for these CDOs will typically include a senior management fee, and may also include subordinated and incentive management fees.  We hold no equity interest in any of these CDOs.  For each of the CDOs, we evaluated the management fee structure, the current and expected economic performance of the entities and other provisions included in the governing documents of the CDOs that might restrict or guarantee an expected loss or residual return.  In accordance with ASC 810, we concluded that our investment management contract does not represent a variable interest in eight of the ten CDOs.  As such, we are not required to consolidate these entities.

 
9


For the two remaining CDOs, we concluded our collateral management agreement represented a variable interest primarily due to the level of subordinated fees.  We evaluated whether we possessed both of the following characteristics of a controlling financial interest: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impacts the entity’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. In both instances, we determined that we possessed the decision-making power noted in criteria (1) above.

In evaluating criteria (2) above, we considered all facts regarding the design, terms and characteristics of the CDOs and concluded that we do not meet the criteria.  Our conclusion was based on the following quantitative and qualitative factors: (a) we have no involvement with the CDOs beyond providing investment management services, (b) we hold no equity or debt interests in the CDOs, (c) we are not a transferor of any of the assets of the CDOs, (d) our expected aggregate fees in future periods are insignificant relative to the expected cash flows of the CDOs, (e) the variability of our expected fees in relation to the expected cash flows of the CDOs is insignificant, (f) our maximum exposure to loss for these CDOs is our investment management fee, which is based upon the fair value of the CDOs’ assets, (g) the CDOs have no recourse against us for any losses sustained in the CDO structure, (h) we have not provided, nor expect to provide, any financial or other support to the CDO, and (i) there are no liquidity arrangements, guarantees and/or other commitments by third parties that would impact our variable interest in the CDOs.  As such, we do not have a controlling financial interest in either of the two CDOs and we should not consolidate the CDOs into our consolidated financial statements.

The cash, collateral investments (at fair value) and notes payable (at amortized cost) as of June 30, 2010 of these two unconsolidated CDOs are $26.0 million, $352.6 million and $384.0 million, respectively.

For the entities that meet the scope deferral, management reviews its agreements quarterly and its investments in, and other financial arrangements with, certain entities that hold client AUM to determine the variable interest entities that the company is required to consolidate. These entities include certain mutual fund products, hedge funds, structured products, group trusts, collective investment trusts and limited partnerships. We earn investment management fees on client assets under management of these entities, but we derive no other benefit from these assets and cannot use them in our operations.

As of June 30, 2010, we have significant variable interests in certain hedge funds with approximately $20.8 million in AUM. However, these variable interest entities do not require consolidation because management has determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of the expected losses or expected residual returns of these entities. Our maximum exposure to loss in these entities is limited to our aggregate investments of $0.1 million.

  3.
Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements

As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $0.9 billion and $0.9 billion, respectively, of United States Treasury Bills were segregated in a special reserve bank custody account for the exclusive benefit of brokerage customers of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB LLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AllianceBernstein, under Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”).

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“AllianceBernstein Investments”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AllianceBernstein and the distributor of company-sponsored mutual funds, maintains several special bank accounts for the exclusive benefit of customers.  As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $22.6 million and $37.4 million, respectively, of cash were segregated in these bank accounts.

 
10


4.
Net Income Per Unit

Basic net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the basic weighted average number of units outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the total of the basic weighted average number of units outstanding and the dilutive unit equivalents resulting from outstanding compensatory options to buy Holding Units as follows:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
 
                         
Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
  $ 106,119     $ 128,295     $ 254,385     $ 165,146  
                                 
Weighted average units outstanding - basic
    275,498       265,625       275,204       265,280  
Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy Holding Units
    2,026       1       1,933        
Weighted average units outstanding – diluted
    277,524       265,626       277,137       265,280  
                                 
Basic net income per AllianceBernstein Unit
  $ 0.38     $ 0.48     $ 0.92     $ 0.62  
Diluted net income per AllianceBernstein Unit
  $ 0.38     $ 0.48     $ 0.91     $ 0.62  

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010, we excluded 5,048,345 out-of-the-money options (i.e., options with an exercise price greater than the weighted average closing price of a unit for the relevant period), from the diluted net income per unit computation due to their anti-dilutive effect. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2009, we excluded 6,206,572 and 6,237,692, respectively, out-of-the-money options from the diluted net income per unit computation due to their anti-dilutive effect.

5. 
Investments

Investments consist of:
       
 
 
June 30,
2010
 
 
December 31,
2009
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale
 
$
17,414
   
 $
18,246
 
Trading:
 
             
Deferred compensation-related
   
277,098
     
326,364
 
United States Treasury Bills
 
 
40,989
     
28,000
 
Seed money
   
117,675
     
107,136
 
Other
 
 
54,707
     
23,082
 
Investments in limited partnership hedge funds:
 
             
Deferred compensation-related
 
 
53,973
     
74,595
 
Other
   
28,985
     
16,579
 
Consolidated private equity fund
   
128,195
     
162,747
 
Private equity
   
15,067
     
10,000
 
Other
 
 
8,510
     
8,080
 
Total investments
 
$
742,613
   
 $
774,829
 

Total investments related to deferred compensation obligations of $331.1 million and $401.0 million as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, consist of company-sponsored mutual funds and limited partnership hedge funds. We typically make investments in our services that are notionally elected by deferred compensation plan participants and maintain them in a consolidated rabbi trust or separate custodial account. The rabbi trust and custodial account enable us to hold such investments separate from our other assets for the purpose of settling our obligations to participants. The investments held in the rabbi trust and custodial account remain available to the general creditors of AllianceBernstein.

The underlying investments of the limited partnership hedge funds in which we invest include long and short positions in equity securities, fixed income securities (including various agency and non-agency asset-based securities), currencies, commodities and derivatives (including various swaps and forward contracts). These investments are valued at quoted market prices or, where quoted market prices are not available, are fair valued based on the pricing policies and procedures of the underlying funds.

 
11


United States Treasury Bills are held by SCB LLC in their investment account and are pledged as collateral with clearing organizations.

We provide seed money to our investment teams to develop new products and services for our clients.

6. 
Derivative Instruments

During the second quarter of 2010, we entered into various futures, forwards and swaps to economically hedge our seed money investments.  In addition, we have currency forwards that represent seed money that our investment teams are using to develop new products and services for our clients. We do not hold any derivatives designated in a formal hedge relationship under ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging.

The following table presents the notional and fair value as of June 30, 2010 for derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:

   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
Notional Value
   
Fair Value
   
Notional Value
   
Fair Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
June 30, 2010:
                       
Exchange-traded futures
  $ 20,583     $ 751     $     $  
Currency forwards(1)
                30,598       1,099  
Interest rate swaps
                19,022       1,149  
Credit default swaps
    22,211       60              
Total return swaps
    30,928       1,795              
Total derivatives
  $ 73,722     $ 2,606     $ 49,620     $ 2,248  
 

 
(1)
Seed money used to develop new products and services.

The following table presents the notional and fair value as of December 31, 2009 for derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:

   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
Notional Value
   
Fair Value
   
Notional Value
   
Fair Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2009:
                       
Exchange-traded futures
  $ 21,309     $ (15 )   $     $  
Currency forwards(1)
    31,926       612              
Interest rate swaps
    16,995       955              
Credit default swaps
    22,475       175              
Total derivatives
  $ 92,705     $ 1,727     $     $  
 

 
(1)
Seed money used to develop new products and services.

As of June 30, 2010, the asset derivatives are included in receivable from brokers and dealers and the liability derivatives are included in payables to brokers and dealers on our condensed consolidated statement of financial condition. As of December 31, 2009, the futures and forwards contracts were included in receivables from brokers and dealers and the credit default swaps were included in investments.

 
12


The following table presents gains and losses recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statement of income:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Exchange-traded futures
  $ 1,120     $ 24     $ (180 )   $ 1,194  
Currency forwards
    (579 )     2       (850 )     9  
Interest rate swaps
    (2,028 )           (2,409 )      
Credit default swaps
    360       (106 )     202       (106 )
Total return swaps
    936             936        
Balance as of end of period
  $ (191 )   $ (80 )   $ (2,301 )   $ 1,097  

7. 
Fair Value
 
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The three broad levels of fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 
• 
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets are available for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.

 
• 
Level 2 – Quoted prices in markets that are not active or other pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date.

 
• 
Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable as of the reported date. These financial instruments do not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Effective January 1, 2010, we adopted ASU 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This standard required additional disclosures about fair value measurements including transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and a higher level of disaggregation for the different types of financial instruments.

 
13


The following table summarizes the valuation of our financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of June 30, 2010:

 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
     
Money markets
 
$
220,328
 
 
$
 
 
$
   
$
220,328
 
U.S. Treasury bills
   
     
963,707
     
     
963,707
 
U.K. Treasury bills
   
     
180,029
     
     
180,029
 
Derivatives
   
751
     
1,855
     
     
2,606
 
Equity securities
                               
Growth
   
107,361
     
232
     
160
     
107,753
 
Value
   
74,942
     
     
     
74,942
 
Blend
   
102,558
     
     
     
102,558
 
Other(1)
   
45,421
     
     
     
45,421
 
Fixed Income securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
Taxable(2)
   
83,544
     
29,958
     
17
     
113,519
 
Tax-exempt(3)
   
9,930
     
751
     
     
10,681
 
Other
   
8
     
     
     
8
 
Long exchange-traded options
   
12,012
     
     
     
12,012
 
Private equity
 
 
25,587
 
 
 
3,706
 
 
 
102,544
     
131,837
 
Total assets measured at fair value
 
$
682,442
   
$
1,180,238
   
$
102,721
   
$
1,965,401
 
                                 
Securities sold not yet purchased
                               
Short equities – corporate
 
$
15,270
   
$
   
$
   
$
15,270
 
Short exchange-traded options
   
5,272
     
     
     
5,272
 
Other
   
1,639
     
     
     
1,639
 
Derivatives
   
     
2,248
     
     
2,248
 
Total liabilities measured at fair value
 
$
22,181
 
 
$
2,248
 
 
$
   
$
24,429
 
 

 
(1)
Primarily long positions in corporate equities traded through our options desk.
 
(2)
Primarily corporate and government securities.
 
(3)
Primarily municipal bonds.

