EX-99.2 3 d1130215_ex99-2.txt EXHIBIT MARKETING MATERIAL [LOGO OMITTED] AllianceBernstein Frequently Asked Questions | September 2010 PROXY VOTING FOR ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN AND SANFORD C. BERNSTEIN MUTUAL FUND SHAREHOLDERS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Why did you send me this package? As an owner of an AllianceBernstein or Sanford C. Bernstein ("SCB") mutual fund, you have the right to vote as a shareholder on proposals that affect your funds. This package contains information about the proposals and instructions on how to cast your vote. Why should I vote? The proposals require approval from a certain percentage of all shareholders. If we don't receive a proxy vote from you, we may call you to solicit your opinion. Spending a minute to sign and date the proxy card will avoid the need for a phone call and help us keep fund expenses down. Who is eligible to vote? Shareholders who owned shares in a mutual fund on September 9, 2010, are entitled to vote on proposals that apply to that fund. You have the right to vote, even if you sold the shares after that date. Why are you currently holding a shareholder vote for the funds? The funds are currently required to have shareholder votes every five years to elect each fund's Board of Directors. What types of proposals will be voted on? Each fund has a different set of proposals, which are explained in detail in the proxy statements included in the package. How does the Board recommend I vote? The Boards of the Funds recommend that you vote FOR all proposals. What role does the Board of Directors play? Each fund's Board oversees the fund's management and affairs. Each of the Directors has an obligation to act in what he or she believes to be the best interests of a fund, including approving and recommending the proposals in the proxy statement. The background of each nominee for Director is described in the proxy statement. How can I vote my shares? After you read the proxy statement, please follow the voting instructions, which are printed on the proxy card: By Mail: o Check the appropriate boxes on the reverse side of the proxy card o Sign and date the card o Return the card in the envelope provided By Phone: o Have the proxy card at hand o Call toll-free 1.888.221.0697 o Follow the recorded instructions By Internet: o Have the proxy card at hand o Log on to www.proxyweb.com o Follow the online instructions Why are there so many proposals for multiple funds in one document? We have prepared consolidated proxy cards that allow you to vote on proposals for each of the mutual funds you own. You can find detailed information on the proposals in the proxy statements. What if I want to revoke my proxy? If you allow AllianceBernstein to vote your proxy and then change your mind, you can revoke it by giving written notice to the secretary of a fund at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, or by authorizing a later-dated proxy by signing and submitting another proxy card, voting in person at the meeting, or calling Broadridge at the following numbers: Bernstein Clients: 1.866.450.8471 AllianceBernstein Clients: 1.866.451.3783 Whom do I call if I have questions regarding the proxy? Clients should call Broadridge, our proxy solicitation firm, at the following numbers: Bernstein Clients: 1.866.450.8471 AllianceBernstein Clients: 1.866.451.3783 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SPECIFIC STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS Why are the Boards proposing to amend the investment advisory agreements of certain funds? The first proposed amendments relate to the calculation of the investment advisory fees for certain funds. The standard investment advisory agreements between the Funds' Advisor, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the "Advisor") and most of the Funds provide that the advisory fee rate is calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets. Certain of the Funds' agreements vary from this standard and provide that the fee rate is calculated as a percentage of net assets at the end of the preceding calendar quarter. We are proposing to amend the agreements that vary from the standard so that the agreements provide that the advisory fee rate will be calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets. This amendment would eliminate disparities between the contractual fee rate and the effective fee rate that result from the calculation of the fee rate as of the end of each preceding calendar quarter. The second proposed amendment relates to the reimbursement to the Advisor of its costs of providing certain administrative services to a Fund at the request of the Fund. The standard investment advisory agreement for the Funds provides for the reimbursement to the Advisor of these costs. One Fund's agreement does not include this provision. We are proposing to amend the agreement that varies from the standard agreements to provide for the reimbursement to the Advisor of these costs. Why are the Boards proposing the amendment of the declarations of trust of certain funds that are organized as Massachusetts business trusts? Several of the AllianceBernstein Funds are organized under Massachusetts law as Massachusetts Business Trusts. Currently, the declarations of trust of certain of these Funds require a stockholder vote to amend the declarations, except in certain