N-CSRS 1 d724314dncsrs.htm ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, INC. AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Fund, Inc.

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-00126

 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

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

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Joseph J. Mantineo

AllianceBernstein L.P.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

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

Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2014

Date of reporting period: April 30, 2014

 

 

 


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund

 

April 30, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO


 

Investment Products Offered

 

• Are Not FDIC Insured

• May Lose Value

• Are Not Bank Guaranteed

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.alliancebernstein.com or contact your AllianceBernstein Investments representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

This shareholder report must be preceded or accompanied by the Fund’s prospectus for individuals who are not current shareholders of the Fund.

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

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

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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


June 12, 2014

 

Semi-Annual Report

This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund (the “Fund”) for the semi-annual reporting period ended April 30, 2014.

Investment Objectives and Policies

The Fund’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of U.S. companies that AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) believes are undervalued, focusing on dividend-paying securities. The Adviser believes that, over time, a company’s stock price will come to reflect its intrinsic economic value. The Fund may invest in companies of any size and in any industry.

The Fund may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures contracts, forwards, and swap agreements. The Fund may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, including on individual securities and stock indexes, futures contracts (including futures contracts on individual securities and stock indexes) or shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). These transactions may be used, for example, in an effort to earn extra income, to adjust exposure to individual securities or markets, or to protect all or a portion of the Fund’s portfolio from a decline in value, sometimes within certain ranges.

 

The Fund may, at times, invest in shares of ETFs in lieu of making direct investments in equity securities. ETFs may provide more efficient and economical exposure to the type of companies and geographic locations in which the Fund seeks to invest than direct investments.

Investment Results

The table on page 4 shows the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark the Russell 1000 Value Index, for the six- and 12-month periods ended April 30, 2014. Also included in the table are returns for the Fund’s peer group, as represented by the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Average (the “Lipper Average”). Funds in the Lipper Average have generally similar investment mandates to the Fund, although some may have different investment policies and sales and management fees. The inception date for Class Z shares was October 15, 2013; due to limited performance history, there is no discussion of comparison to the benchmark for this share class.

For the six-month period, all share classes underperformed the benchmark and the Lipper Average. Stock selection detracted from returns, particularly in the energy and industrials sectors, although this was somewhat offset by positive stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector. Operational cash in a rising market also detracted from performance. An underweight in the financials sector contributed to returns.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       1   


For the 12-month period, Class A, Advisor Class, Class K and Class I shares outperformed the benchmark, while all other share classes underperformed; all share classes outperformed the Lipper Average. Stock selection contributed to returns in the consumer discretionary, industrials and financials sectors, while detracting in the technology and energy sectors. An underweight to the utilities sector contributed to returns, while operational cash detracted.

The Fund did not utilize derivatives during the six- or 12-month periods.

Market Review and Investment Strategy

Equity markets rose during the six-month period, with strong performance from the defensive health care

and utilities sectors that was partially offset by negative returns in the telecommunications sector. The outlook of the Relative Value Team (the “Team”) for the U.S. equity markets remains positive; however, the Team expects greater volatility going forward. The Team believes that once the economic recovery starts to take hold, economic expansion may slow or reverse, which could affect earnings growth for companies.

The Team continues to identify companies meeting the Fund’s investment philosophy of relative-value discipline; namely, to pursue attractively valued, well-managed companies that deploy capital wisely, giving them capacity to pay dividends and enhance the value of company shares over the long term.

 

2     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND


DISCLOSURES AND RISKS

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged Russell 1000® Value Index does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Russell 1000 Value Index represents the performance of 1,000 large-cap value companies within the U.S. An investor cannot invest directly in an index or average, and their results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Fund.

A Word About Risk

Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s investments will fluctuate as the stock or bond market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events that affect large portions of the market. It includes the risk that a particular style of investing, such as the Fund’s value approach, may be underperforming the market generally.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be less liquid due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.

Currency Risk: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.

Derivatives Risk: Investments in derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund, and may be subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.

Industry/Sector Risk: Investments in a particular industry or group of related industries may have more risk because market or economic factors affecting that industry could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund’s investments.

Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results.

These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

An Important Note About Historical Performance

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown on the following pages represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by visiting www.alliancebernstein.com.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Fund have been deducted. net asset value (“NAV”) returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Fund’s quoted performance would be lower. SEC returns reflect the applicable sales charges for each share class: a 4.25% maximum front-end sales charge for Class A shares; the applicable contingent deferred sales charge for Class B shares (4% year 1, 3% year 2, 2% year 3, 1% year 4); a 1% 1-year contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares. Returns for the different share classes will vary due to different expenses associated with each class. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       3   

Disclosures and Risks


HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

 

        

THE FUND VS. ITS BENCHMARK

PERIODS ENDED APRIL 30, 2014 (unaudited)

  NAV Returns      
  6 Months        12 Months       
AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund*         

Class A

    6.37%           21.09%     

 

Class B

    5.93%           20.18%     

 

Class C

    5.95%           20.17%     

 

Advisor Class

    6.63%           21.59%     

 

Class R

    6.05%           20.68%     

 

Class K

    6.43%           21.26%     

 

Class I

    6.50%           21.48%     

 

Class Z

    6.51%           9.46%^     

 

Russell 1000 Value Index     9.61%           20.90%     

 

Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Average     7.47%           19.31%     

 

 

*    Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Fund resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of all share classes of the Fund for the six-and 12-month periods ended April 30, 2014 by 0.03% and 0.10%, respectively.

 

†     Effective January 31, 2009, Class B shares are no longer available for purchase to new investors. Please see Note A for additional information.

 

      Please note that these share classes are for investors purchasing shares through accounts established under certain fee-based programs sponsored and maintained by certain broker-dealers and financial intermediaries, institutional pension plans and/or investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Fund.

 

^       Since inception on 10/15/2013.

        

 

See Disclosures, Risks and Note about Historical Performance on page 3.

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

4     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Historical Performance


HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

(continued from previous page)

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF APRIL 30, 2014 (unaudited)  
     NAV Returns        SEC Returns
(reflects applicable
sales charges)
 
       
Class A Shares        

1 Year

     21.09        15.92

5 Years

     18.78        17.71

10 Years

     6.69        6.23
       
Class B Shares        

1 Year

     20.18        16.18

5 Years

     17.88        17.88

10 Years(a)

     5.99        5.99
       
Class C Shares        

1 Year

     20.17        19.17

5 Years

     17.95        17.95

10 Years

     5.87        5.87
       
Advisor Class Shares*        

1 Year

     21.59        21.59

5 Years

     19.09        19.09

10 Years

     6.98        6.98
       
Class R Shares*        

1 Year

     20.68        20.68

5 Years

     18.46        18.46

10 Years

     6.41        6.41
       
Class K Shares*        

1 Year

     21.26        21.26

5 Years

     18.85        18.85

Since Inception

     6.19        6.19
       
Class I Shares*        

1 Year

     21.48        21.48

5 Years

     19.31        19.31

Since Inception

     6.53        6.53
       
Class Z Shares        

Since Inception

     9.46        9.46

The Fund’s current prospectus fee table shows the Fund’s total operating expense ratios as 1.08%, 1.84%, 1.81%, 0.80%, 1.36%, 1.05%, 0.70% and 0.63% for Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I and Class Z shares, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will limit the Portfolio’s annual operating expenses to 0.95%, 1.65%, 1.65%, 0.65%, 1.15%, 0.90%, 0.65% and 0.65% for Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I and Class Z shares, respectively. These waivers/ reimbursements may not be terminated prior to March 1, 2015 and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower with the exception of Class Z shares, as this share class is currently operating below its contractual expense cap. The Financial Highlights section of this report sets forth expense ratio data for the current reporting period; the expense ratios shown above may differ from the expense ratios in the Financial Highlights section since they are based on different time periods.

