Net Income per Unit (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Unit [Abstract]

Schedule of 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 March 31,
	2016		2015
	(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$	168,926	$	141,469
Weighted average units outstanding – basic	271,853		272,831
Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	400		1,098
Weighted average units outstanding – diluted	272,253		273,929
Basic net income per AB Unit	$	0.62	$	0.51
Diluted net income per AB Unit	$	0.61	$	0.51