The following table summarizes the valuation of our financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of December 31, 2009:

 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
     
Money markets
 
$
178,875
 
 
$
 
 
$
   
$
178,875
 
U.S. Treasury bills
   
     
975,888
     
     
975,888
 
U.K. Treasury bills
   
     
177,772
     
     
177,772
 
Futures/currency forward contracts
   
(15
)
   
612
     
     
597
 
Equity securities
   
365,017
     
4,504
     
650
     
370,171
 
Fixed income securities
   
69,608
     
28,396
     
81
     
98,085
 
Long exchange-traded options
   
6,572
     
     
     
6,572
 
Private equity
 
 
2,913
 
 
 
62,006
 
 
 
97,828
     
162,747
 
Total assets measured at fair value
 
$
622,970
   
$
1,249,178
   
$
98,559
   
$
1,970,707
 
                                 
Securities sold not yet purchased
                               
Short equities – corporate
 
$
28,641
   
$
   
$
   
$
28,641
 
Short exchange-traded options
   
3,165
     
     
     
3,165
 
Total liabilities measured at fair value
 
$
31,806
 
 
$
 
 
$
   
$
31,806
 

 
14


Following is a description of the fair value methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy:

 
Money markets: We invest excess cash in various money market funds that are valued based on quoted prices in active markets; these are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 
Treasury bills: We hold United States Treasury Bills, which are segregated in a special reserve bank custody account as required by Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act. We also hold United Kingdom Treasury Bills. These securities are valued based on quoted yields in secondary markets and are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

 
Derivatives: We hold exchange-traded futures with counterparties that are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, we also hold currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and total return swaps with counterparties that are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

 
Equity and fixed income securities: Our equity and fixed income securities consist principally of company-sponsored mutual funds with exchange listed net asset values and various separately-managed portfolios consisting primarily of equity and fixed income securities with quoted prices in active markets, which are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, some fixed income securities are valued based on observable inputs from recognized pricing vendors, which are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

 
• 
Options: We hold long exchange-traded options that are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 
Private equity: The valuation of non-public private equity investments owned by a consolidated venture capital fund requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such investments. Private equity investments are valued initially at cost. The carrying values of private equity investments are adjusted either up or down from cost to reflect expected exit values as evidenced by financing and sale transactions with third parties, or when determination of a valuation adjustment is confirmed through ongoing review in accordance with our valuation policies and procedures. A variety of factors are reviewed and monitored to assess positive and negative changes in valuation including, but not limited to, current operating performance and future expectations of investee companies, industry valuations of comparable public companies, changes in market outlook and the third party financing environment over time. In determining valuation adjustments resulting from the investment review process, particular emphasis is placed on current company performance and market conditions. Non-public equity investments are included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy because they trade infrequently and, therefore, their fair value is unobservable. Publicly-traded equity investments are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If they contain trading restrictions, publicly-traded equity investments are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. During the first quarter, the trading restriction period expired on one of our publicly-traded equity investments and the security was transferred from a Level 2 classification to a Level 1 classification as of June 30, 2010.

 
Securities sold not yet purchased: Securities sold not yet purchased, primarily reflecting short positions in equities and exchange-traded options, are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following table summarizes the change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Balance as of beginning of period
  $ 102,256     $ 157,855     $ 98,559     $ 162,552  
                                 
Transfer (out) in, net
    (82 )     (30,360 )     (163 )     (30,380 )
Purchases (sales), net
    (1,408 )     5,800       939       6,404  
Realized gains (losses), net
    (2,481 )     813       (2,429 )     791  
Unrealized gains (losses), net
    4,436       (1,978 )     5,815       (7,237 )
Balance as of end of period
  $ 102,721     $ 132,130     $ 102,721     $ 132,130  

Realized and unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 financial instruments are recorded in investment gains and losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Substantially all of the Level 3 investments are private equity investments owned by our consolidated venture capital fund, of which we own 10% and non-controlling interests own 90%.

 
15


Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

There were no impairments recognized for goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets as of June 30, 2010.

8.
Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against, among others, AllianceBernstein, Holding and the General Partner. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of certain of our U.S. mutual fund securities, violating various securities laws.

Following October 2, 2003, additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against AllianceBernstein and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Holding; and claims brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of AllianceBernstein.

On April 21, 2006, AllianceBernstein and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement has been documented by a stipulation of settlement, which has been approved by the court. The settlement amount ($30 million), which we previously expensed and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

We intend to vigorously defend against the lawsuit involving derivative claims brought on behalf of Holding. At the present time, we are unable to predict the outcome or estimate a possible loss or range of loss in respect of this matter because of the inherent uncertainty regarding the outcome of complex litigation, and the fact that the plaintiffs did not specify an amount of damages sought in their complaint.

We are involved in various other matters, including regulatory inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation, some of which allege significant damages. While any inquiry, proceeding or litigation has the element of uncertainty, management believes that the outcome of any one of the other regulatory inquiries, administrative proceedings, lawsuits or claims that is pending or threatened, or all of them combined, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Other

During July 2009, we entered into a subscription agreement under which we committed to invest up to $40 million in a venture capital fund over a six-year period. As of June 30, 2010, we had funded $3.8 million of this commitment.

Also during July 2009, we were selected by the U.S. Treasury Department as one of nine pre-qualified investment managers under the Public-Private Investment Program. As part of the program, each investment manager is required to invest a minimum of $20 million in the Public-Private Investment Fund they manage. As of June 30, 2010, we had funded $17.0 million of this commitment.

9.
Qualified Employee Benefit Plans

We maintain a qualified profit sharing plan covering U.S. employees and certain foreign employees. Employer contributions are discretionary and generally limited to the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes.

We maintain several defined contribution plans for foreign employees in the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and other foreign entities. Employer contributions are generally consistent with regulatory requirements and tax limits. Defined contribution expense for foreign entities was $1.8 million and $1.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $3.6 million and $3.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We maintain a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit retirement plan (“Retirement Plan”) covering current and former employees who were employed by AllianceBernstein in the United States prior to October 2, 2000. Benefits are based on years of credited service, average final base salary (as defined in the Retirement Plan), and primary Social Security benefits. Service and compensation after December 31, 2008 are not taken into account in determining participants’ retirement benefits.

 
16


Our policy is to satisfy our funding obligation for each year in an amount not less than the minimum required by ERISA and not greater than the maximum amount we can deduct for federal income tax purposes. Through July 2010, we have made no contributions to the Retirement Plan and currently intend to contribute $6.0 million to the Retirement Plan later this year. Contribution estimates, which are subject to change, are based on regulatory requirements, future market conditions and assumptions used for actuarial computations of the Retirement Plan’s obligations and assets. Management, at the present time, is unable to determine the amount, if any, of additional future contributions that may be required.

        Net expense under the Retirement Plan consisted of:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations
  $ 1,139     $ 1,098     $ 2,278     $ 2,196  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,129 )     (769 )     (2,258 )     (1,538 )
Recognized actuarial loss
    56       109       112       218  
Amortization of transition asset
    (36 )     (36 )     (72 )     (72 )
Net pension charge
  $ 30     $ 402     $ 60     $ 804  

10.
Units Outstanding

The following table summarizes the activity in units:
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2009
   
274,745,592
 
Options exercised
   
475,159
 
Units issued
   
389,606
 
Units forfeited
   
(828
)
Outstanding as of June 30, 2010
   
275,609,529
 

In accordance with the Holding Partnership Agreement, when Holding issues Holding Units to AllianceBernstein, Holding is required to use the proceeds it receives from AllianceBernstein to purchase the equivalent number of newly-issued AllianceBernstein Units. Holding Units issued pertain to Holding Units newly issued under our Amended and Restated 1997 Long Term Incentive Plan and could include: (i) restricted Holding Unit awards to independent members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, (ii) restricted Holding Unit awards to eligible employees, (iii) restricted Holding Unit awards for recruitment, and (iv) restricted Holding Unit issuances in connection with certain employee separation agreements.

11.
Income Taxes

AllianceBernstein is a private partnership for federal income tax purposes and, accordingly, is not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes. However, AllianceBernstein is subject to the 4.0% New York City unincorporated business tax (“UBT”). Domestic corporate subsidiaries of AllianceBernstein, which are subject to federal, state and local income taxes, are generally included in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return with separate state and local income tax returns being filed. Foreign corporate subsidiaries are generally subject to taxes in the foreign jurisdictions where they are located.

In order to preserve AllianceBernstein’s status as a private partnership for federal income tax purposes, AllianceBernstein Units must not be considered publicly traded. The AllianceBernstein Partnership Agreement provides that all transfers of AllianceBernstein Units must be approved by AXA Equitable and the General Partner; AXA Equitable and the General Partner approve only those transfers permitted pursuant to one or more of the safe harbors contained in relevant treasury regulations. If such units were considered readily tradable, AllianceBernstein’s net income would be subject to federal and state corporate income tax. Furthermore, should AllianceBernstein enter into a substantial new line of business, Holding, by virtue of its ownership of AllianceBernstein, would lose its status as a “grandfathered” publicly-traded partnership and would become subject to corporate income tax, which would reduce materially Holding’s net income and its quarterly distributions to Holding Unitholders.

Our income tax provision for the first quarter of 2009 includes a $3.4 million entry relating to an under-accrual of foreign taxes in the fourth quarter of 2008. This adjusting entry was not material to the income tax provision or income tax liability in our condensed consolidated financial statements or to the results of operations and financial condition in any prior reporting period.

 
17


12.
Debt

Total credit available, debt outstanding and weighted average interest rates were as follows:

 
June 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
 
   
Credit
Available
   
Debt
Outstanding
   
Interest
Rate
   
Credit
Available
   
Debt
Outstanding
   
Interest
Rate
 
 
(in millions)
 
     
Revolving credit facility
  $ 921.0     $       %   $ 751.0     $       %
Commercial paper (1)
    79.0       79.0       0.3       249.0       249.0       0.2  
Total revolving credit facility - AllianceBernstein
    1,000.0       79.0       0.3       1,000.0       249.0       0.2  
Revolving credit facility –SCB LLC
    950.0                   950.0              
Total
  $ 1,950.0     $ 79.0       0.3     $ 1,950.0     $ 249.0       0.2  
 

(1) Commercial paper is short-term in nature and, as such, recorded value is estimated to approximate fair value.

AllianceBernstein has a $1.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks and other lenders which expires in February 2011. The revolving credit facility is intended to provide back-up liquidity for our $1.0 billion commercial paper program, although we borrow directly under the facility from time to time. Amounts borrowed under the commercial paper program reduce amounts available for direct borrowing under the revolving credit facility on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Our interest rate, at our option, is a floating rate generally based upon a defined prime rate, a rate related to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the Federal Funds rate. The revolving credit facility contains covenants which, among other things, require us to meet certain financial ratios. We are in compliance with these covenants.

SCB LLC has a $950 million three-year revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks to fund its activities resulting from engaging in certain securities trading (including derivatives) and custody activities on behalf of private clients and participating in equity capital offerings on behalf of issuers of publicly-traded securities. The facility expires in January 2011. Under the revolving credit facility, the interest rate, at the option of SCB LLC, is a floating rate generally based upon a defined prime rate, a rate related to LIBOR or the Federal Funds rate. This revolving credit facility contains covenants which, among other things, require AllianceBernstein, as guarantor, to meet the same financial ratios contained in its $1.0 billion revolving credit facility. We are in compliance with these covenants.

AllianceBernstein and AXA executed guarantees in regard to the $950 million SCB LLC facility. In the event SCB LLC is unable to meet its obligations, AllianceBernstein or AXA will pay the obligations when due or on demand. AllianceBernstein will reimburse AXA to the extent AXA must pay on its guarantee. This agreement is continuous and remains in effect until the later of payment in full of any such obligation under the credit facility has been made or the maturity date.