 

(a)    Assumes conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares after eight years.

 

*   These share classes are offered at NAV to eligible investors and their SEC returns are the same as the NAV returns. Please note that these share classes are for investors purchasing shares through accounts established under certain fee-based programs sponsored and maintained by certain broker-dealers and financial intermediaries, institutional pension plans and/or investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Fund. The inception dates for Class R, K, I and Z shares are listed below.

 

    Inception dates: 3/1/2005 for Class K and Class I shares, 10/15/2013 for Class Z shares.

See Disclosures, Risks and Note about Historical Performance on page 3.

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       5   

Historical Performance


HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

(continued from previous page)

 

SEC AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS

AS OF THE MOST RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END

MARCH 31, 2014 (unaudited)

 
    

SEC Returns

(reflects applicable
sales charges)

 
  
Class A Shares   

1 Year

     17.64

5 Years

     19.32

10 Years

     6.02
  
Class B Shares   

1 Year

     18.00

5 Years

     19.42

10 Years(a)

     5.80
  
Class C Shares   

1 Year

     20.98

5 Years

     19.48

10 Years

     5.73
  
Advisor Class Shares*   

1 Year

     23.19

5 Years

     20.68

10 Years

     6.78
  
Class R Shares*   

1 Year

     22.52

5 Years

     20.11

10 Years

     6.23
  
Class K Shares*   

1 Year

     22.87

5 years

     20.45

Since Inception

     6.27
  
Class I Shares*   

1 Year

     23.32

5 Years

     20.92

Since Inception

     6.61
  
Class Z Shares   

Since Inception

     9.66

 

(a)    Assumes conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares after eight years.

 

*   Please note that these share classes are for investors purchasing shares through accounts established under certain fee-based programs sponsored and maintained by certain broker-dealers and financial intermediaries, institutional pension plans and/or investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Fund. The inception dates for Class R, K ,I and Z shares are listed below.

 

    Inception dates: 3/1/2005 for Class K and Class I shares, 10/15/2013 for Class Z shares.

See Disclosures, Risks and Note about Historical Performance on page 3.

 

6     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Historical Performance


EXPENSE EXAMPLE

(unaudited)

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

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

 

     Beginning
Account Value
November 1, 2013
     Ending
Account Value
April 30, 2014
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 
Class A            

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,063.70       $ 5.12         1.00

Hypothetical**

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.84       $ 5.01         1.00
Class B            

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,059.30       $ 8.88         1.74

Hypothetical**

   $ 1,000       $ 1,016.17       $ 8.70         1.74
Class C            

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,059.50       $ 8.78         1.72

Hypothetical**

   $ 1,000       $ 1,016.27       $ 8.60         1.72
Advisor Class            

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,066.30       $ 3.43         0.67

Hypothetical**

   $ 1,000       $ 1,021.47       $ 3.36         0.67
Class R            

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,060.50       $ 6.28         1.23

Hypothetical**

   $ 1,000       $ 1,018.70       $ 6.16         1.23
Class K            

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,064.30       $ 4.96         0.97

Hypothetical**

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.98       $ 4.86         0.97
Class I            

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,065.00       $ 3.33         0.65

Hypothetical**

   $ 1,000       $ 1,021.57       $ 3.26         0.65
Class Z            

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,065.10       $ 3.12         0.61

Hypothetical**

   $     1,000       $     1,021.77       $     3.06         0.61
*   Expenses are equal to the classes’ annualized expense ratios multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

**   Assumes 5% annual return before expenses.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       7   

Expense Example


PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

April 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

PORTFOLIO STATISTICS

Net Assets ($mil): $2,959.8

 

LOGO

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

April 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

Company    U.S. $ Value        Percent of
Net Assets
 

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. – Class B

   $   147,293,589           5.0

Wells Fargo & Co.

     99,390,697           3.4   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     98,221,357           3.3   

Comcast Corp. – Class A

     96,704,761           3.3   

CVS Caremark Corp.

     96,387,015           3.3   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     96,021,271           3.2   

Pfizer, Inc.

     95,965,163           3.2   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     83,390,415           2.8   

General Electric Co.

     82,757,740           2.8   

Merck & Co., Inc.

     82,130,986           2.8   
   $   978,262,994           33.1

 

*   All data are as of April 30, 2014. The Fund’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time.

 

    Long-term investments.

Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the broad market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

8     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Portfolio Summary and Ten Largest Holdings


PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

April 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

Company    Shares     U.S. $ Value  

 

 
    

COMMON STOCKS – 93.6%

    

Financials – 21.8%

    

Capital Markets – 4.4%

    

BlackRock, Inc. – Class A

     149,404      $ 44,970,604   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

     274,790        43,916,938   

State Street Corp.

     623,880        40,277,693   
    

 

 

 
       129,165,235   
    

 

 

 

Commercial Banks – 5.8%

    

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     1,263,470        70,729,051   

Wells Fargo & Co.

     2,002,230        99,390,697   
    

 

 

 
       170,119,748   
    

 

 

 

Consumer Finance – 0.7%

    

Capital One Financial Corp.

     297,600        21,992,640   
    

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services – 5.0%

    

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. – Class B(a)

     1,143,140        147,293,589   
    

 

 

 

Insurance – 5.9%

    

ACE Ltd.

     547,720        56,042,710   

Allstate Corp. (The)

     564,490        32,147,705   

Aon PLC

     263,410        22,358,241   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

     882,370        31,650,612   

MetLife, Inc.

     235,698        12,338,790   

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

     230,320        20,862,386   
    

 

 

 
       175,400,444   
    

 

 

 
       643,971,656   
    

 

 

 

Health Care – 15.9%

    

Biotechnology – 0.6%

    

Amgen, Inc.

     168,048        18,779,364   
    

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment &
Supplies – 2.8%

    

Abbott Laboratories

     1,117,280        43,283,427   

Medtronic, Inc.

     389,490        22,909,802   

Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

     182,510        17,666,968   
    

 

 

 
       83,860,197   
    

 

 

 

Health Care Providers &
Services – 3.8%

    

McKesson Corp.

     74,690        12,636,801   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     1,308,920        98,221,357   
    

 

 

 
       110,858,158   
    

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 8.7%

    

Eli Lilly & Co.

