Net Income per Unit (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Unit [Abstract]

Earnings per unit, basic and diluted

Basic net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the basic weighted average number of units outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the total of the diluted weighted average number of units outstanding for each period.

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$	149,094	$	136,435	$	290,563	$	253,160
Weighted average units outstanding – basic	272,858		268,782		272,844		268,621
Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	1,253		1,169		1,184		1,127
Weighted average units outstanding – diluted	274,111		269,951		274,028		269,748
Basic net income per AB Unit	$	0.54	$	0.50	$	1.05	$	0.93
Diluted net income per AB Unit	$	0.54	$	0.50	$	1.05	$	0.93