SCB LLC has several separate uncommitted credit facilities with various banks.  SCB LLC also has two uncommitted lines of credit with a commercial bank, one for $75 million secured by pledges of U.S. Treasury Bills and a second for $50 million secured by pledges of equity securities.

On July 23, 2010, a subsidiary of AllianceBernstein arranged for a non-recourse credit line from AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (“AXA Equitable”) in an amount equal to $100 million. The credit line, which matures on October 15, 2010 or any later date agreed to by AXA Equitable, will be used to purchase real estate investments with the expectation that they will be transferred to a real estate opportunity fund being established by AllianceBernstein.

 
18


13.
Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consisted of:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Net income
  $ 96,780     $ 129,595     $ 228,273     $ 161,106  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                               
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
    (1,260 )     1,019       (902 )     1,401  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (11,749 )     53,669       (29,965 )     48,394  
Changes in retirement plan related items
    20       73       40       146  
Comprehensive income
    83,791       184,356       197,446       211,047  
Comprehensive (income) loss in consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
    10,897       (3,622 )     27,043       1,826  
Comprehensive income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
  $ 94,688     $ 180,734     $ 224,489     $ 212,873  

14. 
Changes in Capital

Changes in capital for the six months ended June 30, 2010 consisted of:

   
Partners’ Capital Attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
   
Non-Controlling Interests In Consolidated Entities
 
Total Capital
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Balance as of  December 31, 2009
 
$
4,530,362
 
 
$
171,593
 
 
$
4,701,955
 
Comprehensive income (loss):
                     
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
254,385
 
 
 
(26,112
)
 
 
228,273
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                       
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
   
(1,137
)
   
235
     
(902
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
   
(28,799
)
   
(1,166
)
   
(29,965
)
Changes in retirement plan related items
   
40
     
     
40
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
   
224,489
     
(27,043
)
   
197,446
 
                         
Cash distributions to General Partner and unitholders
   
(341,862
)
   
     
(341,862
)
Capital contributions (distributions)
   
1,854
     
(992
)
   
862
 
Compensation-related transactions
   
(24,655
)
   
     
(24,655
)
Balance as of June 30, 2010
 
$
4,390,188
 
 
$
143,558
 
 
$
4,533,746
 

 
19

 
Changes in capital for the six months ended June 30, 2009 consisted of:
 
   
Partners’ Capital Attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
   
Non-Controlling Interests In Consolidated Entities
 
Total Capital
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Balance as of  December 31, 2008
 
$
4,317,659
 
 
$
169,167
 
 
$
4,486,826
 
Comprehensive income (loss):
                     
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
165,146
 
 
 
(4,040
)
 
 
161,106
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                       
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
   
1,403
     
(2
)
   
1,401
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
   
46,178
     
2,216
     
48,394
 
Changes in retirement plan related items
   
146
     
     
146
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
   
212,873
     
(1,826
)
   
211,047
 
                         
Cash distributions to General Partner and unitholders
   
(136,678
)
   
     
(136,678
)
Capital contributions
   
1,854
     
1,266
     
3,120
 
Compensation-related transactions
   
35,467
     
     
35,467
 
Balance as of June 30, 2009
 
$
4,431,175
 
 
$
168,607
 
 
$
4,599,782
 

15.
Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This standard has two parts, the first of which we adopted on January 1, 2010. The first part required additional disclosures about fair value measurements including transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and a higher level of disaggregation for the different types of financial instruments. The second portion of the standard requires a reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements, with information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements presented separately. The second portion of the standard is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2010 and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 
20


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the General Partner and Unitholders
AllianceBernstein L.P.

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial condition of AllianceBernstein L.P. ("AllianceBernstein") as of June 30, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.  These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the management of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the General Partner.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, of changes in partners' capital and comprehensive income, and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 11, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2009 is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated statement of financial condition from which it has been derived.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
New York, New York
August 2, 2010

 
21


Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Overview

Equity markets fell during most of the second quarter of 2010, as investors feared that escalating fiscal troubles in Europe could curtail the world’s economic recovery.  The increase in risk aversion caused by these fears created a challenging environment for active strategies in the second quarter.  In this context, our Equities investment services underperformed relative to benchmarks or peer averages, while global Fixed Income services outperformed.

Our total assets under management (“AUM”) as of June 30, 2010 were $457.7 billion, down $43.6 billion, or 8.7%, compared to March 31, 2010, and up $10.7 billion, or 2.4%, compared to June 30, 2009.  During the second quarter of 2010, AUM decreased as a result of market depreciation of $38.9 billion and net outflows of $4.7 billion.  Year-over-year AUM increased as a result of market appreciation of $51.6 billion, partly offset by net outflows of $40.9 billion.  Total net outflows of $4.7 billion in the second quarter of 2010 were 27.5% lower than in the first quarter of 2010 and 80.5% lower than the second quarter of 2009.

Institutional AUM decreased $26.4 billion, or 8.9%, to $270.6 billion during the second quarter of 2010, due primarily to market depreciation of $22.5 billion and net outflows of $3.7 billion.  Net outflows declined to $3.7 billion, or 57.0% lower than in the first quarter of 2010, due to increased sales.  The pipeline of awarded but unfunded institutional mandates decreased slightly to $5.0 billion as of June 30, 2010 from $5.2 billion as of March 31, 2010.

Retail AUM decreased $11.6 billion, or 9.1%, to $116.2 billion during the second quarter of 2010 as a result of market depreciation of $10.7 billion and net outflows of $0.9 billion, as compared to net inflows of $2.5 billion in the first quarter of 2010.  This unfavorable comparison was primarily the result of the inclusion of two large non-U.S. mandate wins in the first quarter of 2010, as well as increased gross outflows in the current quarter.

Private Client AUM decreased $5.6 billion, or 7.3%, to $70.9 billion during the second quarter of 2010 primarily due to market depreciation of $5.7 billion. Net outflows continued to improve in the quarter, declining from $340 million in the first quarter of 2010 to $115 million in the current quarter.

Bernstein Research Services revenue for the second quarter of 2010 was $117.2 million, up $6.5 million, or 5.8%, compared to the first quarter of 2010 and $6.4 million, or 5.7%, compared to the second quarter of 2009. These increases were primarily due to higher U.S. trading activity. Bernstein Research’s European research platform was again ranked number one on key metrics of research quality in a leading independent survey of European institutional investors and we continued to make strategic investments to grow our Asian research and global trading platforms.

Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders for the second quarter of 2010 decreased $22.2 million to $106.1 million from $128.3 million in the second quarter of 2009.  This decrease was primarily due to higher deferred compensation related investment losses of $99.9 million, partly offset by higher base investment advisory fees of $62.5 million (reflecting higher average AUM across all three buy-side distribution channels) and lower incentive compensation of $17.8 million.  In addition, our operating margin decreased to 17.0% from 18.3% in the second quarter of 2009.

Beginning this quarter, we are providing additional disclosures which we believe will be useful to investors. As supplemental information, we are providing the performance measures “Adjusted net revenues”, “Adjusted operating income” and “Adjusted operating margin”, which are the principle metrics management uses in evaluating and comparing period-to-period operating performance. Such measures are not based on generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP measures”). For additional details regarding these non-GAAP measures (including a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP), please refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this Item 2.

 
22

 
Assets Under Management

Assets under management by distribution channel were as follows:

 
 
As of June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
 
2009
 
 
$ Change
 
 
% Change
 
 
 
(in billions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Institutions
 
$
270.6
 
 
$
277.8
 
 
$
(7.2
)
 
 
(2.6
)%
Retail
 
 
116.2
 
 
 
102.6
 
 
 
13.6
 
 
 
13.2
 
Private Client
 
 
70.9
 
 
 
66.6
 
 
 
4.3
 
 
 
6.6
 
Total
 
$
457.7
 
 
$
447.0
 
 
$
10.7
 
 
 
2.4
 

Assets under management by investment service were as follows:

   
As of June 30,
   
 
   
 
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
   
(in billions)
   
 
 
Equity
                       
Value:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
U.S.
  $ 36.4     $ 41.1     $ (4.7 )     (11.4 )%
Global & international
    102.8       114.7       (11.9 )     (10.4 )
      139.2       155.8       (16.6 )     (10.6 )
Growth:
                               
U.S.
    30.8       32.9       (2.1 )     (6.5 )
Global & international
    43.7       51.3       (7.6 )     (14.8 )
      74.5       84.2       (9.7 )     (11.6 )
Total Equity
    213.7       240.0       (26.3 )     (11.0 )
Fixed Income:
                               
U.S.
    118.8       104.3       14.5       13.9  
Global & international(1)
    79.7       61.1       18.6       30.5  
      198.5       165.4       33.1       20.0  
Other(2):
                               
U.S.
    23.5       20.5       3.0       15.0  
Global & international(1)
    22.0       21.1       0.9       4.1  
      45.5       41.6       3.9       9.4  
Total:
                               
U.S.
    209.5       198.8       10.7       5.4  
Global & international
    248.2       248.2              
Total
  $ 457.7     $ 447.0     $ 10.7       2.4  
 

(1)
Certain client assets were reclassified among investment services to more accurately reflect how these assets are managed by our firm.
(2)
Includes index, structured, asset allocation services and other non-actively managed AUM.

 
23


Changes in assets under management for the three-month, six-month and twelve-month periods ended June 30, 2010 were as follows:

   
Distribution Channel
   
Investment Service
 
   
Institutions
   
Retail
   
Private Client
   
Total
   
Value Equity
   
Growth Equity
   
Fixed Income
   
Other(1)
   
Total
 
   
(in billions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance as of March 31, 2010
  $ 297.0     $ 127.8     $ 76.5     $ 501.3     $ 169.4     $ 91.2     $ 192.3     $ 48.4     $ 501.3  
Long-term flows:
                                                                       
Sales/new accounts
    8.1       8.6       2.1       18.8       4.5       1.3       12.0       1.0       18.8  
Redemptions/terminations
    (7.3 )     (6.4 )     (1.5 )     (15.2 )     (5.8 )     (4.1 )     (5.0 )     (0.3 )     (15.2 )
Net cash flows
    (4.5 )     (3.1 )     (0.7 )     (8.3 )     (4.0 )     (2.3 )     (2.0 )           (8.3 )
Net long-term (outflows) inflows
    (3.7 )     (0.9 )     (0.1 )     (4.7 )     (5.3 )     (5.1 )     5.0       0.7       (4.7 )
Transfers
    (0.2 )           0.2                                      
Market (depreciation) appreciation
    (22.5 )     (10.7 )     (5.7 )     (38.9 )     (24.9 )     (11.6 )     1.2       (3.6 )     (38.9 )
Net change
    (26.4 )     (11.6 )     (5.6 )     (43.6 )     (30.2 )     (16.7 )     6.2       (2.9 )     (43.6 )
Balance as of June 30, 2010
  $ 270.6     $ 116.2     $ 70.9     $ 457.7     $ 139.2     $ 74.5     $ 198.5     $ 45.5     $ 457.7  
 
 
   
Distribution Channel
   
Investment Service
 
   
Institutions
   
Retail
   
Private Client
   
Total
   
Value Equity
   
Growth Equity
   
Fixed Income
   
Other(1)
   