     1,098,030        64,893,573   

Merck & Co., Inc.

     1,402,510        82,130,986   

Pfizer, Inc.

     3,067,940        95,965,163   

Roche Holding AG (Sponsored ADR)

     352,930        12,934,884   
    

 

 

 
       255,924,606   
    

 

 

 
       469,422,325   
    

 

 

 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       9   

Portfolio of Investments


Company    Shares     U.S. $ Value  

 

 
    

Consumer Discretionary – 12.6%

    

Auto Components – 0.4%

    

Gentex Corp./MI

     393,840      $ 11,291,393   
    

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail – 2.3%

    

Liberty Interactive Corp. – Class A(a)

     2,377,223        69,082,100   
    

 

 

 

Media – 9.1%

    

Comcast Corp. – Class A

     1,868,330        96,704,761   

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. – Class A

     347,410        26,080,069   

Time Warner Cable, Inc. – Class A

     518,182        73,302,026   

Time Warner, Inc.

     353,850        23,516,871   

Viacom, Inc. – Class B

     567,790        48,250,794   
    

 

 

 
       267,854,521   
    

 

 

 

Multiline Retail – 0.8%

    

Macy’s, Inc.

     428,410        24,603,586   
    

 

 

 
       372,831,600   
    

 

 

 

Industrials – 11.5%

    

Aerospace & Defense – 4.3%

    

Boeing Co. (The)

     363,390        46,884,578   

Raytheon Co.

     838,370        80,047,567   
    

 

 

 
       126,932,145   
    

 

 

 

Airlines – 2.8%

    

Copa Holdings SA – Class A

     341,250        46,164,300   

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

     1,037,850        38,224,016   
    

 

 

 
       84,388,316   
    

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates – 2.8%

    

General Electric Co.

     3,077,640        82,757,740   
    

 

 

 

Machinery – 1.6%

    

Actuant Corp. – Class A

     788,790        26,708,429   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

     163,510        20,746,149   
    

 

 

 
       47,454,578   
    

 

 

 
       341,532,779   
    

 

 

 

Information Technology – 11.3%

    

Communications Equipment – 0.4%

    

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     482,950        11,160,975   
    

 

 

 

Computers & Peripherals – 3.3%

    

Apple, Inc.

     132,661        78,281,929   

NetApp, Inc.

     547,570        19,498,968   
    

 

 

 
       97,780,897   
    

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 3.0%

    

Avnet, Inc.

     575,540        24,823,040   

FLIR Systems, Inc.

     369,280        12,570,291   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

     897,500        52,934,550   
    

 

 

 
       90,327,881   
    

 

 

 

 

10     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Portfolio of Investments


Company    Shares     U.S. $ Value  

 

 
    

IT Services – 0.9%

    

Amdocs Ltd.

     557,334      $ 25,932,751   
    

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 1.2%

    

NVIDIA Corp.

     1,956,130        36,129,721   
    

 

 

 

Software – 2.5%

    

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a)

     362,642        23,230,847   

Microsoft Corp.

     1,229,620        49,676,648   
    

 

 

 
       72,907,495   
    

 

 

 
       334,239,720   
    

 

 

 

Energy – 10.9%

    

Energy Equipment & Services – 2.5%

    

Cameron International Corp.(a)

     360,930        23,446,013   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

     322,629        25,336,055   

Schlumberger Ltd.

     245,870        24,968,099   
    

 

 

 
       73,750,167   
    

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 8.4%

    

Chevron Corp.

     377,110        47,334,847   

ConocoPhillips

     510,300        37,920,393   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     814,280        83,390,415   

HollyFrontier Corp.

     336,000        17,670,240   

Marathon Oil Corp.

     638,610        23,085,752   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     424,250        40,621,937   
    

 

 

 
       250,023,584   
    

 

 

 
       323,773,751   
    

 

 

 

Consumer Staples – 3.2%

    

Food & Staples Retailing – 3.2%

    

CVS Caremark Corp.

     1,325,454        96,387,015   
    

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services – 3.2%

    

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 3.2%

    

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     2,054,810        96,021,271   
    

 

 

 

Utilities – 2.2%

    

Electric Utilities – 1.4%

    

Great Plains Energy, Inc.

     1,510,340        40,522,422   
    

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities – 0.8%

    

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

     503,370        24,403,378   
    

 

 

 
       64,925,800   
    

 

 

 

Materials – 1.0%

    

Paper & Forest Products – 1.0%

    

Domtar Corp.

     305,310        28,503,740   
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $2,409,297,973)

       2,771,609,657   
    

 

 

 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       11   

Portfolio of Investments


Company    Shares     U.S. $ Value  

 

 
    

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 6.4%

    

Investment Companies – 6.4%

    

AllianceBernstein Fixed-Income Shares, Inc. – Government STIF Portfolio, 0.07%(b)
(cost $188,897,571)

     188,897,571      $ 188,897,571   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments – 100.0%
(cost $2,598,195,544)

       2,960,507,228   

Other assets less liabilities – 0.0%

       (702,483
    

 

 

 

Net Assets – 100.0%

     $     2,959,804,745   
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

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

Glossary:

ADR American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

12     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Portfolio of Investments


STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES

April 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

Assets   

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $2,409,297,973)

   $ 2,771,609,657   

Affiliated issuers (cost $188,897,571)

     188,897,571   

Cash

     127,514   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     4,322,180   

Dividends and interest receivable

     2,649,568   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     2,967,606,490   
  

 

 

 
Liabilities   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     5,495,921   

Advisory fee payable

     1,279,851   

Distribution fee payable

     507,832   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     340,038   

Administrative fee payable

     15,020   

Accrued expenses

     163,083   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,801,745   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 2,959,804,745   
  

 

 

 
Composition of Net Assets   

Capital stock, at par

   $ 5,496,373   

Additional paid-in capital

     2,576,643,063   

Undistributed net investment income

     7,384,432   

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     7,969,193   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     362,311,684   
  

 

 

 
   $     2,959,804,745   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share—24 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.01 par value

 

Class   Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

 

 
A   $   1,292,719,208           240,319,408         $   5.38

 

 
B   $ 37,128,965           6,925,346         $ 5.36   

 

 
C   $ 216,329,740           40,357,980         $ 5.36   

 

 
Advisor   $ 1,394,808,638           258,536,428         $ 5.40   

 

 
R   $ 5,552,958           1,046,985         $ 5.30   

 

 
K   $ 4,941,517           925,552         $ 5.34   

 

 
I   $ 8,312,905           1,523,583         $ 5.46   

 

 
Z   $ 10,814           1,981         $ 5.46   

 

 

 

*   The maximum offering price per share for Class A shares was $5.62 which reflects a sales charge of 4.25%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       13   

Statement of Assets & Liabilities


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six Months Ended April 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

Investment Income     

Dividends

    

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $55,510)

   $     17,041,189     

Affiliated issuers

     53,347     

Interest

     199     

Securities lending income

     3,449      $ 17,098,184   
  

 