limited situations. We are proposing to amend the declarations to provide the Directors with broad authority to amend the declarations without a vote of stockholders. By allowing future amendments of a declaration without stockholder approval, this proposal removes limits on the Directors' authority to take actions that would benefit the Funds and their stockholders. In connection with this proposal, the Directors approved certain amendments to the declarations to take effect if stockholders approve the proposal. These amendments would eliminate stockholder votes on reorganization or merger, termination of a trust, and liquidation of a class or series, as applicable. These amendments are intended to enable the Directors to take actions that would be in the best interests of stockholders without the cost and delay of obtaining a stockholder vote. The Directors also approved certain other administrative amendments to the declarations, as described in the proxy statement to improve the efficient management of the Funds. Why are the Boards proposing the amendment and restatement of the charter of certain of the funds that are organized as Maryland corporations? Most of the Funds are organized under Maryland law. We are proposing the amendment and restatement of the charters of certain Funds that are Maryland corporations for your approval in order to modernize and standardize these documents and to facilitate more efficient management of the Funds by giving them greater flexibility as permitted under Maryland law. Why are the Boards proposing to amend certain of the funds' fundamental policies regarding commodities? Certain policies are required by the federal law applicable to mutual funds to be fundamental, meaning they cannot be changed without a stockholder vote. We are proposing to amend the AllianceBernstein Funds' fundamental policies regarding commodities and adopt a more flexible policy that will reference applicable law. The proposed amendment is intended to clarify that the Funds may continue to be able to engage in current investment practices as approved by the Directors, regardless of changes in applicable law, including changes as a result of recent financial reform legislation. The revised policy will not change the way the Funds are managed. Why are the Boards proposing to reclassify certain of the funds' fundamental investment objectives? A Fund's investment objective is not required to be fundamental under applicable law. We propose the reclassification of certain Funds' fundamental investment objectives as non-fundamental, similar to most of the other Funds, to provide each Fund with the flexibility to respond to market changes by changing its investment objective without incurring the expense and delay of seeking a stockholder vote. The reclassification would permit a Fund to revise its investment objective in the event the Board determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Fund in light of the facts and circumstances, including market conditions or trends. Any subsequent change in a Fund's investment objective would be subject to prior approval by the Board of that Fund. Stockholders will be given at least 60 days, notice prior to the implementation of a material change in an investment objective. Proposals
Fund(s) Affected Proposal Description -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------- All Funds The election of the Directors, To elect Directors for each Fund. All each such Director to serve a Fund stockholders will be asked to term of an indefinite duration vote on this proposal and stockholders and until his or her successor is of a Fund will be asked to separately duly elected and qualifies. elect Directors of that Fund. -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------- AlllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio Amendments to Investment Advisory The proposed amendment relates to the AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Fund Agreements to Conform Fee calculation of the investment advisory Measurement Periods. fees for certain Funds. The standard investment advisory agreements between the Advisor and most of the Funds provide that the advisory fee rate is calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets. Certain of the Funds' agreements vary from this standard and provide that the fee rate is calculated as a percentage of net assets at the end of the preceding calendar quarter. We are proposing to amend the agreements that vary from the standard so that the agreements provide that the advisory fee rate will be calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets. This amendment would eliminate disparities between the contractual fee rate and the effective fee rate that result from the calculation of the fee rate as of the end of each preceding calendar quarter. -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------- The AllianceBernstein Portfolios Amendment to Investment Advisory The proposed amendment relates to the AllianceBernstein Growth Fund Agreement to Permit Reimbursement reimbursement to the Advisor of its AllianceBernstein Conservative Wealth Strategy to the Advisor of Certain costs of providing certain AllianceBernstein Tax-Managed Conservative Wealth Administrative Expenses. administrative services to a Fund at Strategy the request of the Fund. The standard AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy investment advisory agreement for the AllianceBernstein Tax-Managed Balanced Wealth Funds provides for the reimbursement Strategy to the Advisor of these costs. One AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Fund's agreement does not include this AllianceBernstein Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation provision. We are proposing to amend Strategy the agreement that varies from the standard agreements to provide for the reimbursement to the Advisor of these costs. -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------- AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves The amendment of the Declarations Several of the Funds are organized AllianceBernstein Municipal Income Fund II of Trusts for certain of the under Massachusetts law as Arizona Portfolio Funds that are organized as Massachusetts Business Trusts. Massachusetts Portfolio Massachusetts Business Trusts. Currently, the declarations of trust Michigan Portfolio of certain of these Funds require a Minnesota Portfolio stockholder vote to amend the New Jersey Portfolio declarations, except in certain Ohio Portfolio limited situations. We are proposing Pennsylvania Portfolio to amend the declarations to provide Virginia Portfolio the Directors with broad authority to AllianceBernstein Trust ("ABT") amend the declarations without a vote AllianceBernstein Value Fund of stockholders. By allowing future AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Fund amendments of a declaration without AllianceBernstein International Value Fund stockholder approval, this proposal AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund removes limits on the Directors' authority to take actions that would benefit the Funds and their stockholders. In connection with this proposal, the Directors approved certain amendments to the declarations to take effect if stockholders approve the proposal. These amendments would eliminate stockholder votes on reorganization or merger, termination of a trust, and liquidation of a class or series, as applicable. These amendments are intended to enable the Directors to take actions that would be in the best interests of stockholders without the cost and delay of obtaining a stockholder vote. The Directors also approved certain other administrative amendments to the declarations, as described in the Proxy Statement to improve the efficient management of the Funds. -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------- AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc. The amendment and restatement of Most of the Funds are organized under AllianceBernstein Blended Style Series, Inc. the charters for certain of the Maryland law. We are proposing the US Large Cap Portfolio Funds that are organized as amendment and restatement of the AllianceBernstein 2000 Retirement Strategy Maryland corporations, which will charters of certain Funds that are AllianceBernstein 2005 Retirement Strategy repeal in their entirety all of Maryland corporations for your AllianceBernstein 2010 Retirement Strategy the currently existing charter approval in order to modernize and AllianceBernstein 2015 Retirement Strategy provisions and substitute in lieu standardize these documents and to AllianceBernstein 2020 Retirement Strategy thereof the new provisions set facilitate more efficient management AllianceBernstein 2025 Retirement Strategy forth in the Form of Articles of of the Funds by giving them greater AllianceBernstein 2030 Retirement Strategy Amendment and Restatement flexibility as permitted under AllianceBernstein 2035 Retirement Strategy attached to the accompanying Maryland law. AllianceBernstein 2040 Retirement Strategy Proxy statement as Appendix C. AllianceBernstein 2045 Retirement Strategy AllianceBernstein 2050 Retirement Strategy AllianceBernstein 2055 Retirement Strategy AllianceBernstein Corporate Shares AllianceBernstein Corporate Income Shares AllianceBernstein Municipal Income Shares AllianceBernstein Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shares AllianceBernstein Core Opportunities Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Equity Income Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Greater China '97 Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein High Income Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein International Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------- All Funds except The amendment of certain of the Certain policies are required by the AllianceBernstein Bond Fund--Multi-Asset Inflation Funds' fundamental policies federal law applicable to mutual funds Strategy regarding commodities. to be fundamental, meaning they cannot AllianceBernstein Cap Fund--Market Neutral Strategy--US be changed without a stockholder vote. AllianceBernsten Cap Fund--Market Neutral Strategy--Global We are proposing to amend the Funds' fundamental policies regarding commodities and adopt a more flexible policy that will reference applicable law. The proposed amendment is intended to clarify that the Funds may continue to be able to engage in current investment practices as approved by the Directors, regardless of changes in applicable law, including changes as a result of recent financial reform legislation. The revised policy will not change the way the Funds are managed. -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------- AllianceBernstein