Total
 
   
(in billions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2009
  $ 300.0     $ 120.7     $ 74.8     $ 495.5     $ 171.2     $ 94.1     $ 184.3     $ 45.9     $ 495.5  
Long-term flows:
                                                                       
Sales/new accounts
    11.6       19.2       4.1       34.9       6.9       3.7       22.4       1.9       34.9  
Redemptions/terminations
    (17.2 )     (12.7 )     (3.1 )     (33.0 )     (12.6 )     (10.1 )     (9.9 )     (0.4 )     (33.0 )
Net cash flows
    (6.7 )     (4.8 )     (1.5 )     (13.0 )     (6.9 )     (3.7 )     (2.3 )     (0.1 )     (13.0 )
Net long-term (outflows) inflows
    (12.3 )     1.7       (0.5 )     (11.1 )     (12.6 )     (10.1 )     10.2       1.4       (11.1 )
Transfers
    (0.2 )           0.2                                      
Market (depreciation) appreciation
    (16.9 )     (6.2 )     (3.6 )     (26.7 )     (19.4 )     (9.5 )     4.0       (1.8 )     (26.7 )
Net change
    (29.4 )     (4.5 )     (3.9 )     (37.8 )     (32.0 )     (19.6 )     14.2       (0.4 )     (37.8 )
Balance as of June 30, 2010
  $ 270.6     $ 116.2     $ 70.9     $ 457.7     $ 139.2     $ 74.5     $ 198.5     $ 45.5     $ 457.7  
 
 
   
Distribution Channel
   
Investment Service
 
   
Institutions
   
Retail
   
Private Client
   
Total
   
Value Equity
   
Growth Equity
   
Fixed Income(2)
   
Other(1) (2)
   
Total
 
   
(in billions)
 
                                                       
Balance as of June 30, 2009
  $ 277.8     $ 102.6     $ 66.6     $ 447.0     $ 155.8     $ 84.2     $ 165.4     $ 41.6     $ 447.0  
Long-term flows:
                                                                       
Sales/new accounts
    21.2       32.9       8.5       62.6       12.1       6.8       38.4       5.3       62.6  
Redemptions/terminations
    (42.3 )     (24.6 )     (6.2 )     (73.1 )     (33.5 )     (19.7 )     (18.9 )     (1.0 )     (73.1 )
Net cash flows
    (16.9 )     (8.9 )     (4.6 )     (30.4 )     (13.4 )     (7.0 )     (4.3 )     (5.7 )     (30.4 )
Net long-term (outflows) inflows
    (38.0 )     (0.6 )     (2.3 )     (40.9 )     (34.8 )     (19.9 )     15.2       (1.4 )     (40.9 )
Transfers
    (0.1 )           0.1                                      
Market appreciation
    30.9       14.2       6.5       51.6       18.2       10.2       17.9       5.3       51.6  
Net change
    (7.2 )     13.6       4.3       10.7       (16.6 )     (9.7 )     33.1       3.9       10.7  
Balance as of June 30, 2010
  $ 270.6     $ 116.2     $ 70.9     $ 457.7     $ 139.2     $ 74.5     $ 198.5     $ 45.5     $ 457.7  
 

(1)
Includes index, structured, asset allocation services and other non-actively managed AUM.
(2)
Certain client assets were reclassified among investment services to more accurately reflect how these assets are managed by our firm.

 
24


Average assets under management by distribution channel and investment service were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
               
Six Months Ended
             
   
6/30/10
   
6/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
6/30/10
   
6/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
   
(in billions)
 
Distribution Channel:
                                               
Institutions
  $ 285.0     $ 273.2     $ 11.8       4.3 %   $ 288.5     $ 271.8     $ 16.7       6.1 %
Retail
    122.7       99.1       23.6       23.9       121.3       96.6       24.7       25.5  
Private Client
    74.0       65.2       8.8       13.5       73.9       65.1       8.8       13.5  
Total
  $ 481.7     $ 437.5     $ 44.2       10.1     $ 483.7     $ 433.5     $ 50.2       11.6  
                                                                 
Investment Service:
                                                               
Value Equity
  $ 155.3     $ 152.3     $ 3.0       2.0 %   $ 159.0     $ 152.0     $ 7.0       4.6 %
Growth Equity
    83.1       81.6       1.5       1.9       85.7       81.1       4.6       5.6  
Fixed Income(2)
    195.4       163.5       31.9       19.5       191.9       162.5       29.4       18.1  
Other (1)(2)
    47.9       40.1       7.8       19.4       47.1       37.9       9.2       24.3  
Total
  $ 481.7     $ 437.5     $ 44.2       10.1     $ 483.7     $ 433.5     $ 50.2       11.6  
 

(1)
Includes index, structured, asset allocation services and other non-actively managed AUM.
(2)
Certain client assets were reclassified among investment services to more accurately reflect how these assets are managed by our firm.

Our institutional average assets under management increased $11.8 billion, or 4.3%, for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and increased $16.7 billion, or 6.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The increases in average AUM reflect a 6.8% increase in AUM during the ten months from June 30, 2009 through April 30, 2010 offset by an 8.8% decline over the months of May and June of 2010. The ten month increase was due to market appreciation of $54.5 billion occurring across all product services, partly offset by net outflows of $35.8 billion. These net outflows occurred across all product services except our Other services. The two month decrease was due to market depreciation of $23.6 billion occurring across all product services and net outflows of $2.2 billion occurring across all product services except Fixed Income.

Our retail average assets under management increased $23.6 billion, or 23.9%, for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and increased $24.7 billion, or 25.5%, for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The increases in average AUM reflect a 25.1% increase in AUM during the ten months from June 30, 2009 through April 30, 2010 offset by a 9.5% decline over the months of May and June of 2010. The ten month increase was due to market appreciation of $25.9 billion occurring across all product services, partly offset by net outflows of $0.1 billion. These net outflows occurred in Growth Equity and Value Equity services and were offset by net inflows in Fixed Income and Other services. The two month decrease was due to market depreciation of $11.7 billion occurring across all product services and net outflows of $0.5 billion occurring across all product services except Fixed Income.

Our private client average assets under management increased $8.8 billion, or 13.5%, for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and increased $8.8 billion, or 13.5%, for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The increases in average AUM reflect a 14.5% increase in AUM during the ten months from June 30, 2009 through April 30, 2010 offset by a 6.9% decline over the months of May and June of 2010. The ten month increase was due to market appreciation of $12.2 billion occurring across all product services, partly offset by net outflows of $2.6 billion. These net outflows occurred in Growth Equity and Value Equity services and were partly offset by net inflows in Fixed Income and Other services. The two month decrease was due to market depreciation of $5.7 billion occurring across all product services except Fixed Income, partly offset by net inflows of $0.3 billion. These net inflows occurred in Fixed Income and Other services and were partly offset by net outflows in Growth Equity and Value Equity services.

Over the last four quarters, net flows have improved in all three distribution channels. Institutional net outflows have decreased from $18.7 billion in the second quarter of 2009 to $3.7 billion in the second quarter of 2010, as the outflows in Equities were partially offset by inflows in Fixed Income services. Retail net outflows have decreased from $3.5 billion in the second quarter of 2009 to $0.9 billion in the current quarter, driven by strong Fixed Income services sales internationally.  Private Client net outflows of $0.1 billion in the second quarter of 2010 have significantly improved from net outflows of $1.8 billion in the second quarter of 2009, reflecting inflows in the current quarter across Fixed Income and Other services.

Overall, over the past four quarters, we have experienced net outflows in our Equity services and net inflows in our Fixed Income services. We believe this is primarily attributable to our investment performance in the short-term and long-term relative to benchmarks and other investment managers. Other contributing factors include conditions of financial markets, the experience of the portfolio manager, the client’s overall relationship with AllianceBernstein, the level and quality of client servicing, recommendations of consultants, and changes in clients’ investment preferences and liquidity needs.

 
25


Annualized absolute investment composite returns and relative performance compared to benchmarks for certain representative Value, Growth, Blend and Fixed Income services were as follows:

   
Three months ended
June 30, 2010
   
Six months ended
June 30, 2010
 
       
             
Global Value
           
Annualized return
    (15.7 )     (14.0 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI World Index – net)
    (3.1 )     (4.1 )
International Value
               
Annualized return
    (17.7 )     (17.2 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI EAFE Index – net)
    (3.7 )     (3.9 )
U.S. Diversified Value
               
Annualized return
    (13.4 )     (6.9 )
Relative return (vs. Russell 1000 Value Index)
    (2.2 )     (1.8 )
Global Research Growth
               
Annualized return
    (14.0 )     (12.6 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI World Index – net)
    (1.3 )     (2.8 )
International Large Cap Growth
               
Annualized return
    (14.9 )     (15.3 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI EAFE Index – net)
    (1.0 )     (2.1 )
U.S. Large Cap Growth
               
Annualized return
    (14.5 )     (12.3 )
Relative return (vs. Russell 1000 Growth Index)
    (2.8 )     (4.6 )
Global Blend
               
Annualized return
    (14.7 )     (13.2 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI World Index – net)
    (2.1 )     (3.3 )
International Blend
               
Annualized return
    (16.0 )     (15.8 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI EAFE Index – net)
    (2.1 )     (2.6 )
Emerging Market Blend
               
Annualized return
    (10.8 )     (9.2 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI EM Index – net)
    (2.5 )     (3.1 )
Strategic Core Plus (fixed income)
               
Annualized return
    3.0       6.2  
Relative return (vs. Custom Index)
    (0.3 )     0.9  
Global Plus (fixed income)
               
Annualized return
    0.2       1.1  
Relative return (vs. Barclays Global Aggregate)
    0.3       1.4  
Emerging Market Debt (fixed income)
               
Annualized return
    0.9       5.9  
Relative return (vs. JMP EMBI Global)
    (0.3 )     0.6  

 
26


Consolidated Results of Operations

   
Three Months Ended
               
Six Months Ended
             
   
6/30/10
   
6/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
6/30/10
   
6/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
   
(in millions, except per unit amounts)
 
                                                 
Net revenues
  $ 688.3     $ 721.4     $ (33.1 )     (4.6 )%   $ 1,413.4     $ 1,319.0     $ 94.4       7.2 %
Expenses
    580.7       588.1       (7.4 )     (1.3 )     1,165.8       1,151.9       13.9       1.2  
Operating income
    107.6       133.3       (25.7 )     (19.3 )     247.6       167.1       80.5       48.2  
Non-operating income
    2.3       6.0       (3.7 )     (62.1 )     6.8       12.2       (5.4 )     (44.6 )
Income before income taxes
    109.9       139.3       (29.4 )     (21.1 )     254.4       179.3       75.1       41.9  
Income taxes
    13.1       9.7       3.4       35.8       26.1       18.2       7.9       43.3  
Net income
    96.8       129.6       (32.8 )     (25.3 )     228.3       161.1       67.2       41.7  
Net loss (income) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
    9.3       (1.3 )     10.6       n/m       26.1       4.0       22.1       546.3  
Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
  $ 106.1     $ 128.3     $ (22.2 )     (17.3 )   $ 254.4     $ 165.1     $ 89.3       54.0  
                                                                 
Diluted net income per AllianceBernstein Unit
  $ 0.38     $ 0.48     $ (0.10 )     (20.8 )   $ 0.91     $ 0.62     $ 0.29       46.8  
                                                                 
Distributions per AllianceBernstein Unit
  $ 0.38     $ 0.48     $ (0.10 )     (20.8 )   $ 0.91     $ 0.62     $ 0.29       46.8  
                                                                 
Operating margin (1)
    17.0 %     18.3 %                     19.4 %     13.0 %                
 
 

(1)
Operating income including net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests as a percentage of net revenues.

Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders for the three months ended June 30, 2010 decreased $22.2 million, or 17.3%, from the three months ended June 30, 2009.  The decrease was primarily due to (in millions):


$ 62.5  
Higher base investment advisory fees
  17.8  
Lower incentive compensation, reflecting lower deferred compensation expense of $23.1 million, resulting from mark-to-market losses on deferred compensation-related investments, offset by higher cash compensation of $5.5 million
  13.9  
Lower other general and administrative (lower foreign exchange losses of $4.9 million, lower client transaction errors of $2.7 million and lower class action settlement expenses of $6.3 million)
  (99.9 )
Higher deferred compensation-related investment losses, reflecting $36.8 million of losses in the current quarter compared to $63.1 million of gains in the prior year quarter
  (9.2 )
Higher seed money investment losses, reflecting a current quarter loss of $5.2 million compared to a prior year quarter gain of $4.0 million
  (5.0 )
Higher recruitment charges due to 197 new hires in the second quarter of 2010 compared to 77 in 2009
  (3.4 )
Higher income taxes, reflecting a higher effective tax rate offset by lower pre-tax income
  1.1  
Other
$ (22.2 )
Decrease in net income

 
27


Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $89.3 million, or 54.0%, from the six months ended June 30, 2009.  The increase was primarily due to (in millions):


$ 139.4  
Higher base investment advisory fees
  23.6  
Lower base compensation, reflecting lower severance of $13.9 million and lower salaries of $9.4 million due to workforce reductions in 2009
  6.4  
Higher net distribution revenues due to higher average mutual fund AUM
  12.0  
Lower foreign exchange losses
  11.4  
Higher Bernstein Research services revenue
  (60.5 )
Higher deferred compensation-related investment losses, reflecting $25.6 million of losses in the current year compared to $34.9 million of gains in the prior year
  (7.9 )
Higher income taxes, primarily due to higher pre-tax income in the current year
  (7.5 )
Lower performance-based fees
  (7.0 )
Higher recruitment charges due to 285 new hires during 2010 compared to 116 in 2009
  (6.3 )
Higher incentive compensation, reflecting higher cash compensation of $4.1 million and higher deferred compensation of $3.2 million
  (6.3 Higher real estate sub-lease charges
  (8.0 )
Other
$ 89.3  
Increase in net income

 
28


Non-GAAP Measures

As noted in our “Executive Overview”, beginning this quarter, we are providing the non-GAAP measures “Adjusted net revenues”, “Adjusted operating income” and “Adjusted operating margin”, which are the principle metrics management uses in evaluating and comparing period-to-period operating performance.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Net revenues, GAAP basis
  $ 688,343     $ 721,440     $ 1,413,429     $ 1,319,004  
Exclude:
                               
Deferred compensation-related investment (gains) losses
    36,797       (63,110 )     25,638       (34,865 )
Deferred compensation-related dividends and interest
    (920 )     (1,591 )     (1,720 )     (3,061 )
90% of consolidated venture capital fund investment (gains) losses
    9,304       (417 )     26,153       4,898  
Distribution-related payments
    (71,015 )     (55,149 )     (137,764 )     (102,960 )
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
    (12,147 )     (13,844 )     (24,268 )     (28,741 )
Adjusted net revenues
  $ 650,362     $ 587,329     $ 1,301,468     $ 1,154,275  
                                 
Operating income, GAAP basis
  $ 107,649     $ 133,312     $ 247,631     $ 167,102  
Exclude:
                               
Deferred compensation-related investment (gains) losses
    36,797       (63,110 )     25,638       (34,865 )
Deferred compensation-related dividends and interest
    (920 )     (1,591 )     (1,720 )     (3,061 )
Deferred compensation-related mark-to-market vesting (credit) expense
    (19,082 )     8,590       (18,725 )     (20,426 )
Deferred compensation-related dividends and interest expense
    810       1,431       1,492       2,734  
Net impact of deferred compensation-related investments
    17,605       (54,680 )     6,685       (55,618 )
Real estate sub-lease charges
                11,983       5,728  
Total exclusions
    17,605       (54,680 )     18,668       (49,890 )
Include:
                               
Net loss (income) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
    9,339       (1,300 )     26,112       4,040  
Adjusted operating income
  $ 134,593     $ 77,332     $ 292,411     $ 121,252  
                                 
Adjusted operating margin
   
20.7
%    
13.2
%    
22.5
%    
10.5
%

These non-GAAP measures are provided in addition to net revenues, operating income and operating margin, but are not a substitute for net revenues, operating income and operating margin and may not be comparable to non-GAAP measures of other companies. Management uses both the GAAP and non-GAAP measures in evaluating our financial performance. The non-GAAP measures alone may pose limitations because they do not include all of our revenues and expenses.

Adjusted Net Revenues

Adjusted net revenues excludes investment gains and losses and dividends and interest on deferred compensation-related investments, and 90% of the investment gains and losses of our consolidated venture capital fund attributable to non-controlling interests. In addition, adjusted net revenues offsets distribution-related payments to third parties as well as amortization of deferred sales commissions against distribution revenues. We believe the offset of distribution-related payments from net revenues is useful for our investors and other users of our financial statements because such presentation appropriately reflects the nature of these costs as pass-through payments to third parties who perform functions on behalf of our sponsored mutual funds and/or shareholders of these funds. Amortization of deferred sales commissions is offset against net revenues because such costs, over time, offset distribution revenues earned by the company.

 
29


Adjusted Operating Income

Adjusted operating income represents operating income on a GAAP basis (1) excluding the impact on net revenues and compensation expense of the mark-to-market gains and losses (as well as the dividends and interest) associated with employee deferred compensation-related investments, (2) excluding real estate sub-lease charges and (3) including the net loss or income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests.

Prior to 2009, a large proportion of employee compensation was in the form of deferred awards that were notionally invested in AllianceBernstein investment services and generally vested over a period of four years. AllianceBernstein has hedged the exposure to market movements by purchasing and holding these investments on its balance sheet. The full value of the investments’ appreciation (depreciation) is recorded within investment gains and losses on the income statement in the current period. U.S. GAAP requires the appreciation (depreciation) in the compensation liability to be expensed over the award vesting period in proportion to the vested amount of the award as part of compensation expense. This creates a timing difference between the recognition of the compensation expense and the investment gain or loss impacting operating income which will reverse over the life of the award and net to zero at the end of the multi-year vesting period. Although, during periods of high market volatility these timing differences have an impact on operating income and operating margin, over the life of the award any impact is ultimately offset. Because these plans are economically hedged, management believes it is useful to reflect the offset ultimately achieved from hedging the investments’ market exposure in the calculation of adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin and adjusted diluted net income per Holding Unit, which will produce core operating results from period to period. The non-GAAP measures exclude gains and losses and dividends and interest on deferred compensation-related investments included in revenues and compensation expense, and thus eliminating the timing differences created by different treatment under U.S. GAAP of the market movement on the expense and the investments.

Real estate sub-lease charges have been excluded because, often, they are relatively large in nature and are not considered part of our core operating results when comparing financial results from period to period and to industry peers.

Most of the net income or loss of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests relates to the 90% limited partner interests held by third parties in our consolidated venture capital fund. We own a 10% limited partnership interest in the fund. Because we are the general partner of the venture capital fund and are deemed to have a controlling interest, U.S. GAAP requires us to consolidate the financial results of the fund. However, recognizing 100% of the gains or losses in operating income while only retaining 10% is not reflective of our underlying financial results at the operating income level. As a result, we are excluding the 90% limited partnership interests we do not own from our adjusted operating income. Similarly, net income of joint ventures attributable to non-controlling interests, although not significant, is excluded because it does not reflect the economic interest attributable to AllianceBernstein.

Adjusted Operating Margin

Adjusted operating margin allows us to monitor our financial performance and efficiency from period to period and to compare our performance to industry peers without the volatility noted above in our discussion of adjusted operating income. Adjusted operating margin is derived by dividing adjusted operating income by adjusted net revenues.

Units Outstanding

In December 2009, we issued approximately 8.5 million Holding Units to fund the 2009 restricted Holding Unit awards to eligible employees. The dilutive effect to net income per Holding Unit and per Unit distributions in 2010 will be approximately 3%.

In March 2010, we announced our intention to engage in open-market purchases of up to three million Holding Units, from time to time, to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program. As of June 30, 2010, we purchased three million Holding Units for $86.1 million. During the second half of 2010 and in future periods, we intend to engage in additional open market purchases of Holding Units, from time to time, to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program.

We granted 1.4 million restricted Holding Unit awards to employees during the first six months of 2010. To fund these awards, Holding issued 0.4 million Holding Units and we used 1.0 million Holding Units held in the consolidated rabbi trust. There were 2.5 million unallocated Holding Units remaining in the consolidated rabbi trust as of June 30, 2010.