 

   
Expenses     

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     5,115,843     

Distribution fee—Class A

     1,766,127     

Distribution fee—Class B

     194,757     

Distribution fee—Class C

     1,055,099     

Distribution fee—Class R

     12,923     

Distribution fee—Class K

     5,718     

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,058,384     

Transfer agency—Class B

     40,830     

Transfer agency—Class C

     183,085     

Transfer agency—Advisor Class

     217,016     

Transfer agency—Class R

     6,078     

Transfer agency—Class K

     4,574     

Transfer agency—Class I

     1,041     

Transfer agency—Class 1

     1     

Custodian

     107,140     

Printing

     92,223     

Registration fees

     67,007     

Directors’ fees

     29,214     

Administrative

     26,162     

Legal

     21,295     

Audit

     20,113     

Miscellaneous

     21,975     
  

 

 

   

Total expenses

     10,046,605     

Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B)

     (367,304  
  

 

 

   

Net expenses

       9,679,301   
    

 

 

 

Net investment income

       7,418,883   
    

 

 

 
Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investment Transactions     

Net realized gain on investment transactions

       90,992,778   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

       11,072,442   
    

 

 

 

Net gain on investment transactions

       102,065,220   
    

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

     $     109,484,103   
    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

14     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Statement of Operations


STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

     Six Months Ended
April 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
October 31,
2013
 
Increase in Net Assets from Operations     

Net investment income

   $ 7,418,883      $ 12,539,448   

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     90,992,778        210,331,691   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     11,072,442        150,813,008   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     109,484,103        373,684,147   
Dividends to Shareholders from     

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (10,591,099     (8,683,698

Class B

     – 0 –      (255

Class C

     (459,109     (131,803

Advisor Class

     (1,323,527     (914,533

Class R

     (31,689     (29,001

Class K

     (49,307     (21,463

Class I

     (10,618     (147

Class Z

     (131     – 0 – 
Capital Stock Transactions     

Net increase (decrease)

     1,249,184,056        (114,887,352
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Capital Contributions     

Total increase

     1,346,202,679        249,015,895   
Net Assets     

Beginning of period

     1,613,602,066        1,364,586,171   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $7,384,432 and $12,431,029, respectively)

   $     2,959,804,745      $     1,613,602,066   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       15   

Statement of Changes in Net Assets


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2014 (unaudited)

 

NOTE A

Significant Accounting Policies

AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund offers Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I and Class Z shares. Effective October 15, 2013 the Fund commenced offering of Class Z shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 4.25% for purchases not exceeding $1,000,000. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A shares redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%. Class B shares are currently sold with a contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 4% to zero depending on the period of time the shares are held. Effective January 31, 2009, sales of Class B shares of the Fund to new investors were suspended. Class B shares will only be issued (i) upon the exchange of Class B shares from another AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund, (ii) for purposes of dividend reinvestment, (iii) through the Fund’s Automatic Investment Program (the “Program”) for accounts that established the Program prior to January 31, 2009, and (iv) for purchases of additional shares by Class B shareholders as of January 31, 2009. The ability to establish a new Program for accounts containing Class B shares was suspended as of January 31, 2009. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase. Class R and Class K shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge. Advisor Class, Class I and Class Z shares are sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. All eight classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that the classes bear different distribution and transfer agency expenses. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to its distribution plan. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.

1. Security Valuation

Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange

 

16     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Notes to Financial Statements


(other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, the Adviser will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less. If the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days, the securities are valued by a pricing service, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued by using amortized cost as of the 61st day prior to maturity. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Investment companies are valued at their net asset value each day.

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

2. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       17   

Notes to Financial Statements


 

 

inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.

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

 

Investments in Securities:

  Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Assets:

       

Common Stocks*

  $ 2,771,609,657      $ – 0  –    $ – 0  –    $ 2,771,609,657   

Short-Term Investments

    188,897,571        – 0  –      – 0  –      188,897,571   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

    2,960,507,228        – 0  –      – 0  –      2,960,507,228   

Other Financial Instruments**

    – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total+

  $   2,960,507,228      $   – 0  –    $   – 0  –    $   2,960,507,228   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

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

 

+   There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the reporting period.

 

18     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Notes to Financial Statements


 

 

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

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

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

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

3. Taxes

It is the Fund’s policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are required. The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       19   

Notes to Financial Statements


 

 

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Fund is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Fund are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Fund represented by the net assets of such class, except for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on respective net assets.

6. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

NOTE B

Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. Effective February 4, 2014, the Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to .95%, 1.65%, 1.65%, .65%, 1.15%, .90%, .65% and .65% of the daily average net assets for the Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, Class I and Class Z shares, respectively. The fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement agreement will remain in effect until March 1, 2015 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. For the six months ended April 30, 2014, such reimbursement waivers amounted to $367,304.

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the

 

20     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Notes to Financial Statements


 

 

Adviser. For the six months ended April 30, 2014, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $26,162.

The Fund compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Fund. ABIS may make payments to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services, sub-accounting services and/or networking services. Such compensation retained by ABIS amounted to $670,482 for the six months ended April 30, 2014.

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, serves as the distributor of the Fund’s shares. The Distributor has advised the Fund that it has retained front-end sales charges of $20,207 from the sale of Class A shares and received $3,080, $7,452 and $2,220 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 2014.

The Fund may invest in the AllianceBernstein Fixed-Income Shares, Inc.— Government STIF Portfolio (“Government STIF Portfolio”), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. The Government STIF Portfolio is offered as a cash management option to mutual funds and other institutional accounts of the Adviser, and is not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The Government STIF Portfolio pays no investment management fees but does bear its own expenses. A summary of the Fund’s transactions in shares of the Government STIF Portfolio for the six months ended April 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

October 31, 2013

(000)

  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
April 30, 2014
(000)
    Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$    129,019   $     397,580      $     337,701      $     188,898      $     53   

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended April 30, 2014 amounted to $638,626, of which $5,187 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

NOTE C

Distribution Services Agreement

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Agreement, the Fund pays distribution and servicing fees to the Distributor at an annual rate of up to .30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares, 1% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to both

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       21   

Notes to Financial Statements


 

 

Class B and Class C shares, .50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares and .25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class K shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on the Advisor Class, Class I and Class Z shares. Payments under the Class A plan are currently limited to .28% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. Since the commencement of the Fund’s operations, the Distributor has incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the amounts of $19,937,482, $10,877,580, $205,820 and $72,481 for Class B, Class C, Class R and Class K shares, respectively. While such costs may be recovered from the Fund in future periods so long as the Agreement is in effect, the rate of the distribution and servicing fees payable under the Agreement may not be increased without a shareholder vote. In accordance with the Agreement, there is no provision for recovery of unreimbursed distribution costs incurred by the Distributor beyond the current fiscal year for Class A shares. The Agreement also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Fund’s shares.