Blended Style Series-- The reclassification of certain A Fund's investment objective is not US Large Cap Portfolio of the Funds' fundamental required to be fundamental under AllianceBernstein Greater China '97 Fund, Inc. investment objectives as non applicable law. We propose the fundamental. reclassification of certain Funds' fundamental investment objectives as non-fundamental, similar to most of the other Funds, to provide each Fund with the flexibility to respond to market changes by changing its investment objective without incurring the expense and delay of seeking a stockholder vote. The reclassification would permit a Fund to revise its investment objective in the event the Board determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Fund in light of the facts and circumstances, including market conditions or trends. Any subsequent change in a Fund's investment objective would be subject to prior approval by the Board of that Fund. Stockholders will be given at least 60 days, notice prior to the implementation of a material change in an investment objective. -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
@2010 AllianceBernstein L.P. Note to All Readers: The information contained here reflects the views of AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates and sources it believes are reliable as of the date of this publication. AllianceBernstein L.P. makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this publication. This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. AllianceBernstein L.P. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. It does not take an investor's personal investment objectives or financial situation into account; investors should discuss their individual circumstances with appropriate professionals before making any decisions. This information should not be construed as sales or marketing material or an offer of solicitation for the purchase or sale of, any financial instrument, product or service sponsored by AllianceBernstein or its affiliates. Note to Canadian Readers: This publication has been provided by AllianceBernstein Canada, Inc., or Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC, and is for general information purposes only. It should not be construed as advice as to the investing in or the buying or selling of securities, or as an activity in furtherance of a trade in securities. Neither AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments nor AllianceBernstein L.P. provides investment advice or deals in securities in Canada. Note to UK Readers: This document has been provided by AllianceBernstein Limited. Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount invested. Note to Japanese Institutional Readers: This document has been provided by AllianceBernstein Japan Ltd. AllianceBernstein Japan Ltd. is a registered investment-management company (registration number: Kanto Local Financial Bureau no. 303). The firm is also a member of Japan Securities Investment Advisers Association and the Investment Trusts Association, Japan. Note to Australian and New Zealand Readers: This document has been issued by AllianceBernstein Australia Limited (ABN 53 095 022 718 and AFSL 230698). Information in this document is intended for wholesale investors only, and is not to be construed as advice. Note to Singapore Readers: This document has been issued by AllianceBernstein (Singapore) Ltd. (Company Registration No. 199703364C). The Company is a holder of a Capital Markets Services Licence issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to conduct regulated activity in fund management. Note to Hong Kong Readers: This document is issued in Hong Kong by AllianceBernstein Hong Kong Limited, a licensed entity regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. This document has not been reviewed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Note to Readers in Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia and India: This document is provided solely for the informational purposes of institutional investors and is not investment advice, nor is it intended to be an offer or solicitation, and does not pertain to the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any person to whom it is sent. This document is not an advertisement and is not intended for public use or additional distribution. AllianceBernstein is not licensed to, and does not purport to, conduct any business or offer any services in any of the above countries. Note to Readers in Malaysia: Nothing in this document should be construed as an invitation or offer to subscribe to or purchase any securities, nor is it an offering of fund-management services, advice, analysis or a report concerning securities. AllianceBernstein is not licensed to, and does not purport to, conduct any business or offer any services in Malaysia. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, AllianceBernstein does not hold a capital markets services license under the Capital Markets & Services Act 2007 of Malaysia, and does not, nor does it purport to, deal in securities, trade in futures contracts, manage funds, offer corporate finance or investment advice, or provide financial-planning services in Malaysia. MSCI Note: MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed or produced by MSCI. [LOGO OMITTED] AllianceBernstein
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