 
30


Net Revenues

The following table summarizes the components of net revenues:

   
Three Months Ended
               
Six Months Ended
             
   
6/30/10
   
6/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
6/30/10
   
6/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
   
(in millions)
 
Investment advisory and services fees:
                                               
Institutions:
                                               
Base fees
  $ 185.7     $ 192.7     $ (7.0 )     (3.6 )%   $ 382.4     $ 377.2     $ 5.2       1.4 %
Performance-based fees
    2.9       0.9       2.0       228.7       5.6       12.4       (6.8 )     (55.3 )
      188.6       193.6       (5.0 )     (2.6 )     388.0       389.6       (1.6 )     (0.4 )
Retail:
                                                               
Base fees
    158.3       122.6       35.7       29.1       310.1       233.5       76.6       32.8  
Performance-based fees
                                               
      158.3       122.6       35.7       29.1       310.1       233.5       76.6       32.8  
Private Client:
                                                               
Base fees
    165.7       131.9       33.8       25.7       326.8       269.2       57.6       21.4  
Performance-based fees
    0.1             0.1       n/m       0.1       0.8       (0.7 )     (89.4 )
      165.8       131.9       33.9       25.7       326.9       270.0       56.9       21.1  
Total:
                                                               
Base fees
    509.7       447.2       62.5       14.0       1,019.3       879.9       139.4       15.9  
Performance-based fees
    3.0       0.9       2.1       237.5       5.7       13.2       (7.5 )     (57.3 )
      512.7       448.1       64.6       14.4       1,025.0       893.1       131.9       14.8  
                                                                 
Bernstein research services
    117.2       110.8       6.4       5.7       227.9       216.5       11.4       5.3  
Distribution revenues
    83.5       64.6       18.9       29.3       163.8       122.6       41.2       33.6  
Dividend and interest income
    4.9       6.6       (1.7 )     (25.3 )     8.8       14.4       (5.6 )     (38.6 )
Investment gains (losses)
    (56.5 )     65.3       (121.8 )     n/m       (64.5 )     24.0       (88.5 )     n/m  
Other revenues
    27.7       27.4       0.3       1.2       54.3       51.5       2.8       5.5  
Total revenues
    689.5       722.8       (33.3 )     (4.6 )     1,415.3       1,322.1       93.2       7.0  
Less: interest expense
    1.2       1.4       (0.2 )     (13.5 )     1.9       3.1       (1.2 )     (38.9 )
Net revenues
  $ 688.3     $ 721.4     $ (33.1 )     (4.6 )   $ 1,413.4     $ 1,319.0     $ 94.4       7.2  

Investment Advisory and Services Fees

Investment advisory and services fees are the largest component of our revenues. These fees are generally calculated as a percentage of the value of assets under management as of a specified date, or as a percentage of the value of average assets under management for the applicable billing period, and vary with the type of investment service, the size of account and the total amount of assets we manage for a particular client. Accordingly, fee income generally increases or decreases as average assets under management increase or decrease and is therefore affected by market appreciation or depreciation, the addition of new client accounts or client contributions of additional assets to existing accounts, withdrawals of assets from and termination of client accounts, purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares, and shifts of assets between accounts or products with different fee structures. Our average basis points realized (investment advisory fees divided by average AUM) generally approximate 50 basis points for equity services, 30 basis points for fixed income services and less than 10 basis points for indexed or passive services. As such, a shift of client assets from active equity services toward fixed income services and/or passive services would result in a decline in revenues just as a shift of assets toward active equity services would increase revenues.

We calculate AUM using established fair valuation methodologies, including market-based valuation methods and fair valuation methods. Market-based valuation methods include:  last sale/settle prices from an exchange for actively-traded listed equities, options and futures; evaluated bid prices from recognized pricing vendors for fixed income, asset-backed or mortgage-backed issues; mid prices from recognized pricing vendors and brokers for credit default swaps; and quoted bids or spreads from pricing vendors and brokers for other derivative products.  Fair valuation methods include discounted cash flow models, evaluation of assets versus liabilities or any other methodology that is validated and approved by our Valuation Committee. Fair valuation methods are used only where AUM cannot be valued using market-based valuation methods, such as in the case of private equity or illiquid securities. Fair valued investments typically make up less than 1% of our total AUM.  Market volatility has not had a significant effect on our ability to acquire market data and, accordingly, our ability to use market-based valuation methods.

 
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The Valuation Committee, which is composed of senior officers and employees, is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all investments held in client and AllianceBernstein portfolios. The Valuation Committee has adopted a Statement of Pricing Policies describing principles and policies that apply to pricing and valuing investments held in client and AllianceBernstein portfolios. We have also established a Pricing Group, which reports to the Valuation Committee.  The Valuation Committee has delegated to the Pricing Group responsibility for overseeing the pricing process for all investments.

We sometimes charge our clients performance-based fees. In these situations, we charge a base advisory fee and are eligible to earn an additional performance-based fee or incentive allocation that is calculated as either a percentage of absolute investment results or a percentage of investment results in excess of a stated benchmark over a specified period of time. Some performance-based fees include a high-watermark provision, which generally provides that if a client account underperforms relative to its performance target (whether absolute or relative to a specified benchmark), it must gain back such underperformance before we can collect future performance-based fees. Therefore, if we fail to achieve our performance target for a particular period, we will not earn a performance-based fee for that period and, for accounts with a high-watermark provision, our ability to earn future performance-based fees will be impaired. We are eligible to earn performance-based fees on approximately 13% of the assets we manage for institutional clients and approximately 3% of the assets we manage for private clients (in total, approximately 8% of our company-wide AUM). If the percentage of our AUM subject to performance-based fees grows, seasonality and volatility of revenue and earnings are likely to become more significant. Approximately 76% of our hedge fund AUM is subject to high-watermarks and we ended the second quarter of 2010 with approximately 86% of this AUM below high-watermarks by 10% or more. Accordingly, it is very unlikely we will earn performance-based fees in most of our hedge funds in 2010.

For the three months ended June 30, 2010, our investment advisory and services fees increased by $64.6 million, or 14.4%, from the second quarter of 2009, primarily due to an increase of 10.1% in average assets under management. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, our investment advisory and services fees increased by $131.9 million, or 14.8%, from the six months ended June 30, 2009, primarily due to an increase of 11.6% in average assets under management.

Institutional investment advisory and services fees for the three months ended June 30, 2010 decreased by $5.0 million, or 2.6%, from the three months ended June 30, 2009, primarily as a result of lower base fees of $7.0 million offset by higher performance-based fees of $2.0 million.  The 3.6% decrease in base fees is primarily due to a negative shift in product mix, partially offset by an overall increase in average assets under management of 4.3%. Average AUM for Equity services declined 2.5% while average AUM for Fixed Income and Other services increased 13.1% and 7.1%, respectively. Institutional investment advisory and services fees for the six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased by $1.6 million, or 0.4%, from the six months ended June 30, 2009, primarily as a result of lower performance-based fees of $6.8 million offset by higher base fees of $5.2 million.  The 1.4% increase in base fees is primarily due to an increase in average assets under management of 6.1% partially offset by a negative shift in product mix. Average AUM for Equity services increased 1.2% while average AUM for Fixed Income and Other services increased 12.6% and 8.3%, respectively.

Retail investment advisory and services fees for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased by $35.7 million, or 29.1%, from the three months ended June 30, 2009, primarily due to a 23.9% increase in average assets under management and the impact of significant net sales of global fixed income mutual funds which have higher relative fees. Retail investment advisory and services fees for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased by $76.6 million, or 32.8%, from the six months ended June 30, 2009, primarily due to a 25.5% increase in average assets under management and the impact of significant net sales of global fixed income mutual funds which have higher relative fees.

Private Client investment advisory and services fees for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased by $33.9 million, or  25.7%, from the three months ended June 30, 2009, primarily as a result of higher base fees reflecting an increase in average billable AUM of 20.0% across services and the impact of a shift toward Equity Growth and Value products from Fixed Income combined with the impact of higher fees earned from Fixed Income products due to account rebalancing from cash. Private Client investment advisory and services fees for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased by $56.9 million, or 21.1%, from the six months ended June 30, 2009, primarily as a result of higher base fees reflecting an increase in average billable AUM of 11.7% across services and the impact of a shift toward Equity Growth products from Equity Value and Fixed Income combined with the impact of higher fees earned from Fixed Income products due to account rebalancing from cash.

Bernstein Research Services

Bernstein Research Services revenue consists principally of transaction charges received for providing equity research and brokerage-related services to institutional investors. Bernstein Research Services also earns revenues in the form of underwriting fees, management fees and/or selling concessions from issuers of publicly-traded securities to which we provide equity capital markets services.

 
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Revenues from Bernstein Research Services for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $6.4 million, or 5.7%, and $11.4 million, or 5.3%, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2009. The increase in the second quarter was primarily driven by increases in our U.S. operations due to higher volumes traded. The increase in the six-month period reflects higher activity levels across the U.S. and Europe.

Distribution Revenues

AllianceBernstein Investments and AllianceBernstein (Luxembourg) S.A. (each a wholly-owned subsidiary of AllianceBernstein) act as distributor and/or placing agent of company-sponsored mutual funds and receive distribution services fees from certain of those funds as partial reimbursement of the distribution expenses they incur. Period-over-period fluctuations of distributions revenues are typically in-line with fluctuations of Retail average AUM and Retail base investment advisory and services fees because distribution revenues are directly correlated with Retail average AUM.

Distribution revenues for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 increased 29.3% and 33.6%, respectively, which is essentially in line with the 29.1% and 32.8% increase in Retail investment advisory and services fees for the same respective periods.  See the discussion above regarding the correlation of the increase in Retail investment advisory and service fees to the increase in Retail average AUM.

The SEC has proposed a rule amendment that would significantly change and restrict the ability of U.S. mutual funds to pay distribution and servicing fees (“12b-1 fees”) to financial services firms for distributing their shares.  If rules are adopted as proposed, changes in existing 12b-1 fee arrangements for a number of share classes offered by company-sponsored mutual funds would be required, which would reduce the net fund distribution revenues we receive from company-sponsored mutual funds.  The impact of this rule change, which we do not anticipate being material, is dependent upon the final rules adopted by the SEC, any phase-in or grandfathering period, and any other changes made with respect to share class distribution arrangements.

Dividend and Interest Income and Interest Expense

Dividend and interest income consists primarily of investment income and interest earned on customer margin balances and U.S. Treasury Bills. Interest expense principally reflects interest accrued on cash balances in customers’ brokerage accounts. Dividend and interest income, net of interest expense, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased $1.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2009. The decrease was due primarily to lower interest earned on U.S. Treasury Bill balances and other investments, reflecting lower interest rates and lower average balances.

Investment Gains (Losses)

Investment gains (losses) consist primarily of realized and unrealized investment gains or losses on deferred compensation-related investments and investments owned by our consolidated venture capital fund. Investment gains (losses) also include realized and unrealized gains or losses on U.S. Treasury Bills and seed money investments classified as trading securities, realized gains or losses on the sale of seed money investments classified as available-for-sale securities, and equity in earnings of proprietary investments in limited partnership hedge funds that we sponsor and manage.

Investment gains (losses) are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in millions)
 
Deferred compensation-related investments
                       
Realized gains (losses)
  $     $ (3.8 )   $ (12.6 )   $ (47.5 )
Unrealized gains (losses)
    (36.8 )     66.9       (13.0 )     82.4  
Consolidated private equity fund investments
                               
Realized gains (losses)
    (2.5 )     2.9       (0.6 )     2.8  
Unrealized gains (losses)
    (7.8 )     (2.4 )     (28.5 )     (8.3 )
Seed capital and other investments
                               
Realized gains (losses)
    (6.0 )     (2.9 )     (8.7 )     (6.0 )
Unrealized gains (losses)
    (3.4 )     4.6       (1.1 )     0.6  
    $ (56.5 )   $ 65.3     $ (64.5 )   $ 24.0  

Realized gains or losses on deferred compensation-related investments typically occur in December of each year, as well as the first quarter, as award tranches vest and related investments are sold to provide cash for payments to employees. The realized losses occurred primarily during the first quarters of 2010 and 2009. The 2010 realized losses primarily relate to the liquidation of hedge fund investments, while the 2009 losses relate 64% to mutual fund sales and the remainder to hedge funds. The significant unrealized losses on deferred compensation-related investments during 2010 reflect the poor financial markets during the second quarter of 2010 as compared to favorable financial market conditions during the first half of 2009.

 
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Our consolidated private equity fund for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, incurred higher mark-to-market losses relating to publically traded securities held by the fund offset by higher mark-to-market gains on private securities. Also, the variance for the three months primarily reflects the loss on the sale of private securities in the current quarter compared to the gain on the sale of a public security in the prior-year quarter.