NOTE D

Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended April 30, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding
U.S. government securities)

   $     564,818,250      $     596,196,550   

U.S. government securities

     – 0  –      – 0  – 

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $     373,403,240   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (11,091,556
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $     362,311,684   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The Fund did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended April 30, 2014.

 

22     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Notes to Financial Statements


 

 

2. Currency Transactions

The Fund may invest in non-U.S. dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Fund may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and other options. The Fund may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Fund and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Fund may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E

Securities Lending

The Fund may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Fund’s securities lending program, all loans of securities will be collateralized continually by cash. The Fund will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Fund in connection with the loan), and payments are made for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Fund to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Fund will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Fund amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Fund will not have the right to vote on any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Fund in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Fund, and as approved by the Board. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Fund lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. As of April 30, 2014, the Fund had no securities out on loan. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day to maintain the required collateral amount. The Fund earned securities lending income of $3,449 and $406 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       23   

Notes to Financial Statements


 

 

ended April 30, 2014; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Fund’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended April 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

Market Value

October 31, 2013

(000)

  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
April 30, 2014
(000)
 
$    10,844   $     44,230      $     55,074      $     – 0  – 

NOTE F

Capital Stock

Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

            
     Shares         Amount      
     Six Months Ended
April 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
October 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
April 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
October 31,
2013
     
  

 

 

   
Class A             

Shares sold

     10,716,623        14,674,893        $ 56,440,239      $ 67,360,009     

 

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

     1,733,220        1,845,896          9,064,742        7,457,442     

 

   

Shares converted from Class B

     1,016,328        2,744,724          5,323,876        12,145,901     

 

   

Shares redeemed

     (16,469,640     (41,101,954       (86,771,129     (182,799,100  

 

   

Net decrease

     (3,003,469     (21,836,441     $ (15,942,272   $ (95,835,748  

 

   
            
Class B             

Shares sold

     283,149        552,907        $ 1,484,448      $ 2,448,512     

 

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

     – 0  –      62          – 0  –      256     

 

   

Shares converted to Class A

     (1,019,898     (2,758,175       (5,323,876     (12,145,901  

 

   

Shares redeemed

     (466,528     (1,561,831       (2,438,727     (6,922,814  

 

   

Net decrease

     (1,203,277     (3,767,037     $ (6,278,155   $ (16,619,947  

 

   
            
Class C             

Shares sold

     1,742,452        2,740,811        $ 9,109,596      $ 12,804,624     

 

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

     75,095        28,048          392,744        113,313     

 

   

Shares redeemed

     (2,031,030     (5,580,429       (10,651,281     (24,673,342  

 

   

Net decrease

     (213,483     (2,811,570     $ (1,148,941   $ (11,755,405  

 

   

 

24     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Notes to Financial Statements


 

 

            
     Shares         Amount      
     Six Months Ended
April 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
October 31,
2013
        Six Months Ended
April 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
October 31,
2013
     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   
            
Advisor Class             

Shares sold

     240,690,621        5,131,444        $ 1,289,619,651      $ 23,208,380     

 

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

     235,186        213,618          1,232,372        865,151     

 

   

Shares redeemed

     (5,412,670     (3,089,793       (28,997,676     (13,986,325  

 

   

Net increase

     235,513,137        2,255,269        $ 1,261,854,347      $ 10,087,206     

 

   
            
Class R             

Shares sold

     248,100        502,258        $ 1,290,775      $ 2,222,594     

 

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

     6,141        7,269          31,689        29,001     

 

   

Shares redeemed

     (171,080     (554,159       (894,823     (2,386,811  

 

   

Net increase (decrease)

     83,161        (44,632     $ 427,641      $ (135,216  

 

   
            
Class K             

Shares sold

     549,307        136,526        $ 2,830,521      $ 601,047     

 

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

     9,500        5,352          49,307        21,463     

 

   

Shares redeemed

     (86,669     (354,524       (451,252     (1,539,081  

 

   

Net increase (decrease)

     472,138        (212,646     $ 2,428,576      $ (916,571  

 

   
            
Class I             

Shares sold

     1,618,696        79,658        $ 8,683,903      $ 373,174     

 

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

     1,966        – 0  –        10,420        – 0  –   

 

   

Shares redeemed

     (159,875     (19,912       (851,466     (94,845  

 

   

Net increase

     1,460,787        59,746        $ 7,842,857      $ 278,329     

 

   
            
Class Z*             

Shares sold

     1        1,980        $ 3      $ 10,000     

 

   

Net increase

     1        1,980        $ 3      $ 10,000     

 

   

 

*   Commenced distribution on October 15, 2013.

NOTE G

Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       25   

Notes to Financial Statements


 

 

their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H

Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund, participate in a $140 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Fund did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended April 30, 2014.

 

26     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Notes to Financial Statements


 

 

NOTE I

Distributions to Shareholders

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

 

     2013      2012  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 9,780,900       $ 14,073,950   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

   $     9,780,900       $     14,073,950   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 12,431,029   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (79,981,615 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

         348,197,272 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 280,646,686   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   

On October 31, 2013, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $79,981,615. During the fiscal year, the Fund utilized $205,349,424 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains.

 

(b)   

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of October 31, 2013, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $79,981,615 which will expire as follows:

 

Short-Term

Amount

 

Long-Term

Amount

 

Expiration

$79,981,615   n/a   2017

NOTE J

Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       27   

Notes to Financial Statements


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

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

 

    Class A  
   

Six Months
Ended
April 30,
2014

(unaudited)

    Year Ended October 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
 

 

 

 
           

Net asset value, beginning of
period

    $  5.10        $  3.98        $  3.46        $  3.16        $  2.78        $  2.49   
 

 

 

 

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income(a)

    .02 (b)      .04        .04        .03        .03        .03   

Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions

    .30        1.11        .52        .30        .39        .31   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net
asset value from operations

    .32        1.15        .56        .33        .42        .34   
 

 

 

 

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment
income

    (.04     (.03     (.04     (.03     (.04     (.05
 

 

 

 

Net asset value,
end of period

    $  5.38        $  5.10        $  3.98        $  3.46        $  3.16        $  2.78   
 

 

 

 

Total Return

           

Total investment
return based on
net asset
value(c)*

    6.37  %      29.20  %      16.50  %      10.36  %      15.02  %      13.99  % 

Ratios/
Supplemental
Data

           

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

    $1,293        $1,241        $1,056        $1,017        $1,173        $1,186   

Ratio to average
net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    1.00  %^      1.08  %      1.11  %      1.15  %      1.16  %+      1.18  % 

Expenses, before
waivers/reimbursements

    1.04  %^      1.08  %      1.11  %      1.15  %      1.16  %+      1.18  % 

Net investment income

    .88  %^(b)      .95  %      .98  %      .97  %      .92  %+      1.14  % 

Portfolio turnover
rate

    30  %      69  %      79  %      72  %      73  %      123  % 

See footnote summary on page 35.

