Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Revenues:
Investment advisory and services fees	$ 531,163	$ 477,050	$ 1,029,453	$ 928,463
Bernstein research services	109,470	115,053	222,211	241,518
Distribution revenues	100,149	97,321	196,703	190,013
Dividend and interest income	19,348	10,147	33,404	20,220
Investment gains (losses)	24,113	2,276	49,314	67,863
Other revenues	24,265	25,833	46,630	50,804
Total revenues	808,508	727,680	1,577,715	1,498,881
Less: Interest expense	6,195	1,874	10,485	3,949
Net revenues	802,313	725,806	1,567,230	1,494,932
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	327,862	309,249	649,610	611,260
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	102,756	93,217	199,123	180,344
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	8,307	10,577	17,386	21,819
Trade execution, marketing, T&E and other	53,235	55,357	101,449	109,558
General and administrative:
General and administrative	117,462	109,757	231,683	215,680
Real estate charges (credits)	20,747	(2,801)	20,745	24,785
Contingent payment arrangements	178	353	355	706
Interest on borrowings	2,254	1,052	4,122	2,284
Amortization of intangible assets	6,975	6,470	13,908	12,879
Total expenses	639,776	583,231	1,238,381	1,179,315
Operating income	162,537	142,575	328,849	315,617
Income taxes	10,265	13,231	20,322	25,737
Net income	152,272	129,344	308,527	289,880
Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	17,169	4,843	33,487	(905)
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 135,103	$ 124,501	$ 275,040	$ 290,785
Net income per AB Unit:
Basic (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.50	$ 0.46	$ 1.01	$ 1.06
Diluted (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.50	$ 0.46	$ 1.01	$ 1.06