Other Revenues, Net

Other revenues consist of fees earned for transfer agency services provided to company-sponsored mutual funds, fees earned for administration and recordkeeping services provided to company-sponsored mutual funds, the general accounts of AXA and its subsidiaries, and other miscellaneous revenues. Other revenues for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.3 million and $2.8 million, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2009, due primarily to higher shareholder servicing fees.

Expenses

The following table summarizes the components of expenses:

   
Three Months Ended
               
Six Months Ended
             
   
6/30/10
   
6/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
6/30/10
   
6/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
   
(in millions)
 
       
Employee compensation and benefits
  $ 313.1     $ 324.9     $ (11.8 )     (3.6 )%   $ 632.5     $ 638.8     $ (6.3 )     (1.0 )%
Promotion and servicing:
                                                               
Distribution-related payments
    71.0       55.1       15.9       28.8       137.8       103.0       34.8       33.8  
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
    12.2       13.8       (1.6 )     (12.3 )     24.3       28.8       (4.5 )     (15.6 )
Other
    49.8       46.4       3.4       7.5       92.6       88.2       4.4       5.0  
      133.0       115.3       17.7       15.3       254.7       220.0       34.7       15.8  
General and administrative
    128.8       141.6       (12.8 )     (9.1 )     266.8       280.8       (14.0 )     (5.0 )
Interest
    0.4       0.7       (0.3 )     (36.3 )     1.0       1.6       (0.6 )     (39.9 )
Amortization of intangible assets
    5.4       5.6       (0.2 )     (3.2 )     10.8       10.7       0.1       0.2  
Total
  $ 580.7     $ 588.1     $ (7.4 )     (1.3 )   $ 1,165.8     $ 1,151.9     $ 13.9       1.2  

Employee Compensation and Benefits

We had 4,263 full-time employees at June 30, 2010 compared to 4,654 at June 30, 2009. Employee compensation and benefits consist of salaries (including severance), annual cash incentive awards, annual expense associated with the accrual of unvested deferred incentive compensation awards (net of forfeitures), commissions, fringe benefits and other employment costs (including recruitment, training, temporary help and meals).

Compensation expense as a percentage of net revenues was 45.5% and 45.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, compensation expense as a percentage of net revenues was 44.8% and 48.4%, respectively. Compensation expense is determined on a discretionary basis taking into account our expected revenues and profitability. Management has also determined, based on expected revenues for the year that adjusted employee compensation expense should range between 45% and 50% of our adjusted revenues, as defined below. This compensation range was established because management believes it would provide sufficient compensation to allow us to competitively attract, develop and retain high-quality talent. This range is reviewed periodically by management and the Compensation Committee of the Board. Adjusted compensation expense is total compensation less recruitment, training, temporary help and meals costs, and adjusted revenues is total net revenues less distribution revenues. Our ratio of adjusted compensation expense as a percentage of adjusted revenues was 49.8% and 48.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 49.2% and 52.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in the compensation ratio in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the comparable period of 2009 is due to the decline in adjusted revenues of 7.9% outpacing the decline of 5.7% in adjusted compensation expense. The decrease in the compensation ratio over the comparable six-month periods reflects an increase in adjusted revenues of 4.4% as compared to a 2.2% decrease in adjusted compensation expenses.

Base compensation, fringe benefits and other employment costs for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased $4.5 million, or 3.2%, primarily from higher recruitment and severance costs offset by lower salaries. Incentive compensation for the three months decreased $17.8 million, or 13.4%, primarily due to lower deferred compensation expense resulting from mark-to-market losses on related investments, offset by higher cash compensation accruals. Commission expense for the three months increased by $1.5 million, or 2.7%, primarily due to higher retail sales. Base compensation, fringe benefits and other employment costs for the six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased $14.4 million, or 4.8%, primarily from lower severance and salaries offset by higher recruitment. Incentive compensation for the six months increased $6.3 million, or 2.7%, primarily due to higher cash compensation accruals resulting from an increase in revenues and higher deferred compensation expense. Commission expense for the six months increased by $1.8 million, or 1.8%, primarily due to higher retail sales volume.

 
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Starting in 2009, all deferred compensation awards to eligible employees, which typically vest ratably over four years, were made in the form of restricted Holding Units.  Prior to 2009, employees receiving deferred compensation awards had the option to allocate a portion of their award to notional investments in company-sponsored investment products (primarily mutual funds).  Increases in the value of the notional investments in company-sponsored investment products increase the company’s compensation liability to employees, while decreases in the value of the investments decrease the company’s liability.  The company generally purchased an amount of these investments equivalent to the notional investments and held them in a consolidated rabbi trust to economically hedge its exposure to valuation changes on its future obligations.  Mark-to-market gains or losses on these investments are recognized in investment gains and losses as they occur.  However, the impact of cumulative mark-to-market gains or losses is recognized as increases or decreases in compensation expense ratably over the remaining vesting period.  As a result, there is not a direct correlation between current period deferred compensation-related investment gains or losses recognized in revenues and the amortization of cumulative mark-to-market investment gains or losses recognized in compensation expense.  Although there can be significant volatility from period to period as the value of these investments changes, if a participant remains employed by the company over the entire vesting period of the award, mark-to-market investment gains or losses recognized in revenues will, over that vesting period, equal mark-to-market investment gains or losses recognized in compensation expense.

The investment gains and losses on deferred compensation-related investments recognized in net revenues as compared to the amortization of deferred compensation awards notionally invested in company-sponsored investment products are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in millions)
 
                         
Investment gains (losses)
  $ (36.8 )   $ 63.1     $ (25.6 )   $ 34.9  
                                 
Amortization of awards notionally invested in company-sponsored investment products:
                               
Original award
    31.2       38.6       62.8       83.0  
Prior periods mark-to-market
    (2.7 )     (15.8 )     (6.3 )     (32.7 )
Current period mark-to-market
    (16.3 )     24.4       (12.4 )     12.3  
Total
    12.2       47.2       44.1       62.6  
Net operating income impact
  $ (49.0 )   $ 15.9     $ (69.7 )   $ (27.7 )

The amortization of the original awards will continue to decline due to deferred compensation awards being in the form of restricted Holding Units commencing in 2009. Mark-to-market amortization of prior period losses has decreased in 2010 as compared to 2009 reflecting the improvement in financial markets relative to the economic crisis that began in 2008. Current period mark-to-market amortization generally correlates (within a range) to the investment mark-to-market gains and losses for the applicable period.

Promotion and Servicing

Promotion and servicing expenses include distribution-related payments to financial intermediaries for distribution of AllianceBernstein mutual funds and amortization of deferred sales commissions paid to financial intermediaries for the sale of back-end load shares of AllianceBernstein mutual funds. Also included in this expense category are costs related to travel and entertainment, advertising and promotional materials.

Promotion and servicing expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased $17.7 million, or 15.3%. The increase primarily reflects higher distribution-related payments of $15.9 million, an increase of 28.8%, generally in line with the 29.3% increase in distribution revenues. In addition, travel and entertainment increased $4.7 million, reflecting an increase in firm conferences, while amortization of deferred sales commissions decreased $1.6 million as a result of a decrease in the deferred sales commission asset. Our deferred sales commission asset will continue to decline because, effective January 31, 2009, back-end load shares are no longer offered by our U.S.-registered investment companies to new investors. Promotion and servicing expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $34.7 million, or 15.8%. The increase primarily reflects higher distribution-related payments of $34.8 million, an increase of 33.8%, which is generally in line with the 33.6% increase in distribution revenues. In addition, travel and entertainment increased $4.3 million, which was offset by a decrease in amortization of deferred sales commissions of $4.5 million.

 
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General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses include technology, professional fees, occupancy, communications and similar expenses. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 18.7% and 19.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 18.9% and 21.3%, respectively. General and administrative expenses for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased $12.8 million, or 9.1%, and $14.0 million, or 5.0%, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2009. The decrease for the three months ended was primarily due to lower class action settlements expenses of $6.3 million, lower foreign exchange losses of $4.9 million and lower client transaction errors of $2.7 million. The decrease for the six months ended was primarily due to lower foreign exchange losses of $12.0 million, lower class action settlements expenses of $3.6 million and lower client transaction errors of $3.4 million, partially offset by higher real estate sub-lease charges of $6.3 million.

Within its normal planning process, management is reviewing its current and future office real estate capacity and needs, particularly in the New York region, as a result of the workforce reductions occurring over the past few years. Based on the results of this evaluation, additional real estate sub-lease charges may be incurred in the future.

Interest on Borrowings

Interest on our borrowings for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2009, primarily as a result of lower average balances and interest rates.

Non-Operating Income

Non-operating income consists of contingent purchase price payments earned from the disposition in 2005 of our cash management services. Non-operating income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased $3.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2009 due to lower contingent payments resulting from the cessation of payments as per our agreement with Federated Inc.

Income Taxes

AllianceBernstein, a private limited partnership, is not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes. However, we are subject to the New York City unincorporated business tax. Our domestic corporate subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local income taxes, and are generally included in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return. Separate state and local income tax returns are also filed. Foreign corporate subsidiaries are generally subject to taxes in the foreign jurisdictions where they are located.

Income tax expense for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $3.4 million, or 35.8%, and $7.9 million, or 43.3%, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2009. The increase for the three months is due to a higher effective tax rate offset by lower pre-tax earnings. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2010 is primarily the result of higher pre-tax earnings in the current-year quarter, including a higher proportion of pre-tax earnings of our foreign subsidiaries where tax rates are generally higher. The first quarter of 2009 included additional expense for the under-accrual of foreign taxes in the fourth quarter of 2008.  See Note 11 to AllianceBernstein’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1.

Net Loss (Income) of Consolidated Entities Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests

Net loss (income) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests consists of limited partner interests owned by other investors representing 90% of the total limited partnership interests in our consolidated venture capital fund and the 50% interest owned by AXA and its subsidiaries in our consolidated joint venture in Australia. Net loss (income) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $10.6 million and $22.1 million, respectively. Higher losses on investments owned by our consolidated venture capital fund recognized in investment gains (losses) of $10.8 million and $23.6 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, were the primary drivers of higher net losses of the consolidated venture capital fund attributable to non-controlling interests of $10.4 million and $22.0 million in the same periods in 2009.

 
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CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

During the first six months of 2010, net cash provided by operating activities was $670.8 million, compared with $370.5 million during the corresponding 2009 period. The increase was primarily due to higher net income, higher unrealized losses on deferred compensation-related and consolidated venture capital fund investments, higher accrued compensation and benefits as a result of higher incentive compensation, and lower deferred compensation-related investments as a result of granting equity-based awards in 2009 compared to cash-based awards in previous years, partially offset by higher seed money investments.

During the six months ended June 30, 2010, net cash used in investing activities was $3.6 million, compared to $43.7 million during the corresponding 2009 period. The decrease reflects net proceeds from sales of investments of $0.1 million during 2010 as compared to net purchases of investments of $7.6 million during 2010. Our net additions to furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements also decreased $32.4 million in the first six months of 2010 as compared to the corresponding 2009 period as a result of lower infrastructure needs due to workforce reductions.