 

28     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Financial Highlights


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

 

    Class B  
   

Six Months

Ended

April 30,

2014

(unaudited)

    Year Ended October 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
 

 

 

 
           

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $  5.06        $  3.95        $  3.42        $  3.12        $  2.74        $  2.43   
 

 

 

 

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income(a)

    .00 (b)(d)      .01        .01        .01        .00 (d)      .01   

Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions

    .30        1.10        .52        .29        .39        .31   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    .30        1.11        .53        .30        .39        .32   
 

 

 

 

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    – 0  –      (.00 )(d)      (.00 )(d)      – 0  –      (.01     (.01
 

 

 

 

Net asset value,
end of period

    $  5.36        $  5.06        $  3.95        $  3.42        $  3.12        $  2.74   
 

 

 

 

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset
value(c)*

    5.93  %      28.10  %      15.53  %      9.62  %      14.10  %      13.25  % 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $37,129        $41,137        $46,977        $62,615        $93,065        $174,272   

Ratio to average
net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    1.74  %^      1.84  %      1.91  %      1.96  %      1.98  %+      2.02  % 

Expenses, before
waivers/reimbursements

    1.80  %^      1.84  %      1.91  %      1.96  %      1.98  %+      2.02  % 

Net investment income

    .15  %^(b)      .21  %      .18  %      .16  %      .15  %+      .39  % 

Portfolio turnover rate

    30  %      69  %      79  %      72  %      73  %      123  % 

See footnote summary on page 35.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       29   

Financial Highlights


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

 

    Class C  
   

Six Months
Ended
April 30,
2014

(unaudited)

    Year Ended October 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
 

 

 

 
           

Net asset value, beginning of
period

    $  5.07        $  3.96        $  3.44        $  3.13        $  2.75        $  2.44   
 

 

 

 

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income(a)

    .00 (b)(d)      .01        .01        .01        .01        .01   

Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions

    .30        1.10        .52        .30        .38        .31   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net
asset value from operations

    .30        1.11        .53        .31        .39        .32   
 

 

 

 

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment
income

    (.01     (.00 )(d)      (.01     – 0  –      (.01     (.01
 

 

 

 

Net asset value,
end of period

    $  5.36        $  5.07        $  3.96        $  3.44        $  3.13        $  2.75   
 

 

 

 

Total Return

           

Total investment
return based on
net asset
value(c)*

    5.95  %      28.13  %      15.63  %      9.90  %      14.05  %      13.19  % 

Ratios/
Supplemental
Data

           

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

    $216,330        $205,705        $171,708        $170,572        $188,360        $206,651   

Ratio to average
net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    1.72  %^      1.81  %      1.84  %      1.89  %      1.91  %+      1.94  % 

Expenses, before
waivers/reimbursements

    1.77  %^      1.81  %      1.84  %      1.89  %      1.91  %+      1.94  % 

Net investment income

    .17  %^(b)      .22  %      .24  %      .22  %      .18  %+      .41  % 

Portfolio turnover
rate

    30  %      69  %      79  %      72  %      73  %      123  % 

See footnote summary on page 35.

 

30     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Financial Highlights


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

 

    Advisor Class  
   

Six Months
Ended
April 30,
2014

(unaudited)

    Year Ended October 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
 

 

 

 
           

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $  5.12        $  4.00        $  3.48        $  3.17        $  2.79        $  2.51   
 

 

 

 

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income(a)

    .02 (b)      .06        .05        .04        .04        .04   

Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions

    .32        1.10        .52        .31        .38        .30   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    .34        1.16        .57        .35        .42        .34   
 

 

 

 

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    (.06     (.04     (.05     (.04     (.04     (.06
 

 

 

 

Net asset value,
end of period

    $  5.40        $  5.12        $  4.00        $  3.48        $  3.17        $  2.79   
 

 

 

 

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value(c)*

    6.63  %      29.41  %      16.78  %      10.95  %      15.23  %      14.02  % 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $1,394,809        $117,962        $83,077        $73,155        $79,873        $83,924   

Ratio to average
net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    .67  %^      .80  %      .82  %      .87  %      .88  %+      .91  % 

Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements

    .72  %^      .80  %      .82  %      .87  %      .88  %+      .91  % 

Net investment income

    .95  %^(b)      1.22  %      1.26  %      1.24  %      1.20  %+      1.44  % 

Portfolio turnover rate

    30  %      69  %      79  %      72  %      73  %      123  % 

See footnote summary on page 35.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       31   

Financial Highlights


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

 

    Class R  
   

Six Months
Ended
April 30,
2014

(unaudited)

    Year Ended October 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
 

 

 

 
           

Net asset value, beginning of
period

    $  5.03        $  3.93        $  3.42        $  3.12        $  2.75        $  2.47   
 

 

 

 

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income(a)

    .02 (b)      .03        .03        .03        .02        .02   

Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions

    .28        1.10        .52        .29        .38        .31   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net
asset value from operations

    .30        1.13        .55        .32        .40        .33   
 

 

 

 

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment
income

    (.03     (.03     (.04     (.02     (.03     (.05
 

 

 

 

Net asset value,
end of period

    $  5.30        $  5.03        $  3.93        $  3.42        $  3.12        $  2.75   
 

 

 

 

Total Return

           

Total investment
return based on
net asset
value(c)*

    6.05  %      28.92  %      16.16  %      10.39  %      14.69  %      13.50  % 

Ratios/
Supplemental
Data

           

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

    $5,553        $4,844        $3,964        $2,438        $2,569        $2,135   

Ratio to average
net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    1.23  %^      1.36  %      1.36  %      1.36  %      1.39  %+      1.35  % 

Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements

    1.33  %^      1.36  %      1.36  %      1.36  %      1.39  %+      1.35  % 

Net investment income

    .66  %^(b)      .68  %      .71  %      .75  %      .67  %+      .95  % 

Portfolio turnover
rate

    30  %      69  %      79  %      72  %      73  %      123  % 

See footnote summary on page 35.

 

32     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Financial Highlights


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

 

    Class K  
   

Six Months
Ended
April 30,
2014

(unaudited)

    Year Ended October 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
 

 

 

 
           

Net asset value, beginning of
period

    $  5.07        $  3.96        $  3.44        $  3.14        $  2.77        $  2.48   
 

 

 

 

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income(a)

    .02 (b)      .04        .04        .04        .03        .03   

Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions

    .30        1.10        .53        .29        .38        .31   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net
asset value from operations

    .32        1.14        .57        .33        .41        .34   
 

 

 

 

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment
income

    (.05     (.03     (.05     (.03     (.04     (.05
 

 

 

 

Net asset value,
end of period

    $  5.34        $  5.07        $  3.96        $  3.44        $  3.14        $  2.77   
 

 

 

 

Total Return

           

Total investment
return based on
net asset
value(c)*

    6.43  %      29.12  %      16.77  %      10.53  %      14.86  %      14.16  % 

Ratios/
Supplemental
Data

           

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

    $4,942        $2,299        $2,637        $2,815        $4,365        $3,825   

Ratio to average
net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    .97  %^      1.05  %      1.05  %      1.05  %      1.09  %+      1.04  % 

