Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Revenues:
Investment advisory and services fees	$ 543,107	$ 489,393	$ 1,572,560	$ 1,417,856
Bernstein research services	108,385	110,885	330,596	352,403
Distribution revenues	106,042	97,625	302,745	287,638
Dividend and interest income	17,619	9,908	51,023	30,128
Investment gains (losses)	18,808	17,606	68,122	85,469
Other revenues	24,902	24,240	71,532	75,044
Total revenues	818,863	749,657	2,396,578	2,248,538
Less: Interest expense	6,713	2,066	17,198	6,015
Net revenues	812,150	747,591	2,379,380	2,242,523
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	329,777	316,737	979,387	927,997
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	108,284	95,844	307,407	276,188
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	7,629	9,787	25,015	31,606
Trade execution, marketing, T&E and other	48,088	47,205	149,537	156,763
General and administrative:
General and administrative	128,712	106,504	360,395	322,184
Real estate charges (credits)	18,655	(140)	39,400	24,645
Contingent payment arrangements	(140)	(21,129)	215	(20,423)
Interest on borrowings	2,105	1,009	6,227	3,293
Amortization of intangible assets	7,013	6,465	20,921	19,344
Total expenses	650,123	562,282	1,888,504	1,741,597
Operating income	162,027	185,309	490,876	500,926
Income taxes	4,547	11,578	24,869	37,315
Net income	157,480	173,731	466,007	463,611
Net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	16,526	15,696	50,013	14,791
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 140,954	$ 158,035	$ 415,994	$ 448,820
Net income per AB Unit:
Basic (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.53	$ 0.58	$ 1.54	$ 1.65
Diluted (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.52	$ 0.58	$ 1.54	$ 1.64