During the six months ended June 30, 2010, net cash used in financing activities was $589.1 million, compared to $259.5 million during the corresponding 2009 period. The increase reflects higher distributions to the general partner and unitholders of $205.2 million as a result of higher earnings, higher purchases of Holding Units to fund deferred compensation plans of $85.3 million and higher repayment of commercial paper (net of issuances) of $50.0 million. We intend to purchase additional Holding Units during the second half of 2010 and in future periods.

Debt and Credit Facilities

Total credit available, debt outstanding and weighted average interest rates were as follows:

 
June 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
 
 
Credit
Available
 
Debt
Outstanding
 
Interest
Rate
 
Credit
Available
 
Debt
Outstanding
 
Interest
Rate
 
 
(in millions)
 
     
Revolving credit facility
  $ 921.0     $       %   $ 751.0     $       %
Commercial paper (1)
    79.0       79.0       0.3       249.0       249.0       0.2  
Total revolving credit facility - AllianceBernstein
    1,000.0       79.0       0.3       1,000.0       249.0       0.2  
Revolving credit facility –SCB LLC
    950.0                   950.0              
Total
  $ 1,950.0     $ 79.0       0.3     $ 1,950.0     $ 249.0       0.2  
 

(1)
Commercial paper is short-term in nature and, as such, recorded value is estimated to approximate fair value.

AllianceBernstein has a $1.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks and other lenders which expires in February 2011. The revolving credit facility is intended to provide back-up liquidity for our $1.0 billion commercial paper program, although we borrow directly under the facility from time to time. Amounts borrowed under the commercial paper program reduce amounts available for direct borrowing under the revolving credit facility on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Our interest rate, at our option, is a floating rate generally based upon a defined prime rate, a rate related to LIBOR or the Federal Funds rate. The revolving credit facility contains covenants which, among other things, require us to meet certain financial ratios. We are in compliance with these covenants.

SCB LLC has a $950 million three-year revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks to fund its activities resulting from engaging in certain securities trading (including derivatives) and custody activities on behalf of private clients and participating in equity capital offerings on behalf of issuers of publicly-traded securities. The facility expires in January 2011. Under the revolving credit facility, the interest rate, at the option of SCB LLC, is a floating rate generally based upon a defined prime rate, a rate related to LIBOR or the Federal Funds rate. This revolving credit facility contains covenants which, among other things, require AllianceBernstein, as guarantor, to meet the same financial ratios contained in its $1.0 billion revolving credit facility. We are in compliance with these covenants.

SCB LLC has several separate uncommitted credit facilities with various banks.  SCB LLC also has two uncommitted lines of credit with a commercial bank, one for $75 million secured by pledges of U.S. Treasury Bills and a second for $50 million secured by pledges of equity securities.

On July 23, 2010, a subsidiary of AllianceBernstein arranged for a non-recourse credit line from AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (“AXA Equitable”) in an amount equal to $100 million. The credit line, which matures on October 15, 2010 or any later date agreed to by AXA Equitable, will be used to purchase real estate investments with the expectation that they will be transferred to a new real estate opportunity fund being established by AllianceBernstein.

 
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Our financial condition and ability to issue public and private debt should provide adequate liquidity for our general business needs. Management believes that cash flow from operations and the issuance of debt and AllianceBernstein Units or Holding Units will provide us with the resources necessary to meet our financial obligations. See “Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

AllianceBernstein’s capital commitments, which consist primarily of operating leases for office space, are generally funded from future operating cash flows.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management believes that the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below involve significant management judgment due to the sensitivity of the methods and assumptions used.

Variable Interest Entities

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-17, Consolidations (Topic 810) – Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities, effective January 1, 2010.  This standard changed how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting should be consolidated.  The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design, a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and whether a company is obligated to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity.  The standard also requires ongoing assessments of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE. If we together with our related party relationships, are determined to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the entity will be consolidated within our consolidated financial statements. In order to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, management must make significant estimates and assumptions of probable future cash flows and assign probabilities to different cash flow scenarios. Assumptions made in such analyses include, but are not limited to, market prices of securities, market interest rates, potential credit defaults on individual securities or default rates on a portfolio of securities, gain realization, liquidity or marketability of certain securities, discount rates and the probability of certain other outcomes.

Goodwill

We test goodwill annually, as of September 30, for impairment. The carrying value of goodwill is also reviewed if facts and circumstances, such as significant declines in assets under management, revenues, earnings or our Holding Unit price, occur, suggesting possible impairment. As of September 30, 2009, the impairment test indicated that goodwill was not impaired.

The impairment analysis is a two-step process.  The first step involves determining whether the estimated fair value of AllianceBernstein, the reporting unit, exceeds its book value. If the fair value of the company exceeds its book value, goodwill is not impaired.  However, if the book value exceeds the fair value of the company, goodwill may be impaired and additional analysis is required.  The second step compares the fair value of the company to the aggregated fair values of its individual assets and liabilities to determine the amount of impairment, if any.

There are several methods of estimating AllianceBernstein’s fair value, including valuation techniques such as discounted expected cash flows and market valuation (the number of AllianceBernstein Units outstanding multiplied by Holding Unit price). Determining estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow valuation technique consists of applying business growth rate assumptions over the estimated life of the goodwill asset and then discounting the resulting expected cash flows to arrive at a present value amount that approximates fair value. In our tests, our discounted expected cash flow model uses management’s current estimate of future earnings, which factors in current market conditions and all material events that have impacted, or that we believed at the time could potentially impact, future expected cash flows for the first four years and a compounded annual growth rate thereafter.

To the extent that securities valuations are depressed for prolonged periods of time, our assets under management, revenues, profitability and unit price may be adversely affected.  As a result, subsequent impairment tests may be based upon different assumptions and future cash flow projections, which may result in an impairment of this asset. Any impairment could reduce materially the recorded amount of goodwill with a corresponding charge to our earnings.

 
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Retirement Plan

We maintain a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit retirement plan covering current and former employees who were employed by the company in the United States prior to October 2, 2000. Service and compensation after December 31, 2008 are not taken into account in determining participants’ retirement benefits. The amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to the retirement plan are determined from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are assumptions including expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which liabilities could be settled and mortality rates. The assumptions are reviewed annually and may be updated to reflect the current environment. Key assumptions are described in Note 14 to AllianceBernstein’s consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, actual results that differ from those assumed are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, affect expense recognized and liabilities recorded in future periods.

Loss Contingencies

Management continuously reviews with legal counsel the status of regulatory matters and pending or threatened litigation. We evaluate the likelihood that a loss contingency exists and record a loss contingency if it is probable and reasonably estimable as of the date of the financial statements. See Note 8 to AllianceBernstein’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 15 to AllianceBernstein’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1.

CAUTIONS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements provided by management in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The most significant of these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of sponsored investment products and separately-managed accounts, general economic conditions, industry trends, future acquisitions, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax regulations and rates and the manner in which the earnings of publicly-traded partnerships are taxed. We caution readers to carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made; we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. For further information regarding these forward-looking statements and the factors that could cause actual results to differ, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Part II, Item 1A in this Form 10-Q. Any or all of the forward-looking statements that we make in this Form 10-Q, other documents we file with or furnish to the SEC, and any other public statements we issue, may turn out to be wrong. It is important to remember that other factors besides those listed in “Risk Factors” and those listed below could also adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and business prospects.

The forward-looking statements referred to in the preceding paragraph include statements regarding:
 
 
Our pipeline of new institutional client mandates not yet funded: Before they are funded, institutional mandates do not represent legally binding commitments to fund and, accordingly, the possibility exists that not all mandates will be funded in the amounts and at the times we currently anticipate.

 
Our belief that the cash flow Holding realizes from its investment in AllianceBernstein will provide Holding with the resources necessary to meet its financial obligations: Holding’s cash flow is dependent on the quarterly cash distributions it receives from AllianceBernstein. Accordingly, Holding’s ability to meet its financial obligations is dependent on AllianceBernstein’s cash flow from its operations, which is subject to the performance of the capital markets and other factors beyond our control.

 
Our financial condition and ability to issue public and private debt providing adequate liquidity for our general business needs: Our financial condition is dependent on our cash flow from operations, which is subject to the performance of the capital markets, our ability to maintain and grow client assets under management and other factors beyond our control. Our ability to issue public and private debt on reasonable terms, as well as the market for such debt or equity, may be limited by adverse market conditions, our profitability and changes in government regulations, including tax rates and interest rates.

 
The possibility that prolonged weakness in the value of client assets under management may result in impairment of goodwill: To the extent that securities valuations are depressed for prolonged periods of time, client assets under management and our revenues, profitability and unit price may be adversely affected. As a result, subsequent impairment tests may be based upon different assumptions and future cash flow projections, which may result in an impairment of goodwill.
 
 
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The outcome of litigation: Litigation is inherently unpredictable, and excessive damage awards do occur. Though we have stated that we do not expect certain legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition, any settlement or judgment with respect to a legal proceeding could be significant, and could have such an effect.

 
Our anticipation that the proposed 12b-1 fee-related rule changes will not have a material effect on us: The impact of this rule change is dependant upon the final rules adopted by the SEC, any phase-in or grandfathering period, and any other changes made with respect to share class distribution arrangements.
 
 
Our intention to engage in additional open market purchases of Holding Units, from time to time, to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program: The number of Holding Units needed in future periods to make incentive compensation awards is dependent upon various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the fluctuation in the price of a Holding Unit (NYSE: AB).

 
Our determination that, based on expected revenues for the year, employee compensation expense should range between 45% and 50% of our adjusted revenues: The revenues we generate during 2010 are dependent upon the performance of the capital markets, our investment performance for our clients, general economic and regulatory conditions, and other factors that may be beyond our control.  Aggregate employee compensation reflects employee performance and competitive compensation levels.  Fluctuations in our revenues and/or changes in competitive compensation levels could result in employee compensation expense being outside of this range.
 
OTHER INFORMATION

With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information of AllianceBernstein for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010, included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information.  However, their separate report dated August 2, 2010 appearing herein states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) for their report on the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of registration statements prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes to AllianceBernstein’s market risk for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

AllianceBernstein maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to permit timely decisions regarding our disclosure.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the second quarter of 2010 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
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Part II

OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings

See Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors

In addition to the information set forth in this report, please consider carefully “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Such factors could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations and business prospects. See also our “Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Part I, Item 2.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.
(Removed and Reserved)

Item 5.
Other Information

None.
 
 
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Item 6.
Exhibits

 
Letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, regarding unaudited interim financial information.
 
 
 
 
Certification of Mr. Kraus furnished pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Certification of Mr. Howard furnished pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Certification of Mr. Kraus furnished for the purpose of complying with Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Certification of Mr. Howard furnished for the purpose of complying with Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Date: August 2, 2010
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
 
 
 
 
 
By:  
/s/ John B. Howard
 
 
 
John B. Howard
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
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