Expenses, before
waivers/reimbursements

    1.04  %^      1.05  %      1.05  %      1.05  %      1.09  %+      1.04  % 

Net investment income

    .86  %^(b)      1.00  %      1.03  %      1.08  %      .97  %+      1.28  % 

Portfolio turnover
rate

    30  %      69  %      79  %      72  %      73  %      123  % 

See footnote summary on page 35.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       33   

Financial Highlights


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

 

    Class I  
   

Six Months
Ended
April 30,
2014

(unaudited)

    Year Ended October 31,  
      2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
 

 

 

 
           

Net asset value, beginning of
period

    $  5.19        $  4.05        $  3.46        $  3.15        $  2.78        $  2.49   
 

 

 

 

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income(a)

    .03        .06        .05        .06        .04        .04   

Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions

    .31        1.13        .54        .29        .38        .32   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net
asset value from operations

    .34        1.19        .59        .35        .42        .36   
 

 

 

 

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment
income

    (.07     (.05     – 0 –      (.04     (.05     (.07
 

 

 

 

Net asset value,
end of period

    $  5.46        $  5.19        $  4.05        $  3.46        $  3.15        $  2.78   
 

 

 

 

Total Return

           

Total investment
return based on
net asset
value(c)*

    6.50  %      29.66  %      17.05  %      11.18  %      15.16  %      14.84  % 

Ratios/
Supplemental
Data

           

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

    $8,313        $326        $12        $11        $1,444        $2,146   

Ratio to average
net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .65  %^      .70  %      .72  %      .74  %      .75  %+      .71  % 

Net investment income

    1.13  %^      1.18  %      1.36  %      1.65  %      1.40  %+      1.57  % 

Portfolio turnover
rate

    30  %      69      79  %      72  %      73  %      123  % 

See footnote summary on page 35.

 

34     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Financial Highlights


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

 

    Class Z  
   

Six Months
Ended
April 30,

2014
(unaudited)

    October 15,
2013(e) to
October 31,
2013
 
 

 

 

 
   

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $  5.19        $  5.05   
 

 

 

 

Income From Investment Operations

   

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    .03        (.00 )(d) 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

    .31        .14   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    .34        .14   
 

 

 

 

Less: Dividends

   

Dividends from net investment income

    (.07     – 0  – 
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $  5.46        $  5.19   
 

 

 

 

Total Return

   

Total investment return based on net asset value(c)

    6.51  %*      2.77  % 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

   

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

    $11        $10   

Ratio to average net assets of:

   

Expenses^

    .61  %      .67  % 

Net investment income^

    1.28  %      (.22 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    30  %      69  % 

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Net of fees and expenses waived/reimbursed by the Adviser.

 

(c)   Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charges or contingent deferred sales charges are not reflected in the calculation of total investment return. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

(d)   Amount is less than $.005.

 

(e)   Commencement of distribution.

 

*   Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Fund resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Fund’s performance for the six months ended April 30, 2014 and years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012, October 31, 2011, October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009 by 0.03%, 0.14%, 0.49%, 0.15%, 0.84% and 1.93%, respectively.

 

^   Annualized.

 

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

See notes to financial statement

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       35   

Financial Highlights


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,(1) Chairman

John H. Dobkin(1)

Michael J. Downey(1)

William H. Foulk, Jr.(1)

D. James Guzy(1)

  

Nancy P. Jacklin(1)

Robert M. Keith, President and
Chief Executive Officer

Garry L. Moody(1)

Earl D. Weiner(1)

OFFICERS

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President
and Independent Compliance Officer

Frank V. Caruso(2), Senior Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

  

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Stephen M. Woetzel, Controller

Vincent S. Noto, Chief Compliance Officer

 

Custodian and Accounting Agent

State Street Bank and Trust

Company

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

 

Principal Underwriter

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

 

Legal Counsel

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

  

Transfer Agent

AllianceBernstein Investor

Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-Free (800) 221-5672

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

 

(1)   Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2)   The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s Relative Value Investment Team. Mr. Caruso is the investment professional with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

36     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

Board of Directors


 

 

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

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”),2 prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund for the Directors of the Fund, as required by the August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Fund which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser

 

1   The information in the fee evaluation was completed on April 22, 2013 and discussed with the Board of Directors on April 30-May 2, 2013.

 

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

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       37   


 

 

must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In Jones, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

FUND ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Fund pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.4

 

Category   Advisory Fee5  

Net Assets

03/31/13

($MIL)

    Fund
Value  

0.55% on 1st $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

  $ 1,444.3      Growth & Income Fund, Inc.

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Fund. During the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $64,093 (0.005% of the Fund’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Fund’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Fund   Total Expense
Ratio
    

Fiscal

Year

 
Growth & Income Fund, Inc.  

Advisor

Class A

Class B

Class C

Class R

Class K

Class I

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.82

1.11

1.91

1.84

1.36

1.05

0.72


     October 31   

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

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

 

5   The advisory fee of the Fund is based on the percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets and is paid on a monthly basis

 

38     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND


 

 

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

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

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a similar investment style as the Fund.6 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is the Fund’s advisory fee and what would have

 

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

 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       39   


 

 

been the effective advisory fee of the Fund had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Fund based on March 31, 2013 net assets:7

 

Fund  

Net Assets

03/31/13

($MIL)

   

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

 

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

   

Fund

Advisory
Fee

Growth & Income Fund, Inc.     $1,444.3     

U.S. Growth and Income

0.65% on 1st $25 million

0.50% on next $25 million

0.40% on next $50 million

0.30% on next $100 million

0.25% on the balance

Minimum account size: $25m

    0.270%      0.550%

The adviser also manages the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (“AVPS”), which is available through variable annuity and variable life contracts offered by other financial institutions and offers policyholders the option to utilize certain AVPS portfolios as the investment option underlying their insurance contracts. Set forth below is the fee schedule of the AVPS portfolio that has a substantially similar investment style as the Fund.8 Also shown is the Fund’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Fund had the AVPS fee schedule been applicable to the Fund based on March 31, 2013 net assets:

 

Fund   AVPS Portfolio   Fee Schedule  

Effective
AVPS

Adv. Fee

    Fund
Advisory
Fee
 
Growth & Income Fund, Inc.   Growth & Income Portfolio  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

    0.550%        0.550%   

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

 

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

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Fund with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.9

 

7   The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

8   The AVPS portfolio was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Fund has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AVPS portfolio.

 

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

 

40     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND


 

 

Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Fund’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Fund, to the median of the Fund’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)10 and the Fund’s contractual management fee ranking.11

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

 

Fund    Contractual
Management
Fee (%)12
    

Lipper EG

Median (%)

    

Lipper

EG

Rank

 
Growth and Income Fund, Inc.      0.550         0.690         3/15   

Lipper also compared the Fund’s total expense ratio to the medians of the Fund’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classifications/objective and load type as the subject Fund.13 Set forth below is Lipper’s comparison of the Fund’s total expense ratio and the medians of the Fund’s EG and EU. The Fund’s total expense ratio rankings are also shown.

