8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 20, 2018

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDING L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-09818	13-3434400
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

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

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Item 7.01.    Regulation FD Disclosure.

AllianceBernstein L.P. (“AB”) and AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. are furnishing a news release (the “AB-Autonomous Release”) issued on November 20, 2018 announcing AB’s offer to acquire all the partnership interests and shares of Autonomous Research. The AB-Autonomous Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.01.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.01 AB-Autonomous Release.

SIGNATURE

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

	ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDINGL.P.
Dated: November 20, 2018	By:	/s/ David M. Lesser
		David M. Lesser Corporate Secretary

EX-99.01

Andrea Prochniak, Investors and Media 212.756.4542 andrea.prochniak@alliancebernstein.com

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN ANNOUNCES OFFER TO ACQUIRE AUTONOMOUS RESEARCH

Adding Autonomous Research to the Bernstein Research Services research and trading platform increases its scale, client relevance and reach in the globally significant financial services sector

New York, NY, November 20, 2018 - AllianceBernstein (AB) and Autonomous Research (Autonomous) announced today that AB has made an offer to acquire all the partnership interests and shares of Autonomous. AB is a leading global asset manager with $530 billion of assets under management and its Bernstein subsidiary is an industry leader in institutional equity research and trading. Autonomous is a well-known and highly regarded global financial services and fintech focused institutional research firm. Through the combination, Bernstein gains further scale to continue investing in its top-ranked research offering, while Autonomous obtains access to the broad distribution reach of Bernstein's global institutional sales team and the infrastructure and related efficiencies of Bernstein's global trading operations.

AB's strong suit has always been, and will continue to be, the firm’s commitment to fundamental research. The culture, insights and skills that flow from a deep tradition of intellectual rigor contribute to all aspects of AB's business - asset management, private wealth management and sell side research. 

Even as regulatory changes are testing the industry, they are also creating an opportunity for high quality research providers to strengthen relationships with their clients and gain share. "In an increasingly complex environment for asset managers, fundamental research excellence will be even more of a distinguishing characteristic," said Seth Bernstein, AB's President and CEO. "The combination of Autonomous and Bernstein positions AB to be the preeminent provider of the industry’s highest quality independent research to our clients worldwide. Research is the foundation of our business, and investing judiciously in these capabilities will enhance AB's reputation and value proposition to all our clients."

"Since Autonomous was founded in 2009, we have built a strong track record of growth by delivering best-in-class independent research. The combination with AB will allow us to offer a complementary range of research and trading capabilities to a wider global audience,” added Erick Davis, CEO of Autonomous. “We are delighted at the prospect of joining forces with a firm that shares our same passion for, and dedication to, in-depth independent research and impeccable client service.”

Upon completion of the acquisition, each organization will retain its own unique business model, and, initially, its distinct brand identity. The acquisition is expected to close within the next several months, subject to regulatory approvals. With a modest up-front investment, it is structured primarily as a long-term earn-out to align the ultimate price paid with the long-term benefits realized. AB expects the transaction to be slightly accretive by 2020.

www.alliancebernstein.com    1 of 1

About AllianceBernstein

AllianceBernstein is a leading global investment management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals and private wealth clients in major world markets.

As of September 30, 2018, including both the general partnership and limited partnership interests in AllianceBernstein, AllianceBernstein Holding owned approximately 35.5% of AllianceBernstein and AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH), directly and through various subsidiaries, owned an approximate 65.1% economic interest in AllianceBernstein.

Additional information about AB may be found on our website, www.alliancebernstein.com.

About Autonomous Research

Autonomous Research (autonomous.com) is a leading independent research provider on financial institutions globally, servicing clients with high quality research and execution capabilities across the capital structure. It has built a leading voice in the Fintech space via its Autonomous NEXT brand. The business is organized as a partnership with no outside investors.

www.alliancebernstein.com    2 of 2