 

Fund  

Total

Expense

Ratio (%)14

    Lipper EG
Median (%)
   

Lipper

EG

Rank

 

Lipper EU

Median (%)

   

Lipper
EU

Rank

Growth and Income Fund, Inc.     1.105        1.165      4/15     1.219      19/76

 

10   Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

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

 

12   The contractual management fee rate does not reflect any expense reimbursement payments made by the Fund to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services.

 

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

 

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

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       41   


 

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Fund, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Fund and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Fund. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Fund and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive and the relationship otherwise complies with the 40 Act restrictions. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Fund and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, front-end sales loads, contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, is the Fund’s principal underwriter. ABI and the Adviser have disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus that they may make revenue sharing payments from their own resources, in addition to resources derived from sales loads and Rule 12b-1 fees, to firms that sell shares of the Fund. In 2012, ABI paid approximately 0.05% of the average monthly assets of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds or approximately $19 million for distribution services and educational support (revenue sharing payments).

 

42     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND


 

 

During the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, ABI received from the Fund $12,989, $5,199,057 and $39,214 in front-end sales charges, Rule 12b-1 and CDSC fees, respectively.

Fees and reimbursements for out of pocket expenses charged by AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), the affiliated transfer agent for the Fund, are charged on a per account basis, based on the level of service provided and the class of share held by the account. ABIS also receives a fee per shareholder sub-account for each account maintained by an intermediary on an omnibus basis. During the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received $1,657,251 in fees from the Fund.

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

 

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

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

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

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       43   


 

 

decline in net operating margin across the Adviser since late 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently reductions in average costs due to economies of scale that can be shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds managed by the Adviser through lower fees.

Previously, in February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli15 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.16 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.17 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

 

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

With assets under management of approximately $433 billion as of March 31, 2013, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Fund.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

44     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND


 

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings18 of the Fund relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended February 28, 2013.20

 

     Fund
Return (%)
   

PG

Median (%)

   

PU

Median (%)

    PG Rank   PU Rank

1 year

    13.33        13.17        11.12      7/15   38/124

3 year

    14.12        10.93        11.27      3/15   17/107

5 year

    3.52        5.25        4.08      10/13   58/94

10 year

    7.65        9.07        8.21      9/10   39/58

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Fund (in bold)21 versus its benchmark.22 Fund and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.23

 

    

Periods Ending February 28, 2013

Annualized Performance

 
   

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

    10
Year
(%)
    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized     Risk
Period
(Year)
 
               Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
   
Growth & Income Fund, Inc.     13.33        14.12        3.52        7.65        9.92        15.35        0.44        10   
Russell 1000 Value Index     17.63        13.66        3.88        8.77        N/A        15.68        0.50        10   
Inception Date: July 1, 1932               

 

18   The performance returns and rankings of the Fund are for the Fund’s Class A shares. The Fund’s performance returns were provided by Lipper.

 

19   The Fund’s PG is identical to the Fund’s EG. The Fund’s PU is not identical to the Fund’s EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

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

 

21   The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Fund.

 

22   The Adviser provided Fund and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 28, 2013.

 

23   Fund and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. The Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a fund’s return in excess of the riskless return by the fund’s standard deviation. A fund with a greater volatility would be viewed as more risky than a fund with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky fund. A fund with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a fund with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       45   


 

 

CONCLUSION:

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

Dated: May 29, 2013

 

46     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND


THIS PAGE IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN FAMILY OF FUNDS

 

US Equity

US Core

Core Opportunities Fund

Select US Equity Portfolio

US Growth

Concentrated Growth Fund

Discovery Growth Fund

Growth Fund

Large Cap Growth Fund

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

US Value

Discovery Value Fund

Equity Income Fund

Growth & Income Fund

Value Fund

International/Global Equity

International/Global Core

Global Equity & Covered Call Strategy Fund

Global Thematic Growth Fund

International Portfolio

Tax-Managed International Portfolio

International/Global Growth

International Discovery Equity Portfolio

International Growth Fund

International/Global Value

Global Value Fund

International Value Fund

Fixed Income

Municipal

High Income Municipal Portfolio

Intermediate California Portfolio

Intermediate Diversified Portfolio

Intermediate New York Portfolio

Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

Tax-Aware Fixed Income Portfolio

National Portfolio

Arizona Portfolio

California Portfolio

Massachusetts Portfolio

Michigan Portfolio

Minnesota Portfolio

New Jersey Portfolio

New York Portfolio

Ohio Portfolio

Pennsylvania Portfolio

Virginia Portfolio

Fixed Income (continued)

Taxable

Bond Inflation Strategy

Global Bond Fund

High Income Fund

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

Limited Duration High Income Portfolio

Short Duration Portfolio

Alternatives

Dynamic All Market Fund

Global Real Estate Investment Fund

Global Risk Allocation Fund

Market Neutral Strategy-Global

Market Neutral Strategy-U.S.

Real Asset Strategy

Select US Long/Short Portfolio

Unconstrained Bond Fund

Asset Allocation/Multi-Asset

Multi-Asset

Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

Retirement Strategies

2000 Retirement Strategy

2005 Retirement Strategy

2010 Retirement Strategy

2015 Retirement Strategy

2020 Retirement Strategy

2025 Retirement Strategy

2030 Retirement Strategy

2035 Retirement Strategy

2040 Retirement Strategy

2045 Retirement Strategy

2050 Retirement Strategy

2055 Retirement Strategy

Wealth Strategies

Balanced Wealth Strategy

Conservative Wealth Strategy

Wealth Appreciation Strategy

Tax-Managed Balanced Wealth Strategy

Tax-Managed Conservative Wealth Strategy

Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

Closed-End Funds

Alliance California Municipal Income Fund

Alliance New York Municipal Income Fund

AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund

AllianceBernstein Income Fund

AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund

 

We also offer Exchange Reserves, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AllianceBernstein mutual funds. An investment in Exchange Reserves is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.alliancebernstein.com or contact your AllianceBernstein investments representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       47   

AllianceBernstein Family of Funds


NOTES

 

 

48     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND


NOTES

 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       49   


NOTES

 

 

50     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND


NOTES

 

 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND       51   


NOTES

 

 

 

52     ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND


ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME FUND

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

800.221.5672

 

LOGO

 

 

GI-0152-0414   LOGO


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Please see Schedule of Investments contained in the Report to Shareholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board of Directors since the Fund last provided disclosure in response to this item.


ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective at the reasonable assurance level based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:

 

EXHIBIT
NO.

  

DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT

12(b)(1)

   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

12(b)(2)

   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

12(c)

   Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant): AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Fund, Inc.

 

By:  

/s/ Robert M. Keith

  Robert M. Keith
  President

Date: June 23, 2014

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/s/ Robert M. Keith

  Robert M. Keith
  President

Date: June 23, 2014

 

By:  

/s/ Joseph J. Mantineo

  Joseph J. Mantineo
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Date